Invest just five minutes a day,
and your faith will deepen and grow
—a day at a time.
 
 

Today's "Take Five for Faith" can be found on the front page of the St Francis web site.

Today's Scripture Readings can be found at http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/today.shtml

Sunday, November 1, 2009
Solemnity of All Saints
Saints abound

How many saints are there? The lists of the canonized contain thousands of names, but the communion of saints is even fuller. In the Book of Revelation John of Patmos envisioned their number as vast and uncountable. It includes all the wonderful relatives and friends of happy memory, and a lot of really kind strangers you meet along the way. When you start to think about it, goodness encompasses a big, big number of folks. In the words of Saint Claude de la Colombiere: "It is possible to be a saint anywhere and everywhere when one really wishes to become one."

Monday, November 2
Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed
Step outside the limits

The feast of the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, commonly known as All Souls Day, is the day the church has set aside to pray for everyone who has died. All Souls, however, is not only for the benefit of those who have gone before us. For the living it is an invitation to shift our attention away from the limits of ordinary time (past, present, and future) toward a spiritual concept of time—that is, God’s time: the eternal now. As we do that, daily annoyances, minor crises, doubts, fears, and worries begin to dissolve, and we notice the enormousness of the human experience. Practice taking the long view. What changes?

Tuesday, November 3
Feast of Martin de Porres, religious
Determined to love

Having a dark-skinned mother (perhaps African, perhaps native) and a white father could have made Saint Martin de Porres bitter over the rejection he felt in 17th-century Peru. Instead, his mixed race opened his heart to all. Martin trained as a barber and eventually applied to the Dominicans, where he wished to remain a lay "helper." The friars, however, saw his unbounded compassion and urged him to become a full member. As such he continued to care for slaves and orphans, working for the order and the city of Lima as a purveyor of food and goods while finding time to act as a spiritual director for many. Pope John XXIII said at his 1962 canonization: "He deserved to be called Martin of Charity." There’s no stopping a heart bent on caring.

Wednesday, November 4
Feast of Charles Borromeo, bishop
Reform begins with you

The 16th-century bishop Charles Borromeo didn’t only "talk the talk," he "walked the walk." As the Council of Trent tried to reform questionable practices in the church, Borromeo believed that if the laity was being asked to uphold a higher moral standard, the clergy needed to set the example and renew their apostolic spirit. He gave generously from church wealth to charity, and during the plague and famine that struck Milan in 1576, while civil authorities fled and to the detriment of his own health, Borromeo stayed and ministered to the sick and dying, borrowing large sums of money that required years to repay. How will you set an example of apostolic spirit today?

Thursday, November 5
What’s one life worth?

Having children is a huge risk. It’s not like a box of chocolates; you can always put a bad candy back in the box. But raising a family is a pure roll of the dice; you could gain a lot, but you could lose everything. Then why do so many do it? Because it’s worth it. In the same way, the shepherd leaves the 99—a huge risk—and searches out the lost one. God is willing to sacrifice everything. No wonder there’s such joy when the lost are found.

Friday, November 6
Make no mistake about it

In the short story Greville Fane author Henry James notes of his fictional character, the popular writer Mrs. Stormer, that "she had an unequalled gift, especially pen in hand, of squeezing big mistakes into small opportunities." Although Mrs. Stormer’s story was fictional, we know all too well about making big mistakes in the nonfiction of our own lives. We can’t avoid all mistakes, but we can learn from them and make amends for any harm caused. Like Mrs. Stormer, we can become gifted in our ability to squeeze big mistakes into small opportunities. That takes practice and a willingness to admit both that we’ve fallen short and that we have the capacity to grow. What small opportunity might be waiting around the corner for you?

Saturday, November 7
All the big things are little things

In today’s gospel passage, Jesus says something very peculiar about money: "Make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes." Huh? Was he providing a justification for corrupt politicians and fraudulent financiers to do their dirty deeds? And would such dishonesty get them into heaven? No. But he was pointing out what would happen if people gave as much attention to following the ways of God as they did to the pursuit of money. Think of the things you do with great care. How can you do the same for your faith?

Sunday, November 8, 2009
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Have a generous point of view

In praising the widow who gave her last two coins to the temple treasury, Jesus is not suggesting that you and I need to give away our last penny. Rather, Jesus acknowledges that it is often the poorest of the poor who show the greatest charity, who risk the most to be loving. Jesus criticized the scribes and priests not only because of their apparent stinginess in donating to the Temple, but also because people such as the widow were often made poor by those in power who laid religious taxes and excessive expectations upon them. It is the responsibility of governments, churches, and individuals not only to come to the relief of the poor but to prevent them from being crushed in the first place.

Monday, November 9
Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
How firm a foundation

If any building in Christianity can be said to have a long history, it would be the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome. Starting as the site of an ancient Roman mansion and then a barracks for the imperial guard, the Lateran Palace later served as a meeting place of church councils. The emperor Constantine built and enriched a cathedral there—which was pillaged by barbarians and burnt down on several occasions, only to be rebuilt. From Roman house to the remodeling of the church that gave it its present appearance in 1735: about 2,000 years. Then add the time since then, and the centuries start to add up. This sacred building, and others like it, testify to the enduring witness of faith.

Tuesday, November 10
Feast of Leo the Great, pope, doctor of the church
Holding it together

Elected in 440 A.D., Pope Saint Leo I assumed leadership of the church in the midst of the quickening disintegration of the Roman Empire, when both Western and Eastern Europe were becoming increasingly decentralized. As a result, understanding about the nature of Christ and salvation similarly underwent a variety of interpretations. One school of thought prevalent at the time taught that Christ’s life and death were merely an example that we should follow, rather than a sacrifice for our salvation. Taking his position seriously, Leo greatly strengthened and consolidated Roman authority on matters of doctrine.

Wednesday, November 11
Feast of Martin of Tours, bishop
The advent of Advent

For centuries Lent was not the only 40-day season of fasting and abstinence in church tradition. Devotion to Saint Martin of Tours was so popular that from the time of his death in 397 until the Middle Ages his November 11 feast day inaugurated a 40-day period of fasting in much of Western Europe and Great Britain. The fast was known as "St. Martin’s Lent," "St. Martin’s Fast," or "Quadragesima Sancti Martini"—"the 40 days of Saint Martin." The feast day itself was celebrated with hearty food and drink, with a fast to follow, much as Lent is preceded by Mardi Gras. Saint Martin’s Fast later gave way to our present-day season of Advent, during which the spirit of quiet restraint continues. Get your Advent off to an early start this year!

Thursday, November 12
Feast of Josaphat, bishop, martyr
All Catholics East and West

When people use the word Catholic, just about everyone thinks Roman Catholic. But there are other kinds of Catholics, too, like some churches found in Eastern Europe, who are in communion with the Roman Catholic Church but who celebrate liturgy much like the Eastern Orthodox Church. Way back in the 15th and 16th centuries Saint Josaphat worked to bring the Eastern and Western churches closer together, and for his efforts was killed in 1623. Of this unity he said to the people of Vitebsk, in present-day Belarus, where he was bishop: "I am here among you as a shepherd, and you ought to know that I would be happy to give my life for you. I am ready to die for the holy union . . . ." In memory of Josaphat pray for the unity of Christians today.

Friday, November 13
Feast of Frances Xavier Cabrini, virgin
The education of the heart

Reading, writing, and ’rithmetic are important skills to master. But even in the late 1800s, Mother Cabrini insisted that children needed more than these fundamentals to thrive. In her schools she stressed the need for music, drama, art, and physical education as well, calling that a God-centered approach based on love of the whole person. By creating an environment of warm relationships, "education becomes an act of love," she taught the sisters in the religious order she founded. We learn best from those who love us.

Saturday, November 14
Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary
A deferred prayer

There’s a story told about a woman who prayed to the Virgin that one of her sons would become a priest. She had seven sons, but all of them married and raised families. Then she prayed that one of her grandsons would become a priest. She had many grandsons, but none chose that life. The woman continued her prayer. She was almost a 100 years old and near death when one of her grandsons, at the age of 33, decided to become a priest. She died a happy woman knowing her lifelong prayer was finally answered. The story is true, told by the priest himself. Prayer works; you just have to keep at it.

Some of the stories in the Bible read like a science-fiction thriller or horror drama. In the apocalyptic literature, such as the book of Daniel, we read of the sun and moon darkening, stars falling out of the sky, and the very "powers in the heavens" shaken at their core. In his stories the author used strong, vivid images his community could relate to. They were women and men who were under immense stress and oppression and who worried for their safety and the safety of their children. They needed to know that no matter what, even if the sun should cease to give light, God would continue to be with them. What would your story look like? What word of encouragement would you seek from God?

Monday, November 16
Feast of Gertrude, virgin
Corrective lenses

Sometimes we need a little help seeing clearly. Various devices aid our focus, from eyeglasses and contact lenses to microscopes and telescopes. For Saint Gertrude (the only female saint to earn the title "the Great"), correcting her vision came about by changing the direction she was facing. A brilliant young Benedictine sister, she excelled in the study of philosophy and literature. Then she received a vision of Jesus, urging her to trade in her pursuit of the humanities for divinity studies. Gertrude’s heart was ignited with a new flame, and she became a profound mystic. Sometimes seeing clearly means shifting our perspective, too.

Tuesday, November 17
Feast of Elizabeth of Hungary, religious
Give it your all

Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231) lived a short 24 years, but somehow in that time she was able to understand and practice the virtue of generosity at a level few have matched before or since. She was a queen who spent her wealth on the poor. She established hospitals and helped care for the sick, much to the shock and chagrin of her in-laws. After her beloved husband’s death, Elizabeth became a member of the Third Order of St. Francis and continued living out the truth of Saint Francis of Assisi’s prayer: "For it is in giving that we receive." For an inspiring, contemporary story of the physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits of giving, visit the website www.29gifts.org.

Wednesday, November 18
Feast of Rose Philippine Duchesne, virgin
Worth the trip

Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne (1769-1852), born in France, traveled all the way to St. Charles, Missouri to bring the Society of the Sacred Heart religious congregation to the U.S. Today the Society has 21 schools in the U.S. and is found in 44 countries around the world. Sacred Heart sisters focus on educating young women and emphasize in their curriculum the need for global awareness and building a more just world. How far are you willing to go in your own life in order to bring Good News to others? Start in your own neighborhood, parish, office, home, and see how far the intention carries you.

Thursday, November 19
Getting away from it all

Gone on a retreat lately? Most areas have places to make retreats, frequently run by religious orders or dioceses. Retreats come in all shapes and sizes: individual or group, programmed or unstructured, a day or a weekend or a week. You can use them to get back in touch with what’s most important spiritually or just to get some rest. Going on a retreat, though, doesn’t have to mean blocking out time, making a reservation, and hitting the road. One retreat you can always make is the one in the silence of your heart. "For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him," says Psalm 62:5. Wherever you are, you can take a few minutes each day to stop what you’re doing, clear your mind, and place yourself in the silence of God.

Friday, November 20
What do you call holy?

Human beings seem to have a natural desire to build, to raise monuments and dwellings, even for God. The trouble is that building a house for what is sacred may suggest having domesticated what is boundless. Once we believed we’ve "tamed" the holy, we have reversed the roles of Creator and creature. This presumption obviously troubled Jesus because all four gospels tell the story of him losing his temper and forcefully expelling those who had turned temple into marketplace. On the other hand, in American culture the marketplace seems to have become our temple, and the simple, practical business of buying and selling a sacred ritual conducted in templelike malls and churchlike banks. We do well to consider what we have enshrined as sacred in our lives.

Saturday, November 21
Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Bear with her

If asked to whom the title Theotokos refers, many Roman Catholics would be at a loss. Not so in Eastern Orthodox Churches, where the term—literally "God-bearer" in Greek—is widely familiar as a reference to Mary, the mother of God. The term has a long pedigree, going back to the First Council of Ephesus in 431. It is fitting that today’s Marian feast is celebrated by both the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches, and it offers a unique opportunity for each of us to do some bridge-building between the two traditions. Tip your hat or give a nod toward the East today!

The feast of Christ the King was created by Pope Pius XI in 1925 to remind us that Jesus is the true king of all creation and that he "must reign in our hearts, minds, wills, and bodies," the pope wrote. The transition time between the end of one liturgical year and the beginning of another is a good time for reflection and preparation. In what ways during the past year did you allow Christ to rule over your heart, mind, will, and body? Next, write yourself a letter stating your spiritual intentions for the coming year. Put it in a self-addressed, stamped envelope and give the letter to someone to mail a few months from now. The mid-year reminder will do you good.

Monday, November 23
Feast of Clement I, pope, martyr
All hands on deck

When it comes to early church leaders, it doesn’t get much earlier than Clement I, who is believed to have died around the year 100. We don’t know much about his life, but we do know he was a prominent leader of the early church in Rome. Tradition has it that Clement was martyred during a persecution by being tied to an anchor and thrown overboard. Religious persecution of any kind is a social disease that must be resisted at all costs. Become aware of the ways in which it is still with us today and do your part to build a more tolerant environment for all to worship as they choose.

Tuesday, November 24
Feast of Andrew Dung-Lac, priest, martyr, and companions, martyrs
Built with kindness

It is said that the Holy City of God is built with the good deeds of the saints. When Andrew Dung-Lac was growing up in Hanoi in the early 1800s, he and his poor Buddhist family were cared for and fed by Christian missionaries. Despite unspeakable persecutions, Andrew became a Christian and was eventually ordained a priest. He endured horrible suffering but persevered until the emperor finally had him beheaded. Even as his life was being torn down, the good deeds the missionaries did for Andrew and his family sustained his faith and built up his hope. Isn’t it amazing what a little kindness can do?

Wednesday, November 25
Feast of Catherine of Alexandria, virgin, martyr
Some can’t handle the truth, others die for it

Saint Catherine of Alexandria was a woman to be reckoned with. Not only was she a scholar and skilled public speaker, but she also was confident in her calling from God. Knowing full well that this combination of gifts could get her in trouble, Catherine challenged the Roman emperor himself for his unjust persecution of Christians during the fourth century. Unable to disprove Catherine’s arguments or sway her from her faith, the emperor had her killed. But the angry, senseless act of one person could not put a stop to God’s continued activity through Catherine. To this day she is still known as friend to all who call on her name. For what or whom would you be willing to go out on a limb?

Thursday, November 26
Thanksgiving Day
As Providence would have it

As you sit down to your Thanksgiving meal today, be sure to give thanks to President Abraham Lincoln, and even more so to Sarah Josepha Hale. A prominent 19th-century journalist, Hale campaigned tirelessly for a national Thanksgiving holiday. In the midst of the Civil War and prompted by Hale’s editorials and letters, Lincoln called the nation to pause in thanksgiving in 1863. His proclamation read in part: "The year that is drawing towards its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. . . . [Other blessings] have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God."

Friday, November 27
Verbal tattoos

To some folks it makes perfect sense to have the name of a loved one indelibly inked on their flesh, inscribed with a heart-and-arrow to demonstrate how permeated they are by the relationship. But most of us don’t need to literally write words on our bodies because words bond with our psyches most naturally. Still remember the names you were known by on the playground? Recall the words of praise or blame affixed to you by parents and teachers? How about adding to those indelible memories some life-giving words from the Bible? Fall in love with a verse today.

Saturday, November 28
The beginning of the end

Jesus spoke of the end of time in different ways, but his constant message was to keep watch. Be on the lookout for him now, and you will be prepared when he comes again. In saying this, he was not only counseling the avoidance of self-indulgence but also calling for a good deal of freedom. Watchfulness means freeing yourself not only from your sins but also from things such as worry that can be just as burdensome. Being attuned to the ways you can invite Jesus into your life in every moment frees you to love God and neighbor more fully—a love with which Christ will repay you in the end.

Sunday, November 29, 2009
First Sunday of Advent
It will work out in the end

If apocalyptic literature in the Bible has not sparked trepidation over what may happen to our fragile planet and our fragile selves, then certainly science fiction films and hokey TV dramatizations of the "predictions" of Nostradamus will do it. Unlike such shows, the early Advent imagery of the heavens and earth passing away are not intended to scare us but rather to encourage us, to assure us that "when these signs begin to happen," whether inconsolable grief at a personal loss or some cataclysm that shakes the whole planet, our redemption is secure. Your place in the hands of God cannot be shaken.

Monday, November 30
Feast of Andrew, apostle
He was in Scotland afore ye

For nearly 1,000 years Saint Andrew, the "first called" of the apostles, has been Scotland’s patron saint, and the Saltire or "Saint Andrew’s Cross," an X-shaped cross—which Andrew is said to have been martyred on—is represented on the nation’s flag. Traditions abound as to how exactly Scotland’s special connection with Andrew came about. One claims the saint’s relics were brought from Constantinople to Scotland under divine guidance. Another says that during a battle with the English the Scottish king saw a cloud shaped like a Saltire and declared that Andrew was watching over his troops. Whatever the case, rest assured today is a big day for the Scottish—and for all of us who wish to imitate Andrew and follow Jesus in our own lives.

Tuesday, December 1
All has been revealed

Christians are pretty lucky in a way, because we really believe we have what we need to know. God is not holding back some important piece of information. It’s there for all to see and understand. "Religious truths," the Second Vatican Council’s document on revelation said, ". . . can be known by all men with ease, with solid certitude." And one form of revelation, scripture, the council said, "must be acknowledged as teaching solidly, faithfully, and without error that truth which God wanted put into sacred writings for the sake of salvation." That means we have what we need to know, and we can know it, and we can trust it. All we have to do is make the effort.

Wednesday, December 2
Working for your supper

The story of the multiplication of the loaves and fish is surely the best known of the miracle stories of Jesus. It’s the only such story recorded in all four gospels. In each of the synoptic gospels Jesus puts the disciples to work. First they have to find some food, then Jesus blesses it, then they distribute it to the crowd. This seemingly insignificant detail reminds us of a very important but often forgotten fact: We are co-creators with God, and we must help answer our own prayer. What prayer are you waiting on today? What might you do to help bring it about?

Thursday, December 3
Feast of Francis Xavier, priest
Dress to impress

One of the founding members of the Jesuits, Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552) is considered to have been one of the greatest missionaries since the apostles. Appointed to re-evangelize portions of the Far East, Francis placed himself with the lowest castes, preaching to the sick and dying at hospitals and orphans and slaves in the street. He understood that, were the fire of Christianity to spread through the East, the kindling must begin at the base of society. Rather than arriving like a royal ambassador, Francis clothed himself with rags and made his home in the lowliest shelters. His example shows us how humble appearances can be the greatest tool for bringing the message of Christ to others.

Friday, December 4
Feast of John of Damascus, priest, doctor of the church
The pirates of God

A wise old monk was captured by Arab pirates during a raid on Sicily. He was carried off to Damascus where he was made a teacher. One of his students was John, our saint of the day. Even in the Islamic world of eighth-century Syria, John secretly learned his Christian faith from the old monk. The young man eventually became a priest and a doctor of the church. Like the blind men whose sightless path providentially crossed that of Jesus, Saint John and the church ultimately benefitted from a pirate raid, demonstrating once again that God makes all things work together for good.

Saturday, December 5
The kingdom has you covered

As Jesus sent out the 12 apostles after empowering them to proclaim God’s kingdom and heal the sick, he admonished them not to charge for their services: "You received without payment; give without payment." As the nation struggles with difficult questions of health-care coverage, government assistance, Medicare, private insurance, and the like, it is good to take a step back from the heat of the debate and look at larger principles. While it may not be possible today to offer health care to all without cost, we do well to remember that for Jesus such care was a way of proclaiming and reflecting the kingdom of God.

Sunday, December 6, 2009
Second Sunday of Advent
Be the voice

Who should play John the Baptist, that great shaggy herald, in the movies? My vote goes to Viggo Mortensen: He’s tough, fit, wild, and just dreamy-eyed enough to be the prophet. My only regret is that Clint Eastwood is so far north of 30 or he’d be a shoo-in. We might argue the casting for a motion picture, but we don’t get to argue who gets to play the herald of the Lord in real life: That would be you and me. The wilder the place in which we find ourselves, the louder we must cry: Prepare the way!

Monday, December 7
Feast of Ambrose, bishop, doctor of the church
Be open to God’s truth as others see it

In the third century the church was bitterly divided over the Arian heresy, and Saint Ambrose was in the thick of it, vigorously defending the Catholic position but also being a remarkably generous and flexible bishop. When in Rome, do as the Romans do, he said—a reference to his willingness to adapt to local custom and tradition in liturgical matters. He was a champion of Mary and of the role of the local bishop, and he also gave the church a style of chant and a selection of hymns, including one of this season we still use: "O come, Redeemer of the earth, / and manifest thy virgin birth. Let every age in wonder fall / such birth befits the God of all." Controversies continue to exist today among Christians. Can we, like Ambrose, maintain the truth we believe and be willing to lovingly compromise?

Tuesday, December 8
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Make room to be filled

A professor visits a wise man in search of the meaning of life. The wise man offers his visitor a cup of tea, which he pours until the cup is full, then overflowing. The professor exclaims, "Stop! The cup is full; no more can go in!" The wise man responds, "Like this cup, you are full of opinions, judgments, and speculations. You have no room for anything else." With the feast of the Immaculate Conception we acknowledge that Mary, the future Mother of God, was born without sin. Her cup was truly empty so she could be filled with God. During this season of Advent let’s pray that we may empty ourselves to make room for Jesus to be born in our hearts.

Wednesday, December 9
Advent weekday
Grow in strength on humble pie

Two words Jesus uses to describe himself—meek and humble—do not get the best press these days. But these gentle words imply a quiet strength that may not be apparent at first glance. The word meek comes from an old Norse word related to supple, which is strength with flexibility. Humility is related to the Greek word for earth or ground and can be understood as describing someone who has his or her "feet on the ground" or is "firmly grounded." Supple and grounded are not bad qualities to possess. Strive to be meek and humble in the best sense of the words!

Thursday, December 10
Advent weekday
Take the Kingdom by peace

Kids have a way of holding their parents’ feet to the fire. It goes something like this: "I cleaned up my room like you told me. Now you have to take me to the mall"—even though going to the mall doesn’t work right now. The same kids will cry injustice if you send them to their room for misbehaving. Grown-ups do that with God. Those who manage to be righteous will insist that God hold up God’s end of the bargain. Then they cry out when things don’t go their way. But Jesus says that God gives the Kingdom to those who ask. There’s no reason to take it by force. It’s a gift.

Friday, December 11
Feast of Damasus I
Take good care of holy history

Pope Damasus I (304-384) was named patron saint of archaeology for his work preserving church archives and buildings and restoring the Roman catacombs, which had served as the burial place for several generations of Christian martyrs and contained important early Christian drawings and inscriptions. His wisdom and foresight were not altogether appreciated at the time, but centuries later renowned Christian archaeologist Giovanni Battista De Rossi referred to the first volume he wrote about the catacombs as the "second Damasus," a tribute to the vital role the early pope played in preserving Christian history. Consider the holy history being made in your own life and times and find ways to preserve it for the next generation.

Saturday, December 12
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
E pluribus unum

The Virgin of Guadalupe, said to have appeared on a hilltop at the outskirts of present-day Mexico City in 1531, has served as a symbol of Mexican unity for centuries. Author Judy King calls Guadalupe the "common denominator" uniting a people composed of a vast patchwork of differences—ethnic, linguistic, geographic, economic. As the United States becomes ever more diverse, it sometimes appears our differences will pull us apart instead of draw us together. Let Our Lady of Guadalupe, who is honored as the "Patroness of the Americas," serve as a unifying symbol in our multicultural society.

Sunday, December 13, 2009
Third Sunday of Advent
We can’t wait!

Today is "Gaudete" Sunday, from the first word of the entrance prayer at Mass, which means rejoice! That is what the pink candle on the Advent wreath that we light today signifies: "Be glad! Christmas is almost here. It’s not too late to prepare." The placement of the pink candle in the third week instead of the fourth betrays an almost childlike exuberance: I can’t wait! Let the candle we light today remind you that children are a big part of this season. Allow yourself to get caught up in the anticipation the way a child does: with open hearts, wonder, delight, and a firm belief that all things are possible.

Monday, December 14
Feast of John of the Cross, priest, doctor of the church
Darkness can light your way

Prayer, faith, serving others—these are all part of our lives as Christians. But sometimes these holy tasks don’t come easily. There may be days or months when despite everything we do we feel lost in our relationship with God. We might even feel as if God has abandoned us. It is here we find a friend in Saint John of the Cross, a mystic, writer, and Carmelite priest of the 16th century. John wrote a poem and treatise on what he called the "dark night of the soul." The dark night is not the absence of God but an invitation to grow in relationship with God. When you find yourself in a dark night, be open to the ways in which the darkness itself can enlighten your relationship with God.

Tuesday, December 15
Advent weekday
Your integrity is at stake

"Do as I say, not as I do" is probably the single worst line a parent or other adult can use when trying to give moral guidance to a child. Children see right through hypocrisy. So does God, which is the point Jesus makes in the parable about two sons who were asked by their father to work in a vineyard. The first son shows up to work after having initially resisted the idea. The second promises to work but does not deliver. Actions do indeed speak louder than words, and when the two are in synch we call that integrity. Examine your own behavior—actions as well as words—and look for ways to develop greater integrity.

Wednesday, December 16
Advent weekday; Las Posadas begins
Let outsiders in

Las Posadas (Spanish for "the inns") is the annual observance between now and Christmas Eve of the difficulties Mary and Joseph ran into finding a place to stay in Bethlehem where their child would be born. It is of special significance for many Mexicans and Latinos who sometimes encounter the sinful hostility of racism, prejudice, and xenophobia as they come among us, their American brothers and sisters, seeking a better life for their families. What a gift of God we could be if we would recognize the Christ in those who arrive in our communities from other lands seeking a place to stay.

Thursday, December 17
Advent weekday
God writes straight with crooked lines

Many people caught the genealogy bug after the appearance of Alex Haley’s book Roots in the 1970s. Gathering information on their ancestors gave them a sense of who their people were and where they came from. The writer of the Gospel of Matthew had a similar interest: He began this gospel with a long list of Jesus’ earthly forebears. Prominent on the list are two of the great patriarchs of Israel: Abraham and David. But you also find some folks you might not expect: brothers who cheated brothers, foreigners, a prostitute, women in strange marriages, bad kings, and just plain everyday folks. God’s family includes both the noble and less-than-noble: outsiders, sinners, the unknown. Lucky for us.

Friday, December 18
Advent weekday
Stop searching and you shall find

A lot of people are on a God quest. They experiment with spiritual paths, sit at the feet of wisdom figures, pace their way through labyrinths, take pilgrimages, join churches; you name it, they’ve tried it. All of these ways of seeking the holy are good and may be useful. But once you actually "find God," you learn that God was right here, all along. God is Emmanuel, with us. We may not always be sure where God is, but it seems God is always clear on where we are. Stand still. Let yourself be found!

Saturday, December 19
Advent weekday
Seeing can be unnerving

People often have premonitions before a child is born in which they see its life neatly laid out: The baby will be a boy, have brown eyes, and grow up to be president. But foresight is not always a blessing, as many a seer and prophet will tell you. Forewarned may be forearmed for some, but for others it may forestall living life to the fullest. Our faith provides very clear instructions for those who worry about things to come: Do not be afraid—God is with you and all will be well. Each generation prays for protection from anxiety, and in return God, through Jesus, offers us the gift of peace. Accept this gift whenever you fear what the future holds.

Sunday, December 20, 2009
Fourth Sunday of Advent
A little means a lot

Most of our lives are made up not of big, dramatic events but little, ordinary ones—many of which seem hard to connect to faith. The things of everyday life, though, can lead you to holiness if you do them with an awareness of the presence of God. God is revealed in the small as well as the great. Bethlehem was a small town, but a prophecy had said it would be the birthplace of a king. A mustard seed is the smallest of seeds, yet it grows into a large bush, Jesus said; faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains and uproot trees. Little things, even the least, hold the power of big things. Unleash the power of the little in your life.

Monday, December 21
Feast of Peter Canisius, priest, doctor of the church
How to get things done

Have you noticed there are only four more shopping days left till Christmas? Better get moving or there won’t be enough time to put up the decorations, finish addressing the Christmas cards, get the food prepared, and clean up the house for the guests. Maybe you need to beg the intercession of today’s saint, Peter Canisius (1521-1597), who is known as the patron saint of getting things done. He used to say, "If you have too much to do, with God’s help you will find time to do it all." Hey, it’s worth a try. Otherwise, you might need to call on Saint Jude, patron of hopeless causes!

Tuesday, December 22
Advent weekday
Leap and be lifted

In these final few days before Christmas it’s good to remember just what happened in the coming of Jesus: God reached into our humanity and lifted us into life with God. Mary knew that. In her song known as the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-56), from the Latin translation of its opening words, "My soul magnifies the Lord," she celebrates how the Lord had "looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed." Exalted—lifted up—she exulted: rejoiced, literally "leaped up" in joy to praise what God had done for her and all people. So do a little exulting today: Start or end your day with Mary’s words of praise and gratitude.

Wednesday, December 23
Feast of John of Kanty, priest
Absorb evil

If John of Kanty in 15th-century Poland could have known he would one day be venerated as a saint, he would have been astonished and embarrassed. Although he was a brilliant scripture scholar, he was also a very humble parish priest who had enemies. Even when treated unfairly for years, he could accept unjust blame and criticism without flinching because he believed that he could protect his parishioners and defeat the power of evil by absorbing it into himself. Some say that is what Jesus did in relation to death—evil’s ultimate weapon: He took it into himself, and there defeated it. In a culture of blame like our own, the ability to defuse violence and anger is a rare gift but one we should cultivate more than seeking revenge or proving ourselves right when wronged.

Thursday, December 24
Advent weekday
Praise the son

Perhaps you’ve heard the notion of the "father wound," the emotional pain—often accompanied by real-life consequences—suffered by a man who does not receive support and approval from his father. Studies suggest that nearly every man in prison will describe his relationship with his biological father in negative terms. John the Baptist had no such problem, judging by the wonderful words of praise his father Zechariah showered upon him at his birth. As we prepare to commemorate and celebrate the birth of the Savior, take a moment to reach out with words of encouragement and support to a son—your own or someone else’s. He could use a word of blessing.

Children carry the hope of Christmas in them through Advent’s long weeks. They’re full of wonder at the pageantry of the season: colored lights and decorations, carols and stories, Santa Claus and all those lovely wrapped boxes under the tree. When Christmas morning dawns, they can’t contain themselves. We might ask ourselves: What have we been waiting for? The church has a gift for all of us: an Octave of joy, eight days to unpack the wonder of this season. Today, unwrap the gift of compassion. If you need some, take some. And then give the rest away. Merry Christmas.

Saturday, December 26
Second day in the Octave of Christmas; Feast of Stephen, first martyr
Don’t blame the messenger

Saint Stephen was stoned to death by people who—to put it mildly—did not want to hear what he was saying. His opponents had refused to accept Jesus, and they were infuriated when Stephen reminded them that their ancestors also had rejected God’s messengers and prophets. None of us likes our "dirty laundry" aired in public, but, as philosopher George Santayana put it, "Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it." Accept the gift of wisdom today and learn from your mistakes.

Sunday, December 27, 2009
Third day in the Octave of Christmas; Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
The worth of waiting

Waiting patiently is not a talent many of us have. Our tendency is to fill the waiting with all kinds of things to help us forget that we are waiting. Sometimes activity is good, but it can also be a distraction that keeps us from being present to God. When you find yourself in a situation calling for you to wait, consider embracing this quiet, sometimes uncomfortable space. The saying of Catholic sisters, "She also serves who sits and waits," reminds us that patient waiting can be a gift to our spirit and others.

Monday, December 28
Fourth day in the Octave of Christmas; Feast of the Holy Innocents
Try a little kindness

One look at the daily news reminds us: It’s a cold, cruel world out there. Innocence is slaughtered every day, not only that one dreadful time when Herod set out to murder babies. The harshness of the world can make us tough, self-protecting, and cold at the center: "Not my job. Not my problem." But the violence of our generation really is our problem, and the job of responding to it can only be ours. We have one great weapon in the war against cruelty. Today, unwrap the gift of kindness. Use it liberally, especially on those who "trespass against you."

Tuesday, December 29
Fifth day in the Octave of Christmas
Your attention, please!

"Be attentive," the theologian Bernard Lonergan used to say, to which he added: "Be intelligent. Be reasonable. Be responsible." Do those and you will have understanding. In this Christmas season, think of the attentiveness of Simeon. He was a devout and righteous man who stayed in the Temple waiting for the salvation of the people. When Mary and Joseph brought the child Jesus to Jerusalem, Simeon recognized the savior immediately. Because of his humble faith, Simeon’s eyes were opened by the Holy Spirit. Signs of God’s presence are around you, too. Ask the Spirit to help you see them with the gift of attentiveness.

Wednesday, December 30
Sixth day in the Octave of Christmas
Give a little

When it comes to the virtue of generosity, it’s easy to believe that wealthy people are the only ones who can afford to be generous while the rest of us are just getting by from week to week. But consider this: Generosity is a state of mind; it doesn’t depend on the size of your bank account. To offer someone the gift of a genuine smile, a hug, or a few minutes of attentive listening doesn’t cost a cent. When you are generous in these simple ways, two things happen: You learn that you have something to offer (which sometimes is a surprise), and the recipient learns that he or she is worthy of the gift. Make it a point to give and receive the gift of generosity today, and see what happens.

Thursday, December 31
Seventh day in the Octave of Christmas
Some friendly advice

The seventh day of Christmas is also New Year’s Eve when many of us will find ourselves singing "Auld lang syne," which speaks of days long gone and the healing and joy one experiences in remembering one’s most intimate friends and the moments that have sealed those friendships. Companionship has marked the way of Christ from the day Jesus first invited James and John, Peter and Andrew to be not only followers but friends. Your own journey in Christ’s footsteps has undoubtedly been graced by those who have walked with you. Say their names. Right now. Picture them, call them, write to them, pray for them today. Give the gift of companionship.

Friday, January 1, 2010
Eighth day in the Octave of Christmas; World Day of Prayer for Peace
Warm to the idea of protecting creation

Within a couple of decades the Arctic ice cap may disappear entirely in summer months because of global warming, experts warn. The theme of today’s World Day of Prayer for Peace is therefore quite timely: "If you want to cultivate peace, protect the creation." Citing the many environmental challenges, a Vatican statement cautions that "if the human family is unable to face these new challenges with a renewed sense of social justice and equity, and of international solidarity, we run the risk of sowing seeds of violence among peoples, and between current generations and those to come." Pray for the gift of peace through the work you do to protect God’s creation the whole year long.

Saturday, January 2
Feast of Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, bishops, doctors of the church
Share in a God-sized love

"God is on earth," said Saint Basil the Great—whom we celebrate today along with his friend Saint Gregory Nazianzen—in a fourth-century homily. "God is among us," Basil said, "not now as a lawgiver . . . but as one gently and kindly conversing in a human body with his fellow men and women. God is in the flesh." Perhaps a no more amazing thing could be said. God not only created human beings but wanted to be one of them so as to invite them into God’s life. That’s says a lot about the God we believe in—one who loves generously. Shouldn’t we do the same?

©2009  by TrueQuest Communications, L.L.C. Phone: 800-942-2811; e-mail: ; website: www.takefiveforfaith.com. Licensed for noncommercial use. All rights reserved. Scripture quotes come from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

Contributors: Father Paul Boudreau, Alice Camille, Daniel Grippo, Father Larry Janowski, O.F.M., Ann O’Connor, Sean Reynolds, Joel Schorn, Patrice J. Tuohy, and Sister Julie Vieira, I.H.M.