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God's Word on Sunday: A little digging reveals news full of hope

God's Word on Sunday: A little digging reveals news full of hope

Third Sunday of Advent, Dec. 15 (Year A) Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10; Psalm 146; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11

What are the signs of God’s presence? What sort of “footprints and fingerprints” does God leave? One word could sum it up: life. 

Pope Francis meets with Jesuits in Tha Kham, Thailand, Nov. 22, 2019, during his apostolic trip to the Asian country. In his customary question-and-answer session with his Jesuit confreres, Pope Francis spoke about resistance to addressing climate change and about hostility to migrants and refugees.

Pope Francis 'scandalized' by anti-migrant rhetoric

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis told Jesuits in Thailand he was "scandalized" by some of the anti-migrant rhetoric he hears in Europe, and he is convinced people are being manipulated into thinking the only way they can preserve their lifestyles is by building walls.

The Christmas tree sparkles after a lighting ceremony in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Dec. 5, 2019.

Vatican unveils Nativity scene, lights Christmas tree

VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican unveiled the Nativity scene and lit the Christmas tree with energy-saving lights in St. Peter's Square during a late afternoon ceremony Dec. 5.

Mary Marrocco: Looking for signs on the periphery

Mary Marrocco: Looking for signs on the periphery

Amusingly, and confusingly, two signs were posted, one above the other, on the charming wrought-iron gate leading to a country estate: “Welcome” and “No trespassing.” The place seemed to say simultaneously, “Come in, we want you,” and “Stay away, we’re afraid of you.”

The dome of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

Pope Francis, council of cardinals discuss greater role for lay men and women

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis and his international Council of Cardinals reviewed aspects of the draft of the apostolic constitution that would govern the Roman Curia, including a greater role for lay men and women.

Pope Francis embraces a woman as he greets disabled people during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican April 9, 2014. In a letter marking the U.N.'s International Day of Persons with Disabilities Dec. 3, 2019, the pope said humanity needs to "develop antibodies against a culture that considers some lives as class A and others as class B; this is a social sin!"

Defend dignity of persons with disabilities, Pope Francis says

VATICAN CITY -- The dignity and rights of people with disabilities are increasingly threatened by a society that discriminates and views them as a burden, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis accepts offertory gifts as he celebrates a Mass for the Congolese Catholic community in Rome in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 1, 2019. The Mass included elements of Congolese culture.

Pope Francis celebrates Mass with Congolese at St. Peter's

VATICAN CITY -- The sounds of ululations and drums and a litany of saints filled St. Peter's Basilica Dec. 1 as Pope Francis celebrated Mass according to what is commonly called the Zairean Rite.

Franciscan Father Rami Asakrieh holds a reliquary containing what is believed to be a small fragment of Jesus' crib Dec. 1, 2019, in the Franciscan Church of St. Catherine, which is adjacent to the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem, West Bank. Pope Francis gave the relic fragment to the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, which oversees the main churches and shrines associated with the birth, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Pope Francis returns part of relic of Jesus' crib to Holy Land

VATICAN CITY -- As Advent approached, Pope Francis gave a small fragment of Jesus' crib back to Catholics in the Holy Land.

Pope Francis prays during a visit to the Nativity scene of Greccio, Italy, Dec. 1, 2019. The first Nativity scene was assembled in Greccio by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223.

Pope Francis encourages faithful to set up Nativity scenes

VATICAN CITY -- A Nativity scene is a simple reminder of something astonishing: God became human to reveal the greatness of his love "by smiling and opening his arms to all," Pope Francis said in a letter on the meaning and importance of setting up Christmas cribs.

Bishop Brian Dunn, Catholic co-chair of the Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue in Canada.

Dialogue continues on path of co-operation

Catholics and Anglicans in Canada have been working on their relationship ever since Gen. James Wolfe surprised Gen. Louis-Joseph, Marquis de Montcalm on the Plains of Abraham in the fall of 1759.

God's Word on Sunday: Advent should inspire greater efforts

God's Word on Sunday: Advent should inspire greater efforts

Second Sunday of Advent, Dec. 8 (Year A) Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72; Romans 15:4-9; Matthew 3:1-12

The figure described in Isaiah seems too good to be true — in fact, impossible and non-existent. 

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