Jean Gandon
Wednesday May 15, 1935 – Tuesday September 24, 2024
It is with grateful hearts these Advent Reflections are offered to the Glory of God and in loving memory of our dear Oblate friend, Jean Gandon in thanksgiving for our companionship in Christ.
“Grace to you and peace –
I always thank God because I hear of your love
for all the saints and your faith in the Lord Jesus.”
Philemon 1: 3-4
Numbers 24:2-7,15-17a
Psalm 25:3-8
Matthew 21:23-27
When Jesus challenges the disciples about John’s baptism, he puts them on the spot. If they acknowledge that it came from God, then he asks why they did not believe him. If they said that it was not from God, then the crowd, who were Jesus’ followers, would be angry with them. The Pharisees wanted to discredit Jesus but still please the crowd. As he often did, Jesus answered a question with a question. He did not have to justify himself.
In these days of Advent as we lead up to Jesus’ birth, we too must ask ourselves the question that challenged the disciples. Jesus does not come up with answers. That is where faith comes in.
In the end, it is what we believe that matters. In the hustle and bustle leading up to Christmas, as it becomes a secular celebration for most people — a time to go way overboard with credit cards, which we end up paying for well into the New Year — we need to ask ourselves some serious questions. How do we celebrate Christmas?
There is nothing wrong with spending time with family in joyful times together; after all, it is a birthday party. Let us just keep in mind that it is Jesus’ birthday and remind people that we would not have Christmas except for that.
– Jean Gandon
