Feast of Saint John of the Cross

Good morning. It is that magical time of year again, and part of the magic is watching once again Frank Capra’s classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.” If by chance someone has yet to see this delightful movie about a young man named George Bailey, and a bumbling second class angel named Clarence, it is about a journey of a man named George who through the help of an angel named Clarence discovers just how significant his life is. Clarence, the angel played by Henry Travers allows George Bailey played by Jimmy Stewart to discover how life would be had he never been born. In the process George comes to the realization that all has meaning in the overall scheme of things in accordance with God’s plan. So it is in today’s readings, Isaiah reminds us that all is in God’s hands and Jesus in the Gospel for today reminds us that He came here for a reason, every bit the same as you, and me and George Bailey. In the eyes of God each one of us is important. We are each here for a reason and we each have a purpose, and each of us makes a difference in the lives we interact with.

Often we allow ourselves to become discouraged, we become entangled by the things of this world and lose sight of what is important. This is a large part of why as a family we every year take time to pause from the hurriedness of life and sit and watch this wonderful movie classic. This movie for me is among a handful of my top movies of all time, for its message is quite powerful. I encourage you and your family to take time this Advent season to likewise pause and consider the dignity and importance of each of our lives and to remind ourselves that our lives are intended for something far beyond the trappings of the skeptical, secular world we live in. As our Saint for today, Saint John of the Cross reminds us, “Live in the world as if only God and your soul were in it; then your heart will never be made captive by any earthly thing.” This Advent may we take time to appreciate the importance of our life, and take time to embrace with enthusiasm our friends, neighbors and family, for it is indeed a “Wonderful life.”  If you don't already have the movie, why not pick-up a copy and start a Christmas family tradition of your own, a family viewing of  It's A Wonderful Life. Make a great day!

Today we recall the good life, gifts, and works of Saint John of the Cross.