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Click here for information on the Knights of Columbus Charity Golf Tournament held on Saturday, June 15, 2024.
Three ideas, thoughts from today’s Gospel: Hear, Hasten, Halleluia. I thought of those three things because of the striking similarities between the story of the shepherds and Mary. First, hear. Just before today’s Gospel passage an angel appears to shepherds and says, Do not be afraid, for see - I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah the Lord. Sound familiar? The angel Gabriel told Mary Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. Hear, hear what God is calling each of us to do. And sometimes God speaks through friends, neighbors, other parishioners who invite us to be part of some ministry or activity. Ever think that innocent question “could you help or would you consider being part of or we need another volunteer” could be God’s call to us? That can be scary, we don’t have the skills to do some of those things. But here is a secret - God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called! Remember the apostles were fishermen and a tax collector, not preachers, and they changed the world.
Next, haste. Today we hear that the shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and earlier Mary went in haste to Elizabeth. To be a disciple requires action, we have to go in haste to where or what God calls us to do. Prayer and meditation are good and necessary parts of our spiritual life. But being a disciple demands more of us. Throughout the gospel we see Jesus do two things: he calls people to follow him and then sends them on a mission. Called and Sent. And do that in haste. We are so fortunate here because there are so many ways we can be sent to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, visit the sick and imprisoned, comfort the sorrowing, care for God’s children.
Finally, Halleluia. Sorry, that was the best I could do to come up with a word that began with a “H.” We heard that the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. At Elizabeth’s house we hear Mary sing that great song of praise to God for his great deeds. My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. The Mighty One has done great things for me and holy is his name. We are called to do the same, to give praise and thanks to God for his great and glorious deeds. What great and glorious deeds? The sun rising, the rain stopping. Our life, spouse, children, grandchildren, friends, our faith. All these are gifts, signs of God’s great love for us. And worthy of praise and thanksgiving. The word Eucharist means thanksgiving and the Mass is our opportunity to come together and praise and thank God for all he has done for us. In the Eucharistic Prayer Father will say, It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, and to praise, bless and glorify you name.
Christmas is more than just celebrating the incarnation of Christ, the Word becoming flesh. Christmas should remind us that we are called to incarnate Christ ourselves, every day. Remember the prayer that Father Ron gave us at the parish mission? Lord Jesus, transform me into yourself. May my hands be your hands, may my words be your words. Grant that everything I do may serve only to glorify you. We are called to be Christ, to make Him real, alive in the world today. How? By hearing what God calls us to do, going in haste to do that and responding by praising and glorifying God. Three New Year’s resolutions that will change our life, now and for eternity: hear, hasten, Halleluia.
Next, haste. Today we hear that the shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and earlier Mary went in haste to Elizabeth. To be a disciple requires action, we have to go in haste to where or what God calls us to do. Prayer and meditation are good and necessary parts of our spiritual life. But being a disciple demands more of us. Throughout the gospel we see Jesus do two things: he calls people to follow him and then sends them on a mission. Called and Sent. And do that in haste. We are so fortunate here because there are so many ways we can be sent to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, visit the sick and imprisoned, comfort the sorrowing, care for God’s children.
Finally, Halleluia. Sorry, that was the best I could do to come up with a word that began with a “H.” We heard that the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. At Elizabeth’s house we hear Mary sing that great song of praise to God for his great deeds. My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. The Mighty One has done great things for me and holy is his name. We are called to do the same, to give praise and thanks to God for his great and glorious deeds. What great and glorious deeds? The sun rising, the rain stopping. Our life, spouse, children, grandchildren, friends, our faith. All these are gifts, signs of God’s great love for us. And worthy of praise and thanksgiving. The word Eucharist means thanksgiving and the Mass is our opportunity to come together and praise and thank God for all he has done for us. In the Eucharistic Prayer Father will say, It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, and to praise, bless and glorify you name.
Christmas is more than just celebrating the incarnation of Christ, the Word becoming flesh. Christmas should remind us that we are called to incarnate Christ ourselves, every day. Remember the prayer that Father Ron gave us at the parish mission? Lord Jesus, transform me into yourself. May my hands be your hands, may my words be your words. Grant that everything I do may serve only to glorify you. We are called to be Christ, to make Him real, alive in the world today. How? By hearing what God calls us to do, going in haste to do that and responding by praising and glorifying God. Three New Year’s resolutions that will change our life, now and for eternity: hear, hasten, Halleluia.