Padre Portion

4th Sunday of Advent - Dec 22nd, 2024
Brothers and Sisters - Luke 1:39-45... I am posting this a little late, due to my own busy schedule during this time. Since it is now after Christmas, let us look back at the journey and the longing that Zechariah and Elisabeth experienced in their lives leading up to the birth of Jesus. We know from the Gospel of Luke that Zachariah and Elisabeth were very faithful Jews of their time. They were humble and quiet, and did not seem to command a large social following. Zechariah was one of the regular support priests in the Temple. They had never had any children. In our modern amateur Medical knowledge, we know that it is not always the woman who cannot produce a child. But, interestingly, we see in the Scripture that it clearly tells us that Elisabeth was barren. And, that they were both up in age now. Pushing aside the biology discussion, we see that the Angel tells Zechariah that his prayers have been answered. How long had they been married? How long had they been aware of the barrenness? How much anxiety had they experienced because of the social understanding of their childless situation. Most of us have experienced the great contrast found in the feelings of a long experience with a sudden change of events. Maybe on a more lighter side, we can think of that displaced feeling of no longer needing to show up at the High School after leaving. But, the reality is that it has happened. Jesus' birth has happened !!!

Last Sunday Ordinary Time - Jesus Christ the King !!!
Nov 24th, 2024
Brothers and Sisters - John 18:33-37... I have written a fair bit already on the Jesus Christ King of the Universe : ) Let me keep reminding you that God is not reached the bottom of His bag of plans for us. The Lord keeps sending us signs of His constant work. Coming soon, beginning on December 1st, we will enter the Octave of Darkness. Do not take alarm, it is a good thing. You know that in Winter, we have the sun setting early. It is a natural thing of God created Order. This year, for those that love the evening, we will have our darkest evenings (sunset being the earliest) from December 1st to December 8th. Each evening the sun sets at 501pm. Then, a wonderful thing happens for us. Right at the time of our Feast Day of the Blessed Mother, we begin to escape from the darkness. On December 9th, the sun will set a minute later (5:02), and thus starts it journey back to those long light filled evenings of the Summer. I like to think of it as Mary is coming to lead us out of darkness into the approaching birth of her Son !!!

29th Sunday Ordinary Time - Oct 20th, 2024
Brothers and Sisters - Mark 10:35-45... For my thoughts this week, I recall the sarcastic remark about, "do not send out a boy to do a man's job." Certainly, this is a put down for the boy. But, on the positive side it reflects on the ability of the man to carry out the work. We are all 'boys' as we are all 'sheep'. The Lord is faithful to complete in us the work he has begun. Coming up will be the feast day of All Saints. This was ordinally the feast day of All Martyrs. If we look through the memories of God, we can see the Saints as a one-time baby or youth, in Faith and in Body. Like the fruit on the tree or vine, God is ripening us. Mothers are amazing. We see them holding up their families through their love and strength. Yet, they were just like those Little Ones that they care for. The Saints remind us of the Hope of Heaven that is our destination. This World is not our home. Let us continue to give Christ an AMEN for his continued work in us to complete our maturing as His child !!!

28th Sunday Ordinary Time - Oct 13th, 2024
Brothers and Sisters - Mark 10:17-30... It is about six weeks until Jesus Christ King of the Universe Sunday. This is the final Sunday of the Church Year. We usually spend a good time preparing for Easter with about six weeks of Lent. Would you enter into with me in giving a gift to Jesus the King of the Universe? During Lent, we have the Friday prayers of the Stations of the Cross. Would you join with me to spend time in Prayer on these Fridays before the end of the Year? We understand that Jesus had Love for the Father and us to go to the Cross to purchase our Salvation. Can we not also give to God our hearts in looking forward to the Day that Jesus will reveal Himself as the The King of the Universe? Remember that Catholics use to make special prayers around their Fish dinner on Fridays. Is it too much to be asked to make six weeks of a Fridays special to welcome the King of the Universe? Pray from what is in your heart: the Rosary, an Our Father, the Angelus, sing a hymn, fast from meat, whatever is in your heart : )