NOVEMBER 30

FEAST OF SAINT ANDREW, APOSTLE Matthew 4:18–22 REFLECT Some of the best friends I’ve ever had are friends that led me to other great friends. True friendship isn’t kept as a secret or for its own devices. That’s just not how love works. Love is […]

NOVEMBER 29

TUESDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT Isaiah 11:1–10 REFLECT The prophet Isaiah writes, “A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, / and from his roots a bud shall blossom” (Is 11:1). You don’t have to be much of a gardener to know […]

NOVEMBER 28

MONDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT Isaiah 4:2–6 REFLECT Travelers are particularly vulnerable in the desert. Subject to the harsh rays of the sun and sudden storms, they find protection to be indispensable. In the ancient world, most people relied on tents to shield […]

NOVEMBER 27

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Matthew 24:37–44 REFLECT We begin the holy season of Advent by contemplating the end times. This theme might seem off-putting to us. Thinking of the apocalypse doesn’t easily harmonize with the nostalgic and warm feelings of the holiday season. But here […]