Date: Sunday, December 14, 2014
St. Paul urges the Church at Thessalonica “to rejoice always, pray without ceasing and in all circumstances give thanks for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” Certainly Paul has endured hardship and suffering but deep within he experiences the profound joy of knowing Christ. Prayer for Paul is more than just recited words. It is the disposition of his heart always open to the Holy Spirit. He gives thanks to God for calling him to be the Apostle to the Gentiles and for the Thessalonians who have received Jesus as their Lord and Savior and consciously wait for Christ’s coming. Joy is palpable today as we see so many gifts in the sanctuary for persons and families in need. Physically it is difficult getting to the altar without stepping over or around the gifts. We are thankful for our blessings and mindful of others who are less fortunate. Pope Francis in his homily on the Feast of Our Lady Guadalupe (Dec 12) called for Latin America to care for its poorest and most marginalized, who have been enslaved and exploited by an economic system that treats them as useless. Bishop Richard Malone and Episcopal Bishop William Franklin are issuing a pastoral letter today/Sunday about rejuvenation of Buffalo and for the need of civic and business leaders to actively seek ways for the new prosperity to be spread throughout the wider area. “For us as Christians, as bishops, as spiritual leaders of this region, this new day is not just an economic concern, or a business concern, or a public relations concern. For us, it is a Gospel concern. In this new day before us we hope to see the Kingdom of God on earth reflect the community Jesus built around him: full of women and men, minorities, the poor, and the marginalized. In this new day we hope there will be plenty for everyone, that all will share in the bounty, and that labor will be adequately rewarded. We envision a just society where the dignity of every human being is respected.”