Pastoral Message

God's Delay

In times of great difficulties scoffers taunt us, “Where is God? Why hasn’t your Lord come to save you now?”

And we of faith respond much in the same way as Peter did in today’s second reading: the “delay” of the Lord’s second coming is not any type of punishment or failure to keep the divine promise, but a loving sign of God’s patience. God is giving everyone the chance to seek repentance.

God does not make life more difficult. Rather, God lessens our burdens as once before for the Jewish exiles returning home to Judea after captivity in Babylon. It was God who personally led them, making a “straight highway” for them across the desert.

We join with our ancestors of faith, who hoped that they might see God’s Chosen One before them and who eventually realized that the Lord was also walking with them side by side.

© Copyright, J.S.Paluch & Co

Treasures From Our Tradition

From outer space, the United States must seem peculiarly aglow these nights: we have strung lights on every tree within reach. Sometimes, even tietacks and earrings twinkle with “microlights.” Clearly, something is afoot: there is a deep-down yearning for the world to change. Yet, John the Baptist would probably be unplugging most of these lights if he had the chance. In today’s Gospel he turns people away from his baptism of repentance. “Give some evidence that you mean to reform!” he cries.

What meaning do our holiday lights convey for you? In the deep and dark countryside, a single candle glowing in a window can be seen for miles. It signals welcome and readiness; it is a beacon guiding strangers to the door, a token of a warm hearth, a loving embrace, a sign that those who have placed the candle are awake and waiting. This year, set the timers aside, and each night as you light the candles in your windows, pray: “May Christ find an eager welcome here. May this household be filled with the light of his word.” One candle at a time, our faith community can reclaim the meaning of the lights of Advent hope.

Advent: A Time Of Preparation

Since Advent looks forward to Christ's birth and Incarnation, it is an appropriate way to begin the Church Year. However, Advent is not part of the Christmas season itself, but a preparation for it. Thus, Catholics do not sing Christmas hymns, or use Christmas readings, in Mass until December 25th, the first day of the Christmas season.

The liturgical color for Advent is violet (except for the Third Week of Advent, often called Gaudete Sunday, in which rose may be used), and the season is somewhat penitential, similar to Lent, although not so explicit and emphatic. The character of worship during Advent is more solemn, quiet, and less festive than during other times of the year. In the Catholic Church, for example, the Gloria in Excelsis is not used. The use of violet reflects the general themes of Advent: penitence (generally expressed more in terms of expectant hope) and royalty. Some prominent feasts fall within the Season of Advent, including the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Secular culture and many non-Catholic churches celebrate the day of Christmas, but take it outside of the context of Advent and Christmastide. However, Christmas is not meant to be an isolated day, but a festival of the Incarnation in the midst of the Church year. Christmas is only properly understood after having the preparation provided by Advent. In the midst of the secular excesses leading up to Christmas, Advent provides a welcome solace and an opportunity to continually re-orient ourselves to God's will as we expectantly wait with patriarchs, prophets, and kings for the true meaning of Christmas: the Incarnation of God the Son.

From www.churchyear.net

"Dressing With Reverence"

While fashions go in and out of style, reverence never does. No matter what the season, an appropriate dress for attending Mass is in order. The manner in which we dress when we gather together to celebrate the Lord’s Supper reflects our reverence and our gratitude. It also reflects our level of respect for one another.

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This may be of special help to parishioners who would like to automate their giving while travelling or away for long periods. Using this method also allows people to make a donation in honor of a friend or relative.