During this second week of Advent, we find Mary making a visit to her cousin Elizabeth.  When the two women embrace each other, we hear in scripture that the baby in her womb leapt for joy. (Lk 1:39-45)

Mary went to visit her cousin after she found out that both she and her cousin were pregnant.  Mary wanted to be with her cousin to share this joy and to be of help to her.

There are times in my life when I encounter another person and actually sense and believe that Jesus is there with us. Sometimes you meet someone for the first time and there is such a strong encounter, you walk away with an awesome awareness of the presence of God.

I lived this experience when I was visiting Rio de Janeiro last July. I stayed with a family while preparing for the events at World Youth Day 2013. This family revealed to me the presence of God by the way they greeted me and welcomed me into their home.

As Mary and Elizabeth encountered a moment of joy, so did I when this family embraced me and opened up their home to me. It had such a profound impact on me, that when I think of them today, I feel God is embracing me.

When we visit with people, how aware are we that the presence of Jesus is in our midst?  Do we sense His presence?

As we begin this Advent Season, we are reminded of the words the angel Gabriel told Mary “Be not afraid.” (Lk 1:30)

We know that when the angel appeared before Mary she was frightened and did not understand what was going on. Yet she was aware of God’s presence in her life. Once the angel spoke these words – “Be not afraid” – Mary said yes and without hesitation, confidently responds “May it be done to me according to your word.” (Lk 1:38)

During this week let us think of the ways we are being asked to follow the words of God and reflect on how we respond to what is being asked of us. 

A couple years ago I was asked to be a medical proxy for a good friend. Since saying yes, I have been present to her needs and there have not been too many areas that have been difficult to live.

However, over the last week, she has become weaker and her illness has become more complicated. Now there is a need for me to become more actively involved in her care. There are major decisions that need to be made and it has not been an easy road to walk.

As I reflect on the strength and courage of Mary’s yes to what was being asked of her, I have asked God for the grace to be faithful to my yes to my friend in her time of need.

Where do you find the strength to say yes to what is being asked of you at this time? How do you connect with Mary’s yes and your yes to God?

In my recent tour of several of our Family Rosary missions in Chile, Mexico and Peru, I was struck by something that you may not be aware of. A similar kind of decline in the practice of our faith that has affected America has also started to hit hard there. Latin America, long considered the bastion of Catholicism, is getting sucked up quickly in the consumerism that seems to erode faith and make us forget about God and what most matters in life.

When people become distanced from God, the effects on their personal lives and on society are serious. That’s the real “elephant in the room” that a lot of people don't want to talk about.

How do we help people live in today's world without selling their souls?

The Year of Faith came to a close on November 24, the Feast of Christ the King. However we need to be aware that this has been a preamble for a journey of living and sharing our faith: a New Evangelization precisely to reawaked faith in hearts that have grown tepid or cold to it. 

The task seems daunting. Yet faced with it, I become more convinced of the simple genius of Father Peyton's message: family prayer of the Rosary.  Prayer needs to be at the heart of the task. The Rosary is Mary's School of Prayer, as Blessed John Paul II said. Contemplating the face of Christ with Mary in the Rosary we can learn to pray deeply. The family that prays together stays together communicates a message as important as ever.

However we need a sort of miracle, really. Yet I believe what a friend of mine told me years ago: "Mary makes mountains into mole hills!"

How do you encourage and support your family to live their faith within the enticing environment of consumerism that surrounds us?

On Thursday, November 28th, families throughout the United States will gather to enjoy a Turkey dinner, some time together, some football and to pause to give thanks to God.

Living in New England, near Plymouth, MA, provides me with many signs and symbols of the first Thanksgiving dinner. There are cranberries, the Mayflower ship and so much more.

The other day a turkey came through my friend’s yard and was hiding under her deck as if to find a place to take refuge from being the centerpiece on the dining room table!

This picture caused me to think of what I am grateful for this Thanksgiving but more importantly, each and every day of my life. Thanksgiving gives us a day to pause … to acknowledge all the goodness that surrounds us … and to remember those who have gone before us.

But we can begin this Thanksgiving by practicing the spirit of this day throughout the year.

I was speaking with a friend who lives in Illinois and they had just been hit with a severe tornado which demolished much of the area. People lost everything they owned.  I was struck by how often we complain when minor things do not go the way we think they should or if we don’t get something. 

I paused to take a look at what I have in life: a God who loves me, good health, a roof over my head, food on the table and clothes on my back.  This spirit of Thanksgiving is needed each and every day of our lives.

Perhaps on this special day we should begin a whole year of thanking God for his blessings and graces in our lives.

Pause now to give thanks to God for the blessings in your life and in your family! Enter your prayers of gratitude here and we’ll remember your blessings in our thanksgiving prayers too.