This Sunday is the third Sunday in Advent, the Sunday of Joy. Joy is another one of those words that can be kind of tricky. As I mention in at least one of the sermons, it is one of those words that we understand at at trivial level “joy = happiness; happiness = joy” until…
The juxtaposition of this Sunday, the second Sunday of Advent’s theme is Peace, with the death of Nelson Mandela, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, a few days ago was almost painful. I found the outpouring of grief and the sense of loss mixed with triumph absolutely extraordinary. I am pretty sure this is unprecedented for a,…
Happy New Year! No, I am not crazy, or at least no more than usual. This is the beginning of a new Church year. The liturgical calendar begins with the first Sunday of Advent and that is today, so Happy New Year! The four Sundays of Advent are there to help us prepare for Christmas….