Dear beloved sisters and brothers in Christ,
Advent means “the Coming.” During the season of Advent some might look forward to the advent of Santa. Some can’t wait for the advent of Christmas vacation. Through the prophet Jeremiah, the Lord promised us two things to look forward to at his advent.
Promise #1. “The days are coming when you shall be safe and secure” (Jeremiah 33:16a).
True security is not in health, money, retirement, or children. Our soul’s safety is not protected by the police or military. The Lord promises us that we will be safe from greed, lust, anger, envy, pride, jealousy, racism, sexism. We will be protected from loving things and using people (materialism). We will be saved from buying what we don’t want with money we don’t have (consumerism). In the Lord and only in the Lord will we be safe and secure from sin and death.
Promise #2, “He shall do what is right and just in the land” (Jeremiah 33:15).
In our land of opportunity, one in nine Americans live in poverty. Is this right and just? The basic test of a society, our bishops say, is how we treat the most vulnerable in our midst. Our bishops call for justice for immigrants. Above all, the church calls for protection of the unborn.
“Every human being has a right to life, the fundamental right that makes all other rights possible, and a right to access to those things required for human decency—food and shelter, education and employment, health care and housing, freedom of religion and family life.”
During the Mass we recite the Creed. In our Profession of Faith, we proclaim the hope first voiced by the prophet Jeremiah. “He shall come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.”
In the season of Advent, we hold back on the Christmas carols. In place of Silent Night, we sing O Come O Come Emmanuel. An even better Advent song begins with these words:
Mine eyes have seen the glory
of the coming of the Lord:
He is trampling out the vintage
where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning
of His terrible swift sword:
His truth is marching on.
Hear the drum beat of an army marching. Not a rum-pah-pah-pum sentimental tapping like The Little Drummer Boy. Listen to the Brum. Brum. Brum Brum Brum. Marching toward true safety and security, real justice and right, marching forward as surely as Christ was born to die for us. Our eyes have seen the advent of the Lord.
In the beauty of the lilies
Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom
that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy,
let us die to make men free,
While God is marching on.
Death and sin will not give up without a fight. Eternal life does not appear under the Christmas tree as if by magic. We are in the fight of our lives for true and eternal life. But we are not alone. God is with us. He marches not with sword of violence, but with his sword of truth.
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.
Merry Advent,
Father David
HOLIDAY SCAMS
Beware of scams. Before you make a special donation, vet the organization. Make sure you have another source that confirms its claims. It should be registered as non-profit. If it is a Catholic organization, it should have approval from a bishop or diocese. Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
THE FLORIDA CATHOLIC
The Florida Catholic newspaper has Catholic articles and stories that you won’t see in the mainstream media. Plus, this month of December has my homily column. Subscribe to the Florida Catholic on their website.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE SAINTS?
Let’s get together to talk about our beloved saints. We’ll use Fr. James Martin’s book, “My Life with the Saints,” as a guide. (If you haven’t read it, come anyway.) Some questions we’ll consider: Who was the first saint to whom you felt drawn? How did you encounter him or her? When in your life has a saint been particularly important? How has a saint been part of your daily life? What writings by a saint have inspired you? Choose one of six discussion groups. Details are available on our website.
All holy men and women, pray for us!
SAVE THE DATES
On Wednesday December 8 is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. We will have Mass at 8:30 AM and 7:00 PM. Join us on Tuesday, December 14, for our annual Advent Penance Liturgy at 7:00 PM. We will have many priests so you can prepare for Christmas with the sacrament of reconciliation.
BULLETIN
For everything else happening in the parish this week, check out the bulletin online.
