AN END OF THE YEAR APPEAL
It is that time of the year again when we reach out to you for help. Our weekly
e-mailings now go to almost 4,000 recipients. Our webpage, “Preacher Exchange,”
has had 11 million “hits” since last Advent. We have kept these Spanish and
English resources free so those in poorer parishes and the developing world can
have access to them. Judging from the emails I get, that is exactly what is
happening. We can’t continue this service without your help – so will you?
Every day our community prays for our benefactors. And so, you and your loved
ones will be remembered at our daily Eucharist and prayer during these special
days of Advent and Christmas.
Send tax deductible checks to:
“First Impressions”
Payable To: Dominican Friars
3150 Vince Hagan Dr.
Irving, Texas 75062-4736
Or: For an online donation go to
https://www.PreacherExchange.com/donations.htm
Thank you
During Advent we are posting reflections on our
webpage drawn from the daily Mass Scriptures. They are written by friars,
sisters and laity of the Dominican Family.
For these daily and enriching Advent meditations go to:
https://PreacherExchange.com/
And click on the ADVENT link button on the upper
left.
 Dear
Preachers:
We are just days away from Christmas, the
celebration of the birth of the One who changed the world. But where are the
trumpets, horns, and kettle drums announcing this momentous event? Today’s
readings don’t match the grandeur we might expect. Instead, they are quiet,
almost understated, in their anticipation of what is to come.
The prophet Micah predicts the arrival of a new ruler. Speaking to people
enduring the Assyrian invasion 700 years before Christ, he addresses their
despair over the nation’s depleted resources and defenses. Micah assures them
that God has not forgotten them; a rescuer will come. But then, Micah surprises
his audience with a “Bethlehem promise.” The savior will not emerge from grand
Jerusalem, but from humble Bethlehem. This ruler will not be a mighty warrior
but a child—a promise echoing God’s pattern of working through the small and
unexpected. Bethlehem, the birthplace of David, Israel’s shepherd king, will
once again be the site of God’s great deeds.
Today’s gospel also seems modest in comparison to the extravagant celebrations
surrounding Christmas. The world has been abuzz for months—stores bustling,
buildings glowing, and festive songs playing wherever we go. Yet Luke directs us
to something simpler: the quiet power of God’s work in overlooked places.
The gospel narrative tells a family story about two pregnant cousins, Mary and
Elizabeth—women of faith. Mary, having just encountered the angel Gabriel,
visits Elizabeth. Elizabeth greets her with a profound declaration of faith:
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why is
this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” She sees what
others might have missed: Mary’s extraordinary faith. Mary heard God’s word,
trusted it, and acted on it, despite the uncertainties.
To the superficial observer, Mary might appear to be an unfortunate young woman
in an unbelievable situation. Elizabeth, too, might simply seem like an elderly
woman whose unexpected pregnancy shocked her family. Without faith, people
missed the promises God had made through Micah and Gabriel.
This is our call during the Eucharist: to hear God’s word, trust in it, and act
upon it. God supports us in this through Christ’s presence in both the Word and
the Eucharist. It may seem like a small thing, but this is how God works:
starting with the small and, with our consent, accomplishing the great.
Elizabeth’s blessing for Mary is a blessing for us as well: “Blessed are you who
believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” During
Advent, we have repeatedly heard this theme: God makes promises and keeps them.
Elizabeth’s proclamation aligns with Micah’s prophecy: God works through the
lowly and overlooked—two village women from a conquered people—to fulfill divine
promises. God’s glory unfolds in unexpected ways, often unnoticed by those
seeking power, numbers, or grandeur. To recognize God’s presence, we need eyes
of faith, not the world’s limited vision. Our God is a God of surprises.
Many of us do not experience grand epiphanies of God’s presence. If we expect
obvious, dramatic signs of God’s work in our lives, we will often be
disappointed, especially during times of struggle. When we face our own
“Assyrians,” we may feel abandoned. This is likely how the people felt in
Micah’s time. But Micah reminds them—and us—that God is present, even when we’re
looking in the wrong places or holding misguided expectations.
When I am struggling, I long for quick, concrete manifestations of God. But
today’s readings urge me to look with faith. If I do, I will see that I am not
alone in facing life’s challenges.
Have I noticed God’s care in family support, the encouragement of friends, the
sacraments, prayer, or the simple determination to keep going? These may not
seem like much, but God often works in small, quiet ways. As Bethlehem and two
village women of faith show us, God’s transformative presence can emerge from
the seemingly insignificant. Are we missing the signs of God’s work in our
lives? Are we missing Someone?
As we approach the Eucharist today, let us give thanks for the faith that allows
us to see what we might have otherwise overlooked: God-with-us, revealed in
simple, everyday ways.
Click here for a link to this Sunday’s readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122224.cfm
WILL YOU CONSIDER...
Sending a Christmas card to an inmate on death row? See
below.
JUSTICE BULLETIN
BOARD
For now, his greatness shall reach to the
ends of the earth; he shall be peace.
—Micah 5: 4
It is hard to feel at peace especially with the volatility we see in the Middle
East, the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, the Sudan Civil War, and the rancor
we experienced in the November elections. Perhaps we can understand the sense of
peace better when we observe that the scripture passage from Micah is combined
with the greetings of two very pregnant women in the Gospel of Luke. I can only
speak of my own pregnancies, but I remember a profound sense of peace as I
approached my due dates. After nine months of anticipation and waiting, it was
as if world events just didn’t matter. I had found a profound sense of
peace-filled being, not doing, within myself. If we are ever going to have peace
in the world, we must first seek and preserve this sense of peace within
ourselves.
Make a special effort this 4th week of Advent for peace within and with others.
P.S. I hope your journey these Advent weeks has been and is a deeply spiritual
one and that it will be part of the new you in the new year. To re-cap our
journey:
Week 1- We should prepare ourselves to be open to the love of God all over
again.
Week 2- The quickest way to find love is to be love to others, especially the
poor.
Week 3- Where kindness is found, there is God in our midst. Rejoice!
Week 4- Seek peace within and with others.
I will close with this gift of a beautiful prayer by Pedro Arrupe,
former Superior General of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).
Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a
quite absolute way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination,
will affect everything. It will decide what gets you out of bed in the morning,
what you do with your evening, how you spend your weekends, what you read, who
you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.
Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.
May you be blessed with a holy
Christmas!
Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS,
Director
Office of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries
Holy Name of Jesus
Cathedral, Raleigh, NC
FAITH BOOK
Mini-reflections on the Sunday
scripture readings designed for persons on the run. “Faith Book” is also
brief enough to be posted in the Sunday parish bulletins people take home.
From the Book of the Prophet
Micah:
“He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock...
for now, his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth;
he shall be peace.”
Reflection:
Through the prophet Micah God’s promise has come
true in Jesus, “He shall be peace.” Our faith in Jesus is expressed by our
determination to act as “ambassadors” of the peace the Promised One has brought.
So, we ask ourselves:
-
How can I be an “ambassador of peace” in
Jesus’ name?
-
Where and to whom do I need to speak words of
forgiveness; be an agent of reconciliation between hostile parties; speak
calmly while others are shouting; act justly when the voiceless are being
taken advantage of?
POSTCARDS TO
DEATH ROW INMATES
“One has to strongly affirm that condemnation to
the death penalty is an inhuman measure that humiliates personal dignity, in
whatever form it is carried out."
---Pope Francis
Inmates on death row are the most forgotten people in the prison system. Each
week I am posting in this space several inmates’ names and locations. I invite
you to write a postcard to one or more of them to let them know that: we have
not forgotten them; are praying for them and their families; or, whatever
personal encouragement you might like to give them. If the inmate responds, you
might consider becoming pen pals.
Please write to:
-
Raymond Thibodeaux#0515043(On death row since
3/2/1999)
-
Lyle May#0580028(3/18/1999)
-
Nathaniel Fair#0125241(5/18/1999)
----Central Prison, P.O. 247,
Phoenix, MD 21131
Please note: Central Prison is in
Raleigh, NC., but for security purposes, mail to inmates is processed through a
clearing house at the above address in Maryland.
For more information on the Catholic position on the death penalty go to the
Catholic Mobilizing Network:
http://catholicsmobilizing.org/resources/cacp/
On this page you can sign “The National Catholic
Pledge to End the Death Penalty.” Also, check the interfaith page for People of
Faith Against the Death Penalty: http://www.pfadp.org/
DONATIONS
“First Impressions” is a service to
preachers and those wishing to prepare for Sunday worship. It is sponsored by
the Dominican Friars. If you would like “First Impressions” sent weekly
to a friend, send a note to Fr. John Boll, OP at
jboll@opsouth.org.
If you would like to support this ministry, please
send tax deductible contributions to Fr. Jude Siciliano, OP:
St. Albert Priory, 3150 Vince Hagan
Drive, Irving, Texas 75062-4736
Make checks payable to:
Dominican Friars.
Or go to our webpage to make an online donation:
https://www.PreacherExchange.com/donations.htm
RESOURCES
ORDERING OUR
CDs:
We have compiled Four CDs for sale:
-
Individual CDs for each Liturgical Year, A, B
or C.
-
One combined CD for “Liturgical Years A, B and
C.
If you are a preacher, lead a Lectionary-based
scripture group, or are a member of a liturgical team, these CDs will be helpful
in your preparation process. Individual worshipers report they also use these
reflections as they prepare for Sunday liturgy.
You can order the CDs by going to our webpage:
https://www.PreacherExchange.com
and clicking on the “First Impressions” CD
link on the left.
OTHER
PUBLICATIONS BY EMAIL:
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DOMINICALES" ---These Spanish reflections on the Sunday and daily scriptures are
written by Dominican sisters and friars. If you or a friend would like to
receive these reflections drop a note to "Fr. John Boll, OP <PreacherExchange@ATT.net>
2. "VOLUME 2" is an opportunity for you to hear from the readers of “First
Impressions.” To subscribe or Send your own reflections: Send them to "Fr.
John J. Boll, O.P."
PreacherExchange@att.net. Your contributions to Volume 2 are
welcome.
OUR WEBSITE:
https://www.PreacherExchange.com - Where you will find Preachers
Exchange, which includes "First Impressions," "Homilías
Dominicales," and "Volume 2" as well as articles, book reviews, daily
homilies and other material pertinent to preaching and Scripture reflection.
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