Pastor's Letter Dec. 4: Taking on the "mind of Christ"

Dear Parishioners,

Our Scripture passage for this Sunday, the Second Sunday of Advent, introduces the person of John the Baptist and his ministry of preparing the way for Jesus. Advent is a time of preparation, and the image of John the Baptist offers some insightful challenges as we strive to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of our Savior again at Christmas.

The first part of John’s preaching calls on the crowds to repent. The word “repent” comes from the Greek word metanoia and literally means to “re-think” or “change one’s mind”. John preaches this message because our actions stem from our thoughts. If we want to change our lives, we have to change our thinking first. The call to repent is the invitation to see things from “God’s perspective” and to take on the “mind of Christ”. When we see the situations of our lives from God’s point of view, we will correctly prioritize our values and the way we live our lives.

Being a disciple is not a matter of following rules and regulations or just external observances. Rather, it is a matter of living in deep communion with God and expressing that communion in the way we act. Conversion means to “turn towards” the Lord and occurs in moments when a person’s life is re-directed toward God. These moments can be born from a realization of God’s presence, God’s Love, and God’s forgiveness. Conversion occurs when we willingly refocus our lives on God.

This Thursday is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. It is the special Feast in which we honor Our Lady in her purity and sinlessness as God was preparing her to be the Mother of Jesus, the Son of God. You might realize that Our Lady under the title of the Immaculate Conception is the Patroness of The United States of America. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a Holy Day of Obligation. Come and honor Our Lady and pray for our Country.

The Vigil Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception will be Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 5 p.m. Please note that this a change from the normal Wednesday Mass time. Confession will be at 4:30 p.m. Please stay for the Faith Night dinner at 6 p.m. with a presentation and Religious Education to follow. I will be talking about Advent and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

On Thursday, Dec. 8 the Mass will be at 8:30 a.m.