The Sacred Scriptures recount that the Messiah was seen first by His mother Mary, her husband Joseph, and then by the shepherds. Since the covenant made by God was made with the people of Israel, it was fitting that those to witness with their eyes the fulfillment of that covenant should be of that people, that is, Jewish. But God’s plan was for the salvation of all mankind: Jews and gentiles alike.
Mark Twain once said, “When I was 18 I thought my father was an old fool. When I turned 21 I was surprised at how much he had learned in 3 years.” The book of Sirach (today’s optional first reading) teaches a truth that Mark Twain apparently eventually learned. To respect and honor one’s parents is not only a commandment from God; it is also just and good.
When I enlisted in the Marine Corps (over 49 years ago!) it was enlightening to meet men from all around the United States. I had never ventured far from home in my first 18 years, so I found it intriguing to see how other people thought and acted. And the different accents were entertaining, too.
The Church has traditionally called the Third Sunday of Advent Gaudete Sunday, or Joyful Sunday, because of the reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians – the second reading from today’s Mass (and the Entrance Antiphon).
NOTICE Please note - Sunday, December 29, 2024 will be the last 6:00 pm Deanery Mass that will be offered. There will no longer be a Sunday Deanery Mass.
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. These words of John the Baptist (which he quotes from the prophet Isaiah) taken from today’s Gospel (of Luke), were a call to the people to ready themselves for the coming of the Messiah. They are a call to us as well. Saint Paul (in today’s second reading) adds his words of encouragement, too. This is my prayer: that your love may increase... so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.... The Lord Himself has given us the means by which we prepare ourselves for His coming, and through which we are made pure and blameless.
Today, the First Sunday of Advent, inaugurates the new Church year. The Church, in Her liturgy, expresses what we believe. So, it makes good sense that we begin with preparations for the coming of the Lord. The liturgy of the first two weeks of Advent serves as a kind of transition from the end of the previous liturgical year.
CHRISTMAS FOOD BASKETS This year marks the 57th year for our parish’s annual Christmas Food Baskets! We will be collecting non-perishable food items in the original sealed packaging for families in the area that could use a little help this Christmas season. Please check the expiration date, we can’t distribute expired items. Food can be brought to the church the weekends of November 30th and December 7th and left in the Holy Family Cenacle. We will also be accepting monetary donations at the Parish office to be used for perishable items. If you know of someone who could use a little help this Christmas season, please stop by or call the parish office to make arrangements.
The Solemnity of Christ the King, which we celebrate today, marks the end of theLiturgical Year. Throughout the year the many mysteries of the Faith are expressed in the liturgy of the Church. It is fitting that at the end of the year (the Church year, not the calendar year) we acknowledge liturgically (in our worship) what we know will happen at the end of time. All the images expressed in theSacred Scriptures reflect the Kingly role of Jesus when He comes again. From the prophet Daniel we hear how “one like a Son of Man” comes and receives “dominion, glory, and kingship,” and that “His dominion is an everlasting dominion....” Jesus is not simply the “King of the Jews”, as Pilate supposes, since His kingdom is not of this world. Rather,He is truly the “King of kings”.
The Church’s Liturgical year expresses the mysteries of the Faith through the various feasts and seasonal celebrations. The end of the Church year (which concludes next Sunday with the Solemnity of Christ the King) always provides the occasion to focus on the end times. Even nature expresses this reality in the death of all vegetation.
It should be evident that a pastor’s primary responsibility is the spiritual welfare of his people. He is not a business manager, nor is he a building contractor (though it sure doesn’t hurt to have some of those skills, too!). In his care for his people, a pastor must model himself after the Lord Himself Who taught, healed, reprimanded, comforted, and encouraged the people. Yet, in all His teachings, it may come as a surprise to many, that – of all the things that Jesus spoke about – He talked about money the most.
The Church’s Liturgical year concludes in several weeks with the Solemnity of Christ the King. The Sunday readings for these last several weeks draw our attention to the End Times: our personal end (when one dies), and the end of time when the Lord returns in glory. This is an additional reason why November is set aside as a special time to pray for the dead.
Every Sunday at Mass the Church provides for our instruction three readings from the Sacred Scritures: one from the Old Testament (except during the Easter season, when the first reading is from the Acts of the Apostles), one from the letters of the New Testament, and one from the Gospels.
The account of the Rich Young Man in today’s Gospel presents Jesus with another opportunity to speak on a common topic: money and materialism. Over half of the parables or stories Jesus tells in the Gospels relate to the proper (or improper) use of material things.
Among the many issues on which our Catholic Faith conflicts with the prevailing secular culture, the teaching on marriage certainly is one of the most important. In fact, the secular culture rejects every aspect of Christian marriage: that it is a lifelong and faithful bond between one man and one woman, which is open to the gift of children.
Would that the Lord might bestow his spirit on them all!” This is the response Moses gave to Joshua, according to today’s first reading from the Book of Numbers. Joshua had reported to Moses that two of the men had begun to prophesy in the camp – an act which Joshua interpreted as challenging the singular authority of Moses.
People have long recognized that the books of the Old Testament have different styles. Usually they are put in one of three categories: historical books, like the books of Genesis and Exodus, which present a narrative story; prophetic books, like Isaiah and Jeremiah, which record the teaching of the prophets; and the wisdom books, like Proverbs and the book of Wisdom, which contain instructions on how one should live.