12/1 - 1st week of Advent
Hope: What are the 5 stones?
5 Stones Theme: Fasting and Mass
12/8 - 2nd week of Advent
Peace: Resting in the peace of Reconciliation with our Lord
5 Stones Theme: Confession
12/15 - 3rd Week of Advent
Joy: Knowing Jesus in our heart of hearts is the fuel of Joy
5 Stones Theme: Pray daily with Scripture
12/22 - 4th Week of Advent
Love: The Rosary tells the story of love, the weapon of love
5 Stones Theme: Pray the rosary daily
As we enter the third week of Advent, the season shifts to joy, symbolized by the rose-colored candle on the Advent wreath. Joy is more than fleeting happiness or excitement; it is a deep, abiding sense of fulfillment that comes from knowing and loving Jesus. True joy transcends circumstances because it is rooted in our relationship with Christ, who is the source of all hope and peace.
Scripture: The Heart of Joy
One of the most profound ways to experience this joy is through Scripture. The Word of God is a gift that reveals Jesus to us, fuels our joy, and helps us grow in intimacy with Him. As St. Jerome said, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” To know Him is to love Him, and to love Him is to be filled with joy.
Encountering Jesus in His Word
When we read Scripture, we encounter the living Jesus. Every word, parable, and promise reveals His heart and invites us into deeper communion with Him. Reflecting on the Advent readings is a beautiful way to connect with the joy of salvation history—the unfolding story of God’s love for His people. The more we know Him through Scripture, the more our hearts overflow with joy in His presence.
Scripture Fuels the Joy of Faith
The Word of God reminds us of His faithfulness, even in the most challenging circumstances. Joy is strengthened when we meditate on passages like Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!” or John 15:11, where Jesus says, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Scripture grounds us in the truth of God’s promises, sustaining our joy regardless of what life brings.
Scripture Illuminates Our Path
Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet, a light for my path.” Knowing Jesus through Scripture equips us to navigate life with confidence and peace. When we internalize His Word, it becomes a source of strength, encouragement, and joy, guiding our hearts closer to Him.
Practical Steps: Growing in Joy Through Scripture This Advent
1. Read Daily Scripture
Set aside time each day to read and reflect on the Advent readings. Whether it’s as an individual, a couple, or a family, make this a daily ritual to immerse yourself in God’s Word. Consider using a Bible app or Advent devotional to stay on track.
2. Memorize a Verse of Joy
Choose a Scripture verse that speaks to the theme of joy, such as Nehemiah 8:10, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Write it down, display it in your home, and commit it to memory. Let this verse be a reminder throughout the week to focus on the joy of knowing Christ.
3. Share the Word with Others
Spread the joy of Scripture by sharing it with others. Send a meaningful verse to a friend, discuss the Sunday Gospel with your family, or post a reflection on social media. Joy grows when it is shared, and the Word of God has the power to inspire and uplift those around you.
Joy as the Fruit of Intimacy with Jesus
Advent calls us to prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus, who is the ultimate source of our joy. By spending time with Him in Scripture, we cultivate a joy that is unshakable, no matter the challenges we face. This week, let us embrace the Word of God with open hearts, allowing it to fuel our joy and deepen our relationship with Christ.
As we draw closer to Christmas, may we be filled with the radiant joy of knowing Jesus and sharing His love with others. Let His Word be the lamp that lights our path, the anchor that sustains our faith, and the source of joy that fills our hearts and homes.
Advent invites us to prepare the way for the Lord by opening our hearts to His peace. Yet, peace is more than an absence of conflict; it is a deep harmony with God, ourselves, and others. This harmony often eludes us because sin disrupts our relationship with God and creates division within our hearts and communities. The messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje remind us that true peace begins with reconciliation, and the 5 stones provide the framework for cultivating this peace in our lives.
Among the 5 stones—Prayer, Fasting, Scripture, the Eucharist, and Confession—the Sacrament of Confession is uniquely tied to peace. Confession is not simply an acknowledgment of faults but an encounter with God’s mercy, where the weight of sin is lifted, and the soul is restored to grace.
1. Confession Restores Peace with God
Sin separates us from God, creating a barrier to the peace He offers. In Confession, we acknowledge our sins and receive forgiveness, which restores our relationship with Him. This sacrament allows us to experience the profound peace of knowing that God’s love is greater than our failures. Confession is the critical step in reconnecting with the source of true peace—God Himself.
As Our Lady said, “Make your peace with God… For that, it is necessary to believe, to pray, to fast, and to go to confession” (June 26, 1981).
2. Confession Brings Peace Within Ourselves
Sin weighs heavily on the heart, often leading to guilt, shame, and inner turmoil. By confessing our sins, we allow God’s mercy to penetrate these wounds, bringing healing and renewal. The peace that follows is not fleeting; it is the deep, abiding peace that comes from knowing we are loved and forgiven. Reconciliation through Confession enables us to move forward without being burdened by the past, giving us the freedom to live in hope and joy.
3. Confession Builds Peace in Our Relationships
Reconciliation with God through Confession naturally extends to our relationships with others. When we are at peace with God, we are better equipped to extend forgiveness, seek forgiveness, and foster understanding with those around us. Our Lady’s November 2020 message from Medjugorje reinforces this truth: “Work on and build peace through the Sacrament of Confession. Reconcile with God, little children, and you will see miracles around you.” Confession becomes the foundation for building a culture of peace within our families, workplaces, and communities.
The Role of the 5 Stones in Cultivating Peace
The other stones—Prayer, Fasting, Scripture, and the Eucharist—support and sustain the peace we receive through Confession.
Prayer helps us remain in communion with God and keeps our hearts open to His guidance and grace.
Fasting teaches us discipline and self-control, detaching us from the distractions that disturb our peace.
Scripture reminds us of God’s promises and provides wisdom for living in harmony with others.
The Eucharist strengthens our union with Christ, who is the source of all peace.
When we integrate these practices into our lives, they reinforce the peace we receive in Confession, creating a spiritual foundation that withstands life’s challenges.
Living Peace Through Confession This Advent
The second week of Advent focuses on peace, a gift we are called to receive and share. By embracing the Sacrament of Confession, we take the essential step toward restoring peace in our hearts and homes. Confession is not just about addressing what is broken; it is about opening ourselves to the miracles of God’s grace, as Our Lady promised.
This Advent, let us renew our commitment to the 5 stones, especially Confession. In doing so, we allow the Prince of Peace to reign in our hearts and bring His light to a world longing for hope and reconciliation.
"The Devil is trying to conquer us. Do not permit him. Keep the faith, fast and pray. I will be with you at every step" -16th November 1981
"I desire to call you to the Eucharist. May the Mass be the center of your life. Especially, dear children, may the Eucharist be in your families. The family must attend the Holy Mass and give glory to Jesus. Jesus must be the center of your life. Therefore, pray dear children; renew family prayer. Set out after Jesus." -15th June 2018