Dear Parishioners,
This is an interesting Gospel scene with John the Baptist. Three different groups of people approach John and ask him the same question: What should we do? The first group is the average person in the crowd. John says if you have two cloaks or extra food, share it with the less fortunate. The second group is the tax collector. John tells them to stop cheating people. The third group is the soldier, whom John tells to stop falsely accusing others and to be satisfied with their wages.
What should we do? It’s a good question, and one our society today doesn’t like to ask. No one’s going to tell me what to do, we think. I know what I need to do. In fact, we tend to immediately shut out or cancel anyone who tries to tell us what to do. We’re afraid to ask the question because we’re afraid to acknowledge we don’t know. Call it pride, call it whatever. Our society is all about telling us that we have to have it figured out. That’s why education is held in such high esteem; why there are so many books and podcasts and information sources out there. All of these things are meant to instruct us so that we don’t have to be in that humiliating position where we ask for help. If you don’t know, then shame on you, our world says.
No, says Jesus. No shame on you. It’s okay to not know. It’s okay to ask. Fine, we might know what the weather is going to be like tomorrow, or how the markets are going to perform, or what is the fastest route to our destination, or how we need to lose weight, or who’s going to win the Bears game today. We’ve consumed all this knowledge and so we feel secure. But there’s still some stuff we just don’t know. Why do I get angry or sad? What do I really desire in my life? What is the purpose of my life? How do I love? How do I pray? Who is God? And so on. We’re not sure, and that’s okay. Ask God. He will show you.
This is the season of giving and receiving. There’s nothing that would please Jesus more than for you to ask him What should I do? He will give you a great answer, and that will be your gift.
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This Sunday we will have another Family Mass at 10:30 a.m. in the HFC. There is also an 8th Grade Student Confirmation Retreat throughout the morning, and the confirmandi will be joining us for this Mass as well.
Thursday is our School Christmas Concert at 10 a.m. in the church. Good luck students and musicians. The school Christmas break begins this Friday at 1pm.
This Saturday, December 21st is our Food Pantry Christmas Ham and Wal-Mart Gift Card distribution. Last month we gave away over 150 turkeys, sides, and pumpkin pies to our clients. Thank you to all who volunteered, and thank you to all who contribute to our food pantry. We have been servicing more clients, so your support is much needed and appreciated.
Looking ahead to Christmas next week, please note our Christmas Mass schedule. On Christmas Eve we will have a 3pm Mass in the Upper Church (with overflow in the HFC) and a 3pm Mass in the gym. There will also be a 5pm Mass in the Upper Church and the Midnight (12am) Mass. On Christmas Day we will have the regular Sunday Mass schedule: 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m., all in the Upper Church.
Finally, as the year is winding down we are also nearing the end of the Archdiocesan Capital Campaign. Many of you have received information in the mail, including a pledge card and envelope. Those of you who haven’t, the pledge card and a letter from the Cardinal is inside the bulletin. If you are able to contribute, please fill out the pledge card and you can drop it off in the collection basket or in the rectory. We’re grateful for your support of the campaign, and a special thank you to all those who have already contributed.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. James Wallace
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