Weekly Bulletin - December 2006
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- 03 - First Sunday of Advent
Jeremiah could see it coming—the kingship of Jesus and the restoration of Jerusalem. But was anybody listening? Is anybody listening now? It must have been tough being a prophet, but Jeremiah was persistent in his message because he knew that it needed to be heard.
Also persistent in his message is Paul as he encourages the Thessalonians—and all of us—to live in accordance with the kingship that Jeremiah foretold. He encourages us to conduct ourselves in ways of holiness so that we may be well prepared for the king’s coming.
Finally, Jesus himself tells us to be ever diligent so that we may gain favor before our God and King.
Jeremiah could see the kingship of Jesus coming. As we begin the season of Advent, Paul and Jesus tell us not only how to prepare for the Kingdom, but how to live it day to day.© Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
Today, Baruch speaks of the splendor that lies ahead for the city of Jerusalem and for all of us, regardless of where home is for us. Throw off strife, he tells us, and put on joy. Like a favorite old sweatshirt, joy fits, and how warm it keeps us, even when the winds blow cold. Paul knows of this joy as he pens his letter to the Philippians, praying that they may grow in their ability to discern what is righteous and good. And Luke speaks to us of John, who was foretold by Isaiah and who sings a similar song—“Prepare the way of the Lord,” for salvation is at hand. A man ahead of his time, Baruch spent his days joyfully awaiting a distant glory. On this Second Sunday of Advent, Paul and John know that this glory is upon us. © Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
This Sunday, God rejoices and sings because of us. We read in Zephaniah today that God “will sing joyfully because of you, / as one sings at festivals” (Zephaniah 3:18). We know plenty about singing at festivals. Already our ears are ringing with the songs and carols that anticipate the Christmas season.
Paul reminds us of the source of our own double rejoicing: God is the mighty savior who is in our midst (in Zephaniah’s words). Because this is so, says Paul, we can rejoice and be at ease. We don’t have to worry, for God’s peace will stand guard over our hearts and minds.
A medieval carol depicts Christmas as “my dancing day” and urges us to enter into the dance. Why all the merrymaking? Because “the Lord is near,” as Paul reminds us (Philippians 4:5). He then points to another reason for the dancing: the dawn of the promise of peace, the peace beyond all understanding, that is now within our grasp.
© Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
“O, Little Town of Bethlehem.” A Philadelphia clergyman named Phillips Brooks penned these popular words back in the mid-1800s, but the prophet Micah could have used them first. Micah knew that from small packages great treasures come. In today’s first reading, he knew that from tiny Bethlehem would come the Lord.
The writer in Hebrews explains that Christ came to us to do the will of God by establishing a new order and by becoming our perfect sacrifice. And Luke tells us that Elizabeth and John, the infant in her womb, understand that great and wondrous things are at hand with the coming of the Lord.
This is the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Tomorrow we celebrate anew the fruit of Mary’s womb. As we are told in Hebrews, Jesus’ new order is being established even today. And as Micah proclaims, his greatness is reaching even now to the ends of the earth.
© Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
31 - Holy Family: Jesus, Mary & Joseph
Family life is sacred, but it is not without trial. Perhaps this is the most important message we can glean from today’s readings. If Jesus, Mary and Joseph can trip up sometimes—can disconnect—then we shouldn’t find it surprising when such things happen to us as well.
And parents everywhere (children, too) can probably relate to—and take some solace in—the Gospel’s account of Mary and Joseph after Jesus explained why he stayed behind in the temple. They heard his words, Luke tells us, “But they did not understand what he said to them” (Luke 2:50). Amen! Nevertheless, Jesus does go back home with them, and continues to thrive under their care.
© Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
