A Reflection on the Readings for the 1st Sunday of Advent 2007

Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 24:36-44

WALKING IN THE LIGHT

The readings for the First Sunday of Advent admonish us to be prepared for the coming of the Lord. The focus of our preparations is twofold. Not only do we look forward with joy to the celebration of the Birth of Jesus, but we are also strongly reminded that someday, at an hour we do not expect, the Son of Man will come again to judge nations and peoples.

How are we to live during these periods of watchful waiting and expectation? In the first reading, Isaiah lets us know in no uncertain terms that we are to "walk in the light of the Lord" (v5). If all of us everywhere did this, radical things would begin to happen. For example, training for wars would cease. God's peace would reign. Without need for armaments, swords and spears could be beaten into plowshares and pruning hooks. The Peaceable Kingdom will have arrived.

In his Letter to the Romans, Paul goes even further and states that we need to "throw off the works of darkness" (v.12). The armor that we put on will be the armor of light. Because the day is now at hand, we are to conduct ourselves properly; giving up our sins and putting on the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the Gospel, Matthew sees the coming of the Son of Man as similar to the days before the flood of Noah's time. People were so caught up in their daily lives, they had no idea what was to occur until the rains came and the flood carried them away. Thus, Matthew reminds his readers: "...Stay awake! For you do not know which day your Lord will come" (v.42).

We strive then, during this Advent Season, to be alert, to be watchful, to prepare and to walk in God's Light. We want that Light to illuminate our lives; as well as, to shine in the lives of everyone we come in contact with.

Preparing for Advent at St. E's

Next Sunday, December 2, 2007, will begin a new Liturgical Year in the Church. We return to Cycle A in the lectionary, the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew's Good News is a teaching gospel and it also has a lot to say about the community of believers. The Liturgy Committee has decided to focus on the aspect of community this year and we have planned what, we hope, will be a meaningful activity that will stay with you throughout the Advent Season and enrich your lives.

Our Advent theme this year is:

~ Our Family, Our Parish Family, The World Family and God's Family ~

Since Advent is a season of preparation for the celebration of the coming of the Messiah, we looked to the Old Testament prophecies of Isaiah for our inspiration. In the readings for the second Sunday of Advent, Isaiah speaks of the shoot that will sprout from the stump of Jesse. (Is 11:1) Christian scholars see these words as a reference to the coming of the Messiah. Jesse was the father of King David, from whose royal line the Saviour would be born.

When you come to church next Sunday, you will see a scraggly looking Jesse Tree near the Advent candles. Instead of the usual Jesse Tree ornaments, we will begin with a bare tree. As you come in, the ushers will hand you a construction paper leaf and a pencil if you don't have one of your own.

On the leaf, we would like for you to write a word or a phrase that describes what you wish to accomplish during this Advent time. Here are some suggestions to help you decide the direction you want to go.

Is there someone you need to forgive? Adopt someone you will pray for during Advent. Give someone in need an anonymous gift. Bring a friend to church. Children and young people can take over chores for their parents. Take a bag of groceries to the Food Bank. There are so many other possibilities. We ask you not to sign your name. Only YOU will know what you will offer to God this Advent.

After Communion, people will be asked to bring their leaves to the Jesse Tree and attach them to its branches. Soon you will see this bare tree sprouting the leaves that will show what our parish community hopes to accomplish this Advent Season.

How Do We Look At The King ~ by Ronnie Archer

There has always been a longing in the hearts of people to have a king - someone to direct and to protect, but as we hear in today's Gospel of Luke, there is only ONE TRUE KING; and that is Jesus Christ.

The Church year ended today, with the Gospel of Luke 23, with Jesus on the cross between the two thieves and the soldiers jeering, telling Him, "if you are King of the Jews, save yourself." Hanging above His head was the inscription that read: "This is the King of the Jews."

By having that inscription hung on the cross, Pilate, without knowing it, became the first "preacher" of CHRIST THE KING. The "good" thief was the first one to accept that news, because he humbled himself and acknowledged himself as a sinner, and asked Jesus to "remember me when You come into Your kingdom."

Christ's weapon was His blood; and through His blood, He destroyed death. HE won the Kingdom through His death on the cross. We sometimes come to Him with all of our pride. He is a King, who welcomes the humble.

Christ elevated us all. We all have the privilege to be children of God; the maximum elevation is in and through Jesus Christ.

The "good" thief looked at Jesus as the true King; Pilate looked at Him as a criminal. How do we look at the King?

If we are not loving and serving one another, we are not in His Kingdom.

~ 34th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ The Feast of Christ the King ~

St. Elizabeth's Homecoming Celebration

Today the people of St. Elizabeth's celebrated our annual Homecoming Sunday. Every year on the Sunday closest to the Feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, parishioners, past and present, gather to praise God and to greet old friends and new. The choir always sings their choicest Gospel selections and a brunch afterwards closes the festivities.

This year, our celebrant was our new parochial vicar, Fr. Richard Mooney. It was his first visit to St. Elizabeth's and I am sure he felt welcomed by our parish members. His rousing homily is the subject of Ronnie Archer's reflection on this 33rd Sunday after Pentecost.

The St. Elizabeth Men's Group made their annual presentation to the church of monies they have raised over the year to donate to the church. This year, the check was for $6000!!! This incredible amount brought a gasp and a cheer from the congregation.

We hope that those folks who were unable to attend this year, will join us next year. We are a celebrating community of faith, that is grateful that we are still the Catholic presence in Highland Park.

"By patient endurance you will save your lives" Lk 21:19 ~ by Ronnie Archer

Today's readings remind us that only GOD knows when the end of the world will take place.

Malachi 3, tells us that the day is coming when the "proud and evildoers will be stubble....But for those who fear HIS name, there will arise the sun of justice, with its healing rays."

In St. Paul's FIRST letter to the Thessalonians, he warned of the "day of the Lord's coming" - which the people took "too seriously"... ceasing to work, feeling that money was useless, depending on others for their sustenance, in view of the imminence of the parousia (end). A situation of idleness and disorder developed among them, so in today's SECOND letter, St. Paul emphasized the fact that even though the end WILL come, it was not imminent, and telling them that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should he eat.

For many years, people have speculated about the end of the world. Jesus tells us in today's Gospel of Luke 21, that "many will come in MY name," saying "I am HE and the time has drawn near, but do not follow them." We are not to be terrified when these fearful events come to pass. We should not "argue" with anyone on that subject. What we SHOULD do is live our lives the way we know pleases Jesus, by loving and serving those around us, so that when HE does come, HE will see us doing just what HE wants us to do.



~ Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time ~

First Lady Anne Holton receives Adoption Advocacy Award ~ submitted by Stephonia Owolabi

On November 2nd, St. Elizabeth's own Anne Holton, First Lady of Virginia, was presented with the Virginia One Church, One Child Crystal Pyramid Award, the group's most prestigious honor. Anne has been an advocate for the needs of children for some time. During her tenure as a Family Court Judge, she viewed first-hand the ravages that family dysfunction can cause .

"Her commitment and dedication to the cause of Virginia's children is evident by the special effort and time that she has chosen to dedicate to Virginia's For Keeps Initiative. This outreach, advocacy effort is a powerful voice for youth in foster care and for permanency for all children. It is a loud human cry championed from our first house for family and community supports for all children." *

~ * Quote and award information taken from VA One Church, One Child Banquet program ~

Will We Recognize Each Other In Heaven ~ by Ronnie Archer

Questions are always raised about "what happens after death?" There are many, many theories about what will happen to us when we die. Some believe that we just DIE and that's all of it. Others believe that we will be reincarnated. Our Christian faith teaches us about the Resurrection.

In today's reading, 2nd Maccabees 7, we hear of the mother, along with her seven sons, who were arrested and tortured because of their faithfulness to the Lord. Their faith, as well as their mother's, was how they were able to endure the sufferings and allow themselves to be tortured and killed, "at the hands of men, with the GOD-given hope of being restored to life by HIM." (V: 14)

Today's Gospel of Luke 20:27-38, is about those Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection, asking Jesus the question, "at the resurrection, whose wife would a woman be if she had married all seven brothers?" To which Jesus answered, "The children of this age marry and remarry; but those judged worthy of a place in the coming age, and to the resurrection of the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage. They can no longer die, for they are like angels; they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise." (V:34-36)

We shouldn't worry about what HAS happened; nor what WILL happen. We should give thanks for all of our blessings now, develop and nourish relationships in THIS life, because we will not be able to have a human relationship with each other in heaven, as we do on earth. We WILL recognize each other, as the rich man did. After he had died and was buried, he "saw Abraham, AFAR OFF, with Lazarus, resting in his bosom." (Luke 16: 23) We will NOT have a relationship, as we now have because we are supposed to be united in a relationship with GOD.

No matter what happens here, we need to be aware that life is a gift while we are here on earth, living with joy, being thankful for our blessings, experiencing the love of God and what it means to be WITH God.

Death is the key to opening heaven. Without death, we cannot open heaven to live a new life.


~ Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time ~

~ Image by Hermano Leon Clipart

Finance Council Report ~ by Mary Walker

Based on the previous report given by Paulette Wright on October 7, 2007, we need to collect $2700 each Sunday in our general collection to meet our budget for the year.

Based on a four week period, we should have a total of $10,804.00. However, for the month of October, we collected $8,774.00. Thus, for that period, we have a deficit of $2,030.00.

We need each working adult to put $25.00 into the offering each week. We really need to step up to the plate, literally and figuratively. Remember, that with the onset of the winter months, for heat alone, we can expect our expenses to increase.

Building and Renovation Report ~ by Mary Walker

We have collected enough money since the beginning of the fiscal year to paint and repair the rectory and still have a healthy balance left over. Please contact Mary Walker for the specific dollar amounts.

Currently, we are getting several estimates for a washer/dryer and refrigerator for the rectory. We're not trying to do any major projects but we do recognize that we are dealing with two old buildings, which means repairs and upkeep will be ongoing.

We will continue to try to keep the lines of communication open to the church family.

One Church, One Child

Since November is National Adoption Month, Stephonia Owolabi spoke to the church today about the Virginia One Church, One Child Program.

There are over 800 children that are legally free for adoption in Virginia. These children have been waiting in the foster care system without a sense of stability and trust. Many are children of color. Most are school-aged, and some are teens. Some have a physical or mental disability. Many of the children need to be placed in homes with their brothers and sisters. All of the children desire to be some one's son or daughter and to be part of a permanent family.

St. Elizabeth's has had a long association with Fr. George Clements of Illinois who founded the program in 1980 and in fact, adopted several children himself to show the need of giving a stable home to these children.

These children are calling out to be loved, to feel wanted, to share their potential, and to share themselves. If you are able to answer their call, please contact VA One Church, One Child at 800 440-5090 or 804 329-3420 to speak to a representative or to receive more information.

~ Information from VA One Church, One Child Handout ~

Unconditional Love ~ by Ethel Cooley

Missionary Cooperative Plan

If you were curious as to where Fr. Andrew Sagayam was on Sunday, November 4, 2007 and why Fr. Dan Brady, from St. Michael, Glen Allen was at St. Elizabeth, they were participating in the Missionary Cooperative Plan. A priest is assigned to a "Host Parish" and the two priests "exchange places" once a year.

"I will praise your name forever, my King and my God." Psalm 145:1-2

Zacchaeus was disliked by his countrymen for he was one of the dreaded tax collectors. Unbeknownst to anyone, Zacchaeus, though rich because of material wealth, was a man poor in spirit, lonely and lost. When Zacchaeus heard that Jesus was visiting his city, he wanted to see Jesus.

Because Zacchaeus was a man of small stature, he climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus. When Jesus saw Zacchaeus, he told him to come down for he would be staying at his (Zacchaeus) home. Luke 19:1-10

Fr. Dan Brady, Pastor at St. Michael, in Glen Allen, exuberantly and powerfully spoke about Zacchaeus and his encounter with Jesus.

Fr. Dan's questions to the parishioners of St. Elizabeth were, "Are you lost? What happens when you are lost? We can bumble around, plow ahead or be afraid to move, when you feel as if you are lost." Jesus came for the lost! Jesus came for the sinner! Jesus shuns no one! Jesus loves us all!

Fr. Dan reminded us, that in the First Reading: Wisdom 11:22-12:2, "God loathes nothing that He created." Satan would have us believe that; and he attempts to convince us that God hates us. Not true, God loves us unconditionally. Even when we hesitate, when we think we are wrong, God still loves us.

In spite of our "bumbling about, like a bull in a china shop," God urges us on because He loves what He has made. Again, Fr. Dan urged us to carry on because God is there for us even when we don't know what to do next, or are afraid or are "hell-bent" on going in a different direction. God has no taste; He never stops loving us.

Jesus came to Zacchaeus to tell him that the kingdom comes today for him and for us when we feel a little lost and don't hear God. Even when we allow Satan to take a piece of us, know that God still has us. Let us welcome God in our hearts.

"Today salvation has come to this house; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost."

Central Vicariate Inter-Parish Leadership Meeting

The title sounds like a mouthful, but the meeting itself was a very important step toward the future of our diocese. An important part of the strategic planning that is taking place in our diocese is the setting up of a 5-Year Plan to be operable from 2008-2013.

The plan will include a new model of church which takes into account the declining numbers of priests, the sharing of ministries and resources by inter-parish collaboration, and parish participation in the planning process.

Saturday's meeting took place at St. Michael's Church in Glen Allen. The large meeting area was packed with representatives from the parishes in our Central Vicariate. St. Elizabeth's was represented by our official representatives, Fr. Andrew, Barbara Vaughan and Frances Pope, as well as parish members, Mildred Green, Barbara White, Ethel Cooley and Mary Ann Allen.

I was amazed at how many parishes already collaborate with other nearby parishes; either by sharing priests and some administrative personnel like our own cluster of St. E's, Holy Rosary and St. Patrick's, or through social outreach programs like Caritas and food/clothing banks for the needy, to Christian Formation programs for the youth of our region.

Participants were encouraged to express what they felt their parishes lacked and also what their parishes had to offer to others in their area. One of the needs that many parish representatives spoke of was how to keep our youth and our young adults in the church. Too many young people are being lost to other Christian traditions because parishes are not able to offer programs that challenge them. Here was a perfect example of where a sharing of resources among parishes could make a difference.

This meeting was a very important one because it provided an opportunity for parishes to have input into the process of creating the Five Year Plan. You will certainly hear more about this plan in the next months after the Pastoral Planning Commission reviews all the findings these local meetings have produced.

Who Resides in Your Heart? ~ by Ronnie Archer

In this week's Gospel of Luke, we hear the story of Zacchaeus, a short man in stature, who wanted so much to just get a glimpse of Jesus, that he climbed a tree so he could see Jesus above the crowds. Imagine how surprised he probably was to have Jesus look up at him, telling him to come down, and that "I must stay at your house today."

As had happened before, the people criticized Jesus, saying that He was going to stay at a sinner's house; for Zacchaeus was a wealthy tax collector.

The people were looking at outward appearances, while Jesus looked at his heart. Zacchaeus received Jesus with great joy. Jesus did not have to tell him to give half of his possessions to the poor, and Zacchaeus went even further, saying that he would pay those back whom he had extorted anything from, four times over. Zacchaeus had heard the Word of God, and he had truly met Jesus.

Whatever, or whoever else we "allow to reside in our hearts"... be it spouse, children, career, money... any possessions, will not give us complete joy as truly meeting Jesus will.

It is not easy, nor always comfortable, to follow Jesus. We might have to give up everything else, but nothing, or no one else can compare with the kind of joy that Jesus gives. Our hearts belong to Him; He is all that should "reside" in our hearts.

~ Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time ~

~ Image by Hermano Leon Clipart