Saying 'Yes' to God:
Assures a future blessed with faith

		Living the Scriptures  with St. Paul University  Catholic Center  Rachel C. M. Crigler

Today, I ask each of you to set aside one minute. During this minute, I would like you to reflect upon one moment in your life you know you have consciously said "No" to God.

I hope you may come to realize because of your "No," in that instant, another person may have gone hungry, been stranded on the highway, or perhaps turned away from his/her faith. The plans God has made for each of us are important and whether or not in our lives we choose to live them out, affect, not only ourselves, but also people we may never have met.

God has set before each of us a purpose. No matter where you are in coming to understand this divine task, be mindful that you are in constant pursuit of it (if you have yet to discover it); accepting of it in mind, body, and spirit (as you come to terms with it); and diligent in seeing it through.

Third Sunday of Advent (Dec. 11, 2005) Is 61:1-2a, 10-11 Lk 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54 1 Thes 5:16-24 Jn 1:6-8, 19-28

For this one thing ultimately defines our existence and it is the "Why?" to any and every question you could ever ask about your life (such as, Why was I born? At this time? Into this family? What I have been given or not given?).

And in spite of our questions and apprehension, it is important we remain steadfast because only God can lead us to our divine mission and Truth.

The process of discovering our purpose and attempting to fulfill it is how God reveals himself to us. The Virgin Mary is our highest example of this. From the moment Mary said "Yes" to God and accepted Christ into her womb, she saw God present in her life and in all those around her. God remained ever-present within Mary to the completion of her earthly life.

If we allow it to be, the same can be true for each of us. The moment we truly say "Yes" to God, God's grace will shape and transform the most mundane details of our life into things unattainable by any means or paths of this world.

Although our futures can never be certain, God is. If we trust in him, all things are possible and his grace can (and will) lead us where we need to be.

Paul lends a similar encouragement in his first letter to the Thessalonians, "May the God of peace make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it."

	Reflection questions • Is the significance of hope clear to me throughout the Advent season? • Am I open to receiving God's grace and the path he has laid before me?

Every inch of our being is ordered to the fulfillment of his divine plan. God does not make mistakes; he foresaw each of us would be in constant need of his salvation, patience, and love. Hence, the gift of the conception and birth of Jesus Christ.

Each year, Advent signals a future blessed with faith for all of humanity - one filled with forgiveness, redemption, and hope.

Rachel C. M. Crigler is a dorm missionary for St. Paul's University Catholic Center. She attended the Universidad de Nacional, Costa Rica where she studied Spanish and Latin American studies.

St. Paul's Web site is www.stpaulscc.org

Faith Alive!

In a Nutshell Our spiritual ancestors told us to "pray always and pray all ways." We pray at times of birth and death, when something is lost or gained. In prayer we laugh and cry, praise and express anger. Acknowledging our dependence on God helps to keep things in perspective. Through prayer, God connects with us, and we make profound connections with God, others and ourselves. Catholic News Service 3211 Fourth St NE Washington DC 20017 202.541.3250 cns@catholicnews.com	Food for Thought   When life moves along very quickly, we can easily lose perspective on it. I know that weekends are times to rest from this rapid pace and enjoy leisure activities. But I often think weekends also are important opportunities to regain one's balance -- to step back, really notice what is happening in life and reap the benefits a calmer frame of mind yields. I think prayer can be like this too: an opportunity to regain balance and perspective, to really take notice of one's life and how God may be speaking through it. "Awake you who sleep, arise from the dead!" We know the words well. And isn't this something Christians try to do: to awaken to life? It takes some reflection, however. And it can mean asking tough questions like: Why am I feeling hopeless about something or someone? Have I noticed the goodness in this person I disagree with so strongly? Have I noticed the goodness in myself? Do I trust God or want to trust God? Prayer and reflection are related. Together they add up to meditation. It requires slowing down, stepping back. Regaining perspective and becoming refreshed are among its great byproducts. full story   How Advent prayer was born for me By Mary Jo Pedersen Catholic News Service I was eight months pregnant and holding when Advent began in 1974. I was carrying around 40 extra pounds, mothering a toddler and nursing a bad back. I'd done some shopping early in the fall, but all the other preparations lay before me like a steep mountain path. Though I fretted about all the undone preparations, I enjoyed the idea of being pregnant during Advent. full story  How life and prayer interact By Father David K. O'Rourke, OP Catholic News Service I suffered a severe heart attack 20 years ago, while still young and very active. After I was back on my feet, a friend, a woman known for her positive and complimentary ways, told me how glad she was to see me up and around. "I knew God wouldn't let you die -- you're such a good man.'' I was touched by her kindness. But on this subject her religious views and mine were different. As she was speaking, my own reaction was, "Whether I live or die, God is still God." full story  Praying always and in all ways By Scott J. Rutan Catholic News Service "Skip" has been attending his parish's Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults inquiry evenings. Baptized as a Presbyterian, he has been married to a wonderful Catholic woman more than 40 years. Their children were raised as Catholics. Now he's thinking, "It's about time I make it official for myself!" Because Skip's wife is in rather poor health, he said that one of the few things they can do together is take walks, one favorite place being a nearby woods. "It's so beautiful, and we can really sense God's presence there. That is the best way we pray together," Skip said. full story
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