Third Sunday of Advent, December 15, 2019.

Catch up on the first two messages first:
Week 1
Week 2

IS 35:1-6A |  JAS 5:7-10  |  MT 11:2-11

Discussion Questions

1. Consider someone who was a “repairperson” in your life, how did you feel Jesus’ presence at that time?
2. What do you think were the lenses that Jesus was looking through as he mentioned people in today’s Gospel?  What are personal characteristics of Jesus that gave him the ability to become the ultimate “repairman?”
3. How does my personal judgement of others affect my ability to help the suffering in my midst? How do my fears hinder me? Do I draw boundaries?
4. Would I be willing to work on developing some of Jesus’ characteristics so I could see through His lenses?
5. How have I been entrusted to respond to suffering people in my time?

Join the Conversation

You’re invited to discuss this message with a small group on Wednesday at 7pm at Lou’s Brew Cafe (233 E College Ave, Appleton, WI 54911). No need to RSVP or make it each week, just show up and look for discussion facilitators wearing St. Mary blue shirts. See you there!

Living Connected

Simply ways to keep the message alive during the week:

• Reread today’s Gospel (MT 11:2-11), ask God to open your eyes and heart to those in your life’s circumstances who might be suffering. Ask for wisdom in how to be a “repairperson” in Jesus’ name.
• Post “Be Alert” in noticeable places as a reminder you have an opportunity to see and address suffering in your midst.
• Consider a person that you know who is suffering. Write down words of comfort and support that you could share with them.
• Consider what God-Given talent or gift that you have. How would you leverage them as a “repairperson” in your life? Practice doing so one day this week.
• Discuss this message further with fellow parishioners on Wednesday at 7pm at Lou’s Brew Cafe (233 E College Ave, Appleton, WI 54911)

Message Highlights

• Kingdom of God: A way of living together in peace, joy and forgiveness
• Entrusted: To be given responsibility for custody of i.e. we have been entrusted to bring Jesus to our world in our generation
• Hebrew-Tikkun Olam: Tikkun means to repair. Olam means world. Phrase
  means: repairing our world.
• Scripture Focus: When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with the question, “Are you the one to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus said to them in reply, Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. (MT 11:2-5)
• Attitude/Heart Change: To change from a “That’s just the way things are. Live with it.”, to a person who has compassion for the suffering of others and longs to offer Jesus’ love and hope.
• Action/Life Change: To commit to being aware of the suffering of others in my daily circumstances and to consider concrete ways that I might become the hope and “repairperson” in their life.

Catch The Next Message on Saturday, December 21 at 4:30pm or Sunday, December 22 at 8am or 9:45am.

There’s Room In Our Inn For You At Our Christmas Mass Too:

December 24th at 4 pm, 6:30 pm & 10 pm
December 25th at 8:30 am