Thursday, December 6, First Week in Advent
Jesus says that if we take to heart his words and make them the basis of our actions, our lives are built on a rock solid foundation.
This raises some questions. First have I built a set of convictions that I try to live by? (These would be comparable to the house in the parable above.) Or, do I more or less operate of a vague desire to do right?
If I do have convictions, then another questions is this: What are they based on? The rock of Gods word? Or the sifting sands of what seems generally acceptable to our society.
When the rain and floods and winds come into my life and they do I need solid footings. As a disciple of the Lord, I commit myself to more than following the Gospel whenever possible, regardless of the convenience to me.
Just for starters Do I forgive when I feel like it, or do I have a conviction based on the solid rock of what Jesus taught about forgiveness? Or, prayer. Do I pray, when I get a chance, or do I have a rock solid pattern of prayer?
I need to spend some time taking stock of the foundations on which I have built my life.
Friday, December 7, First Week in Advent
In Columbia, South America, Dia de las Velitas (the Day of the Candles) is celebrated today, on the eve of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.
The festivities date back to the mid-1850s when Pope Pius IX declared the Immaculate Conception to be a dogma of the Catholic Church.
To show their support, the people lit candles and paper lanterns and placed them in their windows. balconies and public squares, etc.
The day also officially begins Columbias Christmas season.
In Columbia, the feast of the Immaculate Conception is a public holiday.