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!

While we are blessed to witness so many couples in our parish who have been married for so many years (40, 50, 60, or even more), the reality is that the success rate of marriage in the United States is still only about 50%, (including 41% of first-time marriages). This is tragic and obviously affects many more people than the couple themselves starting with their children. As many of you have concerns about your children and grandchildren when it comes to the civil dissolution of so many marriages, I want to share with you what Matthew Kelly shares in one of the chapters of his book, "33 Days to Eucharistic Glory", a book that I hope to have in everyone's hands by Christmas this year. On Day 17, he makes a claim about married couples in a city in Bosnia-Herzegovina that is hard to believe. There are approximately 30,000 inhabitants in the city of Siroki-Brrijeg and there has not been a single recorded case of divorce there in recent memory! This is a country in which Catholics have experienced much suffering due to religious persecution. Through this they have learned and are passing on an EPIC lesson, sacrifice and salvation are inseparably connected. In part, this has played itself out through the development of a unique wedding ritual (which I was introduced to and used at the wedding of one of my nephew's (Zach) to his now wife (Alyssa). On the day of their wedding, the couple brings a crucifix to church where it is blessed by the priest during the wedding ritual and these words are said to the couple: "You have found your cross. And it is a cross to be loved, to be carried, a cross not to be thrown away. During the exchange of vows, the bride places her right hand on the crucifix and the groom places his hand over hers. The priest places his stole around their hands, and therefore around the cross too. After exchanging their vows, the first kiss is not between them, but rather both kiss Jesus on the cross, and only afterward kiss each other. After the ceremony is over the newly married couple takes the crucifix to their home and display it prominently somewhere in their home and daily (and consciously) bring their hopes, dreams, struggles, worries, gratitude and sorrows and lay them at the foot of the Cross of Jesus Christ! They kiss the cross every night before they go to bed, and when they have children and the children are old enough, they too kiss the cross each night after their parents do. Kelly says in this booklet, "Love and sacrifice are inseparable. Suffering and salvation are inseparable! In a fallen world, broken by selfishness, and bent out of shape by pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, sloth and gluttony, love requires sacrifice." (pg. 83) Jesus's life was a life of love and sacrifice which culminat-ed in his death on the cross and brought redemption and salvation to the human race! Whether it be married life, single life, or religious life, Jesus and his example are there for us to reflect on and imitate daily and all of us can and should literally or figuratively kiss the cross every day and experience the many blessings that come to married couples and individ-uals whose love is given first to Christ and then to others in Christ-like ways!

This past Tuesday, November 12, the Church celebrated the memorial of St. Josephat who was a bishop in the early 17th century. He was Polish and grew up in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. He served as the Archbishop of Polotsk from 1618-1623 and died a martyr's death on November 12, 1623. His efforts to promote unity between the Eastern and Western Church were in large part the cause of his martyrdom. He died seeking to bring Christians together at a time when others had strong feelings and actions in the other direction, toward seeing others who disagreed with them as the enemy. Exactly one week before the memorial of St. Josaphat, many people in our country went to the polls and made their choices among the candidates who were on the ballot to lead them for varying periods of time, starting in January, 2025. In light of the continued polarization that this country faces with some seeing fellow Americans who disagree with them on a variety of positions as being "the enemy", I say we not only needs the prayers of saints like Josaphat to inspire a more Christian heart and response toward those who disagree with them on one or usually a variety of issues, but also inspiration from the Spirit of unity, to try to understand and work with others to come up with solutions and policies that truly benefit the common good. It seems to me that in most recent times (or maybe longer) people on the extremes of positions have had too much voice and influence that has led to hard feelings and a stalemate when it comes to getting things accomplished. Also, in the area of religions in our country it is important that we applaud and promote those who strive to find common ground and mutual respect for those who do not believe as they do. There are more than a few things in most religions that unite us rather than divide us, and we should pray that sincere efforts to work together be supported and prayed for on a daily basis. The history of our country and the even longer history of the Church has shown time and again how much good happens when people start with basic respect for others (especially those who disagree with them) and a readiness to work toward solutions that are considerate of the wisdom of all sides and of course, reflect first and foremost the mind and heart of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

As we prepare to celebrate the feast of "Christ the King" (November 24) to close out the Church year, let us pray that we will always have the perspective that looks beyond what this or any other country stands for and be committed first and foremost to the King of heaven and earth in thought, word and deeds. Striving to be united in him, we can live in these seemingly troubled times in peace with God and with one another!