Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection - December 22, 2024

“At the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.”

Today is the 4th Sunday of Advent. Very soon, we will experience the joy of the coming of our Lord. This is the same joy that John the Baptist experienced in his mother’s womb.

There is a difference between happiness and joy. Happiness tends to be a temporary feeling in the mind; joy is long-term feeling in the soul. Happiness depends on and reacts to circumstances – we look for someone or something to “make us happy.” Joy comes from within, can endure hardship, and can exist even when there is difficulty or uncertainty.

My grandmother was a great example of joy. Despite losing a four-year-old son, losing her husband after only 20 years of marriage, losing an adult daughter, and living her whole life with little more than a roof over her head, she was one of the most joyful people I have ever known. I think the reason that my grandmother was so joyful is that she lived in the moment. Instead of dwelling on the difficulties that she faced in her past life, she took joy in each new day and each new encounter. Her joy came from within, she did not sit there waiting for others to make her happy.

After John the Baptist “leaped for joy” in his mother’s womb, he spent his adult life joyfully preparing the way for Jesus by preaching the coming of the Kingdom of God. He never lost the joy of that earliest encounter with Jesus when each was in his mother’s womb and he worked tirelessly to share that joy. We, too, are invited to witness to our faith joyfully. As Pope Francis once remarked, “I cannot imagine a Christian who does not know how to smile.” He went on to remind us that: “The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus.”

In these final days before Christmas, when we may be overwhelmed by last minute preparations, let’s not forget to be joyful. Let’s live in the moment joyfully praising God, grateful for all that He has given us. Most importantly, as we encounter Jesus this Christmas and each day thereafter, let’s be sure to always “leap for joy.”

Fr. Mike

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!