Advent Reflections

1st Sunday of Advent

Jesus exhorts us to remain vigilant for his coming during Advent. This season marks a time to prepare for both his coming at Christmas and his Second Coming at the end of time. To help us prepare our hearts during this season, he also comes to us daily in the Eucharist. How can I be aware of the love of Christ that comes to me during this season? Rev. Mr. Matthew Schilmoeller ‘23 Diocese of Lincoln

Advent Reflections

Newly ordained deacons reflect on the Gospels Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

2nd Sunday of Advent

John the Baptist lived his life in surrender and humble witness to Jesus. From the moment he leapt in Elizabeth’s womb, John was proclaiming the greatness of the Christ who was to come. In his ministry, John baptized others into repentance, but he proclaims that the baptism of Christ is infinitely more important and valuable. As he says in the Gospel of John, “He must increase, I must decrease.” How can we echo the same disposition of humility to Jesus? Rev. Mr. Matthew Schilmoeller ‘23 Diocese of Lincoln

Immaculate Conception

Sin entered humanity through Adam and Eve and although we are not culpable for the action itself, we still experience the consequences of that action which we call original sin. Mary was preserved from original sin—why? Because as the true Mother of God who carried Christ in her womb, sin couldn’t have power over her as sin never had power over Christ our Lord. Rev. Mr. Oscar Marquina Romero ‘23

Diocese of Salt Lake City

Advent Reflections

for the four Sundays of Advent as well as for the and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

3rd Sunday of Advent

Life can be filled with burdens and discontentment—we could be left asking the same question John the Baptist asked: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Christ doesn’t respond with words, but rather with actions: “the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear…” Our hope and our joy are not born out of well-structured discourses. On the contrary, hope and joy are born out of real experiences of love and grace. Rev. Mr. Oscar Marquina Romero ‘23

Diocese of Salt Lake City

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Wherever Mary appears, she inspires joy: Gabriel’s joyful greeting (Lk 1:28), Elizabeth’s sense of wonder (Lk 1:41-45), and Juan Diego’s trusting response to Mary’s comforting words, “Am I not here who am your Mother?” How does Mary want to inspire joy within my life today? How am I being called to inspire joy in others, as she does?

Rev. Mr. Zane Langenbrunner ‘23 Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend

4th Sunday of Advent

Discerning the will of God involves an interaction between human meditation and divine inspiration. As Joseph was pondering how to respond to the discovery of Mary’s pregnancy (meditation), the angel bursts onto the scene to communicate God’s revelation (inspiration). When has God “interrupted” my human musings with his divine revelation? When has he led me down a different road than the one I originally had in mind?

Rev. Mr. Zane Langenbrunner ‘23 Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend