December 14, 2008

Dear friends in life and in ministry . . .

Yes, its Wednesday morning. I apologize to those of you who usually read this email on Monday morning. My life over the past week or so has been consumed with two project deadlines that this email had to be put aside. But, thankfully have finally I finished the projects and can breath again. Next week I share with you a little more about what I've been working on - but for now - I've finally found a few minutes to get this out.

Does it seem to you that the days go much more rapidly as we get nearer to Christmas. Now I am not someone who obsesses about Christmas gifting - until at least a few days before. But here we are - already celebrating the Third Sunday of Advent. Today's scripture reminds us to "Rejoice!"

My column this week again is recycled but nevertheless profound material that last week appeared in the bulletin of my dear friend and often relied upon ghost writer Charlotte Bruney.

I'll take credit for the homily that is also attached in semi outline form to this week's e-mail.

May the pink that you experience this week come from celebrating Gaudete Sunday - rather than needing a bottle of Pepto Bismo. How's that for an attempt at liturgical humor.

TRAVEL WITH US IN 2009
Pat and I invite you to join us on a "Lands of the Bible Cruise" that we've scheduled for November 11, 2009. Follow the link below to download our itinerary. Then, if you are interested, drop me an email and I'll send you a brochures and registration form. (http://www.deaconray.com/travel.htm)

December 14, 2008 - Come Lord Jesus!

We’ve already lived two full weeks of Advent; Christmas will be all too soon upon us! The challenge to us, of course, is not to let this particular liturgical season fly by without accomplishing its purpose: to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. Even in these tough economic times, so many of us are so preoccupied with the commercial aspects of the holiday that we do not take the time to savor Advent, a season pregnant with opportunity.

The season’s prayer, dating back to ancient times, is “Come, Lord Jesus!” It carries with it a sense of urgency. Anticipating Christmas, we spend almost four weeks inviting the Lord to come, in a most special way, into our hearts, into our homes, into our celebrations. It is a time of patient, but vigilant, waiting and watching for Jesus, already God-with-us. We recall the stories leading up to his birth in Bethlehem over two thousand years ago, and recall that we are still waiting and watching for his Second Coming, when all salvation will see the glory of the Lord!

A few Sundays ago, we heard a reading from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians in which he compared the coming Day of the Lord to the inescapable labor pains of a pregnant woman. Religious writer Alice Camille made the following observation about that image: “Here is the thing about the suddenness of labor pains: they do come all at once, but they are not exactly unexpected. In fact, they are some of the most predictable pains life has to offer. So when St. Paul cites labor pains as a metaphor for the onset of the Day of the Lord, he is saying two things: once they start, there’s no escaping them; and you do not really expect that this old pregnant world is going to avoid them, do you?”

Of all people, Christians cannot pretend that the Day of the Lord is not coming. God’s reign is expected; it is prayed for every time we gather for Eucharist, every time we celebrate any sacrament. So it should not catch us by surprise, and we are fools if we do not prepare for it! Take the time this Advent to read – especially the Gospel of Mark, to pray, to hope and to expect that the Lord is indeed coming soon.

Let this Advent be different for you. Do not let these wonderful opportunities to grow deeper in your relationship with the Lord slip by you yet again. The clock is running out.

Congratulations Mary Carol!

Let me echo the congratulations of our entire parish to Mary Carol Wall for the recognition she received last week from her colleagues in the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry. Over my years here at St. Mary’s, Mary Carol’s tremendous faith and kindly counsel have been a great blessing to me. I can think of few, if any, people who are more inspiring.

Have a good week. Serve one another well.

Deacon Ray

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Bulletin: Dec 14, 2008

Homily: Dec 14, 2008