building lives, years, and christmas
“Anyone who hears My words and puts them into practice is like the wise man who built his house on rock.” —Matthew 7:24
Jesus, being a carpenter, thinks in terms of building. For instance, He thinks that life is like building a house. Our lives must be founded on Him, the Rock-Foundation (1 Cor 3:11), or they will collapse under the stress of the storms of life (Mt 7:26-27). We found our lives unshakably on Christ by hearing and obeying His words (Mt 7:24).
This new Church year also is like building a house. If we establish and strengthen our foundation on the Lord during these Advent and Christmas seasons, we will spend this year building an “edifice of spirit” (1 Pt 2:5) for God’s glory. Otherwise, our faith will erode and gradually be undermined during this new year. We must start the year with a solid Advent and strong Christmas.
This Advent is also like building a house, the house of Christmas. Christmas will not just appear twenty-two days from now; it must be built. As we repent, forgive, go to Confession, pray, fast, evangelize, serve, and suffer in obedience to the Lord, we will see the Lord, God, Carpenter, and Baby of Bethlehem form Christmas in us and then in the world.
Prayer: Father, may I obey You this Advent as never before.
Promise: “A nation of firm purpose You keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in You.” —Is 26:3
Praise: St. Francis Xavier was recruited directly by St. Ignatius of Loyola into a newly formed religious community, the Society of Jesus. Today we commonly know the order as the Jesuits. He went from being a young philosophy teacher, to being ordained a Jesuit, to being a great missionary to the people of the Far East. He built up the Church in India and Japan.
Reference:
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period from December 1, 2020 through January 31, 2021. Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 14, 2020"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.