FM's Message | Sunday, December 10th, 2023

Two of the themes of Advent are anticipating and recognizing the need for a Savior. This week's and last week’s readings remind us of an important fact about Jesus. He was not concerned about knowing when he was going to return. Paul underscores this too as part of his preaching and writing in various letters. He was more concerned that as his disciples we were ready for his second coming in light of his first. In our time the Eucharistic prayers remind us of this too. For example, the third Eucharistic prayer reminds us of this very clearly. “…We look forward to his second coming…”. And then after the Our Father, the priest says “…as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ.” Each Eucharistic prayer reminds us that there is a direction that we are going in and it is towards the day when God completes the work here by sending Jesus for the second time.
John the Baptist speaks about the message too. His call to repentance and the importance of preparing the way, i.e., our hearts, for the Lord are reminders of the message from the last few weeks. The message of Christianity is that it is an inside job. Our hearts and minds must first be changed if we are going to attempt to change the world. This is evidenced by John and those who were being baptized by him. They recognized that the whole work of Jesus begins on the inside and letting Jesus be the primary guide of my life. We can see that theme in so many scenes in all four Gospels. So many people are invited to change their minds about their situation, about Jesus, and about faith.
In the Faith series, The Chosen, we can see that happening one by one to all the disciples and then those who eventually become Apostles. The messengers of Jesus (apostles) were people who had had a change of heart and mind about the Messiah and who Jesus was for them. It involved repenting, from the Latin to turn away or turn toward something.
We are invited to do the same thing in our lives. We start with this new liturgical year and are invited to change our minds also. We can change our minds about how we approach Christmas and the role of gifts and giving. We can change our minds about how we practice our faith and ask God to strengthen us as his disciples. As importantly, we also can take the time to humbly see where we need the savior in our lives. Recently I was driving towards the sun. I could clearly see the places on the windshield that needed cleaning. It is the same for us, as we turn towards the Lord. He will show us where we need to change to allow his grace to cleanse, renew, and restore us. Have a clear, patient, and holy Advent.

I am very grateful to the parish retreat team and Sr. Marta for her leadership and sharing during the retreat. This year we focused on the real presence and being present to Jesus in this Advent season. It was a great success, and we hope to continue the practice of bringing together parishioners to pray with one heart to the one God who loves us all.
I also want to report that we received a gift of $1,000.00 dollars to our parish from a couple in Haverhill. I am grateful for these windfalls that help us in big and small ways.
The Finance committee met and have reported that we have seen an uptick in the collection. I am very grateful to all those who responded to the Grateful Discipleship program. We will be in touch. For those who are joining the prayer team, thanks. You can start praying for the success of the parish immediately.
Remember that we will celebrate the Christmas Eve Mass at 4:00 PM on Sunday, December 24 at St. James Church

Peace, Father Murray
Building news: This week we were visited by the tree company to finish the trimming of the trees. We also had an electrician come to repair the outdoor plugs so we can light the creche.
While they were here, they also improved the electricity in the Lower IC Hall.