A Message from Fr. Jay
Dear Friends,
I had never experienced a severe winter before until arriving in Boston (flying there direct from India) on December 17th, 2004.
I was in awe to see all the beautiful and colorful Christmas lights and decorations during the evening around the streets and houses in the neighborhood and at the Church of St. Anthony in the beautiful town of Revere.
During the day, everything looked so ‘white’, like clouds fallen from the sky on the streets and all the trees looked bare without any leaves or birds. Because it was bitter cold outside, I was confined to the house most of the time. Yes, winter could seemingly be ‘a period of death’ for many, especially for the trees and bushes, with no leaves or birds, and everything covered with snow.
But starting in March, I realized those trees were painstakingly and patiently waiting to sprout out fresh leaves and bloom again with beautiful flowers and invited all types of birds back to them.
Christmas has a connection to the winter season. We always see the joy, brightness, and glamor of Christmas by exchanging gifts, parties and all possible types of celebrations induced by commercials and I compare it to my walking through the streets of Boston in the evening.
On the other hand, the trees, plants, and bushes experience a sort of death, but still, remain painstakingly patient with a big hope that Spring will come soon and make them bloom. Christmas is similarly a season of HOPE that the first coming of Jesus is the pre-taste of the second coming. Even though the world, with its cruel coldness of sins, hurts God, God sends forth His Son to sprout hope to the world.
On this first Sunday of the Advent, the gospel talks about the Second coming of Jesus even as we prepare to celebrate the First coming of Jesus. The weeks throughout the advent season have several reflections, spiritual events, and liturgical celebrations. Therefore, please take advantage of the many opportunities to celebrate Christmas. Please make a special effort to attend the listed activities of the season (already mailed to you with my Christmas message) especially the ‘Advent Reconciliation Service on December 17th and receive the grace of the Lord.
God Bless You,
Fr. Jay Raju
Reading I: Jeremiah 33:14-16
Reading II: 1 Thessalonians 3: 12- 4:2
Gospel: Luke 21:25-28, 34-36
