One thing we hear in this week’s readings—and last week as well—is a quiet reminder of Jesus’ “Great Commandment”: Love your neighbor as yourself, as well as another one of his most important messages: Forgive others; judge not.

On the verge of Christmas and the end of Advent, now is a good time to reflect seriously on the meaning of the Son of God’s coming into the world and your life.

In scripture, deserts can be places of wandering and danger but also places of closeness to God.

“The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him.”

We know the birth of the Lord is an accomplished fact. What we do in Advent is prepare to celebrate his Incarnation—and thus our salvation—and to reflect on how Christ’s reign is still to be fulfilled.

It may come as a bit of a shock on a day devoted to celebrating the kingship of Christ to be confronted with Jesus on the cross. Yet that is the image scripture and the church offer for your contemplation. And contemplation it is.

What does Jesus’ return mean to you? It’s like the kingdom of God, isn’t it? Something we have with us now, but that will only come to fullness at a future date only God knows.

What difference does your faith in the Resurrection make in your daily life?

Scripture this week has a lot to do with the movements of God and the response of people. God can enter your life and the lives of those around you—this we know because the Creator crossed over into creation in an unprecedented way in Christ.

It’s easy to "believe the press” when you are regularly praised for your work. All of us in positions of respect and authority have to be on guard lest we end up like the boastful Pharisee in today’s gospel.