Author: SHSS

Sunday is the Fourth Sunday of Advent. The readings focus on Mary. Since Christmas is the celebration of the Incarnation (the taking on of flesh) of God among us, Mary is very important. Mary gives flesh to the Word of God.

The reason why Mary holds an important place in Catholic and Orthodox theology and spirituality is her role in the Incarnation. Mary makes God more than a concept; she saves us from a too theological or philosophical approach to God. Through the Holy Spirit, she makes God visible. Mary is one of us. Honored in the Gospel, holding a special place in the Church and in the hearts of the faithful, she is the first disciple of the Lord. She is the first member of the Church. She is not divine but human, yet she is for us a model of faithfulness to the Word of God. She is the Mother of the Faithful.

Mary in Art and Scripture

The world of art has done both a service and a disservice to Mary. Icons aim at preserving her holiness and her motherhood. Various forms of Western art, in an attempt to portray her, sometimes presented us with an image that was too perfect and too distant.

Yet from the sacred text, which is rather silent on Mary, we do have an outline of a strong witness, a woman of prayer who seems down to earth. In Luke 1:34f, we see that she questions the angel. She clearly knows the facts of life. How many of us would question an angel? We find her in Cana being concerned over the couple who has just been married because they have no wine. She moves Jesus to perform a sign. We see her enduring sorrow beyond all imagination at the foot of the cross. She seems to struggle to understand Jesus in Mark’s Gospel (not unlike all souls who seek to follow the Lord).

Mary as Journey Partner in Faith

For me, Mary is an important journey partner in the walk of faith. I see her not as a person reserved for women only, but as a companion for any soul who is longing to live a life in the Spirit of God. Carrying Jesus in her womb or in her heart, she is a sign for me that God is present even when he seems absent and distant.

A woman who went through times of confusion and upsetment, she reminds me that God does have a plan. God is in the many changes that occur in our respective lives. Not unlike a parent who gently reminds us to have patience and wait, she is an example of one who waits on the Lord. She is a sign that God does fulfill his promises.

Mary as Teacher of Prayer

As a sign of prayer, she teaches us that prayer is a matter for the heart. In Luke 2:20, we learn that she kept all the things regarding Jesus in her heart and reflected on them. Perhaps we can imitate her prayer and reflect on the Word of God made flesh, also known as Jesus, all the day of our lives.

Just as Mary brings Jesus to us, she can bring us to Jesus in a real and compelling way. Just as Mary gives flesh to the invisible Word of God, thus making God visible in Jesus, so we too, through practicing of our faith, can give flesh to Mercy, Love, Compassion, Justice, and Peace by the way we choose to live out the Gospel of Christ Jesus.

Together, let us proclaim the greatness of the Lord who is Jesus.

Msgr. Guy A. Massie
December 21, 2025

Sunday is the Third Sunday in Advent, we are called to be joy-filled. We light the pink candle on our Advent wreath. What is the difference between happiness and joy? Is there a difference? What if you are not happy, can you have joy?

These are questions that come to mind when celebrating this season and this Sunday.

What Is Joy?

Joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Joy has nothing to do with all things going well. Joy has nothing to do with everything being the way you like it. Joy is in the person who sees with the eyes of faith even if those eyes are filled with tears. Joy is an internal disposition.

Happiness is momentary. Happiness has to do with things being to our liking. We are happy when things go the way we have planned. Joy-filled is that in the midst of the things that have been planned and gone wrong, we see hope in the unexpected situations.

If you are mourning the loss of someone, you are not happy. You can be joy-filled in that your loved one may now be seeing the face of God. Joy is more of a choice rather than a feeling. It is a choice made possible through the eyes of faith.

Joy In The Scriptures

The readings invite us to be joy filled. They did not invite us to be happy.

In the first reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah we read about the parched desert coming to bloom with flowers. Those who are weak will be made strong. Those who are fearful will be given security, and those who are blind will see. Notice that the promise of joy the reading is making takes root in the midst of their suffering. We might say that the root of resurrection is found in our crosses. The promise that God will deliver us is our joy.

The second reading from the Letter of James urges us to have patience. It is possible that the people to whom James is writing may be experiencing some suffering, if not persecution, for their faith. James urges them to remain faithful. God will not abandon them. Joy comes from hope.

In the Gospel we meet John the Baptist in prison. Notice it is John who hears the news of all that Jesus is doing. John actually did not know exactly what to expect from Jesus. John may have thought that the Messiah would come as a judge. There existed many views of what the mission of the Messiah was to accomplish.

Would the Messiah free the Israelites from the oppression of the Romans?

Would the Messiah be priestly and spiritual?

Would the Messiah be a great teacher?

John had to go through a spiritual conversion. While he was in prison, John had to reevaluate his ideas and his ministry. While he heard that Jesus caused the deaf to hear, the blind to see, the lepers to be cleansed and the dead to be raised, these actions were all messianic signs taken from Isaiah. John sends a question to Jesus from his prison cell. John asks Jesus if he is the one who was to come or should he look for another? John is not sure. Jesus does not answer John’s question. Jesus points to his works and allows John to make his decision.

Is Jesus the Messiah or not?

Choosing Joy In A Broken World

Where does this leave us? The world is not in good shape, our country and city are in a mess. Crime against innocent people seems to be up. Many are seriously ill, family problems for many are overbearing. Many marriages are in crisis. Priestly and religious vocations are also in crisis. The Catholic Church is in the midst of scandals. How can we not help but say with John to Jesus, are you the one

Perhaps Jesus would answer by saying, look at all the good things going on around you. Look at those who are striving to follow the gospel. Look and see the great generosity people have. Look at the good young people who give of themselves as servers in soup kitchens. Look at the many loving marriages that exist, look at the sincere and convicted priests and religious who serve people in the direst of circumstances, look at the many individuals who give of themselves for others.

Yes, there are selfish people, yes, there are hypocritical people, yes, there are people who have made bad decisions which have had a negative effect on us, however, we can choose to be hope-filled and even joy-filled that so many do try to follow the gospel, even if they do not know they are following the gospel.

We all have free will. When we use free will to do good things, life is good for many. If we use our free will to be negative, aggressive, and disregard others, we all suffer. So, I choose joy, and I choose to stand with many who follow the gospel even if we get pushback because in the end, God wins and good triumphs.

Be joy-filled. God is near.

Msgr. Guy A. Massie
December 14, 2025

Isaiah, John, and Paul: Messengers of Hope

The Second Sunday in Advent presents us with Isaiah the Prophet, John the Baptist, two important prophets, and Paul. Isaiah is from the Hebrew text and John from the New Testament. All three men bring us a great message of hope and unity. Hope finds its basis in faith in God’s Divine Providence.

In the first reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, we are given the wonderful picture of peace and unity. The reading tells us that the Spirit of God will grant gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, and strength. The reading points to a time when natural enemies will actually be friends. The reading expresses the desire of the Prophet for this day of peace and unity. He believes that this peace and unity is possible even if it sounds far‑fetched. The reason for his hope is his faith that God will bring about this Kingdom of Peace.

Scripture Written To Give Hope

In the second reading, St. Paul reminds us that the Hebrew Scriptures, which were written long before the dawning of Christianity, were meant to give hope. Paul encourages the Romans to endurance in harmony, or in unity, with each other. He later mentions the welcome of the Gentiles into the community, thus affecting a greater unity among the Romans.

Therefore, if we look at the first reading in light of Romans 15:4‑9, we can see this great message of hope and unity. In the Gospel, John the Baptist calls us to repentance because the Kingdom of God is at hand. This is a message of hope. The arrival of the Kingdom of God is a fulfillment of hope. The fact that John is calling us to change means we still have time to make things right. This is a message of hope. Reconciliation between God and humanity and between each of us is a great sign of hope and unity.

A Divided World In Need Of Peace

In our day we are witnessing many divisions in society. In some places, there is a divide between people because of race, color, economic background, religion, or orientation. We are even divided by our political views. Some of us are even separated from our inner selves. We are not at peace in our hearts. We are not satisfied, but we do not know what we really want.

Sometimes our hearts are divided from our minds. Sometimes we are inwardly divided between what we must do and what we want to do. Is this right? God comes to gather us into his Kingdom, not to scatter us. In fact, the word “devil” means one who divides. Unity brings hope, recognition of human dignity and human worth. Unity helps us all to sing God’s praises together in different ways, with different words, but united. Can we hope in God’s Divine Providence working through us? Can we incarnate the words of Christ and work towards a greater unity of our family, workplace, and neighborhood?

Choosing To Be Hope‑Filled

Even if you do not see the sun, it does not mean the sun is not shining. If God seems absent, this does not mean he is not present. Let us be still and know that God is. This may bring us hope and peace. Let’s choose to be hope‑filled rather than angry, negative, or resentful. Hope will bring us to a place of peace.

Msgr. Guy A. Massie

December 7, 2025
Readings for the Second Sunday of Advent