Author: admin

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Gospel: Luke 2: 15-20

When the angels went away from them to heaven,
the shepherds said to one another, 
“Let us go, then, to Bethlehem
to see this thing that has taken place, 
which the Lord has made known to us.”
So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, 
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God 
for all they had heard and seen, 
just as it had been told to them.

The Gospel of the Lord.

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It never ceases to amaze me just how spellbound children are when they first see Santa. 

It’s as if they’re in the presence of the Divine.

I’m sure we’ve all seen children approach Santa, gently hand him their handwritten letters, whisper in his ear exactly what they want, and walk away with a sparkle in their eyes, knowing Santa has the power to grant it.

Ask any child – Santa can do the impossible.

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The way children approach Santa reminds me of the innocence that once was within all of us… Maybe it still is.

It’s the innocence of belief.

In particular, it’s the belief that there is Someone out there listening to us… that there is Someone who cares for us… that there is Someone who knows what we want… and that special Someone has the power to grant it.

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That special Someone is, above all, God himself. 

You will find here at St. Pius X as we journey together, God has done – and God will do – the impossible. He has listened to our prayers, and you will see, he has answered them.

Perhaps before Christmas ends, you and I can just close our eyes and see ourselves sitting on our heavenly Father’s lap. Tap into that innocence of belief. Tell him what you want. Then, see what he does.

Maybe we need deeper faith in his Son, Jesus – a faith that is not shaken when the storms of life come.

Maybe it’s more joy in your heart – a continuous pep in your step.

Maybe it’s a firm hope that 2022 will be better than 2021.

As we close out another year, what is it? What do you want from God?

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When I came to St. Pius X a year ago, I asked God for two things: first, I asked him to bring life into this parish – and look what he’s done. 

We’ve developed our first parish pastoral council in 20 years; we have a vision statement – a reason why we exist, explaining what we believe; we have an SPX café; a family chapel; we’ve developed new ministries and revitalized existing ones. 

There is life at St. Pius X.

My second prayer to God was this: that we would have a space for young people – and by extension, their parents, grandparents, and relatives – to gather (not just in the narthex).

Here to speak on God’s behalf is Santa, who reveals that we’ve been given what we asked for. I ask you to turn your attention to the screens behind me as Santa makes a very special announcement, reminding us once again, that God does the impossible.

(Santa announces that we will be building a playground behind the church, complete with a small rock climbing wall, monkey bars, and slides, as well as a 2,000 sq. foot half-court for basketball and other sports!)

But as you listen, keep in mind, this is just the beginning.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, Merry Christmas and God bless you!

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Image credits: (1) The Columbus Dispatch (2) Very Well Family (3) The Indian Express

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Gospel: Luke 1:39-45

Mary set out in those days
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth. 
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
“Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy. 
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Our parish vision statement begins with the words, “All generations journeying together.”

So much of that inspiration comes from today’s Gospel, when Mary and Elizabeth embrace. Together, these expectant mothers represent “all generations.” 

Elizabeth, a barren, elderly woman married for many years. Mary, an unwed teenager. And their unborn children, John and Jesus, representing their hope for the future.

Though Mary and Elizabeth’s age and life experiences are different, they find in each other things they couldn’t have on their own: Community. Affirmation. Friendship. Belonging. Understanding.

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That’s what we seek to offer here, as well. 

At St. Pius X, we journey with the elderly; with married couples; with expectant mothers; with teenagers; with children; with the unborn; with those joining online; with anyone seeking the love and support of a community.

Though we are of different ages and life experiences, we can find in one another what Mary found with Elizabeth: Community. Affirmation. Friendship. Belonging. Understanding.

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Our challenge is to constantly expand our embrace, to set out in haste, inviting new members into the fold. 

Everyone needs the support of a community.

So, why not journey with us?

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Image credits: (1) Nauvoo Mercantile, Mary Jane Williams (2) Joanna Seiburt (3) St. Pius X

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Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month,
the angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”

But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Some have narrowed the spiritual life down to three general movements: surprise, consolation, and desolation. 

Mary experiences all three of them in today’s Gospel.

“Surprise” represents those unexpected moments in our lives when we see God acting – a new door opens; we get accepted into our dream college; we receive a promotion at work; we hear the call to priesthood, to marriage; or a prayer is answered.

In Mary’s case, the angel Gabriel appears to her, telling her that she shall bear the Son of God in her womb. Like us at times, she’s “surprised.” A new door has opened; her future has changed.

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When we’re “surprised” by God’s intervention, often he gives us his “consolation” – a feeling of deep peace and acceptance. We see this with Mary when she says, “May it be done unto me according to your word.”

Though she’s humbled by her future, she accepts it willingly and peacefully.

That feeling of peace lasts for an indefinite period of time – days, weeks, even years.

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But after the consolation leaves, often desolation follows. Desolation is the feeling of God’s absence. It’s what Jesus felt while nailed to the Cross as he cried out, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

Mary must’ve felt some desolation, too, after the angel Gabriel parted from her.

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So, what’s my own spiritual life like? Am I experiencing a moment of surprise? Is God doing something new, something unexpected? Am I experiencing consolation? Or am I feeling some desolation?

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In spite of the spiritual roller coaster she was on, Mary persevered. 

So can we. 

The key, in her words, is saying, “May it be done unto me according to your word.”

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Image credits: (1) Heartfulness (2) Annunciation, Fra Angelico (3) Mary’s Way, Pinterest