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Here are the readings for the fourth Sunday in Advent:

http://www.usccb.org/nab/122108.shtml

This week we hear the story of the Visitation; the angel Gabriel appears to Mary and tells her that she is to be the mother of Jesus. Lots of attention is paid to Mary's obedience...but I think there's a lot more to it than simply doing as she was told.

Mary said YES. In spite of her fear and even though she didn't know HOW the things promised her could come to pass or how they would unfold over the months and years ahead.

Here are the readings for the third week of Advent:

http://www.usccb.org/nab/121408.shtml

An experienced youth minister once said to me that our role is to immitate John the Baptist. He amassed a following and could have reveled in the fame and admiration of the crowds, but instead he pointed to Christ. "It's not about me; it's about Jesus." Just stand and point to Jesus.

He became a transparent vessel, so that people were able to see through him to God.

Here are the readings for the second Sunday in Advent:

http://www.usccb.org/nab/120708.shtml

God is in the details of the grammar this week:

"In the desert prepare the way of the Lord." Isaiah
"A voice of one crying out in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord." Mark

The voice is in the desert, and the way of the Lord is also in the desert.

God's call comes to us in the dry, barren, even dangerous place. God's path leads through inhospitable terrain. But that's where God is too. We don't labor or journey alone.

This week is the first Sunday of Advent, our annual time of expectant waiting for the coming of Christ:

http://www.usccb.org/nab/113008.shtml

There's both a sense of longing and a sense of urgency in the readings for today. God is coming, but we don't know precisely when or exactly how. We want to be ready for when God shows up.

Per my e-mail, we have a request to post pictures from the recent raking weekend at Good Shepherd.

Things to consider (feel free to add to this list -- I know I haven't thought of everything):

1. How will these be posted?
Every event has a page?
Thumbnails on an intro page?
Slide show?

2. How long do pics stay on the site?
Forever?
3 mos, 6 mos, 1 year?

3. Who does the posting?
Limit to web team members only?

4. Do we limit the amount of server space used for a photo gallery?

"Well done, my good and faithful servant." That strikes me as the key theme in this week's readings:

http://www.usccb.org/nab/111608.shtml

Don't we all want to hear, "Good job!" from our spouses, children, parents, co-workers, teachers, bosses? We want to be validated for the effort we put in to our daily tasks.

I am Jim Karpick - A "Relatively New" member of the Web Team. I am entering this message - today, Sunday 11/9/08. From this time on, I hope to be active on the site. As I get on the "learning curve", I hope to be able to contribute items of information to the site.....Nice meeting all of you!....Jim K.

Here are the readings for the week:

http://www.usccb.org/nab/110908.shtml

This Sunday is the feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, and the readings present us with several images of "temples." The historic Temple in Jerusalem, the temple of our bodies, the temple of Christ's Body.

We can choose to honor these sacred spaces, or defile them. What does it mean to be holy? Is it a matter of following laws, remaining pure, sincerity of heart?

How do we create and honor sacred space in our daily lives?

This Sunday is the Feast of the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed, or All Souls Day:

http://www.usccb.org/nab/110208.shtml

This time of the year is an "in-between" time...seasons changing, days growing shorter and nights longer. We're on the verge of winter, and the earth around us is winding down for a good long sleep. It's a natural time to reflect on our mortality and ponder what lies beyond the veil of death.

Where are our loved ones who have passed?
What lies ahead for us after this life?
What is heaven like?

Here are the readings this week:

http://www.usccb.org/nab/102608.shtml

I guess if you only ever read one passage of Scripture, this would be it!

The greatest commandment: "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: Your shall love your neighbor as yourself."