Virtual Temple Archives - Full-of-Grace

Second Sunday of Advent (Year A) – Biblical Background

QUICK REFERENCE Date: December 7, 2025 Liturgical Season: Second Sunday of Advent, Year A Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10 | Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 | Romans 15:4-9 | Matthew 3:1-12 One-Sentence Theme: Baptism calls us out of hiding to believe the impossible—that we can inhabit a realm where no one has to pay the cost anymore, where God's breath fills everything, and death itself is undone. THE READINGS IN CONTEXT First Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10...

The Quality of Watchfulness: 1st Sunday of Advent, Biblical Background

QUICK REFERENCE Date: November 20, 2025Liturgical Season: 1st Sundaynof Advent, Year A Readings: First Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 122: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 Second Reading: Romans 13:11-14 Gospel: Matthew 24:37-44 One-Sentence Theme:Like waiting for your beloved to return from a long journey, you go about your daily work, but your heart is oriented, and the longing keeps you awake. INTRODUCTION TEXT, which you are welcome...

Christ the King (Year C): Resources

QUICK REFERENCE Date: November 23, 2025Liturgical Season: Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (Last Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C)Readings: USCCB Lectionary #162 One-Sentence Theme:When earthly kingdoms collapse and the cosmos expands beyond human comprehension, the Church proclaims a King stripped naked on a cross-throne, where a criminal enters Paradise TODAY—not through cosmetic performance, but through simply saying...

The Last Ordinary Sunday – Biblical Background

If there were no Sunday obligation this year—no hell threat, no requirement—would we still come? Would we still show up to encounter God in our emptiness, or are we mostly trying to look like a well-adorned temple? QUICK REFERENCE Date: November 16, 2025Liturgical Season: 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C (Last Sunday in Ordinary Time before Christ the King) Readings: First Reading: Malachi 3:19-20a Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98:5-6, 7-8,...

Magnifying God: A Pre-Wedding Meditation on Living Heaven

Shaking Before the Feast Tomorrow is the Feast of the Assumption, and I'm struggling. Here I am with a blog called "Full-of-Grace," somehow connected to Mary, and yet as this huge feast approaches, I find myself shaking, holding back, feeling overwhelmed. My new Polish parish is named after the Assumption, and tomorrow there will be a huge Mass, blessing of the flowers, then music and barbecue and cakes. It should be joyful, festive. I should...

The Camino Crush: When Hearts Meet on the Santiago Trail

A reflection on relationships found and lost on pilgrimage, and the beautiful journey to finding true love Walking Toward Truth Instead of Escape Six years ago, on what started as an ordinary June Monday, I had the most spontaneous idea: I would walk the Camino de Santiago as preparation to become a nun. By Wednesday, I was on an airplane, boots packed and heart full of the most peculiar intention. There I was—a young woman so certain of her...

Coming Home From Camino: A Mother’s Day Reflection

Three Mothers at the Heart of Resurrection Today I'm traveling back to Poland on Mother's Day – May 26th in our Polish tradition. As I journey home, I'm reflecting on three mothers who have shaped my spiritual resurrection years ago: my earthly mother whom I'll embrace today, the Mother Church to whom I returned after 17 years in the wilderness, and Mary, the Mother of the Church. The little me holding onto my mum Like the three women who...

The Day Everything Went Wrong (And Perfectly Right)

Airport musings after a shortened Camino The Comedy of Errors Picture this: a peaceful pilgrim, fresh from three nights in Santiago de Compostela, checking out of their hostel before 10 AM with the serene confidence of someone who has just walked the Camino. That was me this morning—strolling through Santiago's ancient streets one last time, breathing in the cathedral's timeless presence, choosing to skip the four-hour queue I'd already...

A Smile from Saint James

Santiago de Compostela - Day 15 Today I write from Santiago de Compostela, not having walked the complete path as planned, but arriving nonetheless with a heart full of wonder. The pilgrimage called me back to Poland with urgent matters, yet here I am, and I feel Saint James himself has been smiling upon this journey. Yesterday’s view from the hotel balcony This pilgrimage has been profoundly different from my 2019 walk along the entire...