Beads of Joy Blog II (2025)

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary December 8, 2025 • A Franciscan Reflection Today's Readings: Genesis 3:9-15, 20 / Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12 / Luke 1:26-38 Let's Be Clear From the Start The Immaculate Conception is about Mary's conception, the moment God filled her with sanctifying grace from the very first instant of her existence. The word "immaculate" means spotless. Mary was preserved from original sin. Not because she earned it, but because God prepared her for what He was asking. He filled her with grace before she even knew she needed it. Here's the truth: If you could make your own mother, wouldn't you free her from original sin? Jesus did. He reached back through time and applied the merits of His cross to save her perfectly, not just from sin, but from ever having it in the first place. Mary never sinned. Not once. She was at perfect enmity with Satan, exactly as God promised in Genesis 3:15. She's the first and bes...

Second Sunday of Advent December 7 - The Journey Home Readings: Baruch 5:1-9 / Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11 / Luke 3:1-6 Three Voices, One Journey Today's readings give us three perspectives on the same Advent journey, the journey home to God. Baruch shows us the destination. Jerusalem, take off your mourning clothes. Put on the splendor of glory from God. He will lead you home in joy, with the mountains made low and the valleys filled, so the path is smooth for your return. Luke shows us the preparation. John stands in the desert, quoting Isaiah's promise: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low." The rough terrain of our lives must be transformed. Paul shows us the process. God who began this good work in you will complete it. But your part? Let your love grow in knowledge and perception. Learn to discern what really matters. Become pure and blameless for the day of Christ....

December 6 The Harvest Is Ready Readings: Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26 / Matthew 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8 Setting the Scene Jesus goes through every town and village, teaching, proclaiming, healing. He sees the crowds and His heart breaks for them. They're "troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd." Then He says something strange: "The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers." He's just described people as lost sheep. Now suddenly they're a harvest ready to be gathered. Which is it? Both. They're sheep who need a shepherd AND grain ready to be brought home. They're vulnerable AND valuable. Lost AND waiting to be found. So, Jesus calls the Twelve, gives them authority over unclean spirits, and sends them out with clear instructions: "Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Isaiah had promised this d...

December 5 The Blind Leading the Blind Readings: Isaiah 29:17-24 / Matthew 9:27-31 Setting the Scene Two blind men follow Jesus, shouting, "Son of David, have pity on us!" They can't see Him, but they've heard enough to know who He is. They believe He can heal them. Jesus doesn't stop immediately. He goes into a house, and they follow Him inside. Then He asks them a question that seems obvious: "Do you believe that I can do this?" They answer, "Yes, Lord." Jesus touches their eyes and says, "Let it be done for you according to your faith." Their eyes open. They see. Then Jesus gives them a strange command: "See that no one knows about this." And immediately, they go out and spread the news everywhere. Isaiah had prophesied this moment: "On that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book; and out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see." The blind see. The deaf hear. The humble ...

December 4 What Are You Counting On? Readings: Isaiah 26:1-6 / Matthew 7:21, 24-27 Setting the Scene Jesus has just finished the Sermon on the Mount, the most comprehensive teaching on Kingdom life ever given. And He ends with a warning that lands like a punch: It's not enough to call Him "Lord." It's not enough to prophesy, cast out demons, or do mighty deeds in His name. What matters is doing the will of the Father. Then He tells a parable everyone knows: two builders, two houses, two foundations. Same storm hits both houses. One stands. One falls. The difference? What it was built on. Rock or sand. That's the choice. Isaiah echoes it: "Trust in the Lord forever! For the Lord is an eternal Rock." A strong city with firm walls. Gates that open for the righteous nation that keeps faith. But the lofty city, the one built on pride and power? "He humbles it to the ground, levels it to the dust." The Heart of It "Not everyone who sa...