Today we begin a new Liturgical Year with the First Sunday of Advent. Happy Liturgical New Year! Our first reading from the Prophet Jeremiah points us towards Christmas: "The days are coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and Judah." This is the promise fulfilled with the birth of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. In the Gospel Jesus points us towards his second coming at the end of time: "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay." "And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand." At the end of time Jesus will come to bring all his children home to his Father. Come, Lord Jesus! ...
Today we celebrate Jesus as Christ the King. It is proper to do so on the last Sunday of the Liturgical Year. For us today the image of a king is a little old fashioned. How many living kings can you name? Most of us probably think of Queen Elizabeth of the UK and then have to really search for more names. There are lots of kings in the Bible, for example King Saul, King David, King Solomon, etc. In today's Gospel, Pilate asks Jesus: "Are you the King of the Jews?" Part of Jesus' response is: "You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." We really need to listen to Jesus more than ever to hear the truth today. ...
The Annual Bishop's Appeal has surpassed our goal. Thank you to those who have pledged. For those still considering their pledge, please pray over it and remember that all the money sent in over our goal is sent back to the parish. Needless to say it is better to be over the goal, since at times something comes up and some people can't pay their pledge. Thank you once again for being so generous. Pope Francis has called a Synod of Bishops for 2023. He asks all the dioceses in the world to hold listening sessions to let the bishops of the world know ....