Chaplain’s Corner – Jan 2021

Editorial Comment: Although you will be reading both of the following reflections by Father Antonio and Deacon John after Advent and Christmas, they are relevant even without a focus on the preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ birth.
Deacon John M Sanker
Homily – December 18, 2020
Here we are near the end of the third week of Advent – in six short days it’ll be Christmas Eve. Hopefully these last 20 days or so have Grand Knight’s Report Chaplain’s Corner
been ones filled with joyful anticipation and prayer for you.
But sometimes we can lose sight of the real meaning of the season of Advent. We get caught up in all of the preparatory things we do to celebrate Jesus’ birth on Christmas and we forget the words of Mark’s Gospel read on the first Sunday of Advent, i.e., BE WATCHFUL! BE ALERT! (for His second coming).
So — now is a good time to refocus ourselves – remembering to take a couple of deep breathes as we close in on next Friday. Remembering that this sacred season of Advent is most importantly about our being prepared not only for the celebration of Jesus’ birth but HIS second coming – when He comes to take us with Him to eternal life.
If you feel harried in the course of the coming week – relax; take a moment to put yourself in His presence. Revel in the memories of birthdays past. Take comfort that He is walking with us even today. He is present here in the community of St Jude; he is present in the tabernacle and he is present here at Eucharist.
As we come to Eucharist this morning and go about our routines over the next week may our constant prayer be:
May we remain alert to His special coming in every moment of grace. May we remain alert to His presence in those we meet; and May we remain alert for the opportunity to help someone today.
BE WATCHFUL. BE ALERT. WHAT I SAY TO YOU I SAY TO ALL “WATCH”
REFLECTION by Father Antonio
Gospel – Matthew 15:29-37
Brothers,
In Mathew’s gospel, the seven Loaves of bread and a few fish were multiplied to feed 4,000 men, not counting the women and children. At once every one ate and was satisfied, 7 full baskets remained. The number 7 in the Bible is the number of completeness. With God’s intervention everything is completed; with God’s power everyone is satisfied.
Jesus is the son of God who has come to complete God’s job and to make everything and everyone satisfied through God’s power. That’s why great crowds came to Jesus having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute and many others. And Jesus cured them. It means they brought to Jesus the uncomplete, the unsatisfied and Jesus with this power made them complete, satisfied, healthy. Health means completeness. In this time of Advent, let us see in our lives what do we need to be completed. What is missing to be satisfied? Maybe I need to ask God for forgiveness for that sin or maybe I need help to overcome
that ugly habit that embarrasses me.
Think about that. What do you need to be completed? What is that that makes you incomplete with no peace? Incompleteness means sickness, sin, hurt, scandal, division, hatred and those things that lead to despair. When we put our lives in God and trust in Him everything is full. And complete. Also there are leftovers.
Sincerely, Yours in Christ, your chaplain and pastor,
Father Antonio