Pastor’s Corner 08.12.2024
On this second Sunday of Advent, the message from the readings is: “Prepare a way for the Lord, make his path straight. Let every valley be filled, and every mountain and hill be leveled…” (Is 40:4). The readings of this Sunday’s liturgy mandate us to make some changes in our hearts, by arranging and rearranging the furniture of hates, unforgiveness, sinfulness, rifts, anarchy and discord in the living room of our hearts, where the Holy Spirit dwells (1Cor 6:19), in order to give room for the coming Messiah.
The first reading announces that God is ready to display the splendor of the Messiah to all nations. In other words, the coming of the Messiah would bring about changes. Things are going to be changed, moved and arranged. So, we are encouraged to: “Take off our dress of sorrow and distress and put on the beauty of the glory of God forever….”
St Paul in the second reading challenges us to discern what is of value – the change on the inside, not outside, by remaining steadfast in good works, and to continue to improve in it until the Lord comes.
In the Gospel, John the Baptist heralded the message of repentance (Meta + noia = change of heart or mind) by urging us to prepare a highway in our hearts for the Messiah by levelling the mountains of pride and the valleys of impurity, injustice and neglect and straightening our crooked ways.
The physical preparations and changes we effect during this season are beautiful but not fundamental and quintessential. The dusty walls of our hearts need painting and the spoilt access roads of our hearts that have impeded and stifled relationships, mutual and fraternal coexistence need leveling. Attention is needed more from the inside. When we pay much attention to the ongoing commercialization of Christmas, we forget the reason for the season.
We celebrate this week…
December 9: The Immaculate conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Solemnity
A feast called the Conception of Mary arose in the Eastern Church in the seventh century. It came to the West in the eighth century. In the 11th century it received its present name, the Immaculate Conception. In the 18th century it became a feast of the universal Church. It is now recognized as a solemnity.
In 1854, Pius IX solemnly proclaimed: “The most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instant of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin.” (Courtesy: Franciscan Media)
December 12: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Feast
In 1531, the Blessed Mother appeared four times to St. Juan Diego, a poor peasant, asking for a church to be built in her honor. The last time she appeared to St. Juan, on December 12th, 1531, she arranged roses in his tilma, which he then took to the bishop. When he opened his cloak, the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was miraculously present on the tilma.
We therefore celebrate the feast day of Our Lady under the title of Guadalupe on December 12th. It is preceded on December 9th by the feast of St. Juan Diego, who was canonized in 2002 by Pope St. John Paul II. (Courtesy EWTN)
The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Juan Diego is a powerful reminder of God’s providence and the transformative impact of Marian devotion, as Mary always leads us closer to her divine Son Jesus (Luke 1:38; John 2:5). The miraculous events of 1531 continue to inspire, renew, and deepen the faith of millions, inviting all Catholics—and others of goodwill—to draw closer to the Mother of God, so that they can experience her maternal care and love. Our Lady of Guadalupe holds a special place in the religious life of Mexico and is one of the most popular religious devotions. May Our Lady of Guadalupe continue to guide and bless us on our spiritual journey.
December 13: St. Lucy, Martyr
St. Lucy is a virgin and martyr of Syracuse in Sicily. According to tradition, Saint Lucy was born to rich and noble parents in the year 283.
By the order of the ex-consul Paschasius, she was delivered to profligates, that her chastity might be insulted; but when they attempted to lead her away, they could not succeed, either with ropes or with many yokes of oxen. Then pouring hot pitch, rosin, and boiling oil over her body without injuring her, they finally plunged a sword into her throat, and thus completed her martyrdom.
As we honor this saint who was crowned with virginity and martyrdom, ponder the courage and resolve she had to choose death over a life of nobility. She fell in love with her divine Spouse, He entered into union with her, and she turned her eyes firmly upon His holy will. Seek to imitate Saint Lucy’s courage and resolve, choosing Christ and Him alone, renouncing all that is contrary to His holy will.