Notes from the Pastor

Today, the Third Sunday of Advent, is known as “Gaudete Sunday” and is marked by a rose colored candle on the Advent wreath. The use of the rose-colored candle rather than a purple one symbolizes “the light at the end of the tunnel” so to speak – that Christmas is getting nearer. The Latin word gaudete means “rejoice” and is taken from Philippians 4:4 in which Saint Paul declares: “Rejoice in the Lord always! I say it again, rejoice!” The title “Gaudete Sunday” thus refers to the joy that we feel as Advent is half over and Christmas is drawing near. The season of Advent is one of preparation and anticipation. Today, as the celebration of the Birth of the Lord approaches, we are filled with joy.

Many of us may be living lives that are full but not fulfilling. We may be overwhelmed with responsibilities and worries, consumed by busyness, clutter, or demands being made upon us. What we really long for is peace, wholeness, and simplicity. We are in a holy season that unfortunately has been overrun by consumerism. Many people will be stressing out trying to come up with the perfect gift for the person who already has too much “stuff” to begin with. Indeed, many people feel trapped by possessions, time, and work. The more possessions they have, the less time they have for themselves and others because of the pressure to get even more or “better” possessions. This might be a good time to take a few moments of silence and reflection, and ask ourselves if this is what we really want to keep on doing?

Have you ever wondered about the end of the world? The end of the world is a fascination shared by many people. Predictions about how and when the world might end are commonplace. In today’s Gospel, even Jesus offers a scenario as to how the world might end. He tells his disciples that the sun, moon and stars will change; the seas will roar; and the heavens will be shaken. He warns that when all this happens the end is near, and then cautions his listeners to remain alert and vigilant, steadfast in faith and persistent in strength.

Today’s Solemnity of Christ the King always takes place on the last Sunday in Ordinary Time just before the beginning of Advent and the start of a new liturgical year. In Advent, we prepare for the two comings of Christ - as a baby in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago, and his return as a King in glory at the end of time. Today’s celebration of the Kingship of Jesus prepares us for both comings of the Christ.

On Thursday of this week we will be celebrating Thanksgiving Day. Family members who may live great distances apart try to come together for Thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving is about families. Thanksgiving is also about turkey and stuffing, and cranberry sauce, and all the favorite side dishes that have been passed down from one generation to another. Thanksgiving is about watching football on TV, taking a walk in the autumn sunshine as the falling leaves rustle around your feet, visiting with neighbors, and Thanksgiving is about the afternoon nap to recover from the big dinner. And for some, Thanksgiving is about looking at all the advertising circulars and planning their shopping trips.

This weekend, we will join other parishes of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe in renewing our commitment to sacrificial giving (“tithing”) as the means of financial stewardship within the parish. Many of our parishioners have embraced sacrificial giving and I am grateful for your commitment to God and to our parish. Your “Attitude of Gratitude” is a blessing to our parish and to your personal life as well. There is no doubt that we find ourselves in difficult economic times and many people are suffering the effects of unemployment or underemployment. Others have seen their retirement “nest egg” decline significantly. Still, there is much to be grateful for because in spite of the current economic hardships, we continue to have a much higher standard of living than most of the people of the world.

There sure is a lot of “love” in today’s Scripture Readings! In the First Reading (Deuteronomy 6:2-6), Moses tells the Israelites to “love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.” The Second Reading (Hebrews 7:23-28) reminds us that Jesus gave himself as the perfect sacrifice for all of us – the ultimate sign of God’s love. Today’s Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 18) contains the refrain – “I love you, Lord, my strength.” And in the Gospel (Mark 12:28-34), Jesus adds a new commandment, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” which is taken from Leviticus 19:18.

This coming Thursday, November 1st, we will celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints which is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses will be held at 6:30 am, 8:15 am, & 6:30 pm. It is a day when we honor the lives of all saints – those officially recognized by the Church, as well as countless others known only to God. As part of the Apostle’s Creed, we acknowledge our belief in the “communion of saints.” The communion of saints describes the spiritual union that exists among the saints in Heaven, the souls in purgatory, and the faithful living on earth.