Joyful Hope

We are waiting in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This sounds like a statement we might hear for Advent, which is coming soon, but it is a way of life that we need to live everyday. One of my parishioner's always tells me, "We live in hope." Yes, we do!!! Even though we see a troubled world and a society and culture that needs to be changed, we live in hope because we know that God is in control and He will have the final say whenever it is said and done. Our readings today focus once again on things that are to come, Revelation 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9a and Luke 21:20-28. As the commentator writes, "The Lord describes the unfathomable terrors of the last days. And yet he enjoins us to 'stand erect and raise your heads.' No terror on earth can overshadow the fact that we 'have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.' While the world remains 'perplexed by the roaring of the sea,' we listen with confidence to the loud voice of the 'great multitude in heaven'" (Magnificat, 388). Jesus always told his disciples, "Do not be afraid." That phrase has flowed down through the centuries and we continue to say it in our present day. Do not be afraid because God is in control. The timing is His and He will prevail and we look forward to that banquet feast in heaven. May this joyful hope fill our lives and hearts with gladness, not just during this Advent Time, but each day of our lives!!! May God Bless Our Journey!!!

Firmness of Faith

The suggested prayers for Mass today, according to the Ordo, is for Persecuted Christians. The prayers speak beautifully of hope and eternal life in the midst of trial and tribulation. Jesus even brings this up in the gospel for today, Luke 21:12-19. The caption reads, "You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed." Our Lord concludes that statement with, "By your perseverance you will secure your lives." Even the gospel acclamation expresses our hope, "Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." We may not experience persecution ourselves but we know that faithful disciples throughout the world are being persecuted for the faith. We even know that people are being martyred for the faith. In the midst of trial, tribulation, persecution, we cannot waver in our resolve to be firm in the faith. During this Year of Faith, we pray that our faith will be revitalized, reinvigorated, so that whatever comes down the road, we will be ready. May God Bless Us on Our Journey!!!!

Peace and Justice!!!

"If you want peace, work for justice." This is a quote from Pope Paul VI, who was pope of the Roman Catholic Church from 1963-1978. Working and Praying for peace is something that we do on a daily basis. People want to live in harmony and peace. We pray for peace around the world, in our communities, and in our very lives. I have been a firm believer that for peace to exist it has to begin with us. We need to know peace in our lives and hearts and that will compel us to share peace with others. The Mass prayers that I used this morning were from those titled, "Preservation of Peace and Justice." Even the Entrance Antiphon for Mass was a good beginning, "The Lord speaks of peace to his people and his holy ones and to those who turn to him" (Ps.85:9). As Advent Time quickly approaches, we need to prepare our minds and hearts for the coming of the Prince of Peace. Our Lord offers peace to us and we need to share that peace with others! May we do our part to create a peaceful environment by working for justice for all!!! Have a blessed day!!!

Building Up the Kingdom!!!

Each day when we say "The Lord's Prayer," we pray for the kingdom to come. This is exactly what all believers are waiting for, the full reality of God's Kingdom. As we await the coming of the kingdom, we know that we are to do our part in building up the kingdom of God right here in our midst. On the heels of celebrating the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, we can take to heart these words of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, "The feast of Christ the King is therefore not a feast of those who are subjugated, but a feast of those who know that they are in the hands of the one who writes straight on crooked lines" (Magnificat, 345). God brings us together at this particular time to build up His kingdom even though we are weak, sinful, have our failings, shortcomings, and imperfections. God truly writes straight with crooked lines. We are called to be the family of God, the body of Christ, a community of disciples and we need to do our part to bring the message of God's mercy and love to a world that is in desparate need of receiving a message of love, hope, and peace. Perhaps this why we don't know when the kingdom will come because God is entrusting us to do our part to build that kingdom up here and we can do just that by living lives of faith, holiness, prayer, reconciliation, love, peace, and hope. There are many beautiful qualities that God gives us to live our mission to the fullest. Let us not miss the opportunities to preach the Good News and build up the Kingdom of God right here and right now!!! May God Bless Us on our journey!!!

The House of God

I learned many valuable lessons as a seminarian at Saint Meinrad School of Theology in Indiana. During my six years there, I grew to love the Benedictine spirituality and how they live their motto of "Ora et Labora", "Prayer and Work". We all know that we need prayer in our lives and we need to use that gift everyday and hopefully many times during the day! On the campus map at Saint Meinrad, all the buildings were numbered so people could find their way around. The number one building on campus is the Archabbey Church. That is where the monks and faithful can gather to pray and be renewed to live their lives and faith to the fullest. Since I became a pastor several years ago, I put the number one building into focus. Whenever parishioners would talk about projects that needed to be completed I would say, "Let's focus on the church because it is God's House and we need to keep it looking beautiful because God deserves the best." The church building is our central place for worship and prayer. As Jesus said in the gospel for today, Luke 19:45-48, when he was driving the money-changers out, "My house shall be a house of prayer..." The church is the House of God, it is a house of prayer!!! It is a great joy to see people come into church at all different times of their day just to spend a little time with our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament or to light a votive candle. We have a rich history with wonderful customs and traditions. For ourselves, we are temples of the Holy Spirit and we pray that we can keep ourselves beautiful and pleasing to God. Many people express pride in their churches. May we do what we can to keep God's House looking beautiful and always keep it as a house of prayer!!! God Bless You!!!

THANKSGIVING BLESSINGS!!!!

A Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving to you!!!!!!! I am thankful for those who take the time to read the blog!!! I know at times it is not always daily but I thank you for your patience and understanding. These are tools that we can use to boost the New Evangelization that is being called for during this Year of Faith!!! May we do all that we can for the glory of God. I want to share with you the Pastor's Message that I wrote for our bulletin in preparation for this celebration of Thanksgiving. "I will thank you, Lord, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth" (Psalm 138:1). This passage from Scripture comes from the Communion Antiphon for the Mass of Thanksgiving Day. Like many passages that speak about giving thanks, it truly says it all. We thank God for our many gifts and blessings from our heart, but ultimately, from our whole being. Thanksgiving Day is upon us once again, but everyday of our lives is a day to give thanks. Our thanksgiving to God cannot be confined to one day, but everyday. In a special way, as we gather around the family table on Thanksgiving Day, let us be thankful for what God has blessed us with. If you can, and hopefully you were able to do so, begin your time of thanksgiving around the table of the Lord at Mass. Eucharist means "Thanksgiving" and that is what we do every time we gather around the Lord's table. If you are traveling, please be safe. Have a blessed and joyous Thanksgiving!!!! God Bless, Dear Friends- Fr. David

Presentation of Mary

"The story of the presentation of Mary in the Temple as a child captures the essential Gospel portrait of Mary as a woman entirely dedicated not merely to doing but to living the will of God. Her own willing obedience, unhesitatingly given and never revoked, lies at the heart of her life of self-sacrifice offered in love" (Magnificat, 293). This quote truly says it all as the Church celebrates the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her life is a beautiful example for all of us. Mary was a young girl when the angel Gabriel appeared to her and announced the Good News that she had found favor with God and would be the mother of His only Son. Mary totally gave herself to God's will and her example is one of complete faith and trust. We pray that Mary will intercede for us as we strive to live and follow the will of God in our own lives. May God bless us in following His will!!!