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Dear Preachers:
In our liturgical celebrations and daily prayer we frequently pray for vocations.
I live in a novitiate community of the Southern Dominican Province, USA.
I can say that I have seen visible evidence that our prayers have been heard, for we have four vibrant novices spending their first year in the Order with us.
Please join us in praying for them as they discern their vocations.
"First Impressions" is a free weekly preaching ministry. If you can help support this ministry, as well as help with the training of our novices, we would appreciate it. We pray for you, our friends and benefactors daily. If you have someone, or something special you would like us to pray for, please let us know.
Send tax deductible checks to: "First Impressions" Make Payable to: Dominican Friars 3150 Vince Hagan Dr. Irving, Texas 75062-4736
Or: For a secure online donation go to: https://www.preacherexchange.com/donations.htm Thank you. "The virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel."
This well-known verse from Isaiah captures the heart of our Advent hope. It was first spoken in a time of political fear and instability – circumstances not unlike our own.
King Ahaz faced powerful enemies and the threat of invasion. The prophet Isaiah urged him to trust in God’s protection rather than in military alliances. But Ahaz refused to ask for a sign, unwilling to rely on God. Still, God gave one: "The virgin shall conceive and bear a son."
The child was to be a sign of God’s enduring faithfulness – a reminder that God is with us even in distress. Over time, this promise took on a deeper meaning. As Matthew’s Gospel tells us today, its ultimate fulfillment came in Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary: God-with-us in the flesh.
As we draw close to Christmas, Isaiah’s prophecy calls us to the same trust. Like Ahaz, we may be tempted to rely on our own strength or worldly solutions. Yet God invites us to lean instead on divine presence, even when we cannot fully understand. In Jesus, our Emmanuel, God comes quietly and humbly through Mary’s faith and the Spirit’s power.
Advent is a season of turning – a time to receive "Emmanuel, God-with-us," here and now. We may not see this presence in grand displays, but in quiet assurances: in prayer, in community, and especially in the Eucharist. As we prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth in Bethlehem, we also welcome him into the ordinary moments of our lives.
Isaiah’s challenge to Ahaz was to trust that God would not abandon the people. Centuries later, Joseph faced his own moment of fear and uncertainty when he learned that Mary was with child. Like Ahaz, he could have chosen self-protection. But unlike Ahaz, Joseph trusted. He listened to the angel’s message that the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit and would save his people from their sins. Through Joseph’s obedience, the Word became flesh – Emmanuel truly entered our world.
The readings from Isaiah and Matthew reveal the contrast between hesitation and trust. Ahaz refuses the sign; Joseph receives it. Advent invites us to open our hearts in faith, trusting that God is with us – not only in the warmth and lights of Christmas, but also in times of uncertainty and hardship.
In this final week of Advent, let us make room – in our hearts, homes, and plans – for Emmanuel’s quiet coming. The same God who entered the world through Mary’s "yes" and Joseph’s obedience still desires to be born anew in us. When we say "yes" to God’s will, we too become signs of divine presence, living witnesses that God is truly with us.
Isaiah’s message to Ahaz came in an age of fear and division. Our world too is filled with anxiety – wars that displace millions, violence in our cities, political and social strife, families under strain, and a planet in distress.
Like Ahaz, we are tempted to seek security in power, wealth, or control. Yet God offers us another sign – not one of strength, but of vulnerability: a child, born of a woman whose very name means "God is with us."
Emmanuel is born anew whenever we choose compassion over cynicism, forgiveness over resentment, peace over division. He is with us when we sit beside the sick, welcome the displaced, stand up for justice, and offer kindness in a world that often forgets it.
Click here for a link to this Sunday’s readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122125.cfm
RESOURCES
Have you visited our webpage recently? There you will find an abundance of English and Spanish resources, which include: 50 essays on preaching; over 80 book reviews; Spanish homiletical material for both Sundays and weekdays; and much, much more. Go to: preacherexchange.com and take a look at the topics posted on the left.
ALSO... On our webpage, in the "Preaching Essay" column, you will find "Preaching Matthew." Throughout the Sundays of this new year Matthew will be our main gospel. This essay will be helpful for preachers as well as scripture reflection groups and personal meditation. .
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. —Romans1:7
Has the noise of the consumer bandwagon, endless Christmas music, and merrymaking overwhelmed these last few days of Advent? There were times when my children were small that I thought I could never get a moment’s silence in the midst of so much Christmas activity and, I have to say, I found wonder in those precious days. Yet, I realized that if I was to prepare my own heart for the presence of the Lord, silence, solitude and self-gift were necessary ingredients to a richer understanding of the coming of the Lord. Our late Pope Francis once said, "The most beautiful gift we can receive is our encounter with Jesus. . .We meet Jesus in the sacraments, but we also meet Him when we do good deeds, when we visit the sick, when we help the poor, when we think of others, when we are not selfish. . ." (Vatican Radio via Missio app 12/1/13)
The Church’s tradition of encouraging everyone to create time for waiting, watching, wondering, and welcome in these four weeks of Advent make this period one of the most spiritual. As you light your fourth Advent candle, invite others into the stillness. Breathe in the peace and calm. Let go of all distractions. Picture a world where even the impoverished person has their needs and hopes met and they can be who they were created to be. Imagine yourself as God’s instrument to help someone less fortunate in this Jubilee Year of Hope. Then, say this prayer:
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for sustaining me on my Advent journey as I go forth to welcome the One who is to come within me.
When the discouraged
cry for hope, it makes me hope.
(adapted from Our Current Prayer | CRS )
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Have a blessed Christmas and may you receive the most beautiful gift of encountering Jesus
Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director Office of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh, NC
Mini-reflections on the Sunday scripture readings designed for persons on the run. "Faith Book" is also brief enough to be posted in the Sunday parish bulletins people take home. From today’s Isaiah reading:
"Therefore the Lord will give you this sign; the virgin shall conceive and bear a son." Reflection: As we draw close to Christmas, Isaiah’s prophecy calls us trust. Like Ahaz, we may be tempted to rely on our own strength. or worldly solutions. Yet God invites us to lean instead on divine presence, even when we cannot fully understand. In Jesus, our Emmanuel, God comes quietly and humbly through Mary’s faith and the Spirit’s power.
So, we ask ourselves: 1. What fears, or uncertainties, make it difficult for me to trust God’s promise? 2. How do I recognize the signs of "Emanuel’ – God-with-us, in my daily life? 3. How can I, like Mary, offer my own "yes" to God’s will as Christmas approaches? POSTCARDS TO DEATH-ROW INMATES
"One has to strongly affirm that condemnation to the death penalty is an inhuman measure that humiliates personal dignity, in whatever form it is carried out." ---Pope Francis
Inmates on death row are the most forgotten people in the prison system. Each week I am posting in this space several inmates’ names and locations. I invite you to write a postcard to one or more of them to let them know that: we have not forgotten them; are praying for them and their families; or whatever personal encouragement you might like to give them. If the inmate responds, you might consider becoming pen pals.
Please write to: Ryan Garcell #0775602 (On death row since 4/4/2006) George Wilkerson #0900281 (12/20/2006) Eugene Williams #0441044 5/1/2007) --Central Prison P.O. 247 Phoenix, MD 21131 Please note: Central Prison is in Raleigh, NC., but for security purposes, mail to inmates is processed through a clearing house at the above address in Maryland.
For more information on the Catholic position on the death penalty go to the Catholic Mobilizing Network: http://catholicsmobilizing.org
"First Impressions" is a service to preachers and those wishing to prepare for Sunday worship. It is sponsored by the Dominican Friars. If you would like "First Impressions" sent weekly to a friend, CLICK HERE.
If you would like to support this ministry, please send tax deductible contributions to:
Fr. Jude Siciliano, OP St. Albert Priory 3150 Vince Hagan Drive Irving, Texas 75062-4736 Make checks payable to: Dominican Friars. Or go to our webpage to make a secure online donation: https://www.PreacherExchange.com/donations.htm
ORDERING OUR CD:
We have compiled a new CD for sale: This CD contains 2,098 reflections with at least three "First Impressions" reflections for each Sunday in each of the three Liturgical years and broken into the categories: Advent, Christmas Season, Lent, Triduum, Easter, Ordinary Time, Solemnities and Feasts. Plus, important book reviews are also included. This newest Version, "9.2", still contains Fr. Jude's original WordPerfect Files, plus updated and edited Word & PDF files with the original WordPerfect dead links removed. If you are a preacher, lead a Lectionary-based scripture group, or are a member of a liturgical team, this CD will be helpful in your preparation process. Individual worshipers report they also use these reflections as they prepare for Sunday liturgy. You can order the CD by going to our webpage - www.PreacherExchange.com and clicking on the "First Impressions" CD link on the left.FREE EMAILS:
We have two English email lists available: 1. "FIRST IMPRESSIONS"a. A preacher's early reflections on the upcoming Sunday's readings and liturgy, always at least one week ahead of the Liturgical Calendar. "A tool to help Preachers prepare for their next trip to the Ambo." Available in Spanish & English and authored by Fr. Jude Siciliano, OP. b. Click Here to Sign Up.2. "VOLUME II" These reflections follow the Liturgical Calendar and appear here about mid-week each week. They are written by various guest authors. If you would like to submit a reflection of your own, then Click Here to send it as a "Request to Post" to the Webmaster. Deadline is Monday of each week for the upcoming Sunday.
OUR WEBSITE: https://www.PreacherExchange.com - Where you will find Preachers Exchange, which includes "First Impressions," and "Volume 2" as well as articles, book reviews, daily homilies and other material pertinent to preaching and Scripture reflection.
FOR INFORMATION OF "ANY KIND" OR TO MAKE A SUGGESTION: Click Here
(The latest are always listed first.)
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AN END
OF THE YEAR APPEAL
