Things to talk about:

• At the beginning of today’s Gospel passage, the two disciples heard John’s proclamation and followed Jesus. Why do you think they followed him?
• Why does John call Jesus the “Lamb of God”?
• Jesus asked the disciples what they were looking for.  What would you say if Jesus asked you the same question?

Things to do:

• Change the World One Hand at a Time—Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be celebrated on Monday, January 15 this year. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a passionate preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and example, and a martyr for justice. This project can help you reflect on how you can change the world with the gifts God has given you and the desires he has placed in your heart. Use a map or draw a large picture of the world. Individually, trace your hand on construction paper and cut it out. Write on the hand what you feel you could do now to help change the world, considering what God is asking of you. Assist younger children with this project if needed. Decorate the hands as desired. Place all the hand cutouts on the picture of the world. Place it on your prayer table.
• In this Gospel, John said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” This phrase is spoken by the priest at a particular point at Mass. When does he say it?
• Andrew introduced his brother, Simon Peter, to Jesus. Ask God to show you one person who doesn’t know Jesus and to give you the opportunity to talk to that person. Tell that person about Jesus. Share about your experience with your family.

Closing Prayer

Adapted form of Lectio Divina. (Latin: Divine Reading) is a way of developing a closer relationship with God by reflecting prayerfully on his words in Sacred Scripture. Typically, the passage is read three times in total, giving an opportunity to think deeply and respond thoughtfully.

Choose a family member to read aloud Isaiah 43:1-4.

Have everyone close their eyes and listen again to the Scripture and listen for any words or phrases that seem to jump out. Share with each other what they heard and what they think God is calling them to focus on today.

Pray the Nicene Creed.  Name those who need our prayers. Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Catholic Insights

At the beginning of this Gospel, Andrew and the other disciple of John decide to follow Jesus based on their relationship with John. John models for us a role we are called to play as members of the Church, leading others to a relationship with Jesus.

John calls Jesus the “Lamb of God” showing his divinely inspired sense of Jesus’ greatness. In the Old Covenant, the Jews sacrificed a lamb and ate its roasted flesh to celebrate Passover. Passover commemorates the time when God freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Jesus established the New Covenant, when he sacrificed himself (instead of a lamb) on the cross to free us from sin. In the Book of Revelation (7:9-17), the seer John has a vision of Jesus as the Lamb of God triumphing over evil in the end time.

It is also significant to note at the end of this Gospel that Andrew plays the same role for his brother Simon that John the Baptist played for him. He leads Simon to Jesus. This week we focus on extending Jesus’ invitation to “come and see.”

Things to talk about:

• What do you think Jesus was like as a baby?
• What is one thing your family can do to be more like the Holy Family? 
• What do you love most about your family?
• What are the most important things you have learned from your father or mother?

Things to do:

• Select a night to have dinner together as a family and share favorite memories of yours and your children’s early life. Share stories about your children’s’ births and baptisms. Who are their godparents and why did you honor those you asked to be godparents. In this new year approaching, make a family promise to spend time together, pray together and affirm each other.
• If you read this digital post, please type We are Family in the comments below. Thanks.

Closing Prayer

Prayer for our Family – St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Heavenly Father, You have given us the model of life in the Holy Family of Nazareth. Help us, O Loving Father, to make our family another Nazareth where love, peace, and joy reign. May it be deeply contemplative, intensely Eucharistic, revived with joy.

Help us to stay together in joy and sorrow in family prayer. Teach us to see Jesus in the members of our families, especially in their distressing disguise. May the Eucharistic heart of Jesus make our hearts humble like his and help us to carry out our family duties in a holy way. May we love one another as God loves each one of us, more and more each day, and forgive each other’s faults as you forgive our sins. Help us, O Loving Father, to take whatever you give and give whatever you take with a big smile.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, cause of our joy, pray for us.

St. Joseph, pray for us.

Holy Guardian Angels, be always with us, guide and protect us. Amen

Catholic Insights

No details are given in any of the Gospels as to what the life of the child Jesus was like. Only Luke includes a story of Jesus – the Finding in the Temple. Mostly we are left to wonder and imagine. What was life like in that particular home in Nazareth?

From this Gospel we have a sense of how religious and devout the Holy Family was. According to Jewish religious law, a woman who had given birth was required to undergo certain purification rituals before she could reenter the worshipping community. If she had given birth to a son, she and her husband were required to offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to God at the Temple in Jerusalem.

While the Holy Family may have lived a very ordinary life, the love among Jesus and Mary and Joseph was truly extraordinary. Jesus was God incarnate, but he learned to love within a human family who loved him deeply.

Imagine the Holy Family sitting together at dinner, what do you think their conversations might have been like? Think of Jesus learning a trade from Joseph or laughing with delight at a story Mary told him. Reflect for a moment on the simple joys of family life.

We pray this year, to appreciate and make the time to be like the Holy Family and experience the simple joys, which are the most important.

Did you know? … that this Gospel tells about the first time Jesus appears in the Temple in Jerusalem? Luke uses these visits to show Christianity’s continuity with the Jewish traditions.

Things to talk about:

• Why does the angel say “Do not be afraid” to Mary? Do you think she was scared?
• What would it be like to meet an angel? 
• The angel tells Mary, “Nothing is impossible for God.” Have you seen or heard of God doing something that seemed impossible?
• Have each person tell their favorite part of the Christmas story and explain why.
• If you could be one character in the Christmas story, who would you be and why?

Things to do:

• Listen closely to the words of the angel Gabriel in today’s Gospel. The words he uses to greet Mary are the beginning of a common prayer we pray. Which one is it?
• Christmas Lights Road Trip – one evening, drive around town or your neighborhood to see the Christmas lights. See how many homes have something from our Catholic faith in their display (Nativity scene, statue of Mary, etc.). Play Christmas music while you drive and find the house with your favorite display. Remember the Christmas season lasts from Christmas Eve until the Baptism of Jesus. The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is observed on the Sunday after January 6, so this year the date is January 7. Does it look like most are still celebrating?
• Have your family take a census. Click Here.
• Read about St. Stephen who boldly proclaimed Jesus and the truth of the Gospel. Do you have the courage to proclaim Jesus to others? Why or why not?
• If you read this digital post, please type Joy to the World in the comments below. Thanks.

Closing Prayer

Pray this traditional litany (adapted) together this evening. It is a great reminder of the richness of our Catholic tradition and how God uses Mary in so many ways to be close to us. For this prayer, dad (or mom) leads and everyone else says the responses, which are in bold.

Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Christ hear us. Christ graciously hear us. God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us. 
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us. Mother of the Church, pray for us. Mother of our Savior, pray for us.
Queen of Angels, pray for us. Queen of Apostles, pray for us.. Queen of all Saints, pray for us.
Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us. Queen assumed into heaven, pray for us.
Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us. Queen of families, pray for us.
Queen of peace. pray for us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Catholic Insights

On the fourth Sunday of Advent we hear the story of the Annunciation again. By her trust in God, Mary’s “Yes” changed the world. The Messiah was prophesied to come from the family of David. There had not been a king from David’s line for over 500 years. Through Mary, the Savior will be born.

The Christmas Gospel begins with a historical context for the story of Jesus’ birth. Mary and Joseph travel from Galilee to Bethlehem for the census. Joseph comes from the house of David.

We are filled with joy because God chose to become one like us. All are invited to be part of the Kingdom of God through belief in Christ. God wants us all to live in the Kingdom forever.

36

Stephen is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles as being one of the first deacons of the Catholic Church (See Acts 6-8). He was ordained to assist the apostles in their work of preaching, administration, and works of mercy. He boldly proclaimed the name of Jesus Christ and used his rhetorical gifts to preach the truth of the Gospel. His bold preaching brought him many enemies, and he was stoned to death in the streets of Jerusalem. He is called the “proto-martyr” because this is the first account in Scripture of a believer in Christ being killed for professing that Jesus is the Messiah. We celebrate his feast day immediately after Christmas (December 26) as a reminder that in the midst of the joy of Christmas, Jesus calls us to follow him completely, knowing that it could even cost us our lives.

Did you know? … that Gabriel is one of the three archangels mentioned in the Bible? Michael is mentioned in Daniel, Jude and Revelations. Raphael is mentioned in the Book of Tobit. Gabriel is best known for the Annunciation but appears also including to John the Baptist’s father, Zechariah.

Things to talk about:

• How is John the Baptist preparing people for the coming of Jesus? How are you preparing for the coming of Jesus?
• What is the difference between John’s baptism and Jesus’ baptism?
• What is Mark telling us by associating John with Isaiah?
• What is one way Jesus is calling you to be a witness to his presence in the world?

Things to do:

• Purple is the liturgical color in the Advent season. Where do you see purple in your church? 
• This week we celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12, St. Lucy, December 13, St John of the Cross, December 14. Ask someone to research one of these superheroes and share their story at dinner. Lots of activities HERE if you’re feeling inspired.
• Movie Night! Watch “Guadalupe: The Miracle and the Message,” by the Knights of Columbus. It is available on Amazon Prime. If unavailable, find another movie about Mary the Mother of God or the nativity story.

Closing Prayer

Our Lady of Guadalupe

December 12th is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. To prepare for this awesome day, read this account of her apparition to St. Juan Diego.

Read the story found HERE. After reading the story, pray one decade of the rosary together.

Learn to draw different scenes from the Christmas story with details from Scripture and Catholic tradition.
See the connections between the big picture of
God’s story and our place in it. Sign up,
https://daily.formed.org/advent

22-episode, 7 minute daily Advent
reflection for families using the Jesse Tree to
meet the ancestors of Jesus Christ. Sign up,
https://daily.formed.org/advent

Transfiguration has a subscription to FORMED.

1. Enter parish zip code 30066
2. Select Transfiguration
3. Enter your name and email 

Catholic Insights

Imagine how people felt as they listened to John the Baptist. Place yourself at the Jordan River. What are people saying to one another? How are they reacting? What do you say and do? The description of John’s clothing and his diet clearly separate John from most who lived in Judea. This distinctiveness is a sign of John’s unique call. He is the last prophet of the Old Testament. Looking at other Old Testament prophets, like Isaiah,  show that each of them was “different.” The prophet is called by God to tell it like it really is…most of the prophets were controversial people.

The beginning of Mark’s Gospel focuses on John, the last of the prophets, the one who points to the Messiah even before his birth (from the womb of his mother Elizabeth). Mark doesn’t include the infancy narratives found in Matthew and Luke, instead he begins with a verse from Isaiah,  pointing to the one who prepares the way of the Lord.

Isaiah is one of the great prophets in the Old Testament. His prophecies prepared people for the coming of a savior. The Gospel writers show us that everything that happened through Jesus and to Jesus was foretold, even before Jesus began his ministry. John preached a baptism of repentance, those he baptized “died” to a way of life that was darkened by sin and resolved to live a different way. John’s message and his “pointing” to Jesus is the call of Advent.

Did you know…That John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin? He was born to Zechariah and Elizabeth, who was though to be too old to have a child. Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth when both were pregnant, and John leapt in Elizabeth’s womb, the first to testify to Jesus.  As a grown man, John also testified to the coming of Christ.

Things to talk about:

• How would you respond if asked, “Who are you?” What is your message — the truth you really want the world to know?
• What does it mean for John the Baptist to “testify to the light”?
• What is different at Mass during Advent?
• How is the life and mission of John the Baptist similar to the life and mission of a Christian?

Things to do:

• The third Sunday of Advent has a special name that starts with the letter “G.” Your priest or deacon will most likely use this special name at some point during Mass. See if you can be the first one to hear it!
• Gather together around your prayer space, turn off the lights. Have 5 tea lights or candles on the prayer table. Whisper the names of people or groups who are suffering in darkness from poverty, war, pain, illness. As a name is mentioned, light a candle. Pray, Christ be our light and bring healing and love to all. 
• Locusts on a log— Eat like John, Cut celery stalks into 4” pieces, fill the celery with honey, place locusts (raisins) on top.

Closing Prayer

Renewal of Baptismal Promises

In preparation for the coming of Christ, recite the promises you or your parents made for you at your baptism. It is good for dad (or mom) to ask the questions and for each child to respond individually. Responses are in bold.

Do you reject Satan? I do.

And all his works? I do.

And all his empty promises? I do.

Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth? I do.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father? I do.

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting? I do.

God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit and forgiven all our sins. May he also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever. Amen.

Catholic Insights

John the Baptist was the cousin of Jesus and the “forerunner” for Jesus. He had a very clear mission from God. John spent his time in the desert. As the crowds came to John, he knew that the mission was not about himself. His mission was to point to the one who would come after him, Jesus. He began to announce the coming of the kingdom and to call everyone to a fundamental reformation of life. His purpose was to prepare the way for Jesus. John baptized with water for repentance, but one would come who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. John knew that his one goal in life was to help people see who Jesus really was: the Lamb of God, sent from the Father, to take away the sins of the world.

John helps us to prepare the way to receive God’s greatest gift, who’s love is unfathomable!

Things to talk about:

• What does it mean to “keep watch” for Jesus?
• Why do you think Jesus doesn’t tell us when the end of the world will be?
• What has Jesus put his servants in charge of?
• St. Nicholas was known for his generosity. Why is it important to be generous with others?

Things to do:

• Add a purple cloth to your prayer table.
• Purchase or make an Advent wreath, click here for daily Advent prayers.
• Come to the Penance Service on December 5
• In honor of St. Nicholas, in secret, do something kind and generous for someone.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, you are Emmanuel, God with us. In these holy days of Advent, come to your people with justice, healing and peace. Fill us with a spirit of love and generosity to others. You live and reign with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Pray the Apostles’ Creed as a family. Name the 3 beliefs in the creed.

Join us on Friday evenings, 7:00 p.m. to Pray the Rosary for Peace in the Middle East. We are praying a Rosary Novena and will continue to gather to pray the Rosary through December 8. This is a great way to learn the Rosary prayers.

Learn to draw different scenes from the Christmas story with details from Scripture and Catholic tradition.
See the connections between the big picture of
God’s story and our place in it. Sign up,
https://daily.formed.org/advent

22-episode, 7 minute daily Advent
reflection for families using the Jesse Tree to
meet the ancestors of Jesus Christ. Sign up,
https://daily.formed.org/advent

Transfiguration has a subscription to FORMED.

1. Enter parish zip code 30066
2. Select Transfiguration
3. Enter your name and email 

Catholic Insights

The new liturgical year always begins on the First Sunday of Advent. Each year of a three year cycle the readings change, and the Gospel readings are taken from a different Gospel so that we learn more about the life of Jesus. This year, year B, most of the Gospels come from Mark.

Advent is a season of waiting in joyful anticipation for Christmas and also for the end of time when Christ will come again. We prepare our homes and our hearts to welcome Christ. The Gospel readings on the Sundays of Advent and Mary Feasts (Dec 8, Jan 1) provide a model for waiting, trusting and saying “Yes” to God.

This Scripture passage is the conclusion of the apocalyptic discourse. The disciples are told to “be alert” and to “watch.” The earlier portion of Mark 13 clarified that the disciples are not to be idle bystanders or passive observers before God’s advent; they are called to a courageous commitment to live out and share their faith. God’s advent is unknown. (Mk 13:32, 33.)

Feast Day December 6

March 15, 270 – December 6, 343

Nicholas was the fourth-century bishop of Myra, a province of Asia Minor. The best-known story about Nicholas concerns his charity toward a poor man who could not provide dowries for his three daughters of marriageable age. To help the family, Nicholas secretly tossed a bag of gold through the poor man’s window on three separate occasions, thus enabling the daughters to be married. Over the centuries, this particular legend evolved into the custom of gift-giving on the saint’s feast. In English-speaking countries, St. Nicholas became Santa Claus by a twist of  the tongue—expanding the example of generosity portrayed by this holy bishop.

Things to talk about:

• What is the kindest thing you have ever done for another person?
• What is Jesus teaching us in today’s Gospel? 
• How do people today get to be the sheep that Jesus describes in the Gospel?
• Share a time when you have helped someone in need. Do you realize that when you help someone, you are helping Jesus?

Things to do:

• Read and discuss the Corporal Works of Mercy, Click Here. (I always told the kids that Corporal is what we do for the physical body, from the Latin word, corpus). Think of examples children can do themselves. For example, “visiting the imprisoned,” could be reaching out in friendship to someone who seems lonely or isolated. “Burying the dead,” could be sending a card or picture to someone who recently experienced the death of a loved one.
• Go through your closets and dressers to find some clothing or household goods to donate to our St. Vincent de Paul store in Kennesaw to “clothe the naked.”.
• Attend the Advent Penance Service on December 3 to prepare your heart for Advent.
• Visit or call and elderly family member or friend to say hello and spend time talking with them.
• In anticipation of Advent go to https://daily.formed.org/advent and sign up for a 7 minute reflection. Rooted for older kids and Drawing Closer to God (a Catholic art show that teaches how to draw Advent symbols) for elementary.  Our parish has a free subscription to FORMED.
• Teens & Adults: Listen to Fr Mark Mary Ames, CFR video about The Final Judgment on FORMED, Chapter 7: For I Was Hungry, Click Here. Our parish has a free subscription to FORMED.

Closing Prayer: Jesus: King of the Universe

Almighty ever-living God, whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of the Universe, grant, we pray, that the whole creation, set free from slavery, may render your majesty service and ceaselessly proclaim your praise. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Name those who need our prayers. Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Join us on Friday evenings, 7:00 p.m. to Pray the Rosary for Peace in the Middle East. We are praying a Rosary Novena and will continue to gather to pray the Rosary through December 8. This is a great way to learn the Rosary prayers.

Catholic Insights

How often do we “Show our Jesus? to others? In this Gospel, Jesus teaches the Corporal Works of Mercy. This parable is sometimes referred to as the “sheep and the goats.” That we hear these works of mercy on the last day of the liturgical year is significant. There is a sense of urgency here, and we have no time to waste. We are invited to take a good look at our priorities and reflect on how well we are doing to build the Kingdom of God.

Five of the seven (7 is the number that symbolizes perfection in the Bible) are laid out by the “King” (representing God) as he welcomes the righteous into eternal life. The remaining two works of mercy, added by Catholic tradition, are taking care of the sick and burying the dead.

We will be judged by our response to the needs of others. (Parents you do this every day!) Our judge is Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who has given us a living example in giving his life for his sheep. We are reminded today that what really matters is what we do with the opportunities we are given to help others — especially those in need. Show your Jesus.

Things to talk about:

• Do you think the master in today’s Gospel story was fair to his servants? Why or why not?
• The Lord has entrusted many things to us: money, natural talents, spiritual gifts, etc. He expects us to grow them. What things has the Lord entrusted to you, and how does he want you to grow them?
• Why do you think Jesus tells us this story?
• St. Cecilia shared the Word of God with people in the streets or Rome. Share a time when you used your talents to share your faith.

Things to do:

• In honor of St Cecilia, play some Christian music each night as you clean up after dinner, or in the car…
• Each week many people use their talents to serve at Mass. How many people (beside the priest and deacon) served at the Mass you attended this weekend?
• Plan to come to the Thanksgiving Day Mass, 10:00 a.m. to celebrate and thank God for so many blessings.
• Write down some ways your family  can prepare for Jesus’ coming this Advent.

230

St. Cecilia was a young woman in Rome who, from a young age, wanted to consecrate herself to God. She spent her days preaching the word of God in the streets of Rome and brought many people to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and risen from the dead. Living during a time of great persecution, she was arrested, and many attempts were made to execute her, but miraculously, she survived them all. Finally, her head was chopped off, becoming one of the Church’s first virgin martyrs. She has been a powerful intercessor for Christians since the early days of the Catholic Church, and many churches are named after her worldwide. Her body was exhumed in 1599, and she was the first saint to be discovered as incorrupt, meaning that her body did not decay as bodies normally do after death. St. Cecilia is the patron saint of musicians. Many musical compositions are dedicated to her, and her feast day has become the occasion for concerts and musical festivals.

Closing Prayer: Family Talent Gratitude Prayer

Starting with the youngest member, each member of the family lists the talents they see in that person. After all their talents have been named, the father (or mother) leads a prayer thanking God for this member and the gifts he or she brings to the family.

Join us on Friday evenings, 7:00 p.m. to Pray the Rosary for Peace in the Middle East. We are praying a Rosary Novena and will continue to gather to pray the Rosary through December 8. This is a great way to learn the Rosary prayers.

Catholic Insights

Matthew knew that Christ’s coming was delayed, so he emphasized living the Christian life. The “talents” that the Master left behind are the divine wisdom and example we have received in the Gospel. The enterprising servants are those who use the time of Christ’s delay to multiply the generosity, forgiveness, compassion and mercy that they received.

The servant who buried the treasure is the disciple who knows Christ’s teachings but does nothing to share them with others.

What does God really expect rom us? How can we make the best use of the gifts that God has bestowed on us for the good of the world and of the Church? We are reminded that God expects a great deal from us because God sees the glory within us. We all want to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Did you know?…. there are seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, knowledge, right judgment, courage, reverence and wonder and awe before God. When we are confirmed, the bishop or priest says, “Be sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit,” as he anoints us with holy oil. These gifts strengthen us to be missionary disciples.

Things to talk about:

• Compare and contrast the actions of the wise and foolish virgins. What does this parable teach us about being prepared for Jesus’ second coming?
• If Jesus returned today, what would he find you doing?
• What does Jesus mean when he says, “Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour”?

Things to do:

• Join us at Rise Against Hunger, Saturday, November 11, read more and register
• Find one FairTrade item this week (coffee, chocolate, tea). Look for the FairTrade Symbol on the product.
• Plan to come to the Thanksgiving Day Mass, 10:00 a.m. to celebrate and thank God for so many blessings.
• Write down some ways your family  can prepare for Jesus’ coming this Advent.

Closing Prayer

God of the rich and the poor, of all the human family, we ask your blessing on us as we seek to follow your ways. Help us to see the world as you do, as one family gathered at one table, ready to serve one another.  Challenge us to do what is right, to love justice, and to walk humbly with You, our God. We ask this in the name of Jesus your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Join us on Friday evenings, 7:00 p.m. to Pray the Rosary for Peace in the Middle East. We are praying a Rosary Novena and will continue to gather to pray the Rosary through December 8. This is a great way to learn the Rosary prayers.

Catholic Insights

Jesus promised to return to earth in glory, in the fullness of time, to gather the faithful into the Kingdom of heaven. This parable teaches us to wait faithfully, tirelessly and wisely, for he may come at any time.

Most of the writers of the New Testament believed that Jesus would return in their lifetimes. When Christ did not come right away, Christians began to consider how they should live while they waited.

To know neither the day nor the hour, but to remain prepared, is to live in hope. And although we place our hope in the Christ who is to come, we must be aware that Christ is already here. If we do not recognize Christ among us, will we recognize him when he comes again?

In Jesus’ time, the bridesmaids did not accompany the bride down the aisle. They helped the bride by watching for the groom’s arrival. Then the girls accompanied the groom into the town. The groom could arrive at any time, so it was important for the bridesmaids to have lamps and enough oil in case he came after dark.

The bridegroom in the story represents Jesus. The oil represents our faith and good works. Every day we have opportunities to serve him and our brothers and sisters in Christ in the ways we think, speak and love. The wise bridesmaids represent the faithful disciples.

The lesson for us is to treat every moment as if it might be the moment of Christ’s return. Are you ready?

Fairtrade is a term for an arrangement designed to help producers in developing countries achieve sustainable and equitable trade relationships. Look for products with this symbol. Read more, fairtradeamerica.org.