Sunday Thoughts From Fr. Edward Looney

Fr. Edward Looney ends where he began Advent, asking: Who, What, How, will you pray this Christmas? Fr. Edward unpacks how we can approach the manger, and encourages us to pray before the manger during the 12 days of Christmas.

In the spiritual life, we might often pray that God's will might be done in a specific situation. But how do we know if we are doing God's will? Fr. Edward offers a few tests to which we can subject that question.

Fr. Edward Looney poses the question: What or Who has stolen your joy? This third week of Advent invites us to live joyfully as we anticipate Christ's birth. Perhaps we celebrate Christ's birth each year to remind us of the very cause of our joy!

Fr. Edward Looney illustrates the method of repentance through an unforgettable experience he had in Lourdes, France. Repentance is a part of our Advent preparation for Christmas.

Spiritual writers have often drawn the analogy between Mary and snow. From Mary, we take an example of what it means to live a pure life, not just sexually, but in mind, heart, body, and soul.

Our readings for the First Sunday of Advent propose a few ways for us to pray during the Advent Season. For whom will you pray? For what will you pray?

How is your relationship with the King? Using the scriptures, Fr. Looney opens up Christ's kingship and our relationship to the king.

Angels surround us. The angels protect us, guide us, and defend us. Jesus promises to send his angels to us. Let us ask him to send his angels, especially St. Michael into our homes, families, our world, and our Church.

God cares about you! Do you know it? How has he cared for you. What do we do in response: praise the Lord from the depths of our soul.

Have you ever wondered what those who have gone before us might want to tell us? Fr. Edward Looney proposes a few messages your loved ones might want you to hear during the Remembrance Masses celebrated on 11/5 and 11/6 at St. Peter/St. Hubert and St. Francis and St. Mary.

Is your relationship to the 10 Commandments negative? Always analyzing how we have not yet lived up to them? Often times we use the examination of conscience for this purpose. How might we approach love of God in a more positive fashion? St. Ignatius of Loyola might have the answer.

During the month of November, we remember our beloved dead, and especially on All Souls Day. Who are you praying for? For whom should you pray?

Throughout history God has called all men and women to sainthood. The Church acknowledges thousands upon thousands of saints. Not a one of them is the same. They all took different paths. What kind of Saint will you be?

With this homily, Fr. Edward Looney launched a major evangelization effort in his parish communities, with outreach to those away from the Sunday Eucharist.

We have a High Priest, Jesus Christ, who can sympathize with our weaknesses. Fr. Edward Looney explains how in our life experiences we can look to Jesus to inform how or what we should do.

Jesus tells us in the gospel if we don't have the faith of a child, we will not enter the kingdom of God. What do the children in our lives teach us about our relationship with God?

As member's of the baptized faithful, God has shared his Spirit with us and has made us powerful. He has given us the power to pray and intercede. How will you use your power?

Who can we serve? How can we serve? Fr. Edward invites all to service of God, family, and others.

We must have a confident faith, especially when we pray, believing that God exists, he listens to us, and cares about us when we call upon Him.

How is your spiritual hearing? Does it need some attention? Perhaps the remedy is silence.