Second Sunday of Advent

12-10-2023Pastor's CornerVery Rev. Robert J. Deehan, VF

In Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) available HERE, the Holy Father focuses on the theme of the Church’s missionary role. He emphasizes our need to make the proclamation of the Gospel a lived reality in all of what we say and do. He speaks about becoming “Spirit-filled evangelizers” with a “renewed missionary impulse” marked by a “joy ever new, a joy which is shared.”

One concrete way to be a “Spirit-filled evangelizer” is to pray! Start praying now for those you hope will return to Jesus and His Church. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the courage to invite family members or friends to attend Mass with you. Many people are simply waiting for such an invitation! When you do invite, be sensitive to the way you extend the invitation – offering it as a person who genuinely cares for them and longs for them to become active members of our community of faith. You could say, for example, “Our family is planning to attend the 6:00 o’clock Mass on Christmas Eve; would you (and your family) like to join us?”

Another concrete opportunity we have to be “Spiritfilled evangelizers” who share the joy of the Gospel will be the way we display a spirit of welcome at Christmas. Think about who will be joining us at Christmas Mass. Many of these folks will not have been to Mass in a long time. We can react to this phenomenon in two ways. Where have you been? Or, it’s wonderful you’re here with us! Something is drawing them to be with us at Mass on Christmas. Their presence at Mass may be an answer to prayer! They may be looking for something more in their life. You and I can imagine what a difference our reaction will make to the person who is considering returning to the practice of their faith. This is just another example of Pope Francis’ call for us to be open to opportunities you and I have to witness the loving welcome and joy of Jesus to those who may need a concrete reason to hope and to seek Christ among us. Let’s pray that the Holy Spirit will work powerfully in us and through us, and in those who join us for Christmas Mass that this may be a new beginning in their relationship with Jesus and His community of faith, the Church.

God bless you!

Fr. Bob