A Jesuit Adventure

 https://youtu.be/hszjrpbC858 We are all in search of something that gives direction and meaning to our lives—peace, clarity, security, hope, or love. On this Feast of the Epiphany, the readings reveal to us that Christ is the true light who comes to guide every nation and every heart. The first reading taken from the prophet Isaiah was written at a time when the people of Israel were returning from exile in Babylon. Jerusalem had been destroyed, the Temple lay in ruins, and the people felt weak, discouraged, and forgotten. Into this darkness, the prophet speaks powerful words: “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” It is a message meant to awaken hope in a tired people. The passage describes darkness covering the earth, but God’s light shining especially on Jerusalem. Wealth, gifts, and people flow in—not to glorify the city itself, but to show that God is at work there again. Gold and frankincense are mentioned as signs of honour, j...

 https://youtu.be/vDGl2f_HnHc My dear friends, on this Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the readings invite us to reflect on our own families — their joys, struggles, and calling. Through the lives of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, we are shown how God desires to dwell at the heart of every home. The first reading from the Book of Sirach reminds us that family life is not only a human arrangement but part of God’s loving plan. God gives parents a special dignity and responsibility, and He asks children to respond with respect, gratitude, and care. To honour one’s father and mother is not just a rule to follow; it is a way of living that brings blessings into our lives and into our families. Sirach tells us that those who honour their parents find joy and peace. Their prayers are heard, and their lives are strengthened. This honour is not limited to childhood obedience. It continues throughout life, especially when parents grow old, weak, or dependent. The reading gentl...

  https://youtu.be/4t96o3yQ7iI My dear friends, on this Christmas morning, as we gather around the mystery of the Incarnation, the readings taken from the mass during the day invite us to see more than a baby in a manger — they invite us to see God stepping into our history. The first reading taken from prophet Isaiah is a joyful and powerful announcement spoken to a people who had suffered for a long time. This passage comes from the period of the Babylonian Exile, when many Israelites were taken away from their homeland after Jerusalem was destroyed. Into this sadness, Isaiah brings a message of hope: God has not abandoned His people, and their liberation is near. The passage begins with a beautiful image: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news.” In ancient times, news was carried by runners who travelled long distances on foot. Isaiah uses this picture to show how eagerly God’s message of hope is received. The watchmen on the walls a...

 https://youtu.be/vPSagPI9JXA My dear friends, on this Fourth Sunday of Advent, the Scriptures show us how God works quietly in moments of confusion and fear — both in ancient Judah and in our own lives today. The readings remind us that even when life feels uncertain or confusing, God is shaping something far greater than we can see. The first reading taken from the prophet Isaiah, is set during a very tense moment in Israel’s history. King Ahaz of Judah was terrified because two neighbouring kingdoms — Aram (Syria) and Israel (also called Ephraim) — had formed an alliance and were threatening to attack Jerusalem. The people were shaken, and the king felt trapped. In the middle of this fear, God sent the prophet Isaiah to encourage Ahaz and tell him not to panic, because God would not let Jerusalem fall. Through Isaiah, God invited Ahaz to ask for a sign — any sign, as big or as small as he wanted. But Ahaz refused. He pretended that he didn’t want to “test” God, but in reality, h...

https://youtu.be/yfeyTAAO454 My dear friends, today we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent—Gaudete Sunday—a day filled with joy and hope as we draw closer to Christmas. Our readings invite us to trust in God’s promise, wait with patience, and prepare our hearts with humility for the coming of the Lord. The first reading taken from the prophet Isaiah is one of the most beautiful passages of hope in the Old Testament. It was spoken to people who were living through great pain and uncertainty, most likely addressed to the people of Judah either during or after the Babylonian Exile. Their city had been destroyed, their temple burned, and they were forced to live far from home. Everything around them felt like a dry, lifeless desert. Into this darkness, the prophet Isaiah brings a powerful promise: God will make the desert bloom. The wilderness—symbol of pain, loss, and emptiness—will burst into flowers and joy. He speaks of weak hands becoming strong, fearful hearts being encouraged, and ...

  https://youtu.be/j-8eSeK0AzY My dear friends, today’s readings remind us that God can bring new life out of hopeless places, unity where there is division, and transformation where hearts are willing to change. As we enter this Second Sunday of Advent in Year A, the Word of God invites us to look honestly at our lives and prepare the way for the Lord — not just outwardly, but deep within. The first reading taken from the prophet Isaiah paints a powerful picture of hope growing out of a time of disaster and fear. Judah was squeezed between great empires, with Assyria threatening on one side and Egypt weak on the other, and King Ahaz making desperate and unfaithful alliances. The royal house of David looked like a tree cut down to a stump, with the northern kingdom already fallen and Judah under heavy political and spiritual pressure. Into this bleak context, Isaiah promises that from the “stump of Jesse” a new shoot will spring up – a humble but Spirit-filled king from David’s lin...