 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This Sunday, the Roman Catholic Church throughout the world celebrates the Feast of Christ the King. We acknowledge that we are disciples, students of Jesus. It is easy to get distracted from what Jesus asks us to do. We are so busy about so many things that we forget what really is important. Are we faithful disciples of the Master??? Although we are not reading Matthew 25:31-46 this weekend, it is a great examination of conscience for all of us who call ourselves Christians, disciples and followers of Jesus and His Gospel.
You know this text of Matthew very well: "When the Son of Man comes in His glory… and as a shepherd, separates sheep from goats… For I was hungry… For I was thirsty… I was a stranger... I was naked… I was sick… I was in prison… Truly, I say to you: whenever you did this to the least who are my brothers and sisters, you did it to me." Yes! Whatever we do or do not do to the least of our sisters and brothers on this earth, we do or do not do to Christ Jesus. What does Jesus expect you to do in 2004… living in this country of the U.S.A.? How will you do, how will I do on our final exam as disciples of Jesus? The Master gave us the questions almost 2,000 years ago. No one can say, "I didn't know what would be on the final exam." The answers for this final exam are rather simple: food, drink, hospitality, clothes, solidarity, and visitation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Will you, will I, pass the test? Time is running out for me. How about you? We cannot say to Jesus that other issues of 2004 were more important. Jesus is direct and simple when he talks to each one of us in Matthew 25.
Do you want to pass the final exam? Jesus keeps giving us the answers to the final… all we have to do is look around us. I was hungry: there are starving people all around the world. I helped feed ____________. I was thirsty: again there are people and children who need clean water and milk. I helped the thirsty this year by __________. I was a stranger: as refugees and immigrants come to the U.S.A., in particular to Minnesota, I was hospitable by________________. I was naked: winter can be hard in Minnesota. I sacrificed for the homeless and the poor by__________________. I was sick: would Jesus ask us to fight for health care for the uninsured, especially children and the aged? I was in prison: does Jesus expect us to fight against the death penalty as His followers? If we say we are pro-life, can we allow anyone to die? Tough questions. I have to answer as a Christian. So do you.
Can any one of us pass the final test?
Fr. Bill
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NUMBER #1 CAUSE OF DEATH for children in the U.S.A.?
Abortion: 1.3 million innocent lives lost annually.
"Above all, the common outcry, which is justly made on behalf of human rights… is false and illusory if the right to life, the most basic and fundamental right and the condition of all other personal rights, is not defended with maximum determination."
Pope John Paul II: The Vocation and the Mission of the Lay Faithful
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CHRISTMAS FLOWER MEMORIALS
If you would like to remember someone who has died, or honor someone special in your life, we invite you to donate in their name(s) to the Christmas Plant, Wreath & Tree Fund. Please complete the form below and send it with $20.00 (suggested amount) to the Parish Center, or drop it in the Sunday collection. Donations will be accepted through Christmas, and we will acknowledge loved ones in The Forerunner. PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY.
In Memory of / In Honor of:
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
From:
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Amount Enclosed: __________________________
Envelope Number: __________ Thank you!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advent Season
Advent is right around the corner, and the Faith Formation Office is again offering to you some materials to keep Jesus as the focus of the season:
ø One of the materials, for busy people, can be placed on the refrigerator, and there is a short Scripture verse and thought for each day.
ø We have a booklet by Henri Nouwen entitled, "Our Light and Our Salvation," for those who have a little more time to read the Scripture and the reflection.
ø The last booklet has an activity piece centered around the family; entitled, "Heaven and Nature Sing."
Please take only one of these three choices so that as many people as possible will be able to walk the Advent Journey with Jesus. The baskets with the items will be in The Plaza on the Harvest Table on November 27/28, the first weekend of Advent. It is our hope to center more on the mystery of the Incarnation rather than our materialistic world.
Happy Advent Journey!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|