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"Christ's entire mission is summed up in this: to baptize us in the Holy Spirit" (Benedict XVI, Angelus, January 13, 2008). Advent is the season of expectation of the coming of the Messiah - he who will baptize us in the Holy Spirit and fire, the fire of judgment. The Messiah will bring true justice and judgment to the earth.

December is here - the end of another calendar year. As I reflect back on this past year, I am in touch with these three main sentiments: thanks, concern, and hope. This particular blog might be a little more personal than usual, as I share what is on my heart. However, I suspect that some of you - perhaps many of you - might also identify with me.

We have arrived at the First Sunday of Advent, the start of a new liturgical year. Advent is all about the Lord's coming - as a babe in Bethlehem, at the end of time, and here and now, by the grace and working of his Spirit. Today, the focus is more on the Second Coming of the Son of Man and our preparations for that. We are urged to "stay awake" and "walk in the light."

During the events surrounding the death and funeral of Queen Elizabeth of England, we all got a sense of the pageantry and tradition connected with a monarchy. Today, we honor and celebrate Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, infinitely exalted above all earthly rulers and potentates. We can never honor and praise him enough!

It's that time again in the liturgical year when we hear about the end of things - the end of the Temple, the end of Jerusalem, and the end of the world. At the same time, we look forward to the coming of the Lord and his kingdom. As the Responsorial, Psalm 98, says: "The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice."

Is there a Scriptural mandate about discernment of spirits? Yes, as a matter of fact, there is.  We are commanded to "test the spirits to see whether they are of God..." (1 John 4:1). In several places, Scripture reminds us that deception is rampant and we are not to believe every spirit. What does that really mean, anyway? How are we supposed to "test the spirits?" What is "discernment of spirits?"

​That is the question that all generations have asked about this life on earth. Today, the word of God assures us of the promise of eternal life with the Lord for those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age and to the resurrection of the dead.