A Reflection on the First Sunday of Advent ~ M.A. Allen

Be prepared, the coming of the Lord is at hand.




Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122:1-9
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 24:37-44

The readings for today, the first Sunday of Advent, as well as the beginning of a new liturgical year, speak to us about being prepared.

On the surface, it appears that we are again preparing in a joyful though penitential way for the birth of the Christ Child. But there is more to the Advent Season than that. In the readings we discover that there is indeed another "Coming", and we must also be prepared for that one as well.

Jesus, in Matthew's gospel, describes what is to happen at this second coming. Jesus reminds us that at the time of the Flood, the people went about their lives without a second thought, while Noah followed God's instructions and built the ark and was thereby saved as the rains began to fall and the earth was drowned.

Jesus tells us to stay awake! "...You must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come." (Matt 24:44) Thus we must always keep in mind what our preparations need to be in the long term.

Isaiah saw the Second Coming of Christ as a time of peace, when the peoples would finally "beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks..." and there would be war no more.

In the meantime, we joyfully prepare for the Birth of Emmanuel by keeping in mind St. Paul's admonition that we "throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light"; to "conduct ourselves properly..." and "to put on the Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 13:13ff) By preparing in this way, we can find that peace within us that the psalmist speaks of. (Ps 122:8)


~ Advent candle - Two Hearts Design
~ Noah's Ark by Bernardino Luini - San Maurizio Church, Milan, Italy

Photos from Homecoming 2010 ~ by Ken Soistman

Enjoy these Homecoming photos courtesy of Ken Soistman. We had a beautiful celebration on November 21st with Mass and a bountiful brunch afterwards. We had quite a few visitors celebrating with us. We welcomed folks from St. Michael's, St. Paul's, Holy Rosary and St. John's in Highland Springs.

~ Photos by Ken Soistman

Lord of Lord, King of Kings ~ by Ronnie Archer

The Solemnity of Christ the King

2 Sm 5:1-3
Ps 122: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5
Col 1:12-20
Lk 23:35-43

On this feast of Christ the King, the last Sunday of the liturgical year, we celebrate Jesus as the one true King.

In the first reading from 2 Samuel, we hear that the tribes of Israel asked David to be their king. When all the elders of Israel came to David, he made an agreement with them before the Lord, and they anointed him King of Israel.

The second reading from Colossians tells us to give thanks to the Father, Who delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, our Redeemer. (Col 1:13). Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation.

Luke's Gospel recounts parts of the story of the crucifixion... the sneering at Jesus by the rulers as well as the soldiers, trying to make a mockery of Jesus' kingship... not realizing that He is King of the entire human race; that the only way that they would have redemption would be through Jesus Christ.

We also hear the story of how the "good" thief recognized Jesus for WHO He was, and asked to be remembered by Jesus when He comes into His Kingdom; and how Jesus promised him life with Him in Paradise because of his repentance just before his death.

Christ's rule is not like any other kingship. He rules with love, kindness and understanding.

Let us pray for the strength and courage to live our life in total commitment to Jesus, so that we may be with Him in Paradise!



~ 6th Century Mosaic of Christ at the Basilica of Sant' Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna, Italy

~ Public Domain Images

Drawing good out of evil ~ by Josephine Fernando

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Malachi 3:19-20a
Ps. 98:2-6, 7-8, 9
2 Thessalonians 3:7-12
Luke 21:5-19

The key word in today's sermon is Persecution. If you do not work, then you do not eat. This is what happened during St. Paul's time. However, we need to do the best we can. We need to be responsible. As in nature, we experience death (falling of leaves), setting in of winter and then once again, spring, life.

There is good and evil in the course of history. There have been successes and failures. However, God can draw good from evil. History has never been easy. It is never always success. The Pope speaks about peace. The world needs peace. The right will prevail. Though there are sufferings, pain... however, we need to endure.

Persecution will be a part and parcel of a Christian's life. In the gospel according to St. John (15:20), it is clearly said that they will persecute you, because they have persecuted me. Persecutions cannot be avoided if we want to be a follower of Christ.

It is further said in the beatitudes (Mt. 5:11-13) that,"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets." There are very many examples in the history of mankind who were persecuted. To name a few: Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King, Jr..

There are many forms of persecution, like people being burnt alive, killed, economic and social poverty, prejudice and mockery. However, Jesus was also not spared; neither were His apostles. His apostles were martyred for their faith. They did endure persecutions with faith, as they had their focus on eternity. They did truly believe in the Divinity and the Humanity of Jesus Christ. They banked on the Lord for everything. They DID see the light coming out from the end of the dark tunnel

Hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. God can write on crooked lines. God can draw good out of evil. There is no excuse if we are to follow Christ. As the Cross identifies a Christian, we are asked to to carry our everyday Cross and follow the Lord. Thus, we are left with the question, are we prepared to meet the Lord, if we were to breathe in our last moments this very minute. Let us be assured that the Lord is our refuge and our hope.

Blessed be the name of the Lord.


~ Siege and Destruction of Jerusalem by David Roberts (1796-1864)

~ Public domain art at Wikimedia Commons

Jesus IS the Resurrection ~ by Ronnie Archer

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14
Ps. 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15 (15b)
2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5
Luke 20:27-38

The theme running through today's readings is faith while here on earth in knowing that there is a life of joy for those judged worthy by God, after our death.

The story in Maccabees is about the mother and her seven sons who chose to endure a horrible, excruciating death because of the hope God gives of being raised up by Him. One said, "we are ready to die rather than transgress the laws of our ancestors." (2 Macc. v.2)

St. Paul, in writing to the Thessalonians, prayed, knowing that their hearts would be encouraged and strengthened, and they all would be delivered from wickedness, because of the faithfulness of the Lord.

In our Gospel reading, the Sadducees posed a cynical question to Jesus, trying to show the foolishness of the resurrection. Some Jews believed in the resurrection and some did not. The Sadducees believed differently. Not seeing the transcendence of God in reality, they discounted the story of the resurrection. In using the story of the "laws" of marriage, they tried to trap Jesus in admitting the resurrection was foolish.

The Sadducees did not understand the MEANING of the resurrection. In answering them, Jesus tried to show them that life after death would be very different from life ON earth. Those who God deems worthy to eternal life, are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise, but their bodies will not be as they are here. They will be like the angels and will have souls.

In our Creed, we say that we believe in the resurrection and life after death. God is the God of the living, not the dead. The only testimony that we have as to life after death is Jesus Christ. If we live as God wants US to do, we will live with God in JOY forever.

We pray in thanksgiving for God to give us grace to enjoy the blessings and joy of heaven. The RESURRECTION is the proof that Jesus IS GOD!

~ Clipart by Resources for Catholic Educators

Saving What Was Lost ~ M. A. Allen

Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Wis 11:22 - 12:2
Ps 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11. 13, 14
2 Thes 1:11 - 2:2
Luke 19: 1-10

The theme for the Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time is repentance. To have sorrow and to regret one's sins moves a person to repent. We know there is no salvation without repentance; for without God's forgiveness, we cannot be admitted to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus uses the example of Zacchaeus to show us how God welcomes even a despised tax collector to be part of His Kingdom.

As we recall, Zacchaeus wished to see Jesus so badly that he made an extra effort to ensure that he would be able to. Why was Zacchaeus so interested in Jesus? Had he heard wonderful stories about cures; or that Jesus welcomed sinners to be his companions and did not make distinctions between the righteous and the despised and unclean?

Whatever the reason, something was happening to Zacchaeus. He obviously knew that he had cheated his clients and had become a wealthy man because of it. Did something not seem right anymore?

What was probably initially curiosity about Jesus became his great joy when Jesus singled Zacchaeus out and called to him as he sat on his perch in the tree. "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." (Luke 19:5)

The presence of Jesus in the house of Zacchaeus changed him interiorly. He would never be the same. He repented of the times he cheated his clients and promised to make amends. Jesus accepted Zacchaeus' confession of his wrongdoing and forgave him; for what else could Jesus have meant when he told Zacchaeus: "Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham". (Luke 19:9)

The story of Zacchaeus relates to our lives today. As we repent of our sins, we receive the Lord in Holy Communion, just as Zacchaeus received the Lord into his home. Through this Communion with the Lord, we experience an interior change, just as Zacchaeus did.

"The Lord lifts up all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down." (Ps 145:14)



~ Image from Christians Unite