November 5-6, 2011
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Wisdom 6:12-16 First Thessalonians 4:13-18 Matthew 25:1-13
It is a labor of love to gently guide and instruct those new to parish ministry on the ‘ins and outs’ of how things work in a busy and active parish. For example, those invaluable volunteers who assist with assorted Church feedings/dinners for Haven or FISH, in their newness to the ministry, often don’t consider the size and requirements of feeding a group of 100-300 in comparison to the ordinary family of four or five. Just setting the table for hundreds of people cannot be left for the last-minute, nor can the filling of water coolers or the prep of food. As another example, while our upcoming Thanksgiving Dinner looks professional and flawless (although crazy and BIG), it looks that way because of LOTS of PEOPLE giving LOTS of hours of labor for days and days ahead of time. In other words, in order for things of merit to turn out well, they cannot be left to the last minute…which is the core message in this week’s Gospel passage form Matthew. Don’t delay, don’t put off, don’t leave things to the last minute…don’t arrive late (including to Mass!!!)…or you run the risk of missing out.
The time and opportunity to live a life of grace is NOW….not when you start feeling the first pangs of a heart attack or the debilitating numbness of a stroke. Humbling, yet very satisfying, is when parishioners share how something they have heard or experienced over the years in a homily or Mass have enabled them to pass through a crisis with greater strength and sense of purpose…because they had pondered what they heard and were PREPARED. With the Church calendar winding down and ADVENT (with its language changes in the liturgy) approaching….how have you used this past year to develop your relationship with Jesus? How has this year been different than previous years? As you look around your life, can you perceive how things are different than they were last year, or five years ago, or 10 years ago? If so…how have YOU changed in order to keep up. Remember, we do not know the day nor the hour….so be prepared!
Welcome to the delicious month of November….crisp air, shorter days, the smell of sage dressing, the bustle associated with the approach of the holidays, thank you for sharing your weekend with Corpus Christi and our Community. The next few weeks will have CONCERN Third World Hand Arts and then the following week, PAULIST PRESS BOOKSTORE available for your purchase opportunities. Also, take note of our upcoming Thanksgiving Dinner on Monday, November 21st, sign-up sheets are outside for you to commit yourself to a part of the evening…lots of people make for a wonderful night! Don’t forget to read the pamphlet sent you regarding the language changes in the liturgy…start practicing now…so you will be a STAR on that first weekend of Advent!!! The Bulletin has other news as well, please take one with you as you depart. As you enjoy your extra hour of sleep from the ‘change’, remember, you are loved. FKB
