December 10, 2023

Dear Parishioners,

I read something interesting a few weeks ago about John the Baptist’s gastronomic preferences. Mark says this about the Baptist: “John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey.”

Why was this piece of information included? The quick and standard answer is the reference to Elijah. Okay, but why do we care about what he ate?

We might think it’s to make us appreciate John’s asceticism; that John lived an austere and disciplined life, since locusts and wild honey are gross. Sure, but, actually, locusts and wild honey were considered a delicacy in that region at that time. (To each his own.) So, it wasn’t like John was punishing himself by eating gruel. How he was “punishing himself” (if you want to look at it that way, though I wouldn’t say that’s completely correct) by not being able to eat food whenever he wanted.

Locusts and wild honey, while delicacies, were hard to find. Remember, John is outside in the wilderness.No grocery stores, no freezers to store food, no Slim Jims that will last an eternity, no one to call to drop off a meal. John was at nature’s whim. When there happened to be a locust storm, then, yes, it would be feeding time, like someone dropping off a White Castle crave case to the rectory. But those locust storms didn’t happen frequently, nor could they be predicted. Same with honey being available from a hive. So John had to wait and trust. When God provided the food, then John could enjoy.

When we’re hungry, we’re used to being able to immediately satisfy that hunger. We go to the refrigerator or some restaurant. Or, if we’re choosing to fast, then at least we know when the fast will be over and we’ll be able to eat again. Imagine not being sure when you will next eat. It could be tomorrow, it could be two weeks from now. Ah yes, now we’re talking about trusting in God.

We don’t need to have the same diet as John the  Baptist. But we can work towards a similar radical trust in God.

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This Sunday, December 10th is our Family Mass at 10:30am in the Holy Family Chapel. I’m grateful to the planners of the Mass and particularly to the musicians. Please note, there will be no Family Mass for the month of January. The Teen Mass will be next Sunday, December 17th at the 12pm Mass in the upper church.

I will be on a brief mission trip with Catholic Extension, leaving this Monday afternoon and returning Wednesday afternoon. We will be visiting the border to witness in particular the Our Lady of Guadalupe festivities. Catholic Extension is a wonderful organization that does tremendous work for poorer areas. It’s the organization we support every year in our Lenten Almsgiving Project. Catholic Extension is very grateful for the partnership with St. Paul of the Cross, and I’m grateful for your support of our brothers and sisters in need.

Speaking of which, we are still collecting Wal-Mart gift cards that we will give to our food pantry clients for Christmas. This upcoming Saturday, December 16th is our big Christmas distribution of ham dinners. Once again, a special thank you to Jewel-Osco for making this donation possible.

Please note there will be no Wednesday morning Scripture Seminar this week, Wednesday, December 13th. We will have one more session next week before taking a break for the holidays.

As I mentioned last week, inside the bulletin you will find my daily Advent reflections. The whole document is also on our website. I hope the season of Advent is one of peace and prayer for you and your family.

Yours in Christ,