The Nativity of the Lord Christmas can be disappointing. We remember the Christmases from our childhood, all the joy, the excitement, and the fun we had. When we grow up, we have to shop for gifts, write and mail the cards, put up the decorations, and do all the preparations that seem to stress us out. We may be sad that the day did not meet our expectations. Now that most of that is done, (unless you are reading this on a break from cleaning house before the grandkids arrive) we can reflect on how the first Christmas upset all expectations.

Fourth Sunday of Advent There is a Christmas song that says of Bethlehem: “Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light.” Bethlehem is a suburb of Jerusalem. Its main tourist attraction in the time of Jesus was that it was the birthplace of David. Though today it has many modern homes and buildings, you can still see that it is part of “the hill country…of Judah.” (Lk 1:39) It is not too far from En Kerem, where John the Baptist was born, and apparently where today’s Gospel takes place.

Tercer domingo de Adviento Si bien el Adviento es un momento hermoso para prepararse para la venida del Señor, a menudo nos envolvemos tanto en todas las preparaciones para la Navidad que nos olvidamos por completo del Adviento. Las lecturas de hoy nos recuerdan que, a pesar del estrés que podamos sentir al pensar en lo cerca que está la Navidad, estamos llamados a regocijarnos porque el Señor está cerca.

Third Sunday of Advent While Advent is a beautiful time to prepare for the coming of the Lord, we often get so caught up in all the things we do to prepare for Christmas that we forget Advent all together. The readings remind us that in spite of the stress we may feel thinking about how close Christmas is, we are called to rejoice for the Lord is near.

Inmaculada Concepción. Adán y Eva fueron creados sin pecado. Esto significa que no estaban agobiados por el egoísmo, el miedo o las necesidades insatisfechas. Dios creó todo el universo y los colocó en el hermoso Jardín y caminó con ellos en el frescor del atardecer. Les confió todo el mundo creado, y ellos a su vez, sabiendo claramente de dónde venían y hacia dónde iban (venían de Dios y regresaban a Dios y Dios se estaba encargando de todo en cada paso del camino), se encomendaron completamente a su Padre amoroso. Obedecieron porque confiaron.

Segundo Domingo de Adviento Parece que la Iglesia primitiva tenía una visión del Adviento diferente a la nuestra. La Navidad ni siquiera se celebraba en los primeros dos siglos después de Cristo. La Pascua era la gran fiesta original de la Iglesia. Después de la resurrección, los cristianos esperaban que Jesús volviera en su gloria. Esperaban que este regreso ocurriera pronto, por eso vemos referencias en las cartas de Pablo a la “venida de nuestro Señor Jesús” (1 Tes 3,13) o al “día de Cristo Jesús” (Fil 1,6). Así que, en cierto sentido, el resto de sus vidas fue un largo Adviento, un tiempo de esperar al Señor.

Immaculate Conception. Adam and Eve were created without any sin. This means that they were not burdened by selfishness or fear or unmet needs. God created the whole universe and placed them in the beautiful Garden and walked with them in the cool of the evening. He entrusted the whole created world to them, and they in turn, knowing clearly where they came from and where they were going (they came from God and were returning to God and God was taking care of everything every step of the way), entrusted themselves completely to their loving Father. They obeyed because they trusted.

Second Sunday of Advent. It seems the early Church had a different view of Advent than we do. Christmas was not even celebrated in the first two centuries after Christ. Easter was the original great feast of the Church. After the resurrection, Christians looked for Jesus to return in glory. They expected this return to happen soon, so we see references in Paul’s letters to the “coming of the Lord Jesus” (1 Thess 3:13) or to the “day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil 1:6) So in a sense, the rest of their lives were a long Advent, a time of waiting for the Lord.

Primer Domingo de Adviento ¿Qué tan bueno es suficientemente bueno? ¿Hay que ser perfecto para llegar al cielo? En la segunda lectura hoy, parece que Pablo cree que sí cuando nos dice que seamos “irreprochables en la santidad” (1 Tes 3,13). De hecho, les dice a los tesalonicenses, que ya están agradando a Dios, que hagan aún más (4,1). Ahora bien, Pablo nunca se consideró perfecto: “Me gloriaré más bien en mis debilidades, para que habite en mí el poder de Cristo” (2 Cor 12,7-9). Pero incluso con su debilidad, Pablo siempre hizo lo mejor que pudo. Entonces, ¿qué debemos esforzarnos por lograr? Tal vez podamos tomar una pista de la frase “conserve[n] sus corazones”.

First Sunday of Advent How good is good enough? Do you have to be perfect to get to heaven? In the second reading this Sunday, Paul seems to think so when he tells us to be “blameless in holiness” (1 Thess 3:13.) In fact, he tells the Thessalonians who are pleasing God, to do even more. (4:1) Now Paul never considered himself as perfect: “I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.” (2 Cor 12:7-9) But even with his weakness, Paul always did the best he could. So what should we strive for? Maybe we can take a hint from his phrase “strengthen your hearts.”

Cristo Rey Cuando celebramos a Cristo Rey, no estamos hablando de poder político. Ese es el único tipo de rey que Pilato reconoció. Las primeras dos lecturas describen en términos poéticos cómo es el reino de Cristo: un reino sacerdotal de gloria y poder que nunca terminará. Pilato estaba juzgando a Aquel que un día lo juzgaría a él. Quería saber si Jesús afirmaba ser rey, o si los judíos que querían destruirlo estaban detrás de los rumores de realeza. Jesús no niega su realeza; después de todo, dice que su propósito en la vida es la Verdad. Si estuvieras leyendo esto en la Biblia, verías la respuesta de Pilato: “¿Qué es la verdad?”

Christ the King. When we celebrate Christ the King, we are not talking about political power. That is the only kind of king that Pilate recognized. Our first two readings describe in poetic terms what Christ’s kingdom is like: a priestly kingdom of glory and power that will never end. Pilate was judging the One who would one day judge him. He wanted to know if Jesus claimed to be a king, or if the Jews who wanted Jesus destroyed were behind the rumors of kingship. Jesus does not deny his kingship; after all, he says his purpose in life is the Truth. If you were reading this in the Bible, you would see Pilate’s response, “What is truth?”

Trigésimo tercer domingo del Tiempo Ordinario Esta es la última semana que escucharemos de la carta a los Hebreos. Señala que cuando Jesús se dejó crucificar, en realidad estaba siendo sacerdote, ofreciéndose por los pecados del mundo. Jesús reemplaza a los sumos sacerdotes de Israel, cuyas ofrendas no tenían poder para perdonar los pecados. Después de dar su vida por nosotros, toma su lugar como igual a Dios. Ahora es el Sacerdote eterno, por lo que todos los clérigos desde el tiempo de Jesús son signos visibles de ese sacerdocio.

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time This week is the last we will hear from the letter to the Hebrews. It makes the point that when Jesus allowed himself to be crucified he was actually being a priest, offering himself for the sins of the world. Jesus replaces the high priests of Israel, whose offerings had no power to forgive sins. After giving his life for us, he takes his place as God’s equal. He is now the eternal Priest, so all clergy since the time of Jesus are visible signs of that priesthood.

Following Christ in the Footsteps of Francis of Assisi. Secular Franciscans have a reverence for Creation. We respect all creatures, encourage a simple lifestyle, and have concern for environmental issues.

Our Treasurer Trustee Election took place the weekend of November 23 & 24, 2024. Dave VanSpankeren was elected to serve another two year term.

Trigésimo segundo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario Siempre pensé que Elías tuvo mucho valor para pedirle comida a esa mujer pobre. Aunque, durante una larga sequía, ella sólo tiene un poco de comida para darle a su hijo, todavía le pide que le haga un pequeño pastel para él. Sería más fácil de entender si escucháramos el versículo anterior a esta lectura: Dios le dice al profeta que ha “ordenado a una viuda… que te alimente” (1 Reyes 17,9).

Thirty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time: I always thought it took a lot of nerve for Elijah to beg that poor woman for a meal. Even though, during a long drought, she has only a bit of her food to give to her son, he still asks her to make a little cake for himself. It would be easier to understand if we heard the verse before this reading begins: God tells the prophet that he has “commanded a widow…to feed you.” (1Kgs 17:9)