3rd Sunday of Advent

Gaudete in Domino semper; iterum, dico Gaudete. Dominus prope.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.

~ Philippians 4:4-5

       Recently, I read an article on the Vatican website, entitled, “An Economy of Enough: Limits as pathways

to renewal” <https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2025-11/economy-of-francesco-project-restarting-jubilee-environment.html> In the very brief reflection, the author attempted to tie together the importance of Limits for us as human persons, sharing in the hope & mercy of God as the purpose of a Jubilee Year, and a just & sound economy, especially for the poor. That is a tall order, and yet, thoroughly Catholic, Christian, & Scriptural. Without limits, borders, edges, we fail to know where we end and another begins. We lack the excitement and joy of discovery of another. We fail to appreciate our finite nature as an authentic gift from an All-Powerful God that deigns to love & care for us, His beloved creatures. While we humans naturally push against limits (remember the Tree in theGarden), lacking limits we could not understand who we. The Jubilee Year reminds us of God’s mercy spilling over our limits into authentic love of neighbor and care for the most in need. Mercy can be defined simply as, Love in action to those in need. Needs are rooted in limits. Love is rooted in gift of self to another across those limits. Jubilee Years are intended to remind us of God’s Mercy in our life and His call for us to extend that same Mercy to others. Few places is this idea needed more than in our modern economies, where the wealthy can easily leverage their possession & power to live ever more limitless lives, while the poor pay the price by ever more restricted opportunity. The poor struggle to have basic needs met while the wealthy give into wanton waste. The author suggests a better way forward is an “Economy of Enough.”

“An economy of enough can be a gateway to a simpler lifestyle in which we share more, knowing that

neither we nor anyone else is defined by material goods but by who we are. It is not about living worse

or being unhappy, but about resting in gratitude, liberating ourselves from the idea that things — and

ourselves — are never enough, and about becoming guardians of one another. It is about creating time

and space for what truly matters. A hug, for example, is a limit that allows us to experience love!”

     I thought about this “Economy of Enough” as we move through this Advent Season. For most, it is a busy, hurried, rushed season of parties, lights. events, preparations and buying. Materialism seems very much at the forefront. I wonder if a better way of showing love to your loved ones has much less to do with more stuff; and rather, a much more intentional offering of more self. How do you bring yourself to the other as Gift? How do you encounter them as a person – worthy of receiving love & mercy – rather than a name on a list to check off. How much is enough? Our houses are all too often full of stuff, while homes are empty of love. And more broadly speaking, what is the cost of our materialism beyond the dollars & cents to the poor who manufactured them, often on continents far away, often while going without. I’m not trying to be a Grinch. I’m not interested in needless guilt or shame. But if I recall correctly, the message of The Grinch who Stole Christmas, was that people, not possessions matter most this time of year… and always. Limits, Jubilee, and an Economy of Enough might be helpful reminders. And that brothers & sisters, is something in which to rejoice!

     For the 5th year, I’m inviting our Holy Family family to fund a Home for Christmas to a family in need. We are once again partnering with Cross Catholic International to build a home in Guatemala. As we decorate our homes for Christmas, consider providing a home for our impoverished neighbors to call their own in which to celebrate the Lord’s arrival at Christmas. You can contribute on Parish Soft (e-giving) or by dropping a donation in the offertory basket clearly labeled “Advent Home”. Thank you.

Nothing Less than saints for the Holy Family of God.

Holy Family, Rejoicing in the coming of the Lord, Pray for us.

~ Fr Jeremy M. Gries