Advent Encouragement & Projects
Several New Resources For You!
We can get bogged down by pessimism in this strange world. In the past few years, we lived through experiences which none of us had ever lived through; each day brings something new. In 2020, many celebrated holidays separated from their family due to the pandemic. In 2021, many were separated due to gas prices or expenses. As Advent approaches, we find ourselves waiting – for Christmas, yes – but also perhaps for the next shoe to drop, too.
It can be easy to give in to doomsday predictions, which prey on our feelings of instability. The more we read the news, the more anxiety and stress become our companions.
It helps to read the writings and thoughts of those who have gone before us in different and far more difficult times. That is why I have turned to the writings and sermons of Father Alfred Delp. Advent was a favorite season of Father Delp, whom I first “met” in the fascinating book, Church of Spies, by Mark Riebling. The work details the Catholic Church’s involvement in plots to overthrow Hitler. Father Delp was a Jesuit priest whom the Nazis arrested and tortured for his association with conspirators. He was martyred on February 2, 1945.
Advent of the Heart is a collection of his Advent homilies preached before his arrest and meditations written while in jail. If he could find hope and meaning in Advent, while living under a murderous regime and writing while handcuffed, we can too.
In 1943, he reminded his flock, “Despite this gloomy time, with a certitude about life and faith, we have set up the Advent wreath, even though no one knows how long it will stand or whether all four of its candles will be lit. The course of the liturgical year and the message continues, and we keep on doing things – but not for the sake of custom and tradition. It comes from a sense of certitude about things and mankind and revelation – things that are fixed and valid in and of themselves. These give mankind the right to light candles and to believe in the light and brightness of existence.”
Even in the gloomiest of days, there is light. Even in the uncertainty, the pain, and the confusion, there is light. Not because there isn’t gloom or suffering. But because the Messiah has come. We have a Savior, and that cannot be taken away from us. We light the candles, defiantly reminding the darkness that we know it will not be victorious.
When we give in to pessimism and anxiety, we reveal that our faith is not in Christ but in this world. If we allow our peace to be taken away by the uncertainty of this time, fear of disease and suffering, or the worries of things beyond our control, we tell the world that we have built our house on sand, not rock.
But when we light the Advent wreath and press into prayer, we proclaim that we believe in a Messiah – and that nothing in this world can take that away from us.
It doesn’t mean there will be an absence of suffering or uncertainty this Advent. Father Delp continues, “Not as if it were granted to us to erase all the gloominess! All the gloom must be gone through and endured. Yet, precisely for that reason, the lights of Advent should shine forth from within as we let ourselves be led to the insight that man is not under a law of imprisonment, enslavement, threats.”
We have a Messiah. And nothing the world tells us, nothing the world does to us, can take that fact away. You have been redeemed. He has rescued you. You have been given something far greater than this world.
This Advent, like last Advent, it will be tempting to look for relief and comfort in worldly things. We will want to escape the news with Hallmark Christmas movies, run away from the uncertainty of the future by decorating for Christmas early, or dispel the gloom with Christmas cookies. And while these things are not bad in and of themselves, they will not dispel the gloom forever.
The true answer is in the Light. If we want to banish the darkness and rid ourselves of anxiety, we must turn to the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We find our peace in Him. Pick up a book of spiritual reading to help put on the mind of Christ. Dispel anxiety by meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary. Live in the freedom of the Messiah by returning to the sacrament of Confession. These are the things that will bring you true peace this Advent and Christmas. This is how we will tell the world that we are not under a law of imprisonment, enslavement, or threats.
I have just returned from a week up in the Baltimore area, where I was blessed to give a number of talks. It was a joy to meet so many of you (welcome, new subscribers!). My talks included:
Living on a Prayer: How to Pray When You Think You Can’t
Luminous Mysteries, Eucharistic Mysteries (a shortened version of a five-talk retreat/Bible study on the Luminous Mysteries)
Three talks for a parish’s 40 Hours: Capernaum, Jerusalem, Emmaus
I was touched when the pastor of the parish where I spoke at 40 Hours wrote to me, “Your talks are down to earth and very inspiring for the Parish. Without soliciting information, people have called the parish and said you are a great speaker.” While it’s important to me to be a great speaker and be down to earth (no one wants to listen to a bad speaker who is impractical or hard to follow) my prayer is simply that I brought people closer to Jesus.
Okay, there are lots of announcements, so let’s get to it. I have been able to immerse myself in the Word of God lately, and it’s amazing. Here are some projects you might want to check out:
Letters from Home
I’m honored to join the team that brings you the daily podcast Letters from Home. This podcast from the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology gives you daily reflections on the Mass readings, liturgical year, and/or saint of the day. It’s an honor to join this lineup, which includes my former boss Dr. Scott Hahn and other fantastic Scripture scholars. Give me some love on Thursdays so I don’t feel out of my league, haha!
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, here, or probably wherever you get your podcasts.
Lectio Divina on the Amen App
There is always new content coming to the Amen app, but I’m especially excited about the new Lectio Divina meditations. You’ll find them on the app (which is free, so if you have a smart phone with available memory, why haven’t you downloaded it yet? here for iOS or here for Android) under “Topics” — just slide over until you see Lectio Divina. Some of you were guinea pigs for me while I was in the process of writing these, and I’m so grateful!
Pray with them and please let me know what you think. There will be more coming if people find them helpful for prayer.
Lectio on YouTube
If that style of lectio doesn’t float your boat but you’re still looking for some help getting started, I also have been leading lectio divina on YouTube. It’s riveting YouTube content that is bound to go viral, especially with the long periods of silence or the voicing of vulnerable prayers.
All kidding aside, I put it out there in hope that you can begin to see what lectio divina can look like. Put on some instrumental music, start to pray with me, and if it’s not helpful or you need more time at some part, pause or simply close out. I’m not doing this for the analytics, I’m doing it to help.
Advent
It’s long this year! And I can’t wait. I love this season.
Last year, I led a four-week study on the Canticle of Zechariah on Youtube for Advent. While I won’t be leading another study of that length this Advent, I will be offering a bible study on the Infancy Narratives on Tuesday, December 13 at 6pm.
The talk will be free and open to everyone over on Living 1 John 1. (RSVP here!)
If you missed last year’s study, it’s still on my YouTube channel, and I’ll be reposting and sharing the book that accompanies it for members of Living 1 John 1. There will also be other opportunities on Living 1 John 1 to grow this Advent, so it’s a perfect time to become a member. I’m about to announce the first course (members receive a great discount!) so stay tuned.
Come see me - Live!
I’m heading to Clarksville, TN on December 5-6 to preach Immaculate Conception Church’s Advent mission, so if you’re in the area, come by!
This Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for the incredible blessings of this whirlwind last year. I’m grateful for everyone who has supported me, prayed for me, and prayed with me as I continue this crazy adventure of being a Catholic entrepreneur and freelancer. While I’m working harder than I ever have, I couldn’t be happier. God be praised!
If you know of a parish, diocese, or apostolate who is looking for a speaker, I’d be honored if you recommended me.
May you have a blessed Thanksgiving and a fruitful beginning of Advent!
Excellent Advent reflections. Thank you.
Love this. Thank you.