“We can never have too much confidence in the good God. He is so mighty and merciful. As we hope in Him, so will we receive.” -Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower (+1897)
Author: frdave (Fr. Dave Nuss)
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Jesus’ Hidden Life (1/6)
Most of Jesus’ life among us is shrouded in ordinariness. Nazareth is otherwise unremarkable. Jesus’ simple living displays the importance of everyday experience as the pathway for holiness. Let ordinary living be the pathway toward holiness by shaping it to resemble Jesus’ hidden years: keep God in everything you do and practice charity with everyone.
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Epiphany of Our Lord (1/4)
Epiphany means manifestation. The splendid Christmastime feast we celebrate today marks God’s daring to make Himself know to everyone of all ages. “We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (Matthew 2:2b ESV-CE). The star of the show is JESUS. They saw the star and set out immediately. Excuses did...
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Pray Always (1/2)
Our blessed Lord Jesus minces no words when He says, “Pray always.” Of course, He is not speaking merely to a few disciples in distant times, but to all Christians throughout the ages. Because He never requires the impossible, it is for us to take His instruction to heart and live it ourselves. Committed followers...
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Mary, Mother of God (1/1/20)
This short verse from today’s Gospel tells us a great deal about Our Lady. “Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart” (Luke 2:19 ESV-CE). Mary contemplates the wonderful things that are coming true with the birth of her divine Son. She studies them, considers them, ponders them and stores them in...
![4th Sunday of Advent [C] December 22, 2019](https://littleflowertoledo.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/PastorsPondering-Purple.jpg "4th Sunday of Advent [C] December 22, 2019")
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4th Sunday of Advent [C] December 22, 2019
MATTHEW 1:18-24 Mary finally makes her appearance in the Gospel Reading this Advent season, although Joseph is at center of Matthew’s story of the birth of Jesus. Through the message of an angel coming to him in a dream, Joseph learns that “it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in...
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Waiting For God – John the Baptist (12/7)
This weekend, the Gospel brings the figure of John the Baptist right before us (Matthew 13:1-12). Tall though haggard, John sports the latest in camel hair with locusts and wild honey as his food, John wants only to be a voice drawing the attention of everyone toward another who nears: “Prepare the way of the Lord!”...
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Religious Practice Benefits (12/6)
A short piece published in today’s Wall Street Journal cited some findings from a recent study completed by Harvard researchers accenting the measurable benefits of attending weekly religious service. • Children or teens attending a religious service at least once per week scored higher on psychological well-being measurements and had lower risks of mental illness....
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Two Houses (12/5)
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the story of two houses (Matthew 7:21, 24-27). While they look equally impressive, one quickly crumbles as a result of a storm’s fury. The other withstood the mighty challenge. Stability and safety is found to the degree we set our sights steadily on Jesus. Sincerely seek to identify your will...
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Mercy Works (12/4)
Christians know mercy is received from God in measure we extend it to those whom we encounter. It always begins with the compassion we show to those whom God has placed alongside us – family and close friends. Some works of mercy are decisively spiritual in nature. It is a duty and privilege to: Correct...