On the Fourth Sunday of Advent we have the final countdown to the celebration of the birth of our Savior.  What are the lessons we learned over the past four weeks?  Are we ready to renew a sense of awe and thankfulness in our lifestyle?  As you feel the embrace of love from your significant others, remember the source is found in Jesus’ love for you.    ~Fr. Matt

On this Third Sunday of Advent John the Baptizer is appealing to our seemingly humdrum lives. It’s more fun to a do a heroic deed than to find fulfillment in doing our daily duties. It requires strength and commitment in which we do not give in to a simple resignation of what is necessary for our family’s health and welfare. Conversion becomes the hidden principle permeating the routing of our lives as a whole. ~ Fr. Matt

The second week of Advent draws us ever closer to our spiritual destination. God’s saving work continues today. The love of God, the word of God, and the Son of God are for all people. In as much as we are responsive, true, and faithful so shall we experience his salvation.    ~ Fr. Matt

Here we go again. One liturgical year ending, a new one beginning. In many ways we have the Advent season down. We participate in all the secular and religious activities. We shop, we attend Christmas parties, we help those in need, we go to confession. As we celebrate with family and friends we renew the presence of the savior. The humility of God is born again.  ~ Fr. Matt

Where is faith found?  Not in a book or in a church. There is no proof for faith.  There can be none.  Faith is what you find when you’re alone and realize that your are not.

                                                                    ~ Fr. Matt

 

 

 

What is greatness? Is it climbing to the top? Moving on up? Or is greatness serving others? Opportunities for service are part of our daily lives in the role we are entrusted. Nurses serve their patients, teachers their students. Parents tend to the needs of their children and spouses are engaged helping each other. We don’t need a passport or immunizations, or a long flight to a foreign country. A woman had the insight about the possibilities for service placing a plaque in her kitchen stating “Apostolic service is rendered here three times a day.”
~ Fr. Matt

We are bolstered by that fact that Jesus offers us all things with love even the distasteful ones. His power within us helps us to face every obstacle, “All things are possible with God.” May we have courage in what ever we encounter.
~ Fr. Matt

Is God ever ashamed of us? According to the Letter to the Hebrews, our humanity is permanently part of God’s identity. However; our lack of forgiveness makes it hard for Jesus to call us his brothers and sisters. Remember when the Amish kids were murdered in Pennsylvania and that very day a group of Amish went to the perpetrators wife and offered her forgiveness, even inviting her to the funerals of the Amish children. What is our level of forgiveness?
~ Fr. Matt

The wise men saw a child in the manger. They believed in God who so loved the world that have his only son. Peter and John saw an empty tomb they believed that God keeps promises, raising his son from the dead as Jesus foretold. Let us be eager to embrace the miracle we experience every Sunday. Let us acknowledge the bread that brings us eternal life.

~ Fr. Matt

The visitation of the Magi reveals our need to look for the Lord outside of our “tribe”, where we feel comfortable and in control.  The revelation of God’s saving power outside the tribe of Israel urges us to be inclusive in our relationships and acknowledge that Jesus came to save us all.    ~ Fr. Matt