December 20, 2020: Seeing ourselves as God sees us with Mary Katharine Deeley

Preaching for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Mary Katharine Deeley offers a reflection on seeing ourselves as God sees us:   "It is sometimes hard to see how God is working in a world that is darkened by pandemic and civil unrest, and injustice toward the marginalized and vulnerable among us. Because of that, Advent is precisely the time to learn how God sees us. It is the time to ask ourselves all the questions: What might God be building in us? By what new God-given name will our Gabriel call us – full of grace, full of peace, full of joy or love, or hope? And will we listen when Gabriel cries out, 'Behold,' begging us to see our new relationship with God and how God is working through us to reveal Christ to the world."   Mary Deeley  has taught and ministered in academic settings since 1978.  Currently, Mary serves as the Pastoral Associate and the director of the Christ the Teacher Institute for the Sheil Catholic Center at Northwestern University where she works with young adults and others in discernment processes, leadership development, spiritual direction, and education and formation. She earned her M.Div at Yale Divinity School and her Ph.D., Northwestern University. Mary is the author of a Mothers, Lovers, Priests, Prophets, and Kings:  What the Old Testament Tells Us About God and Ourselves; Daybreaks:  Daily Reflections for Advent and Christmas; and Remembering God: Resting in the Midst of Life all published by Liguori Press, as well as numerous reflections on lectionary readings, scripture, campus ministry, and young adults.  Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/12202020 to learn more about Mary, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.