Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy and peace. The birth of Christ in a manger is presented in soft and beautiful terms. The message and the music of angels announces the divine nature of the event. However, in human terms, the story of the birth of Jesus is filled with hardship, rejection and flight. The love of Mary, the determination of Joseph, and the devotion of the shepherds lessen the horror of homelessness and migration. We have seen that horror most recently in the lives of too many people who have been forced to flee their homes because of decrees that have caused death, destruction, and despair. These people have left everything – their homes, their jobs, their belongings. But, despite threats they have clung to their faith in Jesus Christ – their sole hope! This Christmas, remember these people – sisters and brothers in faith. Pray for them. One day they may be sitting beside you in your parish church praying in thanksgiving for the welcome they received and for the religious freedom we experience here. We have many rich blessings – which must be protected and shared. Remain alert that they not be lost. Share them generously, so they may be enjoyed by others. Sincerely in Christ and Mary Immaculate, +Douglas Crosby, OMI (Most Rev.) Douglas Crosby, OMI
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With the First Sunday of Advent, we entered into the short, three and a half week Liturgical Season of Advent. How do we find the meaning of this liturgical season in a culture that has a tendency to ignore it and jump into Christmas by October or November?
We have to come to Church and listen attentively to the readings for each Sunday of Advent and listen to good commentary about these readings. The readings are chosen to focus attention on the "Two Comings of Christ". On the first Sunday of Advent, the Gospel readings deal with Christ's Second Coming' the second and third Sunday deal with the preaching of John the Baptist about the coming of the Messiah and the fourth Sunday deals with the initial stages of the Incarnation and Mary's role. If the season of Advent is looked upon as a time of preparation for Christmas - the celebration of the Birth of Christ which took place so long ago- it would seem that the thinking of Christians is turned toward the past. We are focused on what has been. This is reinforced by the emphasis that is placed on Christ, His life, death and resurrection, events of the past that are central to our faith as well as give meaning to the celebration of the Mass. Nevertheless, Christians are aware that the present is also of importance. Christ's Christianity is something that is lived here and now. His faith is put into practice in many and varies situations that make up day to day life. According to the Gospel of the First Advent Sunday, time is - Kairos, a propitious time, a special time above all oher times. It is not Chronos - a chronological time or a sequential time. We therefore are admonished, and warned to "watch"! The Church at this time of Advent, turns our attention not to the past, nor to the present, but to the FUTURE. The readings selected for this time of the liturgical year show us what our attitude toward the future should be. They give us an answer to the basic question, "Why should we believe in a future at all?" The Christian answer to the question is "Because of the presence of Christ in our world, we experience much of what is good in the world, much of what is beautiful in the lives of people, much of what our christian faith believes to be the result of the presence of the Holy Spirit among us, much that witnesses to Christ. While we are aware of the presence of Christ, we are also aware of the same time, of His absence. This is what Israel experienced (first reading of the firs Sunday of Advent), that God is and has been their Father and Redeemer. At this present time in history, Israel experiences their need for Him and they pray most fervently that He will come even more powerfully into their lives. Advent is a time when the Christian experiences both the presence and absence of Christ. Christ has been with his Church from the beginning' Christ is with His people, here and now and Christ will continue to come to His people, therefore we have a future. Because of the continual coming of Christ, we are going somewhere, making something new, and building something good. Christians have what Isaiah promised: a new hope, a new light. Our waiting for Jesus isn't a despair-filled tension. We live by faith, walk in hope and are renewed in love so that when the last scene of the drama of our lives unfolds and Jesus comes to be our judge, we shall not merely know Him but come to Him as a friend. As we reflect upon the period of waiting for Jesus' first coming at Bethlehem and as we begin to prepare for His coming now at Christmas, we also await His final coming into our lives. In other words we celebrate His coming in history, His coming in mystery, and His coming in majesty. Knowing that He has already come as a child born of Mary gives us confidence. Amidst the overshadowing material preparation for Christmas, we begin our spiritual preparation for Christ's coming by the way for the season of advent. May God's Blessings and Grace be with you and your family this Advent and Christmas Season. Fr. Franjo Sprajc, Pastor |
Father's Blog
Rev. Fr. Christopher Tracey
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