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

Dallas, Texas

Today is Wednesday, May 31, 2023
  • Home
  • Diocese
  • Bishop Burns
  • Synod
  • Columnists
  • Revista Catolica
  • Vatican
  • Subscribe
  • Follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
    • Instagram
Home
Uncategorized

Father Mower: This Advent, take time to reflect, pray and rejoice

Saturday, December 19, 2020

This stained-glass window at St. Aloysius Church in Great Neck, N.Y., depicts Jesus in a manger surrounded by Mary, Joseph and three shepherds. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

By Father Russ Mower
Special to The Texas Catholic

One of the things I love about Advent is the daily reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. These are readings of God’s promise, they cast a vision of peace and beauty, and they give us what we need most right now…HOPE.

I recently read that dictionary.com selected “pandemic” as their word of the year. That is not exactly a surprise, but pandemic is just the tip of the iceberg for us, or so it seems.

This has been a year of nasty political fights, contested elections, peaceful and no-so-peaceful protests, economic turmoil, and the list goes on. If ever our world needed hope, now is surely the time. Perhaps, like the people of two millennia past, we wish for a mighty ruler, a warrior king, who could wipe 2020 away with his mighty sword, who could restore order with bellowing voice. We want deliverance. In God’s infinite wisdom, He does not give us what we ask for, but He gives us what we need. A child. Born of a virgin. Innocent. Humble. He reminds us of who we were, and where we long to return. Kings honor him, simple shepherds adore him, the child who brings peace.

Each year Advent gives us the chance to start over, to reboot, beginning in a stable in Bethlehem. Each year we say that we are really going to reflect on God’s providence and spend more time in prayer. Each year we say we are really going to prepare for the coming of the Savior. But each year we seem to get wrapped up in buying gifts, planning parties, traveling, decorating and the like. This year seems different. Our current situation has forced us to slow down, to take stock, to spend time at home with our families. It has given us time to prepare for the child. I pray that this Advent season will bring you peace.

“For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:5)

Father Russ Mower is the pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church in Oak Cliff.

  • Tags
  • Advent
  • Father Russ Mower
  • St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church
Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest
Next article Father Gollob: Christmas tales and the joy of the season
Previous article Giving out reasons to smile

Related Posts

Father Dankasa: Pleasure in need of temperance Columnists
Friday, May 19, 2023

Father Dankasa: Pleasure in need of temperance

Father Cargo: Make May the month of Mary Columnists
Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Father Cargo: Make May the month of Mary

Father Esposito: The privilege of being a priest Columnists
Friday, May 5, 2023

Father Esposito: The privilege of being a priest

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.