Notes From The Pastor’s Pen – January 19, 2020

Called to be Holy

With this Sunday we begin Ordinary Time. The readings tell us about God’s relationship with Israel and John the Baptist’s relationship with Jesus. Israel’s relationship with God is so close, so intimate, that it is through Israel that God’s “salvation [will] reach to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6). But we know from John the Baptist that for Israel to accomplish God’s will, it must also recognize that Jesus is the Son of God. During these weeks we also get to know Jesus. We begin to understand more deeply our relationship to Jesus and what that relationship means for us, who are “called to be holy” (1 Corinthians 1:2).

© J. S. Paluch Co.

Notes From The Pastor’s Pen – January 12, 2020

Dear friends,

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord and so calls to mind His baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. In choosing to be baptized, Christ humbled Himself and so provided us an example to follow. At the same time, He elevated baptism to the status of a Sacrament, indeed, the gateway to all of the other Sacraments.

While the baptism John administered was of symbolic import, that is, that it was an encouragement for those who received it to be about interior conversion of life, the baptism instituted by Christ is of sacramental import, for by it our sins are forgiven us, we are made adopted sons and daughters of God, and we are made members of His Holy Church.

The Preface of this Mass reminds us that, in the waters of the Jordan, God the Father revealed with signs and wonders a new Baptism, so that through the voice that came down from heaven, we might come to believe in His Word dwelling among us, and by the Spirit’s descending in the likeness of a dove, we might know that Christ His Servant has been anointed with the oil of gladness and sent to bring the good news to the poor.

On this last day of the season of Christmas, may we recommit ourselves to following Jesus who came that we might have life (John 10:10).

Gratitude for those involved with the preparations for Christmas

A word of gratitude goes to all those who were involved in the preparations of the church for Christmas as well as all those who were involved in the celebrations of the Sacred Liturgies during the season. Thank you for your dedication and commitment.

In Christ,
Father Bené

Notes From The Pastor’s Pen – January 5, 2020

Dear friends,

As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany, we call to mind the manifestation of the Lord Jesus to the Wise Men. While the shepherds who came to adore the newborn Christ Child represent His manifestation to all those of the Jewish faith, the Wise Men represent His manifestation to all Gentiles. Together these events express the desire of the Lord Jesus for all people to accept Him as their personal Lord and Savior.

For us as followers of Christ today, this feast day invites us to reflect upon how much He wants us to participate in His life. The season of Christmas, which continues until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, calls us to recognize that God is with us in His Son, that He dwells within us by our faith and Baptism, and that He wants us to draw closer to Him and ultimately experience eternal life.

May we who have begun this new calendar year give thanks to God for the gift of our faith, and may He strengthen us to demonstrate it by witnessing to it, above all, by the manner of our lives.

In Christ,
Father Bené