Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection - December 15, 2024

Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!

These words are from Paul’s letter to the Philippians which he wrote while he was in prison. In fact, the word “rejoice” appears 17 times in various forms throughout the short letter. Paul was not a naïve optimist; he obviously knew real suffering. Somehow, however, Paul was joyful despite the intense unhappiness of imprisonment.

The Third Sunday of Advent, or “Gaudete Sunday,” is all about joy in the midst of darkness. “Gaudete” means “rejoice.” Halfway through Advent, we rejoice. The color changes from purple to rose, from dark to light. The priest wears rose-colored vestments and we light a cheerful rose-colored candle on the Advent wreath. We are reminded that the darkness of sin and death in this world is a temporary condition. We are reminded that, soon, light will come to dispel the darkness. We are joyful because we know that our waiting will not be in vain.

In fact, “Gaudete” is the form of the word which commands us to rejoice. Against the backdrop of heartbreaking news of war around the world and violence in our own country, we may not feel like rejoicing. Of course, there are sad headlines on Gaudete Sunday, and every other day. Our celebration this week (and at Christmas) is a countercultural declaration that even in sadness, we rejoice because our hope is in the One who is stronger than the pains of this world; stronger even than death.

Paul was joyful because he was also grateful. He was grateful because even his worst day in prison with Jesus in his heart was more joyful than a moment of freedom without Jesus. In all of his letters Paul gave thanks to the Lord for giving him the opportunity to share the Good News with others! Prison did not diminish his joy or his gratitude. Rejoicing and thanksgiving are two sides of the same coin. The Psalmist says it well when he proclaims: “Cry out with joy and gladness…Give thanks to the Lord.”

So far during this Season of Advent, we have been focusing our attention on vigilance and preparation for the Lord’s return. Today we are reminded that while we wait for Him to return, we are also grateful and joyful for His presence and blessings. Rejoice!

Fr. Mike

Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection - December 8, 2024

“The one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

“The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.”

As we enter the second week of Advent, we praise God for His continued presence in our lives. The quotes from Paul’s letter to the Philippians and the Responsorial Psalm remind us that our talents, abilities, and successes are directly attributable to God’s generosity. He began His good work in us and He continues His good work in us. Indeed, He has done “great things” for us.

I am writing this on “Giving Tuesday,” a day set aside for charitable giving after a flurry of retail shopping. That fact, and these scripture passages, remind me about your recent generosity to Fr. Achilles and St. Edward’s Granny School in Uganda. Our parish donated over $65,000 to their much-needed new building and other needs. I also think about our Advent Shares Program and the “great things” that we will be doing for a large number of folks in Orange County. Your generosity is impressive.

In a recent story about charitable giving, I learned that the major stock market indices were up an average of 7% in the month of November. The story suggested that we can lock in these gains by donating appreciated stock to a charitable organization. Doing this maximizes the value of donations for both the donor and the recipient.

If you are searching for a place to make an end of year gift (large or small), please consider our San Felipe de Jesus Scholarship Fund. Each year, for the past eight years, the Fund has provided more than 30 students from San Felipe de Jesus Chapel with a scholarship equal to about 40% of the cost of school at St. Ed’s. The school and the families contribute the remaining 60%. Students from this program have continued to succeed in high school and beyond. We hope to raise enough funds to support the scholarships for many years to come.

At St. Edwards we have always been good StEwards of the great things the Lord has done for us. As you decide how to allocate your charitable giving as the end of year approaches, please accept my deep gratitude for your heart-felt generosity. May you be filled with Joy!

Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection - December 1, 2024

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

I pray that you had a relaxing and enjoyable Thanksgiving! I did not get to celebrate mass Thanksgiving morning because I ran the Dana Point Turkey Trot and could not get back to St. Ed’s in time. “Slow and steady” may “win the race,” but really slow puts runners like me at the back of the pack. I guess I will have to try again next year.

I came across a beautiful definition of Thanksgiving:

The true meaning of Thanksgiving focuses upon relationship. Thanksgiving is a relationship between God and man…Thanksgiving begins with acknowledging God as faithful, earnestly giving Him thanks, in advance, for His abundant blessings. Allabouthistory.org

Presidents Washington and Lincoln each recognized the fundamental need to give thanks to God. Washington proclaimed, “It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor.” During the Civil War President Lincoln invited the country to be thankful for the “gracious gifts of the Most High God,” and prayed that God might: “heal the wounds of the nation, and to restore it…to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and union.”

Each year Thanksgiving Day and the beginning of Advent occur at roughly the same time. Thanksgiving reminds us that God has blessed Americans with a wide range of freedoms and extraordinary abundance, both as a nation and as individuals. Advent reminds us that the greatest gift of all – the gift for which we should be most thankful – is present in our lives in a special way as we partake of the flesh-and-blood reality of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Eucharistic Prayer III captures this idea of both anticipation and gratitude: “we celebrate…and as we look forward to his second coming, we offer you in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice.”

He came to us in Bethlehem, He comes to us today in the Eucharist, and He will come again at the end of time. As we enter the Advent Season, let us remember that the best way that we can show an “attitude of gratitude” is to “be Jesus” to those around us. May Advent be a season of grateful anticipation!