January 1, 2006 - New Year's Day, Circumcision of the Lord
REFLECTION FOR TODAY: Today we are looking through the lens of St. Luke’s Gospel at yet another icon of the Holy Family. This Lukan portrait of young Jesus carries with it elements of both Christian peace and tension.
At the temple, we get the sense that Jesus (Yeshua), is an exceptional child as he argues with the wise teachers. He is specially gifted for his age in intelligence, wisdom, and yet also, he is rebellious and non-conformist. In some ways Jesus is a typical young teen with emerging independent qualities. He has already begun to depart some ways from his family – this is expressed in him not following on the trail back with Joseph, Mary, and the others – but staying behind in Jerusalem.
We might also get the sense from this Gospel of Luke that there are occasional tensions in the Holy Family – Jesus is not an easy child for his parents. At the high point of his argument with his mother he lets her know that he belongs to a higher parent to whom he holds greater obedience! Mary, humbly listens with an open mind and heart, wondering what this all means, and what God has in plan this growing son of hers.
Our prayers this Sunday reflect the wisdom of the Syrian Fathers of our Church as they contemplate these Gospel mysteries. The Hoosoyo prayers ask Christ Jesus to teach us his ways – that we too, may choose wisely in all things and follow always his commandment of love in true obedience to God our Father – who loves humanity and fills us with his light.
And like Jesus, who follows the one true way, our Church Fathers, also ask for themselves and their children, that in all things we may follow the one true way, and never veer off from it. They ask the Lord to let his Gospel be “a beacon and light and harbor” for his Church and her children: “Let our hearts know true happiness, which is based on pleasing you and doing your will”.
Let us therefore be attentive, like Mary, in all that we say and do as we journey-on the way with Christ; that in all our actions, the true light of Christ’s Gospel – the Word and will of the Father – my shine forth in our world. And that with us, and through us, Christ, may be known as the ever-flowing grace and compassion of God – the Heavenly Father of all people.
Father Steve Bonian, S.J.
READINGS FOR NEXT WEEK: First Sunday of Epiphany, I Corinthians 10:1-11, John1:29-34
SAINT'S DAYS IN THE MARONITE CALENDAR:
PRAY FOR THE SICK AND SHUT IN: Isabel Albert, Elizabeth Borek, Sadie Begosh, Edna Decker, Frank Evick, Michael George, Leone Kassab, Elizabeth Kennedy, Cecelia Koury, Ann Shehwen, Margaret Shiner, Martha Tudgay, Cathy Whitman, Nina Ziomek.
PRAY FOR OUR MILITARY: David Kasmark and John Webby.
COFFEE HOUR: No Coffee Hour today. If you would like to host the coffee hour or sponsor it one Sunday, please contact Audrey Thomas. Coffee Hour on January 8 will be hosted by the Pastor’s Advisory Board to welcome the new Pastor.
HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION: Friday, January 6, 2006, is the Epiphany of the Lord and a Holy Day of Obligation for all Maronite Catholics. The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 7 PM at Saint George Church. Bottles are available for the holy water that will be blessed during the Liturgy.
2006 ENVELOPES: The 2006 Offering Envelopes are at the back of both churches this weekend.
2005 CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS: Statements for tax preparations will be sent out this week.
2006 MARONITE CALENDARS: The 2006 Maronite Calendars have arrived and will be in the back of our churches next weekend.
BABY BOTTLE PROJECT: The Human Life Resource Center of the Diocese of Scranton as asked that we participate again this year in the Baby Bottle Project. Please put your empty change in a baby bottle and return the bottle to the Churches on the weekend of December 31/January 1, 2006. Your change helps keep the Center open daily to aid mothers and babies in crisis situations. Thank you for your generosity.
SPRING TEA: The Ladies Altar and Rosary Society will host the first Spring Tea in April at Saint Sharbel Hall. The theme for this Tea is “Holidays” and ladies are invited to host and decorate tables. For more information, please call Rosa McCracken at 655-9882.
NOURSAT FREE PREVIEW: Father Sharbel Maroun informs us that Noursat will offer free preview programming between December 21, 2005 and January 4, 2006, on channel 575 of Dish Network. If you subscribe to Dish Network, look up this programming in Arabic to see if you would like this programming in your home.
DISNEY ON ICE: The Knights of Lebanon will again host an evening of fun for the children of the parish. The festivities will begin at 6:00 PM on January 16, 2006, at a Pizza Party at Saint Sharbel Hall, Saint Anthony Church. At 7 PM, the group will depart for the Wachovia Arena for the Disney on Ice show. Cost is $10.00 per person. Please contact Jim Austin or Tony Thomas for tickets before January 5, 2006.
APPOLOGIES: I offer apologies to all whose names were not mentioned in the Christmas Flower list last weekend. Sharon Koter emailed the list and somehow several of the names were omitted. I offered prayers for ALL who were, and should have been, on the list. Thank you for your support of the parish and your understanding.
PASTA SUPPERS: Don’t forget that Saint Mary’s Orthodox Church on South Main Street hosts a pasta supper every Thursday evening at the Church Hall. Enjoy the delicious selection of pastas, sauces and meats that are available.
A NOTE FROM ABOUNA: I want to thank all who have been so kind and generous during this Christmas Season. I have been trying to drop a note of thanks to all who have sent cards, gifts, flowers, cookies and treats, but time is running short before my departure. Please be assured of my gratitude and thanks for all you said and done.
Leaving a parish is never easy and it harder when the priest becomes close to the members of the community. In my short time here you have opened your hearts and homes to me and I am eternally grateful. You will never be forgotten.
If I have offended any of you by word or deed, I offer my sincerest apologies. My nature, as you know, is not confrontational, and I want to right any wrongs before I go. The last thing I would want to do is purposely offend any of you. I know I made mistakes in running this parish and I am sorry. Some parishioners were very quick to point out my mistakes and short comings to the Bishop and ultimately, Bishop Gregory felt that I did not have the support of the majority of the community. I am sorry that I let you down. You deserve a priest who will meet the strict standards of those who guard the patrimony of this community.
Pray for me and I will always pray for you. I enjoyed being your pastor and will always love you as my spiritual children. Greet and love Msgr. Bill as you have loved me and he will be happy as your pastor and father. Happy New Year!
Saint Mary Church, 111 Hampton, Ave, Greenville, SC, 29601, 864-271-8422, bartleon@aol.com
The Person in the Mirror: Pointing out the faults of others seems to a human trait of which I must plead guilty. If you are like me, blaming others for your shortcomings is a very destructive habit of which God is not pleased. God has asked us not to point out the sins of others, but to admit our own sinfulness in all honesty.
Jesus taught us the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee to explain the difference between pride and humility. "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, `God, I thank You that I am not like other men, extortionists, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, `God, be merciful to me a sinner!' (Luke 18:11-13)
The Pharisee raddled off a list of all the things that he “did for God” thinking that these acts would make him righteous in the sight of God. Yet, he failed to exhibit remorse for sin. He choose to exalt himself in contrast to “sinful” others. The Publican acknowledged his own sins and cried out seven simple words: "God, be merciful to me a sinner." The humility of the Publican became his salvation.
Like the Publican, our life should be one of introspection. It means to look at yourself, your motivations and habits, your strengths and weaknesses, your successes and failures, your dreams and the circumstances of everyday life and how you include God in your decision making. It means to conform to God’s will and not our own. Introspection asks us, how do we love others? Do we bring healing to those around us? Do we chase others away because they didn't do it our way, or do we have a "I'm right and they are wrong” attitude? Do we treat others the way we wish to be treated? Do we minister to others who were different from us regardless of creed, social status or race or only to those who agree with us? Are we quick to forgive others? Do you love yourself as a child of God? Before we retire for the evening, introspection asks us “Did I give to God my best today?”
Frequently, Christ took time to be alone with the Father. The Bible recalls the time when Jesus “had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone” (Matthew 14:23). If Christ took time to talk to the Father, we also should spend quality time each day to be alone with Him. Like a child with its parent, we need to sit in the presence of our heavenly Father to talk about “how things are going” in our relationship with Him. The conversation may be very tough and frank, it may be short or long, there may be laughter or even the shedding of tears. God's love is so strong that He desires to be in intimate communion with us.
What are the issues that have caused a strained relationship with our heavenly Father? The short answer is sin. It is the same reason why Churches and congregations are divided, families and friendships are often broken apart and spouses become estranged. Sin has many ugly facets and is “couching at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it” (Genesis 4:7).
True introspection keeps us grounded in reality about ourselves and our surroundings. It provides us with the necessary resolve to get up again when we miss the mark. It raises us from our sin and washes us with tears of repentance. As mortals and sinners we need God's grace and mercy and must live in a way that reflects this truth. Without self-examination, there is no progress in the spiritual life.
After you have searched your soul and left no stone unturned, acknowledgement and confession of sin is the next step. Many spiritual writers have compiled an “examination of conscience” to prepare yourself for sacramental confession. These lists are very valuable aids designed to move the penitent from sorrow for sin into liberation, hope, inner peace and resolution. Just as we are told to "hate the sin and love the sinner," don't focus on the sins that you have confessed for too long, otherwise this will lead you into despair. Once a sin is confessed and absolution is pronounced, don't mentally dig up the dead carcus. Just like at a funeral, the grave of the loved one is sealed by the priest "until the second Coming of Christ," do not open your casket which contains your past sins that has been sealed with the sign of the Cross. Only at Christ's Second and Glorious Coming will the "books be opened and all hidden things revealed" (Kondak of Meat-Fare Sunday).
You do not know how much time is remaining in your earthly life. Time is short; your soul may be required of you this night. (Luke 12:20) Do not hide any sin from Him just as Adam did in the Garden of Eden because in reality, He knows it already. The Rite of Confession of the Eastern-Byzantine Church states that if you conceal any transgression “you will have the greater sin.” Unconfessed sin leads to a life of misery and will make itself manifest eventually someday in ways that will hurt you and those whom you love. The Prophet King David even mentions that sin left unconfessed can negatively effect your physical health: "When I did not declare my sin, my body wasted away" (Psalm 32:3). God only asks that you come to Him in brokenness, give your faults to Him and have a firm intention not to sin again. If you should later stumble again, God is pleased with you getting up, dusting yourself off and starting all over.
Asking God for help or seeking the advise of a spiritual mentor is not a sign of weakness. It is an admission that you cannot rely on your own strength. The Bible says that, “all the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit” (Proverbs 16:2). He, Who is ever-faithful will open the eyes of your heart, so that, with the light of faith you can identify your sin and declare it to Him in a worthy, concise and total way.
Spiritual progress will only happen when you choose to make Christ a part of your everyday life, that includes your ups and downs, successes and drawbacks, disappointments and joys, times of great faith and periods of spiritual famine, fear, doubt and despair. The Psalmist David states: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). God has taken care of you and desires your happiness and salvation.
Introspection is a vital step toward renewing your life in Christ. Confess your sins and place them at the foot of the Cross where there is total remission of sins. When you thank Him for your pains, which are really His pains, and your joys, which are really His joys then you will experience the abundant life! So, it's time to look in the mirror and say, "Yes, God is big enough forgive my every sin."
©2005 - Raymond J. Mastroberte