Living the Word is the Greatest Thing
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
“Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.”Ps. 122
In truth, keeping His Word, His commandments, and doing His will is the greatest thing we can aspire to. It is what Jesus came to ask of us when He became man, and He made it very clear in many ways and comparisons-by word and by example-for this is how we benefit from the love and blessing that Christ came to give us. We receive it by trusting in Him, that is, by doing what He asks of us, for only then do we truly have Him as King and Lord.
“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are saved —if you hold fast to the word I preached to you-unless you believed in vain.”1 Corinthians 15:1-2
It is clear that Christ came to spare us much suffering, the kind caused by sin. This is obvious if we look at the world: all the bad news-about mafias, murders, theft, crime, wars—are consequences of sin, that is, of rebellion and disobedience to God. But we can also see it clearly in our families and in our own lives—how much suffering and division are caused by disobedience to God, by not loving one another as Jesus wants, by not following His teachings and example, by not giving Him His rightful place as Lord and Good Shepherd.
For this very reason, if we truly knew all the benefits and blessings that come from keeping the Word, we would never miss an opportunity. We should be eager to live it—doing all we can to please God in everything—knowing that this is our greatest good and most desirable thing for it is how we receive divine Life, here and forever: the kingdom of love, joy, and peace. And by doing so, we ourselves become a blessing to others.
Nothing better can you desire for your own life, or for the lives of your loved ones and your neighbors in general. This is what we must seek for everyone—that they may know God and love Him above all things, so they may not fall into the absurd idolatries of things and people so common today. We love God and receive His love in the same way: by keeping His Word.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”John 14:15
“If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love.” John 15:10
“Loving God means obeying His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world.”1 John 5:3-4
Keeping His commandments is the greatest goal we can pursue, for it is how we come to know God, how we become His children, His friends, His mother and brothers—His close ones—and thus we pass from death to life. It is how we receive His Spirit and are filled with His fruits and gifts—His love, joy, peace… Do not deprive yourself of such great gifts from God.
Advent Wreath – Explained!
The Advent Wreath, as we know it today, is a modern twist on an ancient practice—or rather, on several of them.
Christians have always used candles to illustrate the metaphor of Christ as the “great light” shining upon a people who wait in darkness (Isaiah 9:2). Historians tell us that pre-Christian societies in Europe also saw candles as a symbol of the coming light of spring, and they may have used wreaths made of natural materials alongside these candles. It is often believed that the traditions and rituals surrounding an “Advent Wreath” originated in the Lutheran tradition in 16th-century Germany. Today, Advent Wreaths are a practice adopted by most Christians in the Western world.
An Advent Wreath consists of a circle of evergreens and four candles, one for each week of Advent. Three of the candles are purple; one is pink, representing Gaudete Sunday, a time of rejoicing at the nearness of Christmas. In Catholicism, Advent Wreaths are blessed on the first Sunday of Advent. For Advent Wreaths in private homes, it is appropriate for a family member to perform the blessing.
Readings of the Week
Sunday: 2 Sm 5:1-3/Ps 121:1-2, 3-4, 4-5 (see 1)/Col 1:12-20/Lk 23:35-43
Monday: Dn 1:1-6, 8-20/Dn 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56/Lk 21:1-4
Tuesday: Dn 2:31-45/Dn 3:57, 58, 59, 60, 61/Lk 21:5-11
Wednesday: Dn 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28/Dn 3:62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67/Lk 21:12-19
Thursday: Dn 6:12-28/Dn 3:68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74/Lk 21:20-28
Friday: Dn 7:2-14/Dn 3:75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81/Lk 21:29-33
Saturday: Dn 7:15-27/Dn 3:82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87/Lk 21:34-36
Next Sunday: Is 2:1-5/Ps 121:1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9/Rom 13:11-14/Mt 24:37-44
Observances of the Week
Sunday: Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Monday: Saint Andrew Dũng-Lạc, priest, and companions, martyrs
Tuesday: Saint Catherine of Alexandria, virgin and martyr
Thursday: Thanksgiving Day
Next Sunday: 1st Sunday of Advent
