• Home
  • Diocese
  • Bishop Burns
  • Synod
  • Columnists
  • Revista Catolica
  • Vatican
  • Subscribe
The Texas Catholic
The Texas Catholic

Dallas, Texas

Today is Thursday, March 30, 2023
  • Home
  • Diocese
  • Bishop Burns
  • Synod
  • Columnists
  • Revista Catolica
  • Vatican
  • Subscribe
  • Follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
    • Instagram
Home
Father Timothy Gollob

Let us await the warmth and light of the Son of God

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

A detail of a stained-glass window from St. Edward's Church in Seattle shows Jesus, Mary and Joseph on their flight into Egypt. The feast of the Nativity of Christ, a holy day of obligation, is celebrated Dec. 25. The feast of the Holy Family is marked Dec. 29. (CNS/Crosiers)

A detail of a stained-glass window from St. Edward’s Church in Seattle shows Jesus, Mary and Joseph on their flight into Egypt. The feast of the Nativity of Christ, a holy day of obligation, is celebrated Dec. 25. The feast of the Holy Family is marked Dec. 29. (CNS/Crosiers)

By Father Timothy Gollob
Special to The Texas Catholic

It is Advent season, and we have been warned to stay awake and to keep our eyes alert for a special coming of someone who will show us the path that leads to eternal life.

I have a couple of new images to ponder (since this Advent is a time to keep silent vigil and to creatively meditate).

One of these images came about as I was blessing a grave at the National Cemetery in Dallas. As “Taps” was being played, I noticed that the bugler faced west toward the setting sun.

Upon reflection, it was evident that that position was exactly the correct one. Just as the first bugle call in the morning called the troops to rise and shine and face the east, where the sun was rising, in order to be “oriented” correctly for the marches of the day, so too at the end we are called to sleep in peace with the setting sun.

This idea was strengthened by the amazing escapades of Rosetta, the comet-chasing satellite from Europe. It seems that for 10 years this marvelous voyager has been chasing a comet, 67P.

In order to save energy, the whole machine was put into a sleep for three years. Finally the signal was given for the radars inside it to wake up. They had to search the skies to find certain stars and from them find the proper orientation to beam this message to Earth, “All systems are awake and ready to approach the comet!”

Unfortunately, the little rover Philae ended up bouncing into a wall and the light of the sun could not recharge its batteries. Now the scientists are awaiting a future time in the path of the comet when it will be nearer to the light of the sun.

And, so too, do we continue to await the warmth and light of the Son of God who is coming soon and very soon.

Father Timothy Gollob is the pastor of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Oak Cliff.

  • Tags
  • Advent
  • Christmas
  • Father Timothy Gollob
  • The Texas Catholic
Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest
Next article The joy of giving
Previous article Help youth discover their vocations, pope says

Related Posts

Father Esposito: Happiness as the blessed life Columnists
Friday, March 10, 2023

Father Esposito: Happiness as the blessed life

Father Dankasa: Two voices in one Columnists
Thursday, March 9, 2023

Father Dankasa: Two voices in one

Prayerfully using Lenten seeds for Easter growth Columnists
Friday, March 3, 2023

Prayerfully using Lenten seeds for Easter growth

Texas Catholic Classics

A look at the five Dallas law enforcement officers who gave their lives while protecting citizens during a mass shooting in downtown Dallas in July 2016.

 

How a child with special needs inspired a high school volleyball team, community and a family who heeded God’s call to protect life.

 

After a young runner collapsed at a Dallas marathon, grace and providence unfolded for those involved in the valiant effort to help her.

   

In the summer of 2016, 50 students and 25 chaperones from Dallas Catholic high schools traveled to Nicaragua for a 10-day mission trip.

 

Early on a November morning, Kenndrick Mendieta bounded from the gym at Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep toward the campus’ athletic fields as clouds lifted on a fresh new day.

 

Subscribe

Get the award-winning Texas Catholic delivered to your door. Use the menu below to subscribe now.


Subscription length




 

Photo Gallery

Click here to find your favorite Texas Catholic photographs.

The Texas Catholic Newspaper

Catholic Diocese of Dallas
Michael Gresham, Editor

3725 Blackburn Street
Dallas, Texas 75219
(214) 379-2800

Our Affiliated Sites

Texas Catholic Youth

Revista Católica

Legal and Other

Contact us

Terms of service

Privacy policy

Site map

Site powered by TexasCatholicMedia

© 2013-2019 The Texas Catholic Publishing Company. All rights reserved.