When reading the Gospel today, it's important to understand the context of Saint John the Baptist's words. It is sometime after the priests and Levites questioned him about who he was. Remember, at that point Saint John had denied being the Messiah or Elijah. Instead he said, I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie. (John 1:26) But it is of course sometime before Saint John's own imprisonment and ultimately, his death by beheading. In this moment, how beautiful are his words! Let’s read them again, slowly: He [Christ] who has the bride [all of us, the Church] is the bridegroom; the friend of the bridegroom [John himself] who stands and hears him [Christ] rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice; therefore this joy of mine is now full. He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3: 29-30) In a moment of pure abandonment, Saint John exemplifies what true Christianity really means. He never was the Christ and never said he was. Now it is time for his disciples to come and see who the Messiah really is. It is time for Saint John to decrease, even to the point of death, so that the Lord might increase in the lives of the faithful. Do we desire to live as John did? When we fall into bed at night do we hope at the very core of our being that He will be a little more in us and we a little less? Can we . . . . . . let go of a beloved project into which we've poured our hearts but that needs room to grow beyond us? . . . allow a developing child the independence for which they are longing? . . . rid our minds of thoughts that demand attention and praise for ourselves when we do not need it? Saint John reminds us of what is at the center of our lives: A Savior who seeks to increase in our lives to such a dramatic extent that we lose the ability to worry about ourselves and our condition. What a tremendous relief that would be! And how scary, too! The Missionaries of Charity prays a Litany of Humility that was referenced here on BIS awhile back and that singer Danielle Rose once put to music. Let's pray it again today, for ourselves and for each other, that we, like him, might rejoice without fear in Christ's growing presence in our lives. Amen. photo credit Karen Schultz is a Birth Doula hailing from the Land of 10,000 Lakes, where she is often found in or near one of them. You can find out more about her here.

In the midst of great healing and miracles, Jesus took a “time-out” to pray, He withdrew to the wilderness, or deserted place. Advent is such a beautiful time of meditation and preparation; I have tried, with varying degrees of success to get my Christmas shopping done before Advent each year so as to really be able to enjoy the season. Even then, after the hustle and bustle of Christmas and New Years, and two children’s birthdays which we have nestled in there too, Ephiphany can leave me a little drained rather than spiritually filled. Parties and presents and shopping, oh, my! I pack away decorations and some years am left feeling spiritually empty again. I find myself wanting another spiritual detox in reverse, where I strip everything away and leave myself alone with the Lord. A priest told me once that I should spend an hour each day, just in prayer or meditation or some form of worship. I laughed and said “And how do I do that with four little ones to take care of? I can’t even shower without being interrupted.” How exactly we carve out special time with the Lord is, of course, personal. Some attend daily Mass, others pray while they exercise, journal or meet with other believers for study, some are able to pray through the ordinary—to pray while they wash dishes and change diapers or drive. For me, it is a mix of approaches. When it comes down to listening to the Lord, I need some peace and quiet. My constant mind-chatter and the chatter of the little mouths around me make it impossible for me to hear the Lord speaking. Doing this at the end of the day leaves me asleep after just a few minutes, so I have adopted giving the Lord the first part of my day and the first part of my daughter’s naptime. It doesn’t always work out, but I am working on it. If you are struggling to find some consistent time, I congratulate you on the first step—these devotions. I invite you to pray everyday for some direction on how you can give God more daily. Do you have deserted places to pray? How do you find balance in the day? How do you make time to go to your deserted place to pray? Give yourself the time to read and reflect each day. Take a minute to jot down three or four options that would give you a chance to pray and reflect. Then play around with your timing or strategies, maybe mornings, maybe evenings, maybe your lunch breaks. Give yourself a week trying something and then switch to something else if it isn’t working. Just don’t give up, because if Jesus withdrew to a deserted place to pray, shouldn’t you? photo credit MaryRuth Hackett is a full-time wife and mother doing her best to teach her four children to love God and country. You can find out more about her here.

The First Reading today, from the first letter of Saint John, tells us everything we need to know about how to convert our friends on Facebook, Twitter, forums, blogs, and email forwards. Seriously. It does. It’s a step-by-step guide to evangelization in the time of social media. Step 1: He who loves God should love his brother also. People are almost never argued into conversion. What draws people to conversion is love and truth and beauty. Not a perfectly crafted zinger of a comment. Love. So, if we really feel called to refute a particularly problematic post or link or comment, sure, have at it. But if we're so fired up that we aren’t capable of engaging that person with love and respect, it is ALWAYS better to just walk away from the screen. Step 2: For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. So if it’s not finding just the right meme to crush the competition in a combox war, what IS the key to converting people through social media? It’s being good Catholics ourselves. Period. In real life and in online life. It’s following the commandments and striving to set a good example with everything we say and do and tweet. Step 3: And his commandments are not burdensome. And let’s have fun while we do it, m’kay? Our example of a joy-filled life, especially in the face of struggle and hardship, is a light in the darkness of our culture. But we must KNOW and LIVE our faith in order to be able to help others come to know and love God. If someone we encounter has a question or a misunderstanding, we need to know the truth (or at least know where to find it) and then be able to share that truth with love and compassion. Step 4: For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. As believing Catholics, we can’t get caught up in panic or hysteria about Church teaching, or politics, or social issues. Because we know how this all turns out. We know that the gates of hell DO NOT prevail against us. That’s not to say that we don’t pray and work and strive for truth and justice, we do. But we never give ourselves or our newsfeed over to despair. We pray and we hope and we don’t worry. And we LOVE, We love, because He first loved us. See ya on the inter webs, ladies. Today, in our hearts and on our screens, let us choose to channel love. photo credit Kendra Tierney can be found tending nine chickens, seven children, and one husband in Los Angeles, CA. You can find out more about her here.

Love one another. It seems easy enough, doesn't it? But what about those people in our lives who make that commandment from God just a little bit difficult? How do we love those who have hurt us? What about those who don't appear to love us in return? How do we love that one person who has made it clear that they want nothing to do with the love we have to offer? God does not say to give love only to those who give it to us. He does not tell us to love our friends and let our enemies go. He does not even tell us that this commandment will be easy. He only tells us to do it. To love. Love comes in many forms. In some relationships, it's a giddy love deepened over time. Mothers often have a very protective love for their children. Some relationships speak love through mutual respect and admiration. But sometimes love comes in ways unfamiliar. Sometimes it is speaking the truth through love, knowing the message may not be well-received. Sometimes it is letting go of an ideal relationship but never giving up on praying for that person or being kind in all dealings. Sometimes loving means giving everything to God, allowing Him, through us, to will the best for that person who cannot accept love in any other way. A new year brings with it opportunities for beginning again. As we think of our goals for the coming year, maybe we should focus a bit more on love. How can we be more open to receiving the love of others? In turn, how can we commit to loving others more, in whatever form we can? God is love. His love is offered unconditionally, regardless of how many times we fail Him. He asks that we love one another as He loves us, meaning unconditionally. It is impossible to do alone. Yet, He abides in us . . . and His love will lead us to loving others as He loves us . . . even if it takes us asking for His help every second of every day. As part of our New Year's resolutions, let us pray for the desire, the courage and the wisdom to be more aware of how we can love and be loved. photo credit Britt Fisk is the wife of Jeremy and mother of four young kids. She spends her days living simply in the-middle-of-nowhere-New Mexico helping with the family beef cattle operation. You can find out more about her here.

  This is a lonely place, and the hour is now late. These are the muttering words of the tired disciples to Jesus. But aren't they often our words, too? Isn't it always lonely and late and dark in this fallen world in which we live? Such is my standard response to whatever woe-is-us I hear from friends or co-workers or headlines despairing that this is (once again) The Absolute Worst of Humanity And We Are All Heading To Hell In A Hand Basket. Hasn't it always felt this way, I wonder, in every generation challenged by the evils of its time? This is a lonely place, and the hour is now late. Jesus knew it. The fear, the despair, the hands thrown up in the air. But He also knew that late and lonely was precisely the time to feed people. Right where they were (don’t send them away), right with what we have (don’t go seeking more). You give them something to eat. Go and see. Cynicism is a sweet temptation. What’s easier than griping about the state of the world? But to look around and ask what I've been given to share, what small loaves of bread I can scrounge up to feed another hungry belly, what fine fish I can offer to make a meal? That’s the Gospel work of finding good news where there seems to be none. Jesus was compassion incarnate. He saw those hungry, tired crowds—hungry for more than bread, tired from more than fatigue—and He blessed and broke what He had to give to them. He gave His very Self. And they all ate and were satisfied. And there were heaps left over to keep them going. This is a lonely place, and the hour is now late. True. The world is hard. Winter is dark. Wicked wind bites as we try to turn up our collar and hunker down against whatever despair threatens to steal our joy. But God is here, too. That was the promise of Christmas, and it stands firm even as we start to pull down the tree and tinsel. God is here—in the hungry crowds, in the lonely places, in the late hour. How can we live this truth? How can we be bread for others today? photo credit Laura Kelly Fanucci is a mother, writer, and theological researcher. She and her husband are raising three little boys in the suburban wilds of Minnesota. You can find out more about her here.

Phew. Today's readings really pack a punch. We have Saint John's very deep and complex words about what it means to live in God alongside the first words spoken publicly by Jesus which also discuss this important theme of what it means to live with God. The words of Jesus are very simple; in order to enter this new kingdom of God we must simply turn from our sins and repent. Something so grand as entering a new kingdom, created by God Himself, by only performing one interior action. But it is that interior action, that repentance, that is truly more difficult than journeying on pilgrimages, finding animals to sacrifice, performing physical feats, or any other thing we could accomplish. Repentance is an interior, personal, change of the heart. It is so difficult for us because we are human, prone to sin and distracted by pride. Maybe we can turn our hearts for a short while, but all too soon we need to repent again. We can't live in the new kingdom because of our accomplishments, our money, our outward piety, our completed tasks done according to some divine recipe. We can only live in the kingdom of God with true, interior repentance. Jesus, through His life, death and resurrection has made this new possible for us, all we need to do is what seems in comparison a paltry hidden choice. But it is not easy. Sometimes we need to repent daily for the same sins we commit over and over again. Or we have to continue to repent for decisions and sins from our distant past, the ramifications of which keep creeping back into our souls trying to snatch back our hearts into darkness. And when we repent over our small failings or large mistakes, it hurts us. It seems crushing to admit our inadequacy to live a life of love by our own power. We cannot abide in love by relying on our own tiny hearts. To repent means to turn, to turn to Christ means to make ourselves open to His love, and once we are open to His love we can love others and abide in that love. That is a marvelous and incomprehensible idea, an idea that becomes fact in our lives. We may be impressed by outward signs and miracles, but what really proves that Christ is indeed greater than this world is the gift of love that transforms us each day of our lives—if we only repent and accept that gift. Can you let go of pride and let yourself admit to being wrong today? photo by Emily Trutter Christy Isinger is the mom to five lovely, loud children living in the Canadian wilds. You can find out more about her here.

Today we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany, a day were we recall the manifestation of Jesus to the world. In the Gospel passage, we are reminded of this mystery as we read the story of the Three Wise Men: When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. Can you imagine how Mary must have felt when three strangers showed up to pay her son homage? What must she have thought when these three men fell down to worship her baby? Or when they presented him with the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh? Perhaps she felt confused or surprised by the level of attention they gave her baby, but she still allowed them to visit him. And because of The Wise Men’s brave decision to follow the star and disobey King Herod’s command, they were able to visit Jesus and experience great joy. The way that The Wise Men followed the star so fearlessly is an excellent reminder for how we should live our faith. Even though we will likely face obstacles along the way—think of the King Herods in your life—if we keep our endpoints in sight—think of the bright star—we will eventually get there. And so my challenge for you is to ask yourself, Which star am I following in my life? And to remember the words of Pope Benedict XVI as he encourages us to "Let us allow ourselves to be guided by the star that is the word of God, let us follow it in our lives, walking with the Church in which the Word has pitched his tent. Our road will always be illumined by a light that no other sign can give us. And we too shall become stars for others, a reflection of that light which Christ caused to shine upon us." How can you identify your endpoints and then make a plan to move towards them? photo credit Joan Nagel is a Registered Dietitian, and in her spare time she can be found reading, writing, and drinking coffee. You can find out more about her here.

  Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure. You are God's beloved daughter. He has a masterful plan for you, and it is meant to make you more like Him, the Loving Father. Beloved, you are His. Do you believe it? Some days, it is hard to believe that I am anything much special. Many days, I feel like I look: exhausted, ragged, and sloppy (which I place all the blame for on my five children and sleepless nights). No matter how I look or feel, though, I am still God's beloved daughter. I'm in a place in my life that I know and am living my vocation. I am a wife and mother. This is my calling . . . and yet, there is still more, right? God's plan has not reached its fulfillment in my life, and I think this is what Saint John means in the First Reading. "What we shall be has not yet been revealed . . . ." Whatever God's final and complete plan is for each of us, we do not yet know. What I do know, is that since my baptism, I've been God's child, His beloved daughter. As such, I make choices daily to live my life worthy to be called a child of God. I choose to serve my family. I choose to teach my children all about our faith, and help them learn the words to the prayers we hold dear. I choose to serve my neighbor out of love. I choose to be 100% open to life in my marriage, practicing NFP instead of contracepting, which is the norm in our culture. I choose to live with hope that one day, God will welcome me with open arms into Heaven. Because I have this hope—the hope that one day, God will reveal His complete plan for me, and that He will make me like Him (perfect, loving, holy in His image)—I am striving each day to "make {myself} pure," to be seeking God first, to be lovingly serving my family, to be the best version of me that I can be. Isn't that what God wants for us? For us to be the best version of ourselves, because when we are, we will be like Him? We will be shining examples of Love and Truth in our lives, just as He desires for us. And when we are like Him, we have hope to be with Him in Heaven. Beloved, you are His. Choose today to live accordingly, no matter how rotten you feel, no matter how others treat you. You are worthy. You are the Father's BELOVED daughter. Let that give you hope, and let the hope change you. How will you let hope transform you today? photo credit Gina Fensterer is a wife, daughter, mother, friend, homeschooling mama and Colorado native. You can find out more about her here.

And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. I can still feel the lump in my throat that rose up that day, when I crept out of my room and up to the kitchen to get another Fig Newton. My mother had said I couldn’t have any more before nap time. When she went upstairs to put my younger sister down for her nap, I decided it was safe to get one, anyway. I stuffed the cookie in my mouth and hurried for the stairs, but I was too slow. She caught me and asked if I had taken another cookie. My mouth was too full of cookie to answer her, but I shook my head. No. Her face was matter-of-fact. “If you lie, you will always get in more trouble than if you tell the truth.” When I think about standing before Jesus to account for all the things I’ve done, both good and bad, I can only imagine the size of the lump that might be in my throat. Just like the day I got caught with my mouth full of cookie, there won’t be any way to hide my motives, my weaknesses, my persistent, frustrating sins that seem to keep coming back again no matter how many times I turn away from them. I do feel ashamed, and were I face to face with Jesus, I would shrink from Him with tears in my eyes, just like I did that day on the stairs with my mother so long ago. But there’s good news here! There’s grace for us. We don’t need to shrink from Jesus in shame, because we can abide in Him instead. We can allow Him to fill our hearts. We can fill our minds with His words. We can plant ourselves next to Him, as close as possible, and stay there. Abiding in Jesus gives us confidence because we know that through Him, we are justified . . . and when He comes, we will have nothing to fear. What's your fear? Can you push past it today? photo credit Abbey Dupuy is a freelance writer and homeschooling mama to two-year-old twins, a first grader and a new baby. You can find out more about her here.

He's here. The babe in the manger. The God//Man. He has arrived to fill up our hearts, to bring the light of God to earth, to make us His people! And His amazing mother, Mary, this is her big day in the calendar of the Church. We celebrate her as the Mother of God. We celebrate her ponderings in her heart. We celebrate her journey of motherhood. I wonder at the motherhood of a young woman who just underwent the magnificent transformation into motherhood. I wonder at how she processed all this, the shepherds, the learned Magi from Persia with their fantastical gifts. The knowing that God was the father of her child and that now the child was here. All had come to pass as the angel told her. She conceived. She bore a son. His name was Jesus. Mary's pregnancy and birth changed the fate of humanity. Suddenly the floodgates of Heaven could open and we all could be adopted as God's children. Along with Christ, we could call out to God as our Father. With this, we have a mother too! She knew some//all of this during her pregnancy {can't wait to have this discussion in Heaven!}. Even so, as she lay resting in the straw in that barn with the cattle lowing and the sheep nuzzling, all her discomforts of pregnancy, all her heart's longings and fierce fears were embodied in her vulnerable baby actually being born. Now the journey starts for her. Now motherhood of all of us begins. Now she shoulders the mantle of adopting this whole human race. Only a remarkable woman open to intense grace could do this. Even on my third go 'round as a mother, I am piercedly humbled by the thought of what she did for us all. I seek her out in my heart, my heavenly mother, and ask for her blessing and help, calling out to her in the Memorare Prayer: Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen. photo credit Nell O'Leary is an attorney turned stay-at-home mom to three lovelies. She and her husband live in the great city of Saint Paul. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: 1 John 2:18-21 Children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come; therefore we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out, that it might be plain that they all are not of us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all know. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and know that no lie is of the truth. Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 96:1-2, 11-13 O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth. Gospel: John 1:1-18 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light. The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. (John bore witness to him, and cried, "This was he of whom I said, `He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.'") And from his fulness have we all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known. ESV Today marks the end. Oh, don’t worry—I’m not a doomsday prophet warning you about the impending apocalypse! But just in case you’ve been super busy recovering from the craziness of Christmastide, today happens to be the very last day in the calendar year of our Lord 2014. And you know what? I’m personally simultaneously relieved that 2014 is ending and filled with trepidation about what 2015 may bring. This year, we quit a job in a place where I had just begun to feel at home, and accepted a position back in our home state. Even in light of a new beginning near family and old friends, it was heart-wrenching to leave a kindred spirit and vibrant parish community. Endings can be tough! There’s something about “the end” that seems so, well, final. People say, “Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t,” for a reason. It’s not guaranteed that tomorrow will bring any more comfort, peace, and joy than yesterday or today. Fear of the unknown is a real thing! And yet, admittedly, sometimes completion brings a great sense of satisfaction: a job well done means I can take a break (for a quick minute); a test successfully navigated means I can move on to the next level; a mostly mastered health habit means that perhaps I can finally buy that new pair of jeans! Maybe you’ve resolved that today marks the end of some things for you, too—old routines that just don’t work anymore, bad habits that steal your joy, or unhealthy boundaries that destroy your peace. It can be scary to contemplate the end . . . but consider that with every ending comes a new beginning. And, as Saint John reminds us in today’s Gospel, HE is there—in the beginning—in each of our new beginnings— just as He has been since the Dawn of Creation. As broken people in a broken world, however, we recognize that darkness constantly threatens to overcome us and our good intentions. What darkness threatens to overcome you? Is it depression over a broken relationship? Anxiety related to an unrealized goal? A habitual sin that seeks to drag you down? Today’s Good News is that Jesus—the Eternal Word—shines brightly in the darkness, and that no darkness can overcome this Light. My sisters, as daughters of the King, do not allow the darkness to overcome you! Seek the Light of Christ in the Eucharist, and seek it in His Word! We are well equipped to fight the darkness, as Saint Paul tells the Ephesians, when we wield the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Belonging to the Blessed is She community and finding nourishment in His Word in this space is a wonderful way to start! As we contemplate the coming of the New Year, I consider the words Saint Francis of Assisi reportedly told his brothers each day: “Let us begin again.” So shall it be with us, dear sisters in Christ! Tomorrow is a fresh beginning, a clean slate, a new dawn—an opportunity to seek the light of new life in His Word. May we, too, begin again. photo credit top Heather Anderson Renshaw is currently not drinking enough [coffee] to keep up with her five young kiddos in the beautiful Pacific NW. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: 1 John 2:12-17 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever. Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 96:7-10 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts! Worship the LORD in holy array; tremble before him, all the earth! Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns! Yea, the world is established, it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity." Gospel: Luke 2:36-40 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phan'u-el, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. ESV The Word of God is like a love letter to humanity. However, it is unlike any letter between a man and woman in love. God's love letter is more personal, unique, passionate, and intense than any words to be captured in the English language. All throughout Scripture, is the unending story of God passionately seeking and calling after His little, lost lambs. Really, what could be more beautiful than that? The First Reading illustrates so well how the Word of God is a love letter to every human on this earth. Saint John challenges us, Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever. We are reminded yet again, that nothing in this broken world will satisfy the human heart. These powerful, yet simple words in many ways sum up our story woven in Scripture: the struggle to live in the world and not of it, to know our home lies in Heaven, and understand how passionately we are loved. How is that going for you? Dear sisters, we are right on the cusp of the New Year. How are you ending 2014? Where have you struggled? Where have you grown? Before the world rings in the New Year of 2015, I encourage you all to spend time in God's love letter to humanity. Allow Jesus to remind you of your dignity, worth, purpose, and mission. Ask Jesus to for the courage and strength to not focus on or love the things of this world, but the things of eternity. May we all strive to be women of great faith and constant prayer, like Anna the prophetess! photo credit top Patty Hubbard is a new-ish wife finishing grad school, working in youth ministry, and learning to cook more than your average Lean Cuisine. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: 1 John 2:3-11 And by this we may be sure that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He who says "I know him" but disobeys his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps his word, in him truly love for God is perfected. By this we may be sure that we are in him: he who says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new commandment, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness still. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and in it there is no cause for stumbling. But he who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 96:1-6 O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols; but the LORD made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Gospel: Luke 2:22-35 And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel." And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed." ESV Dear Simeon. A man of great faith. He had waited his entire life, trusting that he would see the Lord's Christ. What a special delight in his heart. Any day of particular suffering? He could dip into that well in his heart, that well that held the secret sweet water of this knowledge. And when it happens, he is happy to die for he has seen the salvation of all peoples, a light for the Gentiles, and the glory for the Israelites. And Our Lady. Her soul pierced by a sword. What did that mean for her? Here she and Saint Joseph knew that their son was the Messiah, Savior, and Christ. But He was also a tiny baby human going to the temple for presentation as thousands upon thousands had before Him. She undoubtedly knew the rituals that would entail when they arrived. She had perhaps heard from her own mother, or cousin. So when it happened, despite knowing her son was God's Son, she marveled at what was said about Him. It seems like the beginning of a lifetime of stabbing sorrow through the joy of parenting God. At every turn, those first thirty years, knowing He would die brutally. Knowing she would not only bury her son, but that He would rise again. I look at my little seven month old, our third. I think, dear God, never take him from me. Let me die first, before any of my children. Don't give me that cross that several of my friends have borne. Mary learned her son would not only be the Savior of the Jews, but that He's here for everyone, and everyone has access to His salvific act of death and resurrection. It is right here in front of us. He came for us all. We get to choose to partake in His suffering and death, as we have just passed the Advent season and are already eye-balling Lent through a side glance. What did it mean that her soul was pierced by a sword? Did she know what it would entail to lose Him? How she would have to endure watching him go through three years of difficult and challenging ministry, to apparently end in crucifixion? How much was revealed to her about His resurrection ahead of time? Still she bore all these things in her heart. Can we not embrace our suffering, our hard work day, our marital strife, our demanding families and ministries? Look what Simeon revealed to her and she endured and accepted willingly! Lord, this day, give me the heart of Your mother. May I have a heart pierced with sorrow when I behold Your suffering, and offer my own up. photo credit top Nell O'Leary is an attorney turned stay-at-home mom to three lovelies. She and her husband live in the great city of Saint Paul. You can find out more about her here.

Feast of the Holy Family First Reading: Sirach 3:2-7, 12-14 For the Lord honored the father above the children, and he confirmed the right of the mother over her sons. Whoever honors his father atones for sins, and whoever glorifies his mother is like one who lays up treasure. Whoever honors his father will be gladdened by his own children, and when he prays he will be heard. Whoever glorifies his father will have long life, and whoever obeys the Lord will refresh his mother; he will serve his parents as his masters. O son, help your father in his old age, and do not grieve him as long as he lives; even if he is lacking in understanding, show forbearance; in all your strength do not despise him. For kindness to a father will not be forgotten, and against your sins it will be credited to you. Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 128:1-5 Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways! You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Lo, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD. The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life! Second Reading: Colossians 3:12-21 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel." And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed." And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phan'u-el, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. ESV I am just going to jump right in here—who wants to be told to be subject to your husband? I think this phrase is often used to undermine both love and marriage. But like all of The Word it is truth. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through him. Wives, be subject to your husbands, as it fitting in the Lord. That doesn’t mean ‘do whatever crazy thing he says.' It means be subject (dominion, control, conditional, or influence), as it agrees with that which the Lord has asked of us. As members of Christ’s family, we are to do everything in His name while giving thanks. Even (especially) the tough stuff. Following this comes: Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. They are to love us and not to be harsh—if they are living this out in truth then every request from those husbands comes from their love for us, and we are to do it out of love for the Lord when it is fitting in God. Are we perfect? Nope. Are they perfect? Nope. But I am not going to use someone else’s imperfection as an excuse to ignore what Saint Paul says is required of me. Are there times when we are going to disagree with our spouse? You betcha. And in those times of disagreement we are to pray, and talk it over as adults, and evaluate if what we are asked to do is fitting to Him. Marriage is tough. I have only been married fourteen years, but in that time I have had to listen when I didn’t want to listen, share when I didn’t want to share, and do some things that I would rather not do. My spouse, out of love for me has also done some things he would rather not do. But God is challenging each of us to think about our actions, and to grow in our relationships with others and with Him. Today is fittingly the Feast of the Holy Family. In this family we have a beautiful example of how to live out all of today’s readings. Can you imagine if Mary had told Joseph he was nuts in wanting to take her to Egypt? Or leave Egypt when they had ‘just’ gotten settled in Egypt? We have very few scriptural references to Joseph, but the ones we do have present him as a holy and good man who act decisively out of love for Mary. And of course Mary—well she is just amazing in her service and humility and love for God. Saints Mary and Joseph pray for us! photo credit top MaryRuth Hackett is a full-time wife and mother doing her best to teach her four children to love God and country. You can find out more about her here.

Feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist First Reading: 1 John 1:1-4 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life -- the life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it, and proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the Father and was made manifest to us -- that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing this that our joy may be complete. Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12 The LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! Clouds and thick darkness are round about him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory. Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name! Gospel: John 20:1-8 Now on the first day of the week Mary Mag'dalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed. ESV Today is the third day of Christmas and the Feast of Saint John, the Evangelist: the “disciple whom Jesus loved.” In today’s First Reading, Saint John himself reminds us that it’s not enough for us to love God. In order for our joy in our faith to be complete we need to share it. What better time to do that than Christmas? All the hullabaloo that’s been going on since Halloween has just been a prelude. It’s been our time of preparation. For NOW. For Christmas. And it is Christmas TODAY, just as much as it was two days ago. It’s Christmas tomorrow and the next day and the day after that. It’s Christmas everyday straight through until Thursday. And if you want to go old school you can keep right on celebrating until Twelfth Night on January 6th. It’s the weekend, I know, and it’s tempting to start tidying up and moving on. But I’d encourage you to keep your tree up and your lights on and your decorations out and your carols playing. And, more importantly, to keep it Christmas in your heart as well as in your home. How can we keep Christmas going? Well, by following the words and example of Saint John. His is a constant message of love and of fellowship. The best evangelization looks a lot like hospitality. Call up some friends and have them over for pizza and a bottle of wine. Watch It’s a Wonderful Life, or A Muppet Christmas Carol, or Home Alone. Have a game night or a White Elephant party where everyone brings their least favorite Christmas present to exchange. Didn’t send out your Christmas cards? No problem. It’s still Christmas. You can send them now. Bring cookies to the neighbors. Or visit someone who needs visiting. Share your joy, so your joy can be complete. Merry Christmas, ladies! photo credit top Kendra Tierney can be found tending nine chickens, seven children, and one husband in Los Angeles, CA. You can find out more about her here.

  Merry Christmas! I hope you had a truly blessed day yesterday and that you're continuing the celebration of the Christmas octave with crazy amounts of joy in your heart. Do you have a cup of coffee in hand? Are you surrounded by torn wrapping paper and leftover candies? Good. Now let's chat about these readings. Have you ever found it strange that we remember the Church's first martyr the day after Christmas? It's like, we're on a high from the arrival of the Godman and joy to the world and then BAM! Stephen's dead. At first glance, it seems like a buzz kill. But in actuality, Stephen's death is the supreme fruit of Christ's birth, so it is logical to remember his life and death the day after Christmas. Because God gave His life to man in a radical way in the Incarnation, man is now able to give his life in a radical way to God. Stephen does not lay down his life for a god he does not know, but for the God who has a face, a voice, and a human heart. Stephen is familiar with the Lord in an intimate way, and that's why he embraces his death with such joy and confidence. We celebrate Stephen's martyrdom today because it illustrates the glory that we now possess through the coming of Our Savior. We celebrate Stephen's death because it is his entrance into eternal life, an eternal life with the Jesus that we can see and touch and hear. How can we imitate Stephen today? By reveling in the Lord. Let's just soak up His goodness, His humanity, His humble love. Let's celebrate the fact that Jesus' life gives meaning to our life; that His death gives meaning to our death; that His coming into the world enables are coming into Heaven. Today and always, may we be like young Stephen, full of grace and power, so enamored by the Lord that we are eager to give our lives to the One who gave His own for us. Olivia Spears is a middle school religion teacher turned SAHM who is married to her high school best friend. You can find out more about her here.

  Take this moment for joy. Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Savior of the world. Today is the day we put too many expectations on ourselves, our family, our food, our presents, and our traditions. Maybe you're reading this because you're up early trying to get the last bit of magic set up or perhaps it's the afternoon and you're escaping to a bedroom or bathroom because something has gone wrong and you just need a break. Take this moment for joy. Forget everything that we try to make the holidays into. Forget everything that ruins our plans. Take this moment to remember a a little baby given to a little family. A family that was poor and seemingly insignificant. A family who had nothing, not even a safe room to sleep in. That little baby was a promise fulfilled and a gift given to you and me. No matter what worked or didn't work today. No matter who was less than appreciative or grumpy. No matter what was given and received we have all received the great gift in the world. Take this moment for joy—not in the trimmings and trappings, but in that little miracle lying in a manager so long ago. He is gift for you and me and as the song says, "Let every heart prepare him room," because He is the joy of the world. Molly Walter is a wife, mother and homemaker (with a pesky job outside the home). She writes at Molly Makes Do about making the life she wants with the life she's been given. You can find out more about her here.