Two New Homilies: Expectations and Every Earthy Atom of Our Being

A Homily for the Third Sunday of Advent:

In what areas of my life am I holding onto rigid expectations of how Jesus should act or how situations should unfold?
Can I recall a time when I experienced doubt similar to John the Baptist? How did I navigate those feelings?
What unexpected ways has Jesus come into my life, and how have I responded to those moments?
How can I reimagine my understanding of Jesus’ mission in my life and in the world around me?
What is one belief or perspective about my faith that I feel Jesus is inviting me to reconsider during this Advent season?

How do I experience the physicality of my faith in my daily life? In what ways do I acknowledge the connection between my spiritual life and my bodily experiences?
What are some areas in my life where I feel a deep yearning for God’s presence? How can I invite Christ into those physical and emotional spaces?
Reflect on a moment when you experienced God’s presence in a bodily way. How did it impact your faith journey?
In what ways can I cultivate awareness of the natural world around me during this Advent season, and how does that awareness enhance my understanding of the Incarnation?
How do the stories of Adam and Eve and Mary resonate with my personal journey of saying yes or no to God? What might I need to prune in my life to prepare for Christ’s coming?