Pastor’s Weekly Letter & December 19 Bulletin

Pastor’s Weekly Letter & December 19 Bulletin

17 Dec 2021 | Posted by: chadmin

The December 19 bulletin is now available online.

Dear friend,

As Catholic Christians we read the Bible as God’s revelation about Himself. While all Scripture is inspired by God, different texts within the Bible certainly carry different authority. We stand for the Gospel reading at Mass because it contains the direct words of Jesus Christ. The words of the texts are interpreted by the Church to ascertain God’s word based on the author, the genre, and the cohesiveness with other known divine truths. The prophets of the Old Testament time spoke truth to their contemporaries and at times proclaimed events for future fulfillment. The prophet Micah that starts off our readings this weekend contains both challenges to the civil and religious authorities of his time as well as predictions about future events. While exhorting the people of his time, Micah prophecies about one to come that will shepherd Israel. The one to come will be peace and He will come from Bethlehem. This prophecy written about 700 years before Jesus was born is clearly fulfilled by the events of the Nativity of Jesus.

The Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus completed a promise of God to not only make Himself known, but to Himself be the creator, redeemer and sanctifier. The New Testament of the Bible contains many passages that connect the dots of the Old Testament and illustrate that God is a Father who fulfills His promises. The New Testament Book of the Hebrews is at the forefront of showing how the Old Testament priesthood has its completion in Jesus Christ. Jesus, as the priest, prophet and king, is the one sacrifice, offered once for all on the cross that makes the old sacrifices and sin offerings of the Old Testament no longer necessary. As Catholic Christians, we have the privilege of proclaiming the paschal mystery of Jesus every time we pray the Mass and receive Communion.

The Eucharist, as the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ connects each of us to Mary, as the Mother of God. In the Gospel this weekend, Elizabeth proclaims that her unborn child, John the Baptist, recognized the presence of the Christ in the womb of Mary. This recognition inspired Elizabeth to also understand that her Lord was in her presence. As we celebrate the presence of Jesus at Mass, we are invited to reflect on the gift of our own lives and how God is always willing to inspire, heal, bless and forgive. As we enter the final week of Advent, may the Lord guide our waiting for Christmas as a holy time that brings peace and joy to each of our lives. Have a great week!

God bless,

Father David