Browsing Pastor's Message
2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2026
Posted by Christy .. on 1/11/26
My Dear People,
When Jesus approached John to be baptized, without hesitation, John announced: “Behold, the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!”
Lambs were sacrificed in the temple to atone for sins. Every Passover celebration recalls lambs the forefathers of the Jewish people sacrificed. ... Read More »
The Baptism of the Lord, 2026
Posted by Christy .. on 1/11/26
My Dear People,
This scene marks the beginning of Jesus’ public life. Having traveled from Galilee, Jesus joins the crowd of repentant sinners to be baptized by John at the Jordan.
While Mark and Luke also narrate this event, only Matthew records the interchange between John and Jesus that ... Read More »
The Epiphany of the Lord, 2026
Posted by Christy .. on 1/11/26
My Dear People,
The word magi originally described members of the Persian priestly caste and Median who advised kings and interpreted dreams. The term later was used more broadly to denote those who possessed mystical knowledge including priests, astrologers, soothsayers, or sages. Their popular association with kings today may ... Read More »
The Holy Family
Posted by Christy .. on 12/13/25
My Dear People,
I wish for everyone a very Happy and Blessed New Year.
This liturgical year we read from the Gospel of Matthew. He is directing the Gospels to Jewish-Christians. Since they know the Sacred Scriptures, they are readily able to see the connection from the scriptures to ... Read More »
Christmas 2025
Posted by Christy .. on 12/13/25
My Dear People of God,
May this Christmas be a very special time and may the baby Jesus bless you and your families.
The infinite God had a plan from the beginning of humanity to be with us. But first, God had to create a people who would be ... Read More »
4th Sunday of Advent, 2025
Posted by Christy .. on 12/13/25
My Dear People,
Matthew’s Gospel for the fourth Sunday of Advent concentrates on the events that took place just before Jesus was born. Matthew, a Jew, relates the prophecy through Mary. When the angel appeared to Mary and told her she was going to have a Son, the angel ... Read More »
3rd Day of Advent
Posted by Christy .. on 11/30/25
My Dear People,
“Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”
This question seems odd because John recognized Jesus at the Baptism and, according to other Gospel accounts, acknowledged Him to be the Messiah, the one who was to come after him, and ... Read More »
2nd Day of Advent, 2025
Posted by Christy .. on 11/30/25
My Dear People,
John announces that the Kingdom of God is at hand, and asks the people to repent. The Greek for “it is at hand” is actually a verb meaning: “has drawn near! This could be translated, “has arrived!”. There appears to be great urgency in John’s message.
Matthew identifies John with Isaiah 40:3, “A voice cries out in the desert” “prepare the way of the Lord. . .” Interestingly, this was the same verse that the pious Essene monks of Qumran, who left us the Dead Sea Scrolls, quoted in their works to explain their decision to dwell in the desert. The fact that both John and Qumran monks identify their mission with this verse is probably too similar simply be coincidental—not to mention the fact that both were also strongly focused on water washing for repentance associated with eschatological forgiveness of sins and the coming of the Holy Spirit. The connection was made, probably, when John, who taught at the monastery at Qumran, was expelled and then later began his ... Read More »
1st Sunday of Advent, 2025
Posted by Christy .. on 11/30/25
My Dear People,
Happy Thanksgiving Day to everyone! This is the last Sunday of the Liturgical Year. This year we have read from the Gospel of Luke. Next year we will be reading from the gospel of Matthew. The last Sunday of the liturgical year is reserved for Christ ... Read More »
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2025
Posted by Christy .. on 11/10/25
My Dear People,
Thank you for all who donated to Choice. There was over three thousand dollars. That is a great program that supports mothers in the local community, so that they will have children.
As we approach the end of the liturgical year, the readings have to do ... Read More »