MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Just in case you forgot the true meaning of Christmas...

Merry Christmas and God's Peace to all!

A Prayer and Appeal for Christian Unity

Recently, Pope Francis traveled to Istanbul in Turkey to meet with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the leader of the majority of the world's Eastern Orthodox Christians.

After praying together, Pope Francis approached Patriarch Bartholomew, bowed his head, and asked his brother bishop to bless him and the Church of Rome. Bartholomew showed his fraternal care by caressing and kissing the pope's head.

This moment is a high mark in the ongoing and often tumultuous relationship between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox. Originally, the Church remained united for 1,000 years, but since 1054 A.D., the Catholic Church of the West and the Orthodox Church of the East have remained divided due to growing social and theological rifts. This division continues in our times.

Yet, many believe the Holy Spirit is moving our Churches toward unity once again. The pope and the patriarch have been striving towards authentic Christian unity. Our Churches must retain their unique identities and characteristics, all the while remaining one in faith, hope, and love. 

We are called to pray for Christian unity. We appeal to Heaven as we continue the quest for unity between the Eastern and Western Church. And so we pray:

            Lord God, 

                    send your Spirit among us as we work together toward 

                                  Christian unity.

                   May old wounds and ancient hurts be healed.

                   May we recognize and value true diversity within our Church.

                   Let us soon proclaim the Gospel together, as one, 

                                in truth and in love.

                  We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

                                                                                         Amen.

The Season of Advent

                                  Happy and Blessed Advent to all!

This is the start of the Church's liturgical year, the time when we slow down in the upcoming four weeks to recall Jesus' presence in our midst. Advent is that time when we joyfully commemorate Jesus' birth, recognize with eyes of faith his current presence among us, and anticipate the Lord's glorious Second Coming in the fullness of time.

Commemorating the Birth of Jesus:
More than 2,000 years ago, Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem. This historical moment has everlasting effects on us. The Son of God humbled himself to become one like us so that we might learn of God's love for us. The wood of the manger foreshadows the wood of the cross. And we profess that through the cross and resurrection of Christ, we are given the immeasurable gift of life everlasting.

Jesus Christ is Present in our Midst Today:
Jesus is more than just a historical character from some foreign narrative! Jesus continues to be in our midst everyday. While Advent helps us to reflect on the gift of the Incarnation at Christmas, we as Christians also see Jesus' presence among us each and every day. Jesus is present in his Church, the Body of Christ; Jesus is the bond of unity and love among Christians. Jesus is also present when we break open the Scriptures and partake in the Eucharistic feast. We participate in Christ's Paschal Mystery every time we eat the heavenly bread of angels and drink the chalice of salvation.

Christ also chooses to identify with the lowly ones in our midst. Jesus is present, here and now, among the poor, the humble, and the marginalized. Whenever we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, tend to the sick, and visit the imprisoned, we are caring for Jesus-in-our-midst who is Emmanuel (the name "Emmanuel" means "God is with us"!)

The "Second Coming" - Christ Will Come Again:
And finally, throughout Advent, we also remember that Jesus will return to earth as Righteous King and Judge. All of Creation will come to its fulfillment and completion. Peace will reign and all war, violence, and destruction shall perish. In this New Creation, the lion will lie down with the lamb. Throughout Scripture, this Second Coming has been imagined as a feast in which choice food and drink are consumed without cost. The Lord will celebrate with his beloved sons and daughters. All will be right and just in the world. All will be in and with God. Our longings will be satisfied and our hearts bursting with joy. Our hope at the end times rests in Christ alone, He who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Icon of the Second Coming of Christ (St. Andrew's Orthodox Church)