Notes from the Pastor

As we begin our post-Christmas observance of Ordinary Time, which will lead us into the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday (Wednesday, February 26th), the Church invites us to look more closely at the public life of Jesus. While this year we will hear from the Gospel of Matthew on most Sundays, today we hear from John’s Gospel, telling us about John the Baptist identifying Jesus as the Lamb of God. It is primarily from this Gospel passage that we speak of Jesus as the Lamb of God in our liturgy. Why the word lamb? After all, a lamb is a young sheep, and the term could be used to indicate an unsophisticated, immature person.

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, and the official end to the Church’s observance of the Christmas season. Three of the four Gospels recall the Baptism of the Lord, each in its own way. The version we heard today, from the Gospel of Matthew, is unique in recalling that when Jesus came to the Jordan River, John the Baptist at first tried to “prevent him” from receiving baptism, saying that he was the one who needed to be baptized by Jesus. But Jesus replies, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”

Fr. Chris and I would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation for the many acts of kindness that we have received in the past few weeks. I am humbled by the thoughtfulness of so many people who sent cards, or brought over home-made cookies and other gifts. A special “thank-you” also to all those who donated baby diapers and baby clothing to our “Giving Tree” to support Birthright in their mission to provide for mothers who are in need of assistance. May the Lord’s blessing be upon you throughout the new year.

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The Readings call us to attitudes and actions that can bring harmony and joy to our family life. In the First Reading (Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14) echoes the lesson of the Fourth Commandment and emphasizes our call to obey, honor, respect and even revere our parents. He notes the many blessings that this reverent and respectful attitude can bring us.

Today’s Gospel (Matthew 1:18-24) is sometimes referred to as the “Annunciation to Joseph,” as an angel of the Lord speaks to Joseph in his dreams and reveals God’s plan for the birth of the Savior. What if Joseph had not obeyed Gabriel? In a small town like Nazareth where everyone knew everyone else, Mary’s pregnancy prior to moving in with Joseph as his wife would have been scandalous. And imagine what must have been going through Joseph’s mind when he became aware that Mary was with child and knew that he was not the biological father. Under the law he could have had her and her unborn child stoned to death, but any doubts he had were overcome by his love for Mary and he had decided to divorce her quietly so that no harm would come to her. But then came the message of the angel, encouraging him to take Mary as his wife.

Today, the Third Sunday of Advent, is known as “Gaudete Sunday” and is marked by a rose colored candle on the Advent wreath. 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 near. The season of Advent is one of preparation and anticipation. Today, as the celebration of the Birth of the Lord has nearly arrived, we are filled with joy.

We all spend a lot of time getting ready for Christmas. There’s the gifts, the cards, the decorating, the cooking, the visits to Santa, the children’s pageants. Why do we do all this? “Well, everyone else is doing it,” you might say. “We can’t be the only house on the block without Christmas lights.” There’s some truth to that. After all we want to join those who are celebrating the birth of Jesus. The gifts are meant to be an expression of our joy in God’s gift of His Son, for He so loved the world. The cards might seem insignificant, but they are really important. Perhaps there might be someone we drop a card to whose life will brighten when they hear from us. And as far as the children are concerned, we want them to be full of joy on Christmas and we need to spend time reminding them why this is a day of joy. The music specific to the Christmas season is important too. The carols get us in the mood to celebrate as they remind us what we are celebrating.

Today we celebrate the First Sunday of .Advent. The season of Advent is a period of preparation in which we await the celebration of the Birth of the Lord. Waiting is never a passive exercise. It always involves commitment on our part. Would we invite a guest to our home for dinner and then be surprised - and unprepared - when the guest shows up? No. We would clean the house and make preparations for a grand meal. When we say we are waiting for something, we cannot live as if we are waiting for nothing. Our waiting is a dedication and a preparation. Our Advent waiting dedicates us and prepares us for the coming of Christ. Advent is a season in which we should be particularly mindful of our need for repentance and good works as we listen to the long-ago cry of John the Baptist: ''Prepare the way of the Lord!"