{"id":1372,"asset_id":"1680","title":"Today's Advent Reflection from Fr. Joseph","alias":"today-s-advent-reflection-from-fr-joseph","introtext":"<div id=\"hs_cos_wrapper_hs_email_body\" class=\"hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_widget hs_cos_wrapper_type_rich_text\" data-hs-cos-general-type=\"widget\" data-hs-cos-type=\"rich_text\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Today's Advent Reflection from Fr. Joseph<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">On this first Sunday of Advent, the Gospel reading points us to the Second Coming of Jesus. Before delving into the Incarnation \u2014 Jesus\u2019 First Coming \u2014 we look at His return.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Since we don\u2019t know which day the Lord will come, we must stay awake and aware, always striving to live our lives in a state of grace. Each of us has a choice to make, a choice with eternal consequences, a choice with or without Jesus. No one can make the decision for us.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">And it\u2019s not just a one-time decision. Each day we are to renew our love and trust in Him. Are we serving Him now with our thoughts and actions? Do we seek His will, His plans and purposes, to be accomplished in us throughout the day?<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">This Advent, for those of us who are able, we should try to visit the Confessional. Whether it has been five weeks or fifty years, Our Lord is patiently waiting for us to go to Him, to ask His forgiveness, and to benefit from the graces He so wants to give us.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mother Angelica once said, \u201cThe whole Advent season is about merciful love. We look upon God\u2019s Infinite Mercy and know He finds such joy in coming to us, and that He finds joy in forgiving us.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">As we are now at the beginning of Advent \u2014 and the liturgical year \u2014 we have a fresh start, an opportunity to grow in the love of Our Savior. \u201cDon\u2019t miss the opportunity!\u201d<\/p>\r\n","fulltext":"\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"caret-color: auto;\">Here are today's Mass readings:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">First reading: Isaiah 2:1-5<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Psalm: 122:1-9<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Second reading: Romans 13:11-14<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gospel: St. Matthew 24:37-44<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Here are a few of EWTN\u2019s faith-filled programs to encourage and inspire you this week (All times Eastern):<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">ADVENT REFLECTIONS Advent is a time of expectation and preparation for the coming of Jesus. Celebrate each week of this joyous season by listening to the personal reflections of these insightful priests speaking from St. Catherine\u2019s Dominican Church in Newry, Northern Ireland. Sundays, 11:30 PM; Wednesdays, 11:30 AM. (30 mins.)<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER AND THE CHURCH IN JAPAN Beginning with the missionary work of St. Francis Xavier, this EWTN original documentary presents the rich history of the Catholic Church in Japan, which has endured through persecution and exile. November 27, 10:00 PM. (60 mins.)<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">OUR FAITH IN ACTION: TODAY\u2019S SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL The St. Vincent de Paul Society promotes spiritual growth through service to people and families in need. Travel along and experience their work through home visits, food pantries, and more. November 28 - 30, 5:30 PM. (30 mins.)<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">May God bless you this Advent and always.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Christ,<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Father Joseph<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">P.S. If you are inspired by this message, please forward it to your loved ones.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<img src=\"https:\/\/emails.ewtn.com\/hs-fs\/hubfs\/EWTN%20Logo%20300.jpg?width=332&amp;upscale=true&amp;name=EWTN%20Logo%20300.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 166px) 100vw, 166px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/emails.ewtn.com\/hs-fs\/hubfs\/EWTN%20Logo%20300.jpg?upscale=true&amp;width=332&amp;upscale=true&amp;name=EWTN%20Logo%20300.jpg 166w, &lt;a href=\" alt=\"\" hs-fs=\"\" \/>https:\/\/emails.ewtn.com\/hs-fs\/hubfs\/EWTN%20Logo%20300.jpg?upscale=true&amp;width=664&amp;upscale=true&amp;name=EWTN%20Logo%20300.jpg 332w\" alt=\"EWTN logo\" width=\"166\" style=\"vertical-align:bottom; -ms-interpolation-mode:bicubic; width:166px; max-width:166px\" \/&gt;<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"company-details\">\r\n<p>EWTN<\/p>\r\n<p>5817 Old Leeds Rd<\/p>\r\n<p>Irondale AL 35210<\/p>\r\n<\/div>","state":1,"catid":"8","created":"2022-11-27 14:30:59","created_by":"873","created_by_alias":"","modified":"2022-11-27 20:18:10","modified_by":"873","checked_out":"873","checked_out_time":"2022-11-27 20:17:45","publish_up":"2022-11-27 14:30:17","publish_down":"0000-00-00 00:00:00","images":"{\"image_intro\":\"\",\"float_intro\":\"\",\"image_intro_alt\":\"\",\"image_intro_caption\":\"\",\"image_fulltext\":\"\",\"float_fulltext\":\"\",\"image_fulltext_alt\":\"\",\"image_fulltext_caption\":\"\"}","urls":"{\"urla\":false,\"urlatext\":\"\",\"targeta\":\"\",\"urlb\":false,\"urlbtext\":\"\",\"targetb\":\"\",\"urlc\":false,\"urlctext\":\"\",\"targetc\":\"\"}","attribs":"{\"article_layout\":\"\",\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_tags\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"info_block_position\":\"\",\"info_block_show_title\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_associations\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"urls_position\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_page_title\":\"\",\"show_publishing_options\":\"\",\"show_article_options\":\"\",\"show_urls_images_backend\":\"\",\"show_urls_images_frontend\":\"\"}","version":3,"ordering":"2","metakey":"","metadesc":"","access":"1","hits":"3","metadata":"{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}","featured":"0","language":"*","xreference":"","note":""}