People as Gifts; Not as Possessions

Feast of the Holy Family



Today's readings draw us to the importance of family life and the sacrificial love that parents have for their children. AND the sacrificial love that God has for US.

In the reading from the first Book of Samuel, we see how thankful Hannah is to God. She had begged the Lord for a child and the Lord had heard her plea and Samuel was born. Because Hannah was grateful for the gift of her child, she decided to give this child back to God, saying: "I prayed for this child, and the Lord granted my request. Now I, in turn, give him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the Lord." This was surely a sacrificial action backed by love on her part.

We see this same love exhibited by Mary and Joseph as they realized their son was not with their relatives or acquaintances as they travelled back home to Nazareth after spending Passover in Jerusalem. How anguished they must have felt as they returned to Jerusalem to search for Jesus. How grateful they must have felt on finding Him in the Temple.

Jesus, being a typical twelve year old, had wanted to do things on His own... He must have felt the pull of the Temple; His Father's house. He seemed surprised that He had caused His parents anguish. "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"

But Jesus shows us the obedience and respect one must have for one's parents; when as a responsible child, "He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them."

As mothers everywhere do, when unusual or heartrending events happen to their children, "...his mother kept all these things in her heart."

Saint John reminds us that because of God's love for us, Jesus was sent to live among us as one of us - thus He was born into a family. And by that incarnation, we have now been adopted as children of God.

As children of God, we are now to be responsible for each other: to love one another as He has commanded us.

This commandment to love is especially important in family life. We family members, whether parents or children, are responsible for and to each other. We must learn to regard our life together as a gift from God; not as one member possessing another.

Support for family life comes to us from the Church which nourishes the family through the Word and the Sacraments with the strength its members need to continue to live in God's love.

For Unto Us, A Savior Is Born ~ Ronnie Archer

Vigil of Christmas 2009




Again this year, the Vigil Mass was preceded by a program nicely done by some of our children.

The program was directed by Christina (Danielle) Davis. Mira, Sabiya and Lord Davis read Christmas poems. Robert Fitzgerald played a musical selection on the piccolo. Isreal Murray played a Christmas song on the drums. Later, he accompanied his brother, DeShawn, singing "Jingle Bells." As we pointed out before, our children are gifted with talent.

At the beginning of the Mass, our Holy Family figurines were brought up by our "First Family," the Kaines and daughter; then placed in the creche. The Kaine sons were candle bearers. It was a rather touching moment!

************************************************************

We have concluded four weeks of quietly celebrating, preparing and joyously waiting for the birth of Jesus Christ.

Living in this world, it is sometimes so hard for us to realize what this season REALLY means. When we begin hearing/seeing all the "hoopla" soon after Halloween and certainly, the day after Thanksgiving, for the next month and even after... about all the sales, what the merchants are expecting to happen during one of the "biggest" sales seasons of the year; being "advised" about what presents are really "in" this year; how to prepare your house for "all of the holiday guests," and so on and so on...

On this Vigil of Christmas, the readings clearly tell us about the real meaning of this season... "the people who walked in darkness, have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone." "For a child is born to US, a son is given US; upon HIS shoulder dominion rests," among His names are "Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace." His dominion is vast and peaceful.

In the letter from St. Paul to Titus, we hear "The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires, to live temperately, justly, and devoutly, as we await the blessed hope."

The WORD has come to us in flesh; come to TEACH us to transform our lives so that we do not have to live in darkness. We sometimes cannot receive this Light because we expect HIM to transform us.

We come to church every year. If we are living in darkness, then we should not leave as we came in. We should come, allowing Christ to be reborn in us, so we can come out of the darkness of life. We have to acknowledge that we are in sin/darkness... If we don't acknowledge that we are in darkness and open our eyes and hearts to what Jesus was born for, then we will continue to live in the darkness. We will not be able to receive the Light that God has sent to us.

The angels appeared to the shepherds because they were awake; they were tending sheep; they were responsible. We, also, need to stay "awake/alert."

Unlike the "commercial/secular celebration of Christmas," where even on the news the day after Christmas there was talk of what to do with, where to take the Christmas tree already... For us Catholic Christians, the Christmas Season lasts up until the Baptism of Our Lord, this year on January 10, 2010. We STILL have days to really celebrate and ponder the Mystery of the Incarnation of our God in the gift of His Wonderful Son, Jesus Christ.

Jesus has many names; but the most important name is He is the Source of peace, joy and happiness!

I pray that God will open my heart and eyes; and all hearts and eyes so as to completely receive the true meaning of the Light that has come to us.

When we do receive this, God expects us to share this Light with others. Jesus is to be reborn in us; so that we can be a light to others.

Amen

Homecoming 2009 ~ Photos by Rita Hatchett

Thanks, Rita, for these great photos from the St. E's Homecoming, Sunday, November 2009.

4th Sunday of Advent ~ The Big Snow

Because of Saturday's heavy snow and more predicted for Sunday, Mass was cancelled for December 20th at St. E's. There was to be a Baptism that morning; as well as the annual "church-decorating-for-Christmas-day" that had been scheduled for after Mass. All of that had to be cancelled and rescheduled.

Most of us in the subdivisions out in the counties were snowed in for several days afterwards; but fortunately, some parishioners living near the church were able to get through the snow the next day to set up the creche and decorate the altar and the Christmas tree. We are so grateful to them for the extra work they had to do, so that the rest of us could enter a beautiful church on Christmas Eve to celebrate once more, the Birth of Christ.

In the first reading, we hear that none of the big or important cities of the Jewish world would be chosen to host the birth of Jesus... No, Micah tells us that a small and insignificant town, little Bethlehem, would receive that honor... another example of how the Lord chooses the lowly, the insignificant in his plan for salvation; not the places or people with power and influence.

We see the same kind of action in the Hebrews reading. God does not want the usual holocausts and sin offerings from His people. Jesus shows us what His Father desires... by making the scripture prophecy His own: "As is written of me in the scroll, behold I come to do your will, O God."

And finally, in Luke's Gospel, we see how the obedience to God's Will brings Mary who is with child to Elizabeth, who is in the midst of her own miraculous pregnancy. Elizabeth feels her baby leap in her womb as she greets Mary. The unborn John has recognized his Lord even before his own birth and leaps for joy. And Elizabeth, filled with the Spirit, realizes that Mary, a simple Jewish girl, is carrying the Savior; and she blesses Mary who has believed and responded to God's Will.

As this Advent draws to a close and the birth of Jesus is imminent, let us seek to discover what God's Will is for us so that the words Elizabeth spoke to Mary can also be applied to us:

"Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."

Joy: The Christian Treasure

Gaudete Sunday ~ 3rd Sunday of Advent




The readings for this Third Sunday of Advent are filled with joyful anticipation. In the first reading, Zephaniah tells us to "Shout for joy...sing joyfully...be glad and exult with all your heart! The Lord has removed the judgment against you...The Lord is in your midst."

Paul in his Letter to the Phillippians continues in the same vein. "Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always... The Lord is near."

Isaiah's words heard in the Responsorial Psalm echoes the same exultation: "Cry out with joy and gladness for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel."

The word gaudete means Rejoice! To seek joy in our lives and to give joy; to transmit our joy to others is God's command to us today. Zephaniah tells us that God's judgment against us has been lifted so we know that God has forgiven us our sins. Thus, we are to live our lives with boldness; not to be anxious but with prayer, petition and thanksgiving to make our requests known to God.

We learn even more about how to live from Luke's Gospel when the crowds ask John the Baptist "what should we do?"

We learn from the Baptist's response, that we are to do even more than what is expected of us. We are to share what we have with those who have nothing. In all things, we are to think of others and respond to their needs.

We are to do these things; not out of fear, but from love. Conversion of ourselves and conversion of others only lasts if it is based on love. This love is expressed by the joy we exhibit in our daily lives. We also discover that this joy is contagious for it flows out to everyone we come in contact with.

So rejoice in the Lord always and spread your own joy to those around you.

Repent, Forgive, Prepare for a New Life in Christ ~ by Ronnie Archer

Second Sunday of Advent




The readings for this Second Sunday of Advent are calling us to shed our robes of mourning and misery. The world, as we currently know it, will come to an end. We are told of the splendor of glory from GOD, wrapped in the cloak of justice from God.

St. Paul is telling the Philippians that he prays for them always with joy, and of his love and affection for them. Because of their devotion to the gospel, St. Paul is confident that what was begun in them, will be brought to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. He also tells them of his prayer that their love of knowledge will increase more and more, to discern what is right.

St. Luke's gospel tells of the voice crying out in the desert, John the Baptist proclaiming throughout the region... a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths, valleys shall be filled, mountains shall be made low. Winding roads will be made straight, rough ways smooth, and all people shall see the salvation of God."

The desire of God is that all would be happy. He has a reserved place for us to receive the peace and joy that we long for. Are we receiving this joy?

Christ has to be born in our hearts in order for us to be a reflection of God's glory to others. The gifts of the Holy Spirit will attract others to us.

God is the fullness of happiness; we have to keep moving forward, but with patience, allowing God to complete what He began in us. This peace and joy can only be received when God dwells in us.

God first came to us as the Infant Jesus. Jesus showed us mercy and taught us how to live. When He comes the second time, He will bring us judgement.

John the Baptist calls us to be aware and awake. Let us love God, so He can complete everything that He wants to in us.

AMEN!

December Birthdays at St. Elizabeth ~ Ethel Cooley

Congratulations, Everybody!





12/06 ~ Christyna Ford

12/09 ~ Tia Terreforte

12/11 ~ Burton Robinson

12/12 ~ Archie Thompson, Sr. and Kiyoko Timmons

12/13 ~ Jannie Allen

12/14 ~ Katherine Lamb

12/17 ~ Keira Frizzelle

12/18 ~ Mieya Timmons

12/21 ~ Perezelia Dandridge

12/22 ~ Sr. Elena Henderson and Frances Pope

12/26 ~ Lula Lamb

12/29 ~ Laila Miller

12/30 ~ Rita Hatchett


~ "Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional." ~
Anonymous

Redemption ~ by Lula Lamb

First Sunday of Advent:


Advent this year is about Redemption. This past Sunday, the homily was about tribulation. We all have tribulations and we need to pray for strength.

It comes in all forms: health, marriage, mortgage and family, oppression, discrimination... Know your battles and pray. You have a direct link to God through prayer. Remain strong and victory will be ours. Don't let anyone destroy your self confidence or weaken you. The Lord is attentive to our cries. He will wipe our tears.

The Lord Jesus gives us the gift of hope; the supernatural strength and perseverance to remain steadfast and confident in God's promise.

What can we confidently expect from God? He promises us the hope of heaven, everlasting life, peace and joy with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The anticipation of His final judgment is a sign of hope for all who trust in Him.



We are grateful to Fr. Peter for his presence with us this week.

A Word from the Diocesan Office of Worship - Advent Homilies

I received an email from Kathy Ritz from the Diocesan Office of Worship with the following information about Advent homilies based on the daily readings:


Vocation Office launches Internet Homily Service for Advent!

Are you looking for a new way to create a spiritual focus for Advent? The Office of Vocations is launching a daily on-line Advent homily service called "Prepare the Way." These daily reflections, based on the Scripture readings for Mass, are intended to provide a spiritual resource for adults, young adults and teens throughout the Advent Season. Go to http://www.behindthecollar.com/, and click on the "Prepare the Way" banner. You can also sign up for a daily email reminder and link for each homily. Please join us as we "Prepare the Way of the Lord" together!


This appears to be a very nice resource for The People of God.