Clues Everywhere (11/23/2025)

She was going through the neighborhood alerting homeowners to possible changes if the golf course was sold and re-zoned for residential. When she made it to my door, I invited her in because it was cold and windy outside. She asked my husband and I how we felt about the suggested development. She wrote all our comments. Then she asked, “What parish do you do go?” It surprised me that she knew I was Catholic. I answered her and we got off topic as we discussed faith for a bit. How did she know I was Christian and Catholic?

After she left, I was still trying to figure out what had tipped her off to my faith. Then I noticed the clues she probably had spotted. They were everywhere. There were two nativity scenes that I keep out year-round. Then there was the crystal cross on my hutch shelf. This week’s issue of The Catholic Herald was on the counter as well as the Advent issue of The Magnificat prayerbook. As I realized all the clues laying about, I realized how she’d figured it out. But then I wondered if she’d have known without all those physical, visual clues. What of me, my behavior, my demeaner. Would she have thought I was Christian and Catholic based solely on the way I act?

Then my eyes caught sight of the Advent issue of The Magnificat prayerbook, and I decided right then and there that my focus this Advent was going to be on living my faith out loud and visibly. This Advent, I want to work on being the “light” Christ calls me to be. I want to remind myself frequently during the day that I am His, I am Christian. I want to try harder to live as He calls me to live. Advent begins in a week. I have time to think about Christ’s invitation to live as his so others will know I am Christian as the song suggests by my love.

Advent is a time to prepare for Christ’s coming – to celebrate His first coming at Christmas and to anticipate His second coming. How will I open myself more fully to Christ and His transformative love? How will I not only say I believe but behave in such a way that there is no doubt? How will I live my love of the LORD and love of others, my purpose in this life, more fully, more joyfully?

Advent begins in a week, as I said. Do you know what you want to do to prepare yourself more fully for His coming?

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.