Whatever happened to Sabbath time? Whatever happened to the rhythm of the week, the sense of leisure, the change of pace, the time for others, the time for God?

We Americans need our hearts checked. Our hearts have grown too cold and too hard and that bodes ill for the health of our nation.

Jesus calls to these ordinary people with a compelling invitation: “Do you want to come along?” Don’t they! They jump up, hearts pounding, turning away from the known to a new vocation of following.

He knew Jesus had the power but was not sure he had the will to use it. But Jesus left nobody in any doubt.

After a long struggle, my grandfather died. Why didn’t God heal him?

Behold how the Lord’s birth overflows with abounding grace for all, and how prophecy was not denied except to the unbelieving.

In the fullness of time, God became human. This impossible wish was granted in the face of a vulnerable and dependent child.

Advent calls us to look directly at the world’s brokenness and to cry out for the coming of the day of justice and salvation.

Our Lady of Guadalupe called Juan Diego to make manifest Christ’s presence and concern in Mexico. As she called to him, so she calls to us.

Advent allows us holy leisure to immerse ourselves in Scripture, to settle roots deep in the rich loam discerning the good that God wills for us.