In the old African spiritual hymn, "Rise Up Shepherd and Follow", the primary characters, the shepherds who were visited by the angel after Jesus's birth, are making their way to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us" (Lk 1:15) referring to the birth of Jesus Christ. The first verse of that hymn wrongly speaks of them following the star to Bethlehem (wrongly because it was the magi, not the shepherds who, according to the evangelist Matthew, were led to the place where Jesus lived). I was informed in a video I watched years ago that the African slaves in the United States sang this hymn as they fled by night to escape their slavery toward the end of the Civil War. Tragically many of them lived through many Christmases as slaves who longed for their freedom. Sadly, in our time, there are many victims of human trafficking who feel the same as they are kept like slaves and are made to do things that degrade them and potentially harm them in many ways. This is especially egregious when it happens to young people. In our state, that is ranked number two in terms of registered sex offenders, and number one when it comes to child abuse, the possibility of young people being victims of human trafficking is high.
In general, it is estimated that around 20% of all children in the United States will be approached by a trafficker before the age of 18. Those of you who have grandchildren and great-grandchildren should take notice of this and hopefully be open to hearing more about this issue and what can be done to protect our young people and even rescue those who are currently victims of such behavior toward them. Human trafficking and crimes connected with the making and distributing of both adult and child pornography is estimated to be a $150 billion dollar criminal industry.
Efforts to combat all of this include a human trafficking and pornography task forces, including one established by Bishop Taylor in our diocese. Gary Wolfer of our parish accepted a position on that task force and will be a welcome resource for our parish as we hear more about what we and the public in general can do to fight against this "forced slavery" of our times. Every one of us is invited to educate ourselves by participating in a symposium on the dangers of human trafficking that will take place at Christ the King Church in Little Rock on Saturday, January 25. An announcement about this symposium and how to go about signing up and attending this free workshop (that includes breakfast and lunch) can be found in our bulletin this week. Experts on this subject from around the country will be making presentations. At the very least, please pray for victims and potential victims of human trafficking, and be open to learning more about this growing and serious problem in our country and in the world. It is well worth our time and attention now and in the future!
In general, it is estimated that around 20% of all children in the United States will be approached by a trafficker before the age of 18. Those of you who have grandchildren and great-grandchildren should take notice of this and hopefully be open to hearing more about this issue and what can be done to protect our young people and even rescue those who are currently victims of such behavior toward them. Human trafficking and crimes connected with the making and distributing of both adult and child pornography is estimated to be a $150 billion dollar criminal industry.
Efforts to combat all of this include a human trafficking and pornography task forces, including one established by Bishop Taylor in our diocese. Gary Wolfer of our parish accepted a position on that task force and will be a welcome resource for our parish as we hear more about what we and the public in general can do to fight against this "forced slavery" of our times. Every one of us is invited to educate ourselves by participating in a symposium on the dangers of human trafficking that will take place at Christ the King Church in Little Rock on Saturday, January 25. An announcement about this symposium and how to go about signing up and attending this free workshop (that includes breakfast and lunch) can be found in our bulletin this week. Experts on this subject from around the country will be making presentations. At the very least, please pray for victims and potential victims of human trafficking, and be open to learning more about this growing and serious problem in our country and in the world. It is well worth our time and attention now and in the future!
One of the Elser family traditions that I fondly remember is constructing an Advent Wreath, decorating it with pinecones and other greenery, and all of us gathering around it every night of the Advent season, lighting the candles, singing "O Come O Come Emmanuel", saying the collect prayer from each Sunday of Advent, and then taking turns blowing out the candle or candles.
I assumed that this song was a song to be sung at home and at church throughout the Advent season. While this can be the case, the Church promotes it being sung in the most proximate days leading up to the Solemnity of The Nativity of the Lord (December 25) especially during evening prayer from December 17-23. The hymn has its origins over 1200 years ago in monastic life.
Each of the verses refers to a Messianic title for Christ, using biblical imagery drawn from the Old Testament to recall the whole of salvation history and anticipate the birth of Christ. They express the longing we feel for the coming of the Messiah--at Christmas, anew in our hearts, AND at the end of time when he comes in glory. The messianic titles in Latin and English, and the days in which these titles are proclaimed in song are: December 17--O Sapientia (O Wisdom), December 18--O Adonai (O Lord), December 19--O Radix Jesse (O root of Jesse), December 20--O Clavis David (O Key of David), December 21--O Oriens (O Light from the East), December 22--O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations) , and December 23--O Emmanuel (O God with Us).
The verses of the song "O Come O Come Emmanuel" are variations on these antiphons. The verse that begins "O Come Thou Dayspring" is a reference to Oriens (O Light from the East) and the verse which begins "O Come, Desire of Nations" refers to O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations).
There is even a hidden message in the first letters of each antiphon--beginning with "E" for Emmanuel and working backwards, the first letter of each antiphon can be assembled to spell the phrase "ero cras" which is Latin for "tomorrow I come" a reference to the fact that the next day is Christmas Eve. Of all the hymns that we are blessed to have and sing in the Advent and Christmas seasons, you now know which has the longest history behind it and appreciate the fact that I choose for us to wait until the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) to start singing this song at Mass, as the refrain calls us to REJOICE. From that Sunday through the rest of Advent our focus is on preparing for the celebration of the Incarnation, when the Son of God was born into our world!
(I want to thank Deacon Gary for inspiring me to write this pastor's column and providing much of the information I used in composing it)
I assumed that this song was a song to be sung at home and at church throughout the Advent season. While this can be the case, the Church promotes it being sung in the most proximate days leading up to the Solemnity of The Nativity of the Lord (December 25) especially during evening prayer from December 17-23. The hymn has its origins over 1200 years ago in monastic life.
Each of the verses refers to a Messianic title for Christ, using biblical imagery drawn from the Old Testament to recall the whole of salvation history and anticipate the birth of Christ. They express the longing we feel for the coming of the Messiah--at Christmas, anew in our hearts, AND at the end of time when he comes in glory. The messianic titles in Latin and English, and the days in which these titles are proclaimed in song are: December 17--O Sapientia (O Wisdom), December 18--O Adonai (O Lord), December 19--O Radix Jesse (O root of Jesse), December 20--O Clavis David (O Key of David), December 21--O Oriens (O Light from the East), December 22--O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations) , and December 23--O Emmanuel (O God with Us).
The verses of the song "O Come O Come Emmanuel" are variations on these antiphons. The verse that begins "O Come Thou Dayspring" is a reference to Oriens (O Light from the East) and the verse which begins "O Come, Desire of Nations" refers to O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations).
There is even a hidden message in the first letters of each antiphon--beginning with "E" for Emmanuel and working backwards, the first letter of each antiphon can be assembled to spell the phrase "ero cras" which is Latin for "tomorrow I come" a reference to the fact that the next day is Christmas Eve. Of all the hymns that we are blessed to have and sing in the Advent and Christmas seasons, you now know which has the longest history behind it and appreciate the fact that I choose for us to wait until the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) to start singing this song at Mass, as the refrain calls us to REJOICE. From that Sunday through the rest of Advent our focus is on preparing for the celebration of the Incarnation, when the Son of God was born into our world!
(I want to thank Deacon Gary for inspiring me to write this pastor's column and providing much of the information I used in composing it)
I am sure that at least some, and perhaps many of you would agree with me that the words "life-changing" in regards to something or some things are often overstating the reality of "it" a little or a lot! Having said this, I am now going to use these words (life-changing) when it comes to a recent book by Matthew Kelly that is going to be given out as a Christmas present from the parish to those who join us for one of our Christmas Masses this year. In one of the later chapters of the book, he recalls the story of Jesus' "Presentation in the Temple" (a mystery of the rosary) by Mary and Joseph. He speaks about their "obedience" to the Jewish Law, which given who Jesus was (as they understood it through the words of an angel about him), one could argue that they really didn't have to obey that law. The fact is, however, that they did obey it and in this (and I'm sure many other instances of obedience to God's law that are not reported in the Gospels) they are an example to us of the importance for us and everyone to follow God's laws without question or hesitation because we know God's requirements are for our own good and help us on our journey to heaven.
Kelly tells his readers that the word obedience comes from the Latin word obedire which means "to listen deeply" which is what Mary, Joseph and Simeon did as they saw the wisdom of God and surrendered to His will. In presenting obedience as the virtue of the day he says that it is "simply doing what God asks, even when you would prefer to do something else, or think there is a better way. "Obedience to God and obedience to a virtue seeking earthly authority are both profound blessings that liberate the soul and make peaceful acceptance possible."
The Catholic Church's leaders are one of, and really the most important of the "virtue seeking earthly authorities" that we are blessed to have hopefully as an important and respected presence in our lives. Besides affirming the importance of the Commandment of "Keeping Holy the Sabbath" by requiring us to participate in Masses every Sunday of the year, they require the same when it comes to certain "Holydays" of the year. Three of those occur in less than a month's time starting with the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary THIS MONDAY, December 9. These "Holydays of Obligation" call for obedience in participating in Mass that day. I pray that in this and in other things we will readily and even joyfully follow the example of Mary, Joseph, Simeon and of course Jesus himself, in obedi-ence to God, and live securely in the peace of Christ on those days and every day!
Kelly tells his readers that the word obedience comes from the Latin word obedire which means "to listen deeply" which is what Mary, Joseph and Simeon did as they saw the wisdom of God and surrendered to His will. In presenting obedience as the virtue of the day he says that it is "simply doing what God asks, even when you would prefer to do something else, or think there is a better way. "Obedience to God and obedience to a virtue seeking earthly authority are both profound blessings that liberate the soul and make peaceful acceptance possible."
The Catholic Church's leaders are one of, and really the most important of the "virtue seeking earthly authorities" that we are blessed to have hopefully as an important and respected presence in our lives. Besides affirming the importance of the Commandment of "Keeping Holy the Sabbath" by requiring us to participate in Masses every Sunday of the year, they require the same when it comes to certain "Holydays" of the year. Three of those occur in less than a month's time starting with the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary THIS MONDAY, December 9. These "Holydays of Obligation" call for obedience in participating in Mass that day. I pray that in this and in other things we will readily and even joyfully follow the example of Mary, Joseph, Simeon and of course Jesus himself, in obedi-ence to God, and live securely in the peace of Christ on those days and every day!