tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439331035718369167.post8561497606136905355..comments2024-02-09T02:48:13.776-06:00Comments on Daily Meditations with Fr. Alfonse: Is 40:25-31 The Holiday RetreatFr. Alfonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02557206560119402976noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439331035718369167.post-48783126063511127042014-12-15T23:13:11.236-06:002014-12-15T23:13:11.236-06:00Benedict,
I usually look forward to your posts bu...Benedict,<br /><br />I usually look forward to your posts but this one was so cynical. I have thought about it all week. Be of good cheer, my friend, Christ is coming to illuminate our darkness! Don't let all the senseless materialism and hedonism drag you down. Use it as an opportunity to shine even brighter!<br /><br />The older I get, the more magical Advent is. The preparation of ourselves for the Christ Child's arrival is a time like no other. For four weeks, we are able to truly examine ourselves, repent, watch, prepare, and rejoice! But Advent is special to me for another reason as well. The universal symbol of the nativity, even though many don't understand it, gives us yet another platform for evangelization. I've used the manger scence to dialogue with my non-Christian friends about compassion for the unborn and refugees. I have used it to talk about simplicity and humility. I used it to talk about traditional marriage and the sanctity of the family. The possibilities are endless. I believe the challenge for us in this era of the New Evangelization is to try to find commonalities with those who do not know him. We must use those commonalities to build bridges. You words have been inspiring to so many on this blog. You are an evangelist! Keep it up. Holiness is not only attractive--it's contagious! violinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07996177657604656859noreply@blogger.com