Photo: Happy Advent

 

Poem: "Acceptance" by Robert Frost

When the spent sun throws up its rays on cloud
And goes down burning into the gulf below,
No voice in nature is heard to cry aloud
At what has happened. Birds, at least, must know
It is the change to darkness in the sky.
Murmuring something quiet in its breast,
One bird begins to close a faded eye;
Or overtaken too far from its nest,
Hurrying low above the grove, some waif
Swoops just in time to his remembered tree.
At most he thinks or twitters softly, “Safe!
Now let the night be dark for all of me.
Let the night be too dark for me to see
Into the future. Let what will be be.”

Spirituality: Art and Meaning, by Tomas Halik, The Afternoon of Christianity, p. 26

There is an intrinsic affinity between faith, love, and artistic creation where we encounter” the passion and energy that animates the world.  “Romanticism rightly sensed the sacred character of the eros present in religious, artistic, and amorous passion.”  In creation, as in love and faith, one gives, but at the same time one receives and accepts. Both the giving and the discerning acceptance of the gift is a means of transcendence. Culture and art are expressions of the human search for meaning. In this longing, openness and “divinely aroused” (St. Augustine) restlessness of the heart, God is present, even here on earth.  

Photo: Douglas, Massachusetts Town Common

 

Spirituality: Co-creating art, by Tomas Halik, The Afternoon of Christianity, p. 27

 Human beings are joint creators of and their environment by their activity and their power and also by the “contemplative approach to life and their openness to the mystery of the absolute.” Is not solely the product of its creator. It is an event of encounter. A work of art lives and becomes complete through the perception of those who are affected by it. Just as the process of creation continues and completes itself in human history, the work of art lives, happens, and completes itself in those who experience it. Art demands the art of communication and its interpretation and invitation to interpretation.

 

Photo: Give Thanks

 

Spirituality: Ernest Hemingway on "Listening"

 When people talk listen completely. Don’t be thinking what you’re going to say. Most people never listen. Nor do they observe. You should be able to go into a room and when you come out know everything that you saw there and not only that. If that room gave you any feeling you should know exactly what it was that gave you that feeling. 

 

It’s a rare and profound gift to be fully present with someone, and yet, it’s something so few of us truly offer. Most people only half-listen, their minds already formulating their next words, distracted by their own thoughts, or zoning out entirely.

 

Imagine how powerful it would be if we listened more deeply—if we made a commitment to being fully engaged, to hearing and understanding not just the words, but the emotions and intentions behind them. Listening isn’t just about waiting for your turn to speak; it’s about absorbing what someone else is sharing and making them feel heard, valued, and understood. It’s about connecting on a level deeper than surface conversations, because when you truly listen, you open a door to empathy and genuine connection. And isn’t that what we’re all really longing for?

 

Beyond listening, there is also the art of observing, of truly noticing the world around you. When you walk into a room, take a moment to soak in everything. Notice the details—the way the sunlight filters through the windows, the color of the walls, the expressions on people’s faces, the way someone is nervously tapping their foot or laughing with their eyes more than their mouth. Most of us rush through spaces, our minds preoccupied and our eyes barely registering what’s in front of us. But there’s magic in paying attention, in being mindful of the small details that make every moment unique.

 

Think of the room not just as a physical space, but as an experience. Every room has a mood, a feeling, an energy. It could be the coziness of a room filled with laughter, the tension of a space where a difficult conversation just took place, or the warmth of a place that holds beautiful memories. The more we tune in to these subtle feelings, the more deeply we can understand our surroundings and the people in them. What gave you that feeling? Was it the way someone’s eyes lit up when they smiled? The scent of freshly brewed coffee that brought a sense of comfort? Or perhaps the distant echo of a song that stirred up a forgotten memory?

 

Being observant and emotionally aware in this way takes practice, but it also transforms the way you move through life. You become more sensitive, more attuned, more aware. You start to notice the way a friend’s voice softens when they’re talking about something they love, or the slight shift in someone’s tone when they’re hiding something. You begin to see and feel things that others miss entirely, and that awareness can lead to a richer, more connected experience of the world.

 

It’s a beautiful thing to be a person who listens with their heart, who observes deeply, and who feels fully. It means you’re not just drifting through life; you’re living it intentionally. You’re soaking in the fullness of each moment, aware of the beauty and complexity around you. It means you understand people better, because you’ve made the effort to see and hear them, to pick up on the nuances of their being. It means you can be the kind of person whose presence feels calming, because people know you’re truly there with them, not just waiting for your turn to talk or half-heartedly engaging.

 

So, when you’re in conversation, let go of the urge to plan your next statement. Take a breath, relax your mind, and give the person speaking your undivided attention. Let yourself be present, fully. When you walk into a room, slow down and really see it. Observe the details, feel the energy, notice the small things that make that moment unique. You’ll find that life becomes richer, fuller, and more meaningful when you learn to listen and observe completely. It’s not just about hearing words or seeing objects—it’s about feeling the fullness of everything around you. It’s about experiencing life, deeply and completely.

A Civilization of Love: The First Sunday in Advent 2024

                                                             A Civilization of Love:

The First Sunday in Advent 2024

December 1, 2024

www.johnpredmoresj.com | predmore.blogspot.com

predmoresj@yahoo.com | 617.510.9673

Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25; 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2; Luke 21:25-36

 

The reading from Jeremiah tells us that we must trust patiently in the promise that will slowly unveil itself. We must trust the one who stands behind the promise, the one who makes all that is right come into being. The Gospel of Luke tells us that we may get pulled into the drama around us. This drama is designed to feed on our fears and sensibilities. It will be loud, in your face events designed to unsettle you, and fear is quite powerful. The powers of this world will do what they can to increase our anxiety because it sells and fear is needed to exert control over our actions and beliefs, but we are to remain vigilant, aware of that slowly unfolding promise of goodness and light. We are to increase that light by staying settled and centered so we can see rightly.

 

St. Paul tells us that our love for one another must increase. We are the promise that is sent into the world to slowly reveal God’s presence, and we do so by our loving actions. Love is that quality that settles the drama. Love exists in the human heart; so does hatred, indifference, and selfishness. Our actions have profound effects upon others, because, through our actions and thoughts, we are capable of making more Herods, Grinches, and Ebenezer Scrooges today. We are capable of making saints too. Therefore, we are to keep our hearts open to others. The deepest part of each person was created for love, and we will fulfill God’s plan only if we learn to love. Only through love do we become our genuine selves. 

 

We must remember this: God wished to become one of us, a part of our history, and a companion on our earthly journey. Jesus became the Incarnate One so we can know that God understands our human joy and suffering. This Jesus remains alive, with a living heart, and he both loves us, and receives our love, and every time we love another person, we increase the love for which we were born. Any act of love spontaneously refers back to Jesus, and he continues to invite us into a friendship that is marked by dialogue, affection, trust, and adoration. We often think that we can sit before the tabernacle to adore Jesus, but at the same time, Jesus is adoring us. In fact, his love for us comes first. His heart is the unifying center of our souls. 

 

As a people of faith, we model our lives after Jesus and remember what he did in his humanity: healing the sick, embracing sinners, and showing mercy. This is our path forward as we open our hearts to love. We are called to create a civilization of love. As I listen to your stories, I plainly see your love, and your attempts to create this civilization by responding in the best way possible to those in your lives. The best response to the love of Christ is to love our brothers and sisters, to be people with and for others. There is no greater way for us to return that love to God. This love demands transforming the parts of our hearts that can become selfish. This type of loving became a new principle in human history that emphasized that individuals are even more worthy of our respect and love when they are weak, scorned, or suffering. Through our prayer and worship, we are inspired to be more attentive to the sufferings and needs of others. The heart of Jesus is not indifferent to the way we respond to his thirst for love. Jesus asks for love, and his love of us moves us to return love for greater love. This love is what we see during this period of Advent – a God of love who waits for us and wants to be with us more than we can ever know. These next few weeks are time to notice the drama of the world from afar but letting the love of Christ settle peacefully into our own. Peace, justice, and harmony then has a chance to thrive. 

 

Scripture for Daily Mass

Monday: (Isaiah 2) In days to come, the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it

 

Tuesday: (Isaiah 11) A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, A Spirit of counsel and of strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.

 

Wednesday: (Isaiah 25) On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples
A feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples.

 

Thursday: (Isaiah 26) A strong city have we; he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us.
Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith.

 

Friday (Isaiah 29) Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard, and the orchard be regarded as a forest! On that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book; And out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see.

 

Saturday (Isaiah 30) O people of Zion, who dwell in Jerusalem, no more will you weep;
He will be gracious to you when you cry out, as soon as he hears he will answer you.

 

Gospel: 

Monday: (Matthew 8) When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully." He said to him, "I will come and cure him."

 

Tuesday: (Luke 10) Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.

 

Wednesday (Matthew 15) My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.

 

Thursday (Luke 17) As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten persons with leprosy met him.
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”

 

Friday (Matthew 9) “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him. 
Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened. 

 

Saturday (Matthew 9) At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them
because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.

 

Saints of the Week

 

December 1: Edmund Campion, S.J., (1540- 1581), Robert Southwell, S.J., (1561-1595) martyrs, were English natives and Jesuit priests at a time when Catholics were persecuted in the country. Both men acknowledge Queen Elizabeth as monarch, but they refused to renounce their Catholic faith. They are among the 40 martyrs of England and Wales. Campion was killed in 1581 and Southwell’s death was 1595.

 

December 3: Francis Xavier, S.J., priest (1506-1552) was a founding member of the Jesuit Order who was sent to the East Indies and Japan as a missionary. His preaching converted hundreds of thousands of converts to the faith. He died before reaching China. Xavier was a classmate of Peter Faber and Ignatius of Loyola at the University of Paris.

 

December 6: Nicholas, bishop (d. 350), lived in southwest Turkey and was imprisoned during the Diocletian persecution. He attended the Council of Nicaea in 324. Since there are many stories of his good deeds, generous charity, and remarkable pastoral care, his character became the foundation for the image of Santa Claus.

 

December 7: Ambrose, bishop and doctor (339-397) was a Roman governor who fairly mediated an episcopal election in Milan. He was then acclaimed their bishop even though he was not baptized. He baptized Augustine in 386 and is doctor of the church because of his preaching, teaching and influential ways of being a pastor.

This Week in Jesuit History

 

• December 1, 1581: At Tyburn in London, Edmund Campion and Alexander Briant were martyred. 
• December 2, 1552: On the island of Sancian off the coast of China, Francis Xavier died. 
• December 3, 1563: At the Council of Trent, the Institute of the Society was approved. 
• December 4, 1870: The Roman College, appropriated by the Piedmontese government, was reopened as a Lyceum. The monogram of the Society over the main entrance was effaced. 
• December 5, 1584: By his bull Omnipotentis Dei, Pope Gregory XIII gave the title of Primaria to Our Lady's Sodality established in the Roman College in 1564 and empowered it to aggregate other similar sodalities. 
• December 6, 1618: In Naples, the Jesuits were blamed for proposing to the Viceroy that a solemn feast should be held in honor of the Immaculate Conception and that priests should make a public pledge defend the doctrine. This was regarded as a novelty not to be encouraged. 

December 7, 1649: Charles Garnier was martyred in Etarita, Canada, as a missionary to the Petun Indians, among whom he died during an Iroquois attack.

Una civilización del amor: Primer domingo de Adviento 2024

                                                       Una civilización del amor:

Primer domingo de Adviento 2024

1 de diciembre de 2024

www.johnpredmoresj.com | predmore.blogspot.com

predmoresj@yahoo.com | 617.510.9673

Jeremías 33:14-16; Salmo 25; 1 Tesalonicenses 3:12-4:2; Lucas 21:25-36

 

La lectura de Jeremías nos dice que debemos confiar con paciencia en la promesa que se irá revelando poco a poco. Debemos confiar en Aquel que está detrás de la promesa, Aquel que hace que todo lo que es correcto se haga realidad. El Evangelio de Lucas nos dice que podemos ser arrastrados por el drama que nos rodea. Este drama está diseñado para alimentar nuestros miedos y sensibilidades. Serán acontecimientos ruidosos, que nos sorprenderán y que están diseñados para inquietarnos, y el miedo es muy poderoso. Los poderes de este mundo harán lo que puedan para aumentar nuestra ansiedad porque vende y el miedo es necesario para ejercer control sobre nuestras acciones y creencias, pero debemos permanecer vigilantes, conscientes de esa promesa de bondad y luz que se revela lentamente. Debemos aumentar esa luz manteniéndonos tranquilos y centrados para poder ver correctamente.

 

San Pablo nos dice que nuestro amor por los demás debe aumentar. Somos la promesa enviada al mundo para revelar lentamente la presencia de Dios, y lo hacemos mediante nuestras acciones amorosas. El amor es esa cualidad que resuelve el drama. El amor existe en el corazón humano; también lo hacen el odio, la indiferencia y el egoísmo. Nuestras acciones tienen efectos profundos en los demás, porque, a través de nuestras acciones y pensamientos, somos capaces de hacer más Herodes , Grinches y Ebenezer Scrooge hoy. También somos capaces de hacer santos. Por lo tanto, debemos mantener nuestros corazones abiertos a los demás. La parte más profunda de cada persona fue creada para el amor, y cumpliremos el plan de Dios solo si aprendemos a amar. Solo a través del amor nos convertimos en nuestro yo genuino.

 

Debemos recordar esto: Dios quiso hacerse uno de nosotros, parte de nuestra historia y compañero de nuestro camino terrenal. Jesús se hizo carne para que sepamos que Dios comprende nuestras alegrías y sufrimientos humanos. Este Jesús sigue vivo, con un corazón vivo, y nos ama y recibe nuestro amor, y cada vez que amamos a otra persona, aumentamos el amor para el que nacimos. Cualquier acto de amor remite espontáneamente a Jesús, y él continúa invitándonos a una amistad que se caracteriza por el diálogo, el afecto, la confianza y la adoración. A menudo pensamos que podemos sentarnos ante el sagrario para adorar a Jesús, pero al mismo tiempo, Jesús nos adora a nosotros. De hecho, su amor por nosotros es lo primero. Su corazón es el centro unificador de nuestras almas.

 

Como pueblo de fe, modelamos nuestras vidas según Jesús y recordamos lo que Él hizo en su humanidad: sanar a los enfermos, abrazar a los pecadores y mostrar misericordia. Este es nuestro camino a seguir mientras abrimos nuestros corazones al amor. Estamos llamados a crear una civilización del amor. Al escuchar sus historias, veo claramente su amor y sus intentos de crear esta civilización respondiendo de la mejor manera posible a las personas en sus vidas. La mejor respuesta al amor de Cristo es amar a nuestros hermanos y hermanas, ser personas con y para los demás. No hay mejor manera de devolver ese amor a Dios. Este amor exige transformar las partes de nuestro corazón que pueden volverse egoístas. Este tipo de amor se convirtió en un nuevo principio en la historia humana que enfatizó que las personas son aún más dignas de nuestro respeto y amor cuando son débiles, despreciadas o sufren. A través de nuestra oración y adoración, somos inspirados a estar más atentos a los sufrimientos y necesidades de los demás. El corazón de Jesús no es indiferente a la forma en que respondemos a su sed de amor. Jesús pide amor, y su amor por nosotros nos mueve a devolver amor con un amor mayor. Este amor es lo que vemos durante este período de Adviento: un Dios de amor que nos espera y quiere estar con nosotros más de lo que jamás podremos imaginar. Estas próximas semanas son el momento de observar el drama del mundo desde lejos, pero dejando que el amor de Cristo se instale pacíficamente en el nuestro. La paz, la justicia y la armonía tienen entonces la oportunidad de prosperar.

 

Escritura para la misa diaria

Lunes: (Isaías 2 ) En los días venideros, el monte de la casa del SEÑOR será establecido como el monte más alto y se elevará sobre los collados; todas las naciones correrán hacia él.

 

Martes: (Isaías 11 ) Un retoño brotará del tronco de Isaí, y de sus raíces florecerá un vástago. El Espíritu del SEÑOR reposará sobre él: espíritu de sabiduría y de inteligencia, espíritu de consejo y de poder, espíritu de conocimiento y de temor del SEÑOR; y su deleite será el temor del SEÑOR.

 

Miércoles: (Isaías 25 ) En este monte el Señor de los ejércitos preparará para todos los pueblos 
un banquete de manjares suculentos y de vinos selectos, manjares jugosos y suculentos y vinos puros y selectos. En este monte destruirá el velo que cubre a todos los pueblos.

 

Jueves: (Isaías 26 ) Somos una ciudad fuerte; él levanta muros y murallas para protegernos. 
Abran las puertas para que entre una nación justa y fiel.

 

Viernes (Isaías 29 ) El Líbano se convertirá en un huerto, y el huerto será considerado como un bosque. En ese día, los sordos oirán las palabras de un libro; y en medio de la oscuridad y la oscuridad, los ojos de los ciegos verán.

 

Sábado (Isaías 30) Pueblo de Sión, que moras en Jerusalén, nunca más llorarás; 
Él tendrá misericordia de ti cuando clames; tan pronto como te oiga te responderá.

 

Evangelio:

Lunes: (Mateo 8) Cuando Jesús entró en Capernaúm, se le acercó un centurión y le suplicó, diciendo: "Señor, mi criado está postrado en casa, paralítico, sufriendo terriblemente". Le dijo: "Iré y lo curaré".

 

Martes: (Lucas 10 ) Jesús se regocijó en el Espíritu Santo y dijo: "Te alabo, Padre, Señor del cielo y de la tierra, porque aunque has escondido estas cosas a los sabios y a los entendidos, las has revelado a los pequeños.

 

Miércoles (Mateo 15 ) Me da pena la multitud, porque ya hace tres días que están conmigo y no tienen qué comer. No quiero despedirlos con hambre, por temor a que se desmayen en el camino.

 

Jueves (Lucas 17) Mientras Jesús continuaba su viaje hacia Jerusalén, pasó por Samaria y Galilea. Al entrar en un pueblo, diez leprosos se encontraron con él. 
Se pararon a cierta distancia y alzaron la voz diciendo: “¡Jesús, Maestro! ¡Ten compasión de nosotros!”.

 

Viernes (Mateo 9 ) “¿Creen que puedo hacer esto?” “Sí, Señor”, le respondieron. 
Entonces les tocó los ojos y les dijo: “Hágase en ustedes conforme a su fe”. Y se les abrieron los ojos.

 

Sábado (Mateo 9 ) Al ver a las multitudes, su corazón se compadeció de ellas, 
porque estaban angustiadas y abandonadas, como ovejas sin pastor.

 

Santos de la semana

 

1 de diciembre: Edmund Campion, SJ, (1540- 1581), Robert Southwell, SJ, (1561-1595) mártires, eran nativos ingleses y sacerdotes jesuitas en una época en la que los católicos eran perseguidos en el país. Ambos hombres reconocieron a la reina Isabel como monarca, pero se negaron a renunciar a su fe católica. Se encuentran entre los 40 mártires de Inglaterra y Gales. Campion fue asesinado en 1581 y la muerte de Southwell fue en 1595.

 

3 de diciembre: Francisco Javier, SJ, sacerdote (1506-1552), miembro fundador de la Orden de los Jesuitas, fue enviado a las Indias Orientales y Japón como misionero. Su predicación convirtió a cientos de miles de personas a la fe. Murió antes de llegar a China. Javier fue compañero de clase de Pedro Fabro e Ignacio de Loyola en la Universidad de París.

 

6 de diciembre: Nicolás, obispo (fallecido en 350), vivió en el suroeste de Turquía y estuvo preso durante la persecución de Diocleciano. Asistió al Concilio de Nicea en 324. Como existen muchas historias de sus buenas acciones, su generosa caridad y su notable cuidado pastoral, su carácter se convirtió en la base de la imagen de Papá Noel.

 

7 de diciembre: Ambrosio, obispo y doctor (339-397) fue un gobernador romano que medió de manera justa una elección episcopal en Milán. Luego fue aclamado obispo de la iglesia a pesar de no estar bautizado. Bautizó a Agustín en 386 y es doctor de la iglesia por su predicación, enseñanza y formas influyentes de ser pastor.

Esta semana en la historia de los jesuitas

 

• 1 de diciembre de 1581: En Tyburn , Londres, Edmund Campion y Alexander Briant fueron martirizados.
• 2 de diciembre de 1552: En la isla de Sancian, frente a la costa de China, murió Francisco Javier.
• 3 de diciembre de 1563: En el Concilio de Trento se aprueba el Instituto de la Compañía.
• 4 de diciembre de 1870: El Colegio Romano, expropiado por el gobierno piamontés , fue reabierto como Liceo. El monograma de la Compañía sobre la entrada principal fue borrado.
• 5 de diciembre de 1584: Mediante su bula Omnipotentis Dei , el Papa Gregorio XIII dio el título de Primaria a la Congregación de Nuestra Señora establecida en el Colegio Romano en 1564 y la autorizó a agregar otras cofradías similares.
• 6 de diciembre de 1618: En Nápoles, los jesuitas fueron acusados de proponer al virrey que se celebrara una fiesta solemne en honor de la Inmaculada Concepción y que los sacerdotes hicieran un juramento público de defender la doctrina. Esto se consideró una novedad que no debía fomentarse.
• 7 de diciembre de 1649: Charles Garnier fue martirizado en Etarita , Canadá, como misionero entre los indios Petun, entre quienes murió durante un ataque iroqués.

 

Photo: Falling Leaves