Notes from the Pastor

How does God guide us? Listen to the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel Reading from the Gospel according to Luke (Luke 6:17, 20-26). This is a great place to start. The Beatitudes are at the very heart of Jesus’ preaching. They expand upon Jesus’ command that we are to love our enemies and love our neighbor. The Beatitudes are contained in what is called the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew’s Gospel, though in Luke’s Gospel this is called the Sermon on the Plain because it is described as taking place on level ground rather than on a sloping hillside. At the core of the sermon is Jesus’ teaching on love.

Looking back at our life, we may recognize a particular person or a specific experience that caused us to make a significant change or to go in a different direction than we would have otherwise. Hopefully, the change was good, enabling us to think bigger, do better things, and use our talents in a way that we had not considered before. This is what happens in today’s readings. Isaiah is called by God to be his prophet (Isaiah 6:1-8). In the beginning, Isaiah does not feel worthy of this call, but by the end of today’s First Reading, he is responding with “Here I am, send me!”

Next weekend is the beginning of our Annual Catholic Appeal campaign for 2019 and we will have the opportunity to complete pledge cards. The theme for this year’s campaign is “His Mercy Endures Forever…Welcome the Stranger,” once again focusing on the Corporal Works of Mercy. All registered parishioners recently received a letter, pamphlet, and pledge card from Archbishop John Wester regarding the importance of the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA). Unlike the tithing renewal that we do each November in which we commit ourselves to a weekly tithe to the support of our parish, the Annual Catholic Appeal is our opportunity to consider the needs not just of our own parish, but of Catholics across the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, many of whom are not only our “spiritual” brothers and sisters in Christ, but are also literally members of our extended families.

Every January we seem to be flooded with advertisements for weight loss programs, exercise machines, or “miracle” pills that all claim to help us achieve our ideal body shape with little or no effort. Right! But as persons made in the image and likeness of God, we have a fundamental dignity that goes beyond anything we might ever achieve in outward appearance. It is a dignity that is inherent in us by virtue of our relationship with the One who has created us and sustains us in life.

The image of a wedding is frequently used throughout the Old Testament to describe God’s relationship with his Chosen People, Israel, such as in our First Reading today (Isaiah 62:1-5). Though Israel was often unfaithful, God always took her back, forgave her, and turned her sadness into joy. As she awaited the coming of the Messiah, Israel’s hopes were expressed in terms of a wedding – a time of great rejoicing and celebration. Like abundant wine, God’s blessings would be poured out on his people in full measure.

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, and the official end to the Church’s observance of the Christmas season. After Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, he was praying when Heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in the form of a dove; and a voice came from the heavens declaring, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22). God the Father favored his Son, Jesus. Rightfully so, since Jesus is the only-begotten Son of God. He is God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, as our Nicene Creed boldly proclaims. If we have any doubt regarding how God felt about his Son or the importance of his mission, the Gospels make it clear for us. The descending of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus in the form of a dove after his baptism was significant for two reasons: (1) it was a clear sign that Jesus was the promised Messiah anointed with the Holy Spirit, and (2) the Holy Spirit gave Jesus strength to fulfill his saving mission.

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Take a moment to look around the church some time. You will see families of all sizes, shapes, and descriptions. Some are the biological variety, with a dad and mom and children of different ages. Some may be blended or adopted, foster families or families with only one parent in the home. Sometimes it is grandparents who open their homes to their grandchildren, or siblings who share an apartment and function as a family. Maybe the time has come for an elderly relative to move into your home.

Christmas is nearly here!. It may be a very busy time for you, but please take the time to read the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke. You will hear about Elizabeth, her husband Zechariah, the angel Gabriel, Mary and Joseph and the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. If you do this, you will likely be better prepared to celebrate with joy the birth of our Savior this Christmas.