A Message from Fr. Jay
Dear Friends,
This week, we light the fourth advent candle on the wreath that symbolizes love. Love is God and God is Love. We could tangibly realize God’s presence in every human being through love. For Catholics, this is expressed through the Holy Eucharist but for others, God continues to reveal His presence through ‘love’. The nature of God is ‘to be with us’. The first reading and the gospel mention that He is ‘Immanuel-God among us’.
Immanuel tells us today that we also need to stay united and with one another, just as God choses to be with us. Anything that causes division is against God Himself. Joseph, who first had the thought to divorce Mary, later chose to stay with her because he realized God in himself and in Mary. This is why he is regarded as a silent saint. No word of his is recorded in the gospel but indeed, no words were needed since his whole life was a great Gospel! He chose to stay with Mother Mary and Jesus. Joseph is honored by the Church with the popular devotion as the patron and the guardian of so many aspects of human life. He is the patron of the Catholic Church, virgins, families, laborers, immigrants, the holy death and many, many more.
Let us choose to stay with our spouse, family, and community no matter how difficult or challenging it may seem. Throughout this week, let us pray for the strength to face challenges that may try to divide us from God. Also, I want to personally thank all of you for ‘staying with us’ amidst this difficult and challenging time with the renovation at our Church.
During the week on December 25, we celebrate the grand feast of the Nativity of our Lord. I wish all of you a Merry Christmas. Let this festive season bring all the blessings to you and your family. My love and prayers to everyone!
God Bless,
Fr. Jay Raju
- Reading 1: Isaiah 7:10-14
- Reading 2: Romans 1:1-7
- Gospel: Matthew 1:18-24
