This wise man taught me that even when our sky is at its darkest, there is a star called faith that leads us to the Christ. Keep the faith.

Christmas is just not a date on the calendar, but a way of life. The comedian Bob Hope once said, “My idea of Christmas is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?”

Christmas is not only the celebration of God's Love for all humans, but a command to humans to love all humans like He did. 

Happy Advent. May you be the gift of love to someone who needs it.

The Church gives you Advent, a time to watch for Jesus who is coming back, a time to prepare for His arrival. Jesus says in Mark 13:33-34 "Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come."

God begs you not to bury the gift of God that you are by fear, judgment or condemnation of others. Help others see they too are gifts from God. That doesn't mean you condone everything others may do. But it does mean you welcome them as children of God that they are.

The most important thing that pleases God is your faith in Him. He is very happy when you trust Him. God knows what is best for you. He desires your happiness. Psalm 34:4 says, "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

St. Francis understood the power of good example when he said, "Remember when you leave this earth, you can take nothing that you have received – only what you have given.” 

When you "give human kindness" to anyone who "needs human kindness," you satisfy all three of God's commands to love.

Pope Francis is urging the faithful to calm down. The purpose of the Synod is not to change Church teaching on marriage or allow blessings on gay unions. They are trying to formulate a "theology of love" which is inclusive not exclusive, which is accepting not rejecting.

Start your day with this simple prayer, "God, who do you want me to love today and show me how to do it." 

Brother Jim Townsend went to arms of His Father on June 12, 2011 at age of 84. He is buried at the friar's plot at St. Mary Church in Herman, Pa. I have visited his grave several times. God used this broken earthen vessel, a criminal who took three lives, to affirm the dignity of every human life. If Brother Jim were alive today, he would be voting "no" on Ohio Issue One.

I believe all the problems in our country are spiritual. I define spirituality as loving God, loving neighbors and loving self. Once you eliminate the love for God, the other two loves will cease. I have met many people who are lonely and anxious. But once they let God into their life, I am amazed how their life changed for the better.

There is a far more important reason to forgive than just a desire to be happy. Jesus says how you treat others is how God will treat you. If you claim your right to punish someone who hurt you, then God will claim His right to punish you. But when you show mercy, God will shower His mercy on you.

The greatest faith is to keep believing God loves you when everything says He doesn't.