Alleluia, alleluia. We have found the Messiah: Jesus Christ, who brings us truth and grace (John 1:41,17b, Gospel Verse).
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Like any published material, even my little letter is composed and submitted way before you read or see it. Actually, I am writing right after the horrible and shameful events that took place in our capitol on Wednesday, January 6. Let us pray for our country. More than ever, we need God fearing and God loving men and women to stand up for the Kingdom of God, fully convinced that “her ways are gentleness and all her paths are peace.”
The Christmas Season concluded last Sunday, January 10, with the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord. The simplification and re-arrangement of the Church Calendar, introduced in 1970, designates these Sundays after Christmas as “Sundays in Ordinary Time.” There is no particular mystery of the Christian life celebrated on these Sundays. Therefore, we are given a chance to call to mind various mysteries in the life of Christ and the life of the Church. Ordinary time will continue until Ash Wednesday, which falls on February 17this year, and then resumes after the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity.
However, even though these Sundays in Ordinary Time do not present one of the major mysteries of the faith, it does not mean that these other events are unimportant in the Lord’s plan of salvation. In no sense are they merely “ordinary.” For example, in the Gospel today from St. John we hear of the vocation of St. Peter and his brother St. Andrew. Even though Andrew is the first to encounter the Lord, he eagerly introduces Peter to Him. The rest is history. Peter becomes the first of the apostles, the rock upon which Jesus builds His Church.
All of us have a part to play in the Body of Christ. All are called to be incorporated into the Mystical Body of Christ. However, the hierarchy shares a particular role that reflects more the headship, which does not mean that the other parts of the body are unimportant. For example, no bishop or priest can take the place of faithful parents who hand on the faith to their children with love. We become the “People of God” to the extent that we are faithful to Jesus Christ, love one another, and work together. “Thy Kingdom Come!”
In this new year of 2021, let us re-consecrate ourselves to being the best and most devoted disciples possible. Like those mentioned in the gospel, we are confident that God’s love and grace will always be enough for us.
Yours in the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Fr. Mark G. Mazza, Pastor