Today's readings explore different responses to human suffering: judgment or compassion.

In Job we see our world-weariness; in Paul our faithfulness; in Peter's mother our gratitude.

I once heard a family therapist say, “It is important for every family to get its saints out of heaven and its sinners out of hell.”

Today’s readings invite us to look at where God chooses to dwell. David, in his palace, feels remiss that he has not provided a suitable palace for God, rather than the tattered and worn tent covering the Ark of the Covenant.

Some joy creeps into the readings this week. We are closer to the moment of Incarnation when God takes on a human identity, becomes flesh, and dwells among us.

The theme of vigilance is being struck again this week. It’s good to become alert and aware of what’s percolating inside at this turbulent time of endings and new beginnings.

As Advent begins, moments of inner preparation are important. Give yourself enough undistracted time to focus on how these Advent readings speak to your heart.

It’s no accident that when Jesus was born he was placed in a food trough. He was sent to feed a hungry world.

We enter into a time of reckoning of sorts. The readings for this Sunday extol the fruits of a life of wisdom, issue a call to live awake and in the light, and warn us with the parable of the talents.

The tone of our readings takes a major shift this month as we move toward an ending and a new beginning.