From the pastor’s desk—Dec. 12, 2021

Dear Sacred Heart Family,

Very few days of our Church year are built off of one verse of scripture, but today is one of those days and the scripture is Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice.” For this reason, this Sunday is called Gaudete (translated “rejoice” from Latin) Sunday. It is meant to be a reminder in the midst of this Advent season, traditionally marked by penance and fasting, to lighten up. I would bet for most people here in the United States that this day does not make sense as much of our Advent is already focused on rejoicing as we go to festivals and Christmas parties with our families, our jobs, and even our Church. Still, today reflects a certain truth in life, we don’t wait until a baby is born to celebrate, we often have baby showers, gender reveal parties, and more because we cannot wait for the big event;

Today is like that in the Church, it is a day we say that our joy cannot wait. Just like John the Baptist leapt for joy in Elizabeth’s womb when Jesus came near, so too we are filled with joy with the promise of light that Jesus brings to the darkness we find ourselves in. Today we also celebrate that joy in the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, as the faithful the world over joyfully remember the apparition of our Blessed Mother to St. Juan Diego, an apparition where Mary was with the child Jesus in her womb.

For our joy to be complete this Christmas, we are asked to prepare a worthy home for the child Jesus. The best way we can do this is by joining our Advent evening of Reconciliation this Wednesday at 7pm. If it has been years or decades since you last reconciliation, do not be afraid if you don’t remember how to do it correctly, we will help you. The most important part is to ask forgiveness for the ways you have hurt our Lord and others and to promise to try again with the grace of the Holy Spirit.

God does not ask you to be perfect, He just asks that you be willing to try again. This sacrament of reconciliation is not one of shame or guilt as much as it is of joy, God rejoices too that you have come home to Him. For that reason, it is the most appropriate way we celebrate Gaudete week with the joy of coming home.

Certainly gift-giving, shopping, and parties will always be part of the joy of Christmas, but we must always challenge ourselves to keep Christ in Christmas, to focus on the true light, and make a home worthy of the poor Christ-child who wants to dwell in us.

With a heart for Mission,
Fr. Ray