December 2017

Fourth Sunday of Advent (“B”) – December 24, 2017

Frackville, From the Pastor /

The Jewish people were deeply imbued with the story of their ancestors and lived in hope that God would redeem them from past failures. The long-awaited Messiah is announced and St. Luke is concerned that we make the necessary connections, and see that this is God’s plan, so long foretold by the prophets, coming to fulfillment. Isaiah prophesied that a “virgin would be with child”: Mary is that virgin. Joseph, the one to whom she is betrothed, is of the House of David.

As we approach the celebration of the great feast of Christmas, once again the Church is inviting us to think about our heritage. Like the Jewish people of old, Christians are generally very conscious of the chequered history of the pas 2000 years. It is the story of saints and sinners, struggling with the complexities of life in every age. Like the people of the Old Testament, we may often be tempted to imagine that God has abandoned us. We are part of the new inheritance, invited to be brothers and sisters of Jesus and therefore heirs to the kingdom of God. The message announced to Mary is proclaimed again this Christmas and we are to be its heralds.

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Second Sunday of Advent (“B”) – December 10, 2017

From the Pastor /

In today’s first reading, we hear of a plan to improve journey times – though here the prophet Isaiah is encouraging the people to construct a speedy route along which God’s very self can travel. And this “building project” is intended not to take the frustration out of life or improve the economic situation, but to set God’s people free after years of living in the misery of exile. Isaiah announces that the time of suffering and captivity is over: the Lord is coming and the people need to prepare a straight highway for God across the desert, a way for the Lord through the wilderness of their exile. So obstacles need to be removed, valleys filled in and hills flattened, to hasten the Lord’s coming. Then God will lead the people home – like a shepherd leading the flock and tenderly carrying the lambs in His arms.

It is with this vivid image that St. Mark chooses to begin his Gospel and to describe the coming of Jesus, God’s Son and anointed one. Isaiah’s ancient prophecy is being fulfilled in a new way: one more powerful than John the Baptist is coming to lead God’s people home, to set them free from tyranny of sin to live in the homeland of God’s kingdom, which, Jesus proclaims, is breaking into the world. Symbolically, St. John goes out into the wilderness to call the people to prepare for this momentous arrival.

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First Sunday of Advent (“B”) – December 3, 2017

From the Pastor /

In today’s first reading Isaiah bemoans the way the Lord has seemingly abandoned the people as they have distanced themselves from God through their waywardness. Since returning from exile, the people had a tough time and, forgetting God’s kindness to them, have reverted to pagan practices.

Jesus in the Gospel speaks of the need to be prepared for God’s coming. Referring specifically to His second coming, Jesus urges hearers to be attentive and vigilant. In effect we’re called to remind ourselves not to allow the divine potter to take His hands off us. Staying awake spiritually is to ensure we remain on the potter’s wheel, a place of safety. We can hear the words of St. Paul encouraging us in this venture, as he reminds us that the Lord will keep us steady and blameless until the last day, if we just let the Lord hold on us.

As we begin our Advent season, the readings are an encouragement to us, even if they may seem quite stark. We are called to remember that God respects the choices we make and so, if we choose to distance ourselves from God, it becomes harder to hear God’s voice. Advent is a wake-up call to bring us from potential slubmer to a new alertness of the immediacy of God’s presence. God is never distant from us. It’s just that sometimes we don’t allow God’s closeness to be apparent to us. Advent can bring us back on track. What is certain, though, as we consider our readiness for Christ’s second coming and prepare to celebrate His incarnation, is that God will never abandon us.

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