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December 23, 2023Advent Leaves… As we say goodbye to Advent, where we have considered the practice of our faith in our lives and in the world around us, we consider how in the New Year we can experience new ways to bring our faith to life through our words and deeds.
The last Friday of Advent at daily Mass, we heard the Magnificat in the Gospel of Luke, which is Mary’s “Yes” to God in bearing His Son into the world. We also hear during these seven days leading up to Christmas the O Antiphons, the Great Antiphons of the Church which illustrate who God is: Wisdom, Joy and more.
We also see in Mary’s Magnificat the idea that Mary, as the Perfect Disciple, is our conduit to being a better Christian. When we become closer to Mary we can find ways to grow our faith, we experience the Love and Joy of Christ in our own lives, and then lead others to the happiness that is Eternal.
In Addition, Christmas Cometh……. So what does Christmas mean to me?
This is a powerful Christmas-question for each of us to ponder. “What does Christmas really, truly mean? Beyond the presents, the busyness, the parties and more.
Before I attempt to answer that question, or perhaps just put it into perspective for you, I first wish to welcome everyone at our Christmas Masses-our every Sunday Mass attendees and our Christmastime Family. Welcome! The Church is a family, with all the family love and all the family problems. Yet, all invited and welcomed to the table of God’s Eternal banquet, which is a feast meant to grow and strengthen each of us in the call of Christ to be His people, His family-a family both here on earth and one day eternally in Heaven.
So back to the question of the true meaning of Christmas to me.
Christmas is the feast of the Nativity of the Lord. Christ (Divinity) by the Love of God has intersected with humanity and has raised us all to something better than humanity. We come to Mass each Sunday to hear that message of Eternal, Divine Love. We come to Mass to be nourished by His Body and Blood to surpass humanity and share His Love with the world. We come to Mass to find ways to be a better Christian: to learn how to forgive and to be forgiven.
We come to Mass to be with like-minded community members so as not to feel alone in a world that does not always seek the best of the other, but looks for their worst. We come to Mass to show our children that anxiety is not the plan of God; that working with other teens in learning about God (Faith Formation) and them making that ancient faith more applicable In Life (Youth Ministry) by serving people, having fun and learning about and believing in God is actually easy and fun.
We come to Mass to feed the hungry, care for the lost and wondering, and to Praise God for His goodness to us. What a gift faith and Church are! In addition, they are gifts meant to be shared, for the excellence of all...Eternal Life in Heaven.
At St. Catherine of Siena, we excel at all these parts of family. And we invite and welcome all to see the value of our parish, our God and of being connected to Him.
Moreover, we are here for you every week. You are welcomed now and forever.
A Blessed and Happy Christmas and New Year
