Come Away By Yourselves – Details, episodes & analysis

Christ's Triumph on the Cross defeated sin and death.  It was a triumph of love over selfishness.  This victory needs to be repeated in our own lives, in our own carrying of the Cross.  Sin and selfishness have to be defeated in us and this entails the acceptance of suffering and sacrifice; in a word the acceptance of the Cross.   Suffering is inevitable in life, but whether it is redemptive and sanctifying or futile and permanent is truly up to us. 

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Our Faith constantly encourages us to overcome our fears.  This entails standing up to them and being open to fearful situations.  Christian courage, however, is primarily based on belief in God's powerful presence and protection.  With God, "whom shall we fear?"  

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On the Feast of St. Josemaria, we reflect on one of his most important teachings: the sanctification of work.  After their conversion, the early Christians were encouraged to continue living the same life which God had already given them.  St. Josemaria encourages us to do the same.  Work is a blessing from God and key to a happy, fulfilled life.  Working well is a condition for offering our work to God, thus making it holy and sanctifying ourselves and others in the process.  Our life of prayer is an essential element in sanctifying our work, without times of intense prayer we cannot turn work into prayer.

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Jesus's appearance as a child contains valuable lessons for our life.  Dependence, sincerity, humility and trust are all luminously revealed by the infant God.  Christ's whole life is a "master class" on how to live, including his apparent inaction in the manger.  

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Joseph welcomes Mary into his home and thus welcomes Jesus with her.  Jesus is Emmanuel, "God with us", and the "God who saves."  Jesus's presence in the world is a spur to our own spirit of service.  He is in us and among us as "one who serves."

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A meditation on trust, patience, and God's power and love.  

Originally published 12/8/2020:

The Immaculate Conception of Our Lady is a wonderful occasion for prayer.  Our Lady's special favor with God is a reflection of his generosity and love for us.  Bernadette of Lourdes' encounter with Mary helps us to deal personally with our Lady as she truly is: a loving mother and a teacher of prayer.  

Isaiah foresees the absolute peace that Christ will eventually establish.  Until then, Christ's peace is ours to develop and folster.  Christ brings us peace with God, peace with ourselves, and peace with others.   To foster and enjoy this peace is a beautiful task and privilege of all Christians.   

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Originally published Advent 2020 

John the Baptist is a key figure in Advent.  His call to penance prepares us for the coming of Christ, our redeemer and savior.   A key to being redeemed and saved is our recognition of our own sinfulness.  Only by admitting our need for Christ will we truly encounter him come Christmas time.  

"By your patience you will save your souls."   Jesus's words highlight the importance of patience in the Christian life.  Patience is the ability to suffer well.   Suffering well entails freely embracing suffering which cannot or should not be avoided.  The deepest truth about patience is its connection to charity, to love.  "Love is patient.  ... Love endures all things."   To love God, others, and ourselves rightly, we must learn to practice patience with God, with others, and also with ourselves. 

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