December 20, 1998Fourth Sunday of Advent |
We are already finished with our Advent journey for this liturgical year. This Sunday climaxes with the dramatic prophecy of Isaiah when he says that "The Virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel." St. Matthew reminds us that the full meaning of this prophecy came about in the birth of Jesus Christ when he says that "All this happened to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet..."The virgin shall be with child, and give birth to a son, and they shall call him Emmanuel, a name which means "God is with us." The power of the words of Isaiah and their fulfillment in Christ, according to St. Matthew, are central to the meaning of our Faith, and powerful words for this Fourth Sunday of Advent. According to the DAYS OF THE LORD (liturgical/ preaching reference work). "Advent celebrates the fidelity and constancy of God in the accomplishment of his eternal plan: The institution that Lord's return will inaugurate and bring to full and definitive manifestation. But this coming involves an earthly and historical phase - in the formal and modern sense of the term - which is not merely important but decisive for us and, in some way, for God himself." The whole tenor of Advent now shifts to eager anticipation to the birth of our Lord. Each evening, from December 17th on, the Church - at evening prayer - sings the beautiful "O Antiphons" which are the messianic titles of Jesus from the Old Testament - (O WISDOM, O SACRED LORD, O FLOWER OF JESSE, O KEY OF DAVID, OR RADIANT DAWN, O KING, O EMMANUEL). These titles "plead" with the Saviour to come and be among us. In their original form of Gregorian Chant, they are beautiful. These are the actual verses of the familiar Advent hymn "O COME O COME EMMANUEL" which we also sing so regularly each Advent. Also, throughout the Hispanic world, we begin a Novena entitled "LAS POSEDAS" in which through processions hymns, candles and the rosary, and drama, the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem is re-enacted. COME LORD JESUS!
----Dr. Harry Kocurek, Pastoral Associate
Advent is coming to an end and Christmas is just around the corner on our journey through Advent 98.
Plan a "trip" to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel this week, while the kids are out of school, and spend some time thanking God for the many blessings you have received this past year. Another destination could be to our beautifully restored cathedral downtown.
To continue the "journey theme" this week, have the children make a manger from little tree branches by wiring branches together in the shape of an animal feeding trough. The time spent on this project is well worth the effort. Place this empty crib in a place of honor somewhere where family members must pass often each day. Then, daily add straw, brown or yellow yarn, blades of grass, or shredded paper to make a "bed" for the Christ Child whenever you do a random act of kindness. Place the Christ Child in the manger on Christmas Eve. This custom originated in France to help children see their efforts as they prepare for the coming of Jesus with many acts of kindness.
What journey would be complete without a snack along the way? Here's a simple recipe call "Lebkuchen." You'll need 4 eggs, 2 cups brown sugar, 2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 2 ounces citron, cut fine, 1/4 pound almonds or pecans. Beat eggs and sugar until fluffy. Separately, mix the flour and cinnamon with finely chopped nuts and citron. Combine the two mixtures. Spread dough in 2 greased 10" x 15" pans. Bake 375F for 25 minutes. Cool, cut into bars and frost with any plain icing.
The first creche was created by St. Francis of Assisi using actual people and animals. Take time as a family to put up the family creche this week and conclude with this blessing:
"Gracious God, you have brought us to this season of joyful expectation. As we gather around this creche, we recall the wondrous events that surrounded the birth of your Son. Bless this creche, and may the figures be a reminder to us of your great love and the salvation that Christ has gained for us. We give you praise and thanksgiving through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen."
The creche may be sprinkled with holy water, a sign of peace exchanged, and an appropriate carol sung.
Take the family out any night through the end of December to see the free light displays on the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma right here in Edmond. This is the first year for this display which hopefully will become an annual event.
Advent would not be complete without reading the Gospel narrative of the birth of Jesus in the first two chapters of Matthew or Luke. Matthew stresses the fulfillment of the scripture, while Luke emphasizes poverty and simplicity in Mary, Elizabeth, Zachariah, the Shepherds, Simeon and Anna. Relate the stories of the persons mentioned in Matthew's list of ancestors, such as Abraham, Ruth, and David back to your Jesse tree ornaments.
This series of four articles began by saying that Advent was a time to wait, to grow, and to hope. I trust that the prayers and activities gathered here have helped your family or class, or you as an individual. Your Advent activities are limited only by your imagination and time available, so that you can rejoice in the fulfillment of the prophecy from Matthew 1:23, "The virgin shall be with child and give birth to a son, and they shall call him Emmanuel, a name which means God is with us.'"
A blessed and Merry Christmas to all!
"Ask for a sign from the Lord your God." (Isaiah 7:10-14) this message given to King Ahaz in this Sunday's First Reading represents a metaphor for what would later be called the gift of discernment for Christians in the New Testament era. The historical context is that King Ahaz greatly feared the threat of an Assyrian invasion, and so he opted for a military alliance with northern neighbors Ephriasm and Syria. The prophet Isaiah believes that this coalition is pure folly against such a powerful armed force, so Isaiah counsels the king to ask for a sign from God regarding how best to be faithful to the covenant with God and thereby ensure God's promise of protection. King Ahaz refuses to ask for a sign under false pretense - a classical instance of not trusting Gods ways or promises but preferring to control one's own destiny, or in the words of a popular song "I did it my way."
The biblical call "to ask for a sign from the Lord," is still in place for us contemporary disciples of Christ. The historical perspective has changed considerably from the Old Testament era, but we Christians, by the very nature of being disciples (e.g. followers of Christ) are called to be faithful in exercising discernment in the big and little decisions that affect us individually and as a community. We are empowered to put into practice this charism of discernment through the Holy Spirit given to us when we were baptized, and further released and operative through the Sacrament of Confirmation and subsequent opportune moments in our life when we desire to experience the further gifts and charisms of the Holy Spirit.
Lord, Jesus
every Christmas
I need a quiet moment,
just on silent moment,
a moment outside of time,
a moment without bells,
without carols or cards,
a moment away from worrying
about presents and parties,
just one quiet moment,
either in church
or when all have gone to bed,
a moment when I can be still
and picture myself one by one,
as shepherd, wise man, Scrooge,
Inn Keeper, Little Drummer Boy,
as well as George Bailey discovering,
"It's a wonderful Life,"
a moment when I can experience
You with me as the Christmas Present.
-Andrew Costello-Markings
1) Isaiah 7, 10-14
2) Romans 1, 1-7
3) Matthew 1, 18-24
Emmanuel-God is with us. We say it; we sing it; we celebrate it each Advent. But do we truly believe? Advent is the season of remembering that God is indeed with us in our history (the Nativity), in our future (the Second Coming), and in our present (Word and Sacrament). Ahaz refuses to ask for a sign that God is with him-"I will not ask! I will not tempt the Lord (1)!" This would be a wonderful profession of faith if Ahaz were indeed placing his faith in God's presence, but what Ahaz is placing his faith in is the defense being prepared for Jerusalem. Joseph and Mary were willing to place the will of God at the center of their lives (3). They were willing, eventually, to flee to Egypt abandoning home and possessions in the confidence that God was with them. Do we trust in God's'presence? Do we accept that each of us is "called to be an apostle and set apart to proclaim the gospel of God which he promised long ago through his prophets...(2)?" "Every resource in our possession must be used not to defend our possessions, but to serve the Lord. Do not fear the loss of material wealth. Do not try to defend the city by your own devices. Emmanuel! God is with us!
Next Sunday, the readings will be: 1) 1 Sirach 3, 2-6.12-14; 2) Colossians 3, 12-21; 3) Matthew 2, 13-15.19-23.
The Jesse Tree is an Advent tradition that uses symbols portraying the spiritual heritage of Jesus to trim a tree. Daily throughout the season of Advent, a symbol of Christ's heritage is placed on the tree.
4th Sunday: ZACHARIAH & ELIZABETH
Symbol is the altar.
4th Monday: VIRGIN MARY
Symbol is a lily.
4th Tuesday: MAGNIFICAT
Symbol is Mary.
4th Wednesday: BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
Symbol is the baptismal font.
Christmas Eve: BIRTH OF JESUS
Symbol is the Madonna and Child.
Christmas Day: CHRIST OUR LORD
Symbol is the Chi Rho.
Prayer for lighting the advent wreath in your home the fourth week:
Lord of candle light and guiding stars, you gave the Wise Men a light to show them the way to your Son. Be with us as we draw nearer to Christmas. Be our light. Show us the way. Guide us patiently. And, in this time of busy schedules and frantic shopping, give us quiet moments with you. AMEN.
St. Paul reminds us that he was called "to proclaim the Gospel (Good News) of God..."(Rom. 1:2). This message was realized when Mary said yes and became the Mother of Emmanuel, God-with-us. These are words of faith for us today as they were when Mary was asked. As we listen to God's word how receptive are we to bring to birth the Word made flesh?
The truth is simple. It didn't just happen long ago in an out of the way place; it still happens today when we accept the call to proclaim the Gospel.
Naturally, this season is one of special time of preparation. Nevertheless, let us be open to the one who comes among us. When we approach this with faith it becomes an event. That which we proclaim has an effect in our lives. How wonderful that we are invited to be personally involved in the good news if we are disposed.
Let us, then, as a community open our hearts to the Holy One and bring His peace into our world.
Fr. Ron
At this time of the year the believers in our parent religion, Judaism, celebrate a feast known as "Hanukkah", sometimes spelled Chanukah. It is a festival that originated from the rededication of the Second Temple in 165 B.C. by Judas Maccabeus after the Selucids had desecrated it. The story is reported in I Maccabees 4 and II Maccabees 10. The celebration lasts for eight days. (I Maccabees 6:52-59) It's central focus is the menorah (an eight-branched candelabrum). A candle is lit each day similar to our Advent wreath that commemorates the time of waiting for the Messiah to come. According to legend, the original lamps in the new Temple held only enough oil for one day. Miraculously the lamps burned throughout the rededication that lasted for eight days. Hanukkah is also known as "the festival of lights."
Of all the gifts
That Christmas brings,
The best are made
Of little things.
Melody of carols all the year,
Cheer to friends that you hold dear;
Courage to someone else to start
Some task for which he hasn't heart.
Thoughts for those having less than you,
Faith though the future's not in view;
Fun and laughter to go everywhere,
Kindness to show how much you care.
Strength to begin all over again,
And love to seek the best in every man.
While other seasons come and go
And another year hurries past,
Let's give again the little things...
They are the gifts of love that last.
Anonymous
In the first reading the Lord offered Ahaz a sign, but Ahaz answered, No! The Lord, though, gave a sign: A virgin shall bear a son who will be named Emmanuel.
Paul tells the Romans that he was called to be an apostle and set apart to proclaim the gospel of God about Christ Jesus. He said to them, We have all been favored with apostleship, that we may spread Christ's name and bring to faith all those called to belong to him.
The Gospel says that Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they got married Mary became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph decided to break the engagement. He changed his mind, however, when an angel in a dream told him to receive Mary as his wife.
The major message of this Fourth Sunday of Advent is that in a decisive way we are to ready ourselves and open wide our minds and hearts in order to let enter into our individual and corporate experiences the Lord Jesus, the King of glory, God-with-us, the sign of the Kingdom, the Son of God, the fulfillment of God's reign.
The time has come to take a definitive step in our spiritual life. In so many ways we've been like Ahaz, refusing to recognize the signs around us of God's presence and power in our lives. Unlike St. Paul, we are sometimes slack about being apostles for Jesus in our family and neighborhood. Somewhat like St. Joseph we are tempted to break off or weaken our engaging commitment to the Lord.
The time has come to take a definitive step in our spiritual life. It's time to say, I'm sorry to that person whose feelings we've hurt or whose behavior we've judged. It's time to say, I forgive you to the person who hurt us or blamed us for something we didn't do. It's time to demonstrate stewardship where we've been lax, show compassion where we've been hard-hearted, let go and trust in God's providence where we've been staunchly self- sufficient and self-reliant. It's time to go to confession!
The time has come to take a definitive step in our spiritual life. It's time to make peace rather than cause division. It's time to discover the good in everyone rather than criticize their faults, to live in hope rather than give up. It's time to welcome Jesus rather than shut him out because of selfishness or closed-mindedness. It's time to make the Word flesh to dwell among us!
Father Benet OFM
Las Posadas is a time of celebration in Mexico and the Southwest United States. It is an event of much significance with joy, protection, and festivity. Las Posadas is always observed with much song and celebration. It is a novena of preparation for the feast of the Nativity.
It is the celebration of the pilgrims who go from house to house led by an angel who conducts the little donkey with the seated Virgin. She is accompanied by St. Joseph. They sing songs as they look for shelter, the masters of the houses open their doors and all who participate share in the buffet which the owners (innkeepers) of the house offer.
The people celebrate that the Messiah will come again. It is the celebration of preparation for this coming. It is time to open the doors of our hearts to give shelter. How do we give shelter to Jesus? By the doing of good works. It is the preparation time for the doing and practicing of the virtues. It is a time for coming together with our neighbors. It is the occasion for gathering with our families and with those who live near us.
Divine and Eternal Word, who descended from the Father into the heart of the ever Virgin Mary, your love for humankind leads you to Bethlehem where you are born at midnight in a poor and humble stable.
In truth, thousands of angels accompany you on this journey, and yet we, whom you came to save and lead to that Bethlehem of eternal joy, stubbornly turn away from you.
Forgive us, God and Lord of the universe, and help us to walk alongside Mary and Joseph, thus giving us the courage to fight against and triumph over every adversity.
This we ask of you, loving God, through your powerful Spirit in the name of the Word made flesh who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
La Posadas Prayer
Next Friday we will celebrate the end of our Advent waiting and watchfulness. We will find he fulfillment of our anticipation. For now, perhaps we need to quiet ourselves a bit. Let's set about doing those small things necessary to be someone who is welcoming - but even more importantly - someone who is not frazzled. Saint Joseph can be our model for these final days of Advent. His openness to God's will and his gentle acknowledgment of the great importance of Jesus' coming can guide us to the Christmas celebration.
Reflections on Jesus, The Holy Spirit, and the Father,
by Pope John Paul II.
Witness, The First Form Of Evangelization...People today put more trust in witnesses than in teachers, in experience than in teaching, and in life and action than in theories. The witness of a Christian life is the first and irreplaceable form of mission: Christ, whose mission we continue, is the witness par excellence (see Revelation 1:5; 3:14) and the model of all Christian witness. The Holy Spirit accompanies the Church along her way and associates her with the witness He gives to Christ (see John 15:26-27).
The first form of witness is the very life of the missionary, of the Christian family, and of the ecclesial community, which reveal a new way of living. The missionary who, despite all his or her human limitations and defects, lives a simple life, taking Christ as the model, is a sign of God and of transcendent realities. But everyone in the Church, striving to imitate the Divine Master, can and must bear this kind of witness; in many cases it is the only possible way of being a missionary.
The evangelical witness which the world finds most appealing is that of concern for people and of charity toward the poor, the weak, and those who suffer. The complete generosity underlying this attitude and these actions stands in marked contrast to human selfishness. It raises precise questions which lead to God and to the Gospel. A commitment to peace, to justice, human rights, and human promotion is also a witness to the Gospel when it is a sign of concern for persons and is directed toward integral human development.
Christians and Christian communities are very much a part of the life of their respective nations and can be a sign of the Gospel in their fidelity to their native land, people, and national culture, while always preserving the freedom brought by Christ...[But] the Church is [also] called to bear witness to Christ by taking courageous and prophetic stands in the face of the corruption of political or economic power; by not seeking her own glory and material wealth; by using her resources to serve the poorest of the poor and by imitating Christ's own simplicity of life. The Church and her missionaries must also bear the witness of humility, above all with regard to themselves - a humility which allows them to make a personal and communal examination of conscience in order to correct in their behavior whatever is contrary to the Gospel and disfigures the face of Christ.
[RM n. 42-43]
The Archdiocese of St. Louis
and We Here at OLS
Prepare for the Visit of
Pope John Paul II
The Family prays in order to glorify and give thanks to God for the gift of life, and implores His light and strength in order to face times of difficulty and suffering without losing hope. But the celebration which gives meaning to every other form of prayer and worship is found in the family's actual daily life together. If it is a life of love and self-giving.
--Pope John Paul II, Evangelum Vitae, 93.
Please join families throughout the Archdiocese in offering your Mass on the Feast of the Holy Family, Sunday, December 27, 1998, for the intentions of the Holy Father and of the family of the Church.
Archbishop Justin Rigali has many years of experience at the Vatican. He worked at the Vatican for more than twenty-five years, serving as the English translator for the Pope, working on the Vatican diplomatic staff, and working with the College of Cardinals. He also has extensive experience organizing papal visits. Pope John Paul II refers to Archbishop Rigali as his friend. It was Pope John Paul II who ordained Archbishop Rigali to the episcopacy in 1985 and who chose him in 1994 to serve as the shepherd of the Church of St. Louis. In April 1998, Pope John Paul II accepted Archbishop Rigali's invitation to visit the people of the Church of St. Louis.
The Holy Father is coming to visit an area with a large Catholic population. There are more that 558,000 Catholics in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, and another 110,000 Catholics in the Diocese of Belleville. Also, the Archdiocese of St. Louis, long known for its exemplary commitment to Catholic education, has the largest percentage of Catholic students in Catholic parochial, archdiocesan, and private schools of any diocese in the United States.
Born in Wadowice, Poland on May 18, 1920 to an administrative officer in the Polish army and a former school teacher, Karol Wojtyla was ordained to the priesthood on November 1, 1946. He completed his doctorate in theology in 1948 at the Angelicum in Rome, Italy. From 1948 to 1951 he served as a parish priest in Krakow. From 1952 to 1958 he taught at the Krakow Seminary. Pope Pius XII appointed Wojtyla an auxiliary bishop of Krakow in 1958 and Pope Paul VI appointed him Archbishop of Krakow in 1963. Archbishop Wojtyla attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council and played a prominent role in the formulation of the Vatican II document entitled Declaration of Religious Freedom. Pope Paul VI appointed Wojtyla a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church in 1967.
The Cardinal Archbishop of Krakow was 58 years old in October of 1978 when the College of Cardinals elected him to lead the Roman Catholic Church as the first non-Italian pope in 456 years and the youngest pope to be elected this century. Cardinal Wojtyla, the newly elected 265th head of the Roman Catholic Church, selected the name John Paul in memory of his predecessors Pope John XXIII, Pope Paul VI, and Pope John Paul I and to emphasize his desire to continue their work. In December 1994 he was chosen the 1994 TIME Magazine Man of the Year. Pope John Paul II recently celebrated the twentieth anniversary of his election to the papacy and is leading the Church into the Third Millennium.
With this series of historical vignettes we review the history of the parish and archdiocese.
Bishop Rosati found himself faced immediately with the prospect of building a new cathedral. By 1830 the bishop and his people had agreed that the old partly dilapidated Cathedral with its unfinished walls and bare rafters, should not be enlarged, but that the Catholics of the city should build a new Cathedral. The obstacles to be overcome in collecting for this proposed edifice proved to be enormous. As he himself said, the old brick cathedral was only half finished, rather rustic inside, and looking much like a hay barn. It was not in ill repair, St. Louis was growing rapidly, and certainly a new church was much in order. After mature deliberation, Bishop Rosati turned himself to this monumental task, which was to be accomplished only under staggering financial difficulties, at a cost of $63,360.85.
However, with much enthusiasm and good will of people and priests, the project was launched with a cornerstone laying on Monday, August 1, 1831, by Bishop Rosati, in the presence of numerous clergy and laity. This first stone was blessed and placed in the east corner of the front of the church. The new cathedral was to be built as it stands today, alongside the bishop's house, facing Walnut Street. In the stone was inserted a box of lead containing a glass vial in which were deposited some United States silver coins minted the year before, a piece of parchment on which was copied the history of the foundation of the city of St. Louis, and another piece of parchment with the following inscription:
The first of August in the year of the Incarnation 1831, the 56th year of the Declaration and conquest of American Independence, under Gregory XVI, Sovereign Pontiff, ruler of the Universal Church, Andrew Jackson, President of the United States of America, and John Miller, Governor of Missouri, this first stone of the Cathedral Church to be erected to Almighty God in honor of St. Louis, Confessor, by the Catholics of the city called by the same saint's name, assisted by the Revs. E. Sauinier, P.J. Verhaegan, L. Rondot, P.W. Walsh, M. Condime, J.A. Elet, A. Mascaroni, and P. Doutreluingne, in the presence of Messrs. Bernard Pratter, P.M. Leduc, Hugh O'Neill, R. Paul, James Lynch and M. Rourke, committeemen of the Church, and a great number of the citizens.
Dearest Lord:
For every string of lights that doesn't go out before New Year's, we thank You. For a parking space within a three-mile radius of WalMart, we beg You. For still being able to stick on last year's bows, we thank You. For batteries size C, D and AA, we thank You. For the cookies in the exchange that are better than our own, we thank You. For Department stores and malls that DON'T play "Gramma Got Run Over By a Reindeer", we thank You. For people behind counters who are still able to smile, we thank You. For any special holiday programming that pre-empts the Impeachment hearing, we especially thank You. For not receiving any fruitcake, we thank You. For any store open 24 hours, we thank You.
