Monthly Archives: December 2024

Gaudete Means Rejoice!

Dear Folks,
This is Gaudete Sunday, and Gaudete means rejoice! In the midst of our dark season of anticipation and recognizing our need for a savior, we rejoice that He is coming.
Some people, of course, will not feel like rejoicing. They are going through a very hard time, and they are focusing on coping and surviving. Even in the midst of struggles, there is a meaning and a hope that cannot be taken away. “We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest who have no hope (1 Thess 4:13).” When we suffer loss, we still grieve, but along with grief we have
hope, and the hope keeps us from getting crushed. When grief is intense, it can be hard to feel hope, but we know it is there. Our suffering is real, but not the final word.
I’ve mentioned before how St. Paul wrote a very joyful letter to the Philippians when he was living under harsh conditions. He did also have his crabby days (we see this in the letter to the Galatians). It is clear he had a full range of emotions and was quite honest about
them, but his disposition, his general approach to life was joyful. I suggest that this had to do with a deep awareness that both the good and the bad he faced were parts of a journey to his ultimate destination, which would be infinitely worth all the trials (Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight
of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).” We remember that what he called “momentary light affliction” was years and years of trials that would
crush many people.
We remember joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). The Holy Spirit helps us attend to the bigger picture, in which God is doing wonderful things, and that what we are enduring is worth the journey.
If we exude joy that is authentic, even in difficult times, that bears witness that the power of the Gospel is greater than the evils of the world.
So today is a day to rejoice for all those who can, and there is much to rejoice about. For those who are overwhelmed with pain, grief, stress or other troubles so they cannot feel good about anything right now, they can know (even if they can’t feel) that the pain is
walking with Jesus, and this walking with Jesus is noble and fruitful in growing treasure in heaven. It is a gift that can be offered to Jesus, and one that He holds precious.
Whatever the situation, today we remember especially that what holds us down is no match for the One who is coming.
Blessings,
Fr. Jim

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19Thomas Ketchum, Angie Terry and 17 others

Road Construction for the Soul

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Dear Folks,

Our first reading for the Second Sunday of Advent is from Baruch talking to Israelites in exile. He talks about smoothing the roads “For God has commanded that every lofty mountain be made low, and that the age-old depths and gorges be filled to level ground that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God (Baruch 5:7).” This is about Israel coming back from exile and doing so in safety.

Our sins exile us from God and from each other. They close our minds and hearts to His goodness, and we need Jesus to bring us back. In our Gospel in Luke 3 we see a text similar to Isaiah 40:3-4 being repurposed to the work of John the Baptist preparing for the coming of Jesus.

During the season of Advent, we are called to prepare the way of the Lord, first Jesus coming to us and then smoothing the path of Jesus to others, removing obstacles.

Critical point: we need a lot of clearing of obstacles. We tend to underestimate how seriously our obstacles are holding us back.

Jesus warns us not to be complacent. It is so easy to let our trust in the promises of God fade and trust more and more the promises of the world. “He passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, ‘Lord, will only a few be saved?’ He answered them, ‘Strive to enter through the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter, but not be strong enough (Luke 13:22-24).’” We notice some things. First Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem, which is on His way to the Cross. Luke 9:51 references His going to Jerusalem and tells us He is on His way to His death, the terrible price He will pay for our salvation. If you keep reading, Jesus tells a very sad story of someone who doesn’t make it and is surprised. Can anyone read this teaching, take it seriously, and still believe that their salvation can be taken for granted and that we can coast into heaven? I suggest He is telling us the opposite, and we need to be payingfull attention, for heaven’s sake (yes, for heaven’s sake).

This suggests to me that we need all the help we can get. I would say it does not mean we are to be in a constant state of fear, but to a love that drives out fear (1 John 4:18). However, St. Paul gives us a different model of attentive focus. 1 Corinthians 9 compares discipleship to training as an Olympic athlete. Serious athletes, it

seems to me, don’t live in fear (that burns energy uselessly) but drive themselves because they are determined, and seek everything that can give them the fullest advantage possible. Everything that holds them back has got to go, because that can make the difference between winning and losing.

During this Advent, how can we find some time to reflect? What sinful habits are holding us back? What are not themselves sins but set us up to commit sin? What are distractions that lead us to lose focus? How can we smooth the highway for Jesus to come into our

hearts?

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

Hope

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Dear Folks,

We have begun the season of Advent, and that is the season of hope. Pope Francis has designated 2025 as a Jubilee year, and the theme is Pilgrims of Hope. It will begin December 24 with the opening of the holy doors at St. Peter’s Basilica.

If we are going through bad times, we need to believe there is something on the other side that will make it worth it. Otherwise we will likely be crushed. I suggest there are many people today who are crushed, depressed, and despairing because they found no

reason for hope. Sharing the Gospel brings the gift of hope to a world in despair.

At the priests’ conference, we were reminded that Christian hope is different from worldly hope. Worldly hope is basically a wish, like “I hope there will be good weather this weekend.” It might happen, or it might not, and it is always temporary. We might have good weather this weekend but bad weather the next. When “our” side wins the election, we know, if we understand the history, that our side will almost certainly lose an election in the future. Christian hope is based on the faithful promise of God. Of course, God did

not promise a life free of troubles, but called is to carry the cross, and promised to be with us. God’s promise involves salvation and a more abundant life. Even in hard times, if our lives have deep meaning and we have strong hope, we can find joy.

Our first reading is from Jeremiah, and he had a very hard life, but did not give up hope. St. Paul knew a great deal of hardship because if his service to the Gospel, but he was able to teach hope and joy with great confidence.

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access [by faith] to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, for the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us (Romans 5:1-5).”

The letter to the Philippians can teach us much. He wrote it in prison (a very nasty place), but this letter exudes a powerful joy because his relationship with God was stronger than his circumstances: “I am confident of this, that the one who began the good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).” And also: “It is not that I have already taken hold of it or have already attained perfect maturity, but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it, since I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ [Jesus]. Brothers, I for my part do not consider myself to have taken possession. Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead, I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:12-14).”

This letter is a good resource during Advent, and is worth getting to know.

Our hope is part of how we prepare the way of the Lord.