From the Pastor - First Sunday of Advent

December 4, 2017

From the Pastor - First Sunday of Advent

Today, the First Sunday of Advent, marks not just the beginning of our preparation for Christmas, but also the beginning a new liturgical Church year for us as Catholics. Advent extends over the next four Sundays, literally culminating on Christmas Eve this year. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word Adventus, which means “coming.” Like Lent this is a preparatory season, one that has us looking forward and waiting for something greater.

We are aware that the One Who is coming is Christ, but that means more than just Christ’s birth at Christmas. It also means the coming of Christ into our lives through grace and the sacraments of Holy Communion and reconciliation. However, its ultimate meaning has to do with preparing for Christ’s second coming. In that regard in past few weeks our readings from Holy Scripture have very much centered on being prepared for that final coming. Today’s readings continue that theme.

We hear readings from Isaiah often at this time of year because that prophet foretold in such accurate detail the coming of the Messiah, of Christ. In addition, there is a certain poetry to the way Isaiah writes. The closing of our First Reading is “Yet, O Lord, you are our father; we are the clay and you the potter: we are all the work of your hands.” What an eloquent statement about Who God is, and who we are as well! However, even if we understand that we are God’s creation, as is everything, for God to truly form us we must be open to Him and to His direction and guidance.

Advent is a time for us to develop our relationship with God so we are the “work of His hands.” There is a clear explanation in this reading that one of the great obstacles to God being an intimate part of our lives is our sinfulness. This is a time when it is important to address that obstacle, to reconcile with God, and with many others in our lives perhaps, so that we can indeed be prepared and fulfill God’s wishes for us.

St. Paul opens today’s Second Reading from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians by greeting them with “Brothers and sisters: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” St. Paul uses the phrase “grace to you and peace” five other times in his letters in the New Testament. Grace is always first and peace second, because grace is the source of peace. Without grace there can be no peace. Referring to “the Lord Jesus Christ” is also quite typical of Paul’s perspective. In fact, he uses that term almost twenty times in this letter alone.

Immediately after his greeting Paul writes, “I give thanks to my God always on your account…” This is a time of year when we need to focus on our blessings and approach God with the same sense of gratitude Paul always displays. Gratitude, as we know, is at the heart of a stewardship way of life, a Christian way of life. This is a time of year when we need to express that gratitude with a renewed sense of spirituality and a commitment to making changes in our lives that really do prepare us for the coming of Christ.

It is well to understand that the Corinthian church had many problems, and Paul was well aware of that. Nevertheless, Paul is confident that there are solutions to all of these. Why? Because “God is faithful.” Paul has a trust in God and he urges the Corinthians to have that same trust. This Advent time of year is a time when we need to place our trust in the Lord as well.

The Gospel Reading from St. Mark opens with “Be watchful! Be alert!” This is the same message we have heard over and over in recent weeks. We do not know, cannot know, when Jesus is coming or when our own lives will end. There are two ways to look at that: the cynical way is “I don’t know so it really does not matter.” This Advent season is a time when we should come to grips with the reality that it does matter. As Jesus reminds us, we need to be alert, eager, and ready for His coming. But we tend to put that preparedness off, which is the human way we often respond. Now is the time for each of us to commit ourselves to getting prepared by embracing the many opportunities afforded us during Advent and then Christmas.

The Lord says “It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work.” Jesus is the “man traveling” and we are His “servants.” He has left us with His house (the Church entrusted to each of us); His authority (authority always involves responsibility); and our own work (we are not responsible for someone else’s work, but we certainly are for our own). Advent is a time to pray and to respond to what Christ has left us — our Church, our responsibilities, and our own individual callings.

https://www.catholicsteward.com/blog/

From the Pastor

By John Putnam June 27, 2025
During June, we have celebrated key moments in the life of the Church — Pentecost, the Most Holy Trinity, Corpus Christi — culminating today with the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. Though very different men, they are united in faith, mission, and martyrdom, and the Church has honored them together since the third century. St. Peter, the first Pope, was chosen by Christ as the rock on which the Church would be built. The Catechism tells us that because of the faith he professed, Peter remains the “unshakeable rock of the Church.” Despite his human weaknesses, Peter's loyalty, repentance, and leadership make him a powerful model of stewardship. St. Paul, once a persecutor of Christians, became one of the Church’s greatest evangelists. In today’s second reading, Paul reflects on his mission, saying, “I have finished the race… the crown of righteousness awaits me.” The Greek word he used for “crown” — stephanos — refers to a victor’s crown, not a royal one, showing his view of faith as a race well-run for the sake of Christ. Though they were martyred separately, tradition holds that Peter and Paul were in Rome at the same time, and their shared witness and sacrifice tie them closely together in Church history. They embody two vital aspects of stewardship — Peter in his faith and leadership, and Paul in his zeal and wisdom. As stewards, we are called to follow their example — to build the Church through our commitment, to overcome our failures through God’s mercy, and to proclaim the Gospel with courage. Like Peter and Paul, we are invited to give all we have for the sake of Christ and His Church. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering  This Solemnity marks the beginning of summer vacation in Rome. The Holy Father will be traveling to Castelgandolfo for some time away from the heat of Rome. For the rest of us, the weeks of summer are in full swing, and as we move into July this week, I hope that families have an opportunity to spend some time in rest and relaxation. Spending time with family, friends, and the Lord, are among the best things that we can do with our “down time”. Leisure is essential to a well-lived life, but it has to be understood properly in the context of the Christian life. Anthony Esolen’s Leisure: The Basis of Culture is a contemporary reflection and expansion on the classic work of the same name by Josef Pieper. Esolen argues that modern society has lost its understanding of true leisure, mistaking it for mere idleness or entertainment. In contrast, he defines leisure as a contemplative, receptive state that allows individuals to encounter truth, beauty, and God. True leisure, according to the author, distinguishes leisure from passive consumption or busyness. True leisure is rooted in wonder, worship and reflection – activities that are ends in themselves, not means to productivity. He critiques how modern life has turned all human activity into something utilitarian. Education, art and even religion are often reduced to tools for social mobility or economic growth, rather than pursued for their intrinsic value. Esolen emphasizes that leisure finds its highest expression in worship and liturgy. Time spent in contemplation of the divine is the deepest form of leisure, because it directs the soul toward eternal realities. He draws on classical and Christian sources to affirm that man is not simply a worker or consumer but is made for contemplation and communion. In the end, he calls for a return to genuine leisure as the only path to restoring culture, education, and the dignity of the human spirit. The author argues that without true leisure, civilization cannot thrive, because it loses contact with what is eternal and meaningful. Leisure, rightly understood, is not a break from life – it is at the heart of what makes life worth living.
By John Putnam June 20, 2025
Today we observe the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. This beautiful feast celebrates the gift of the Eucharist, which the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches is the source and summit of our Christian faith. “For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ Himself” (CCC paragraph 1324). The very word, Eucharist, means “thanksgiving” or “gratitude” and so this feast is especially meaningful to all of us who are striving to live as grateful stewards of all God’s blessings to us. Surely the Eucharist is the greatest of all blessings because it is not only from God, the Eucharist, is God — the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Today’s second reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians reminds us of the depths of love our Lord has shown us in the gift of the Eucharist, recalling Christ’s words at the very first Eucharistic celebration. “The Lord Jesus… took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you.’” In that moment, and at every celebration of the Mass thereafter, Jesus gives us His very self in an act of complete humility and perfect love. How can we possibly show our gratitude for such a sublime gift? We can receive the gift of the Eucharist with the greatest possible reverence and love. And, following our Lord’s example, we can give ourselves generously to others in the week ahead. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ naturally follows the Solemnities of Pentecost and the Holy Trinity. Each of those celebrations highlight a profound experience of God. The Eucharist invites us into the very life of God which is the Holy Trinity. We are nourished by the Lord to sustain us as we strive to run the race and fight the good fight. The Church in the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy of Vatican II describes the Eucharist as the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows… At times perhaps we allow our assistance and participation at Mass and reception of the Eucharist to become habitual or common place. Such an attitude should always be avoided since it diminishes the centrality that the Eucharist is to play in each of our lives. Nonetheless, it is a common pitfall that many of us fall into. There are a number of ways in which we can help ourselves to avoid falling into that trap. First and foremost, we should prepare ourselves for participation at Mass. This can be accomplished in a number of ways but especially by taking some time to read and reflect on the Scriptures before we arrive at the church. Arriving early at Mass so that we can actually spend some time in prayer, quieting our hearts and minds before the celebration begins is also helpful. Outside of Mass, we can make spiritual Communions and make visits to the Blessed Sacrament. These moments of grace can also inspire us to live more authentically Christian lives by our concern for and service to the poor. Serving our neighbor and loving the neighbor as we love ourselves is a true expression of our love for God.  I also want to offer a word of thanks to all those who assisted with the diaconate and priestly ordinations the previous two Saturdays. A great deal of work goes into these events, and the St. Mark staff and volunteers always “step up” to do their part. We as a parish are honored to host these important Diocesan events and appreciate all of those who contribute to their success.
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