First Sunday of Advent -- Be Ready:

Advent is a time for preparing. Most of us are busy with preparing for aspects of our holiday—gifts, decorations, food, travel and agonizing over how we’re going to pay for it all. Advent, though, reminds us to prepare for what’s really important. Our focus should be on Christ. Once we have our priorities straight, everything else falls into place.

Vigilance – Fragility of Life:

In today’s Gospel, Jesus urges us to live vigilantly and wisely i.e. in God’s ways. If we love God fully and show this in the way we live, we will find deep peace and joy not only now, but for all eternity. Otherwise, our lives would be anxious, angry and empty.

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There is no other cause for the Incarnation except this alone: He saw us bowed down to the ground perishing, tyrannized by death, and he had mercy.

- Saint John Chrysostom

All beginners have their many crosses, but pray for me and for those who join, that we may have the courage to do this work for souls.

—Mother Teresa