Preparing for Christ
Since Advent is a season of hope, then perhaps this
would be a good time to ask God to help us put aside any obstacles in our lives
that prevent us from fully welcoming Christ in each person. The Psalmist says:
Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap. We need to have a
vision of what could be. We know that when we are looking forward to something
it can help to change the present difficult situation that we live in. Hope can
dramatically affect the life that we are now living. When we are around hopeful
people then life is different. Isolation is a trap that we have to avoid. If we
cut ourselves off from people that see differently, we may become very narrow
minded and lose the ability to imagine that things could be different. Advent
is a season when we are encouraged to dream and hope...to imagine what could
be.
Advent – week 2 – John the Baptist
Who
is John the Baptist and what is the significance of his message for our lives?
In dramatic fashion Luke tells us when John came on the world scene. The
world's rulers paled in reference to this son of a priest whose task was to
make the way for the King who is above all other kings. John stood at a pivotal
juncture in the history of God's dealing with his people. He bridged the Old
and New Testaments. John was a prophet, a spokesman for God. "The word of
God came to John in the wilderness." John was pre-eminently the servant of
the Word, the Word of God who became flesh for our sake and for our salvation.
Why was he in the wilderness? John was called from an early age to devote
himself to prayer and to the word of God. God taught him in the solitude of the
desert and prepared him for a prophetic ministry to turn the hearts of his
people to receive their long-awaited Messiah. He is the last of the Old
Testament prophets who point the way to the coming of the Messiah. He is the
first of the new Testament witnesses and martyrs who suffered on account of his
witness to Christ. When a king toured his kingdom, he sent his courier ahead to
prepare the way. John is the courier of the Messianic King who comes to usher
in the kingdom or reign of God. Isaiah had long ago prophesied the role of the
Forerunner of the Messiah. John undoubtedly took this word to heart as he
searched the scriptures and reflected on the word of the Lord in the
wilderness. How does one prepare for the coming of the King and his heavenly
kingdom? By conversion – turning our hearts and minds from sin and rebellion,
indifference and skepticism, to trust and obedience to God's word. Luke's
gospel emphasizes the universal call of the gospel to all peoples without
distinction. He quotes from the prophet Isaiah that "all flesh shall see
the salvation of God." John stood at the door of a new era of grace and
salvation. He saw from a distance what Jesus the Messiah would accomplish
through his death and resurrection – pardon for our sins and eternal life for
all who would believe in his name.
DATES TO REMEMBER
December 14th - Archdiocesan Day of Confessions
10:30 – 12noon, 2pm – 4pm,
7pm Reconciliation Service followed by individual Confession
December 17th – Christmas Concert in the Church
7:30 pm – Christmas
carols/songs, audience sing-a-long.
English, Polish, Italian and Filipino Christmas Carols and refreshments
afterward downstairs. Tickets after Mass and from the office
ADULTS - $20.00, CHILDREN
- $10.00. Come out and enjoy some Christmas music with fellow parishioners,
family and friends.
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT REHEARSAL – Dec. 17th at 10:30 am in the Church
December 18th
– Decorating Sunday –after 11:30 Mass -
Please come and help me decorate the church for Christmas.
I
hope you enjoy this beautiful time in the church year.
Fr. Phil
