A young couple in my parish told me they were expecting their second child, a baby boy. I knew that their five-year old only child Emma had been desperately wanting to be a big sister for years, so I said, “Emma must have been so happy when you told her the news.” “Actually,” they said, “she burst into tears. She wanted a baby sister!” How often in life God wonderfully fulfills our desires and we are sad because we don’t approve of the way he does it. We want to control the gift and the delivery method.

Dear Family of God,

Why is the Marital Relationship important in our Lives here on earth and in the next?

God in Jesus is our true husband. He is the Bridegroom that is eternally faithful to His Bride, the Church, that is, all of us. Even when we are unfaithful, turning away from Him, committing adultery by worshiping other gods, He remains faithful to us. He does not abandon us.

In my second year of theology studies, I went to confession to a priest visiting the seminary for a three-day retreat. My heart wasn’t in it. I was going through the motions. I confessed my sins and waited for his response. The priest said, “For your penance, I’d like you to go into the chapel and repeat the words ‘You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased’ (Luke 3:22) until they mean something to you.” Easy penance, I thought.

For the past week, Our Holy Mother, the Church gave us St. John’s letter on all first readings on weekday Masses to reflect on. After encountering Jesus, the light of the world, he wants us to see and teaches us how to live in the light. Just like the Magi in our Gospel, after encountering Jesus, they went home in another way.

As a first-time pastor in a parish, I received a phone call one afternoon from a young married couple, “Father, our 2-year-old son drowned in our pool this morning. We are at the hospital. Please help us.” I sped over. The little boy was gone, his body cold, slightly blue, laid out on a bed. His parents were distraught and in shock. For the next few years, I walked with the couple along their difficult and painful road.

What is Christmas? Why we need Christmas or Christ’s Incarnation?

Christmas is the fulfillment of God’s promise in Genesis 3:15, that he will send a Redeemer, Son of a woman to fight against the Devil. “I will put enmity you (serpent) and the woman and between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel.”

Entering into expectation.

I love to think about a Jewish Grandmother or Grandfather – about 2,500 years ago – having their grandchild on their knee and telling them about the uniqueness of their identity. That they are God’s chosen people. That they have been set apart for a unique role to play in the healing and redemption of the world. And, that they are waiting.

Advent is preparation for the coming of the Lord as our Savoir or Judge. Mary Immaculate can help us best prepare for welcoming Jesus into our hearts, the way she was prepared by the Father to be a fit dwelling place of our Savior. (This year’s celebration of Immaculate Conception is on Monday 12/9.)

When I was a young priest, about one year after ordination, I was called to the hospital to anoint a dying mother of three young children. She had a painful, terminal cancer. After celebrating Last Rites with her, I said, “Don’t be afraid.” She looked me square in the eye from her hospital bed and said, “Oh Father, I am in a lot of pain, but I am not afraid. Something wonderful is about to happen.” A few days later she died.

When I was a young boy in Burlington, Vermont, my dad had a good friend named Phil who owned a sporting goods store. I loved sports, so meandering the treasure-filled aisles was an unmitigated joy. One afternoon, we were shopping for a baseball glove. Dad said to me, “Hey Johnny, see that man who just walked into the store? That’s Phil.” I remember being fascinated and a little terrified.

Dear Family of God,

Jesus said: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” The autumn leaves are reminding us not only that winter is near but that life in this world is temporary, and death is certain. Our Liturgical Cycle B is ending, and we will start a new liturgical calendar in two weeks.

With our readings this week focusing on two widows giving to provide for the need of a prophet (or the temple), it naturally raises questions about the practice of tithing. Are Catholics obliged to tithe? If so, how much? And, how should we think about tithing?

Although tithing is traditionally understood to give 10% of your gross income (5% percent to your local parish, and 5% to charitable causes) the Church does not specify how much –or what percentage – a person should give to the Church.

How do we practice in our lives the first and greatest commandment?

Obedience to God is the proof of our love for God. Jesus said: “If you love me, you will do what I commanded you.” For some of us it is not just following the Law, if we want to be perfect, as Jesus said to rich man, “Go sell all your possessions, give the proceeds to the poor, and come follow me.” This is the great challenge that Jesus offering to all of us today.