Homilies and Reflections

Advent Reflection

Fr. Jeremy Tobin, O. Praem.
Volunteer; Catholic Charities Diocese of Jackson

Advent...the season of hope...a lot of Catholic Charities people are working in the streets, the shelters and soup lines. 

Hear Isaiah, “Listen, O house of David, the Lord himself will give you a sign, the virgin shall be with child and name him Immanuel.”   

Immanuel means “God with us.” It means the deliverer is coming. Hope is coming to the land. The Lord does hear the cry of the poor. We read more in Luke. Gabriel, the Messenger of God, comes to this young girl in Nazareth and announces the Good News from God.  Mary said “Yes.” We know the rest of the story. 

Jesus, the Son of God, came and brought good news to the poor. We at Catholic Charities are empowered by Jesus who said “When I was hungry, you fed me. When I was naked you clothed me. When I was homeless you gave me a home. When I was locked up in jail, you visited me. When you do these things to the least of these you do them to me.” 

During Advent, our food pantries empty out, our shelters fill up. We bring good news to the poor. We continue to do the work of Jesus. We bring hope. We make Jesus present where the poor live. May we all be blessed to continue the work of Jesus.