Pastor’s Corner – Dec 16

Pastor’s Corner – Dec 16

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

We focus on Pope Francis and his message in the Seasons of Mercy: Reflections by Pope Francis for Living the Holy Year of Mercy Season by Season as we continue our Advent journey.  “Pope Francis reminds us the Church, which means each of us its members, is called to witness to the power of God’s mercy to transform us and our world.

“The Church is a community of missionary disciples who take the first step, who are involved and supportive, who bear fruit and rejoice.  An evangelizing community knows that the Lord has taken the initiative, he has loved us first (1 John 4:19).  Therefore we can move forward, boldly taking the initiative, going out to others, seeking those who have fallen away, standing at the crossroads and welcoming the outcast.  Such a community has an endless desire to show mercy, the fruit of its own experience of the power of God’s infinite mercy.  Let us try a little harder to take the first step and to become involved by word and deed in people’s daily lives, to bridge distances, to embrace human life and to touch the suffering flesh of Christ in others.”

“Today there is need for people to be witnesses to God’s mercy and tenderness.  So many situations require our comforting witness.  I am thinking of those burdened by suffering, injustice and tyranny; of those enslaved to money, to power, to success, to worldliness.  We are called to comfort our brothers and sisters, to testify that God alone can eliminate the causes of existential and spiritual tragedies.”  

Pope Francis invites us to focus on mercy as a way to celebrate the seasons of the Church’s liturgical year.  The following quotes from Pope Francis help think about how this might be done.

Advent-Waiting to Encounter Mercy Incarnate

In the life of every Christian there is an experience of a personal encounter with Jesus Christ who called us to follow him and share in his mission.  We must learn to treasure in our hearts the living memory of that call, when Jesus passed my way, gazed at me with mercy and asked me to follow him.  Try to revive the memory of that moment when his eyes met yours, the moment when he made your realize that he loved you.  But do I remember it?  Have I forgotten it?  Have I gone off on paths that made me forget it?  Lord, help me, for you know that I want to encounter you and to let myself be embraced by your mercy.

Mary sustains our journey toward Christmas, for she teaches us how to live this Advent season in expectation of the Lord.  For Advent is indeed a time of waiting for the Lord, who will visit us all on the feast of Christmas, but also, each one, in our own hearts.  The merciful Lord is coming!  Let us wait for him!”

Grace and Peace to each of you,

Fr. David