2nd Sunday of Advent Year A Homily

One of the most difficult Gospel selections to read or listen to is that of the genealogy of Jesus which is found in the Gospel of Saint Matthew. Despite its difficulty this is an important Gospel for us to understand. It is even the Gospel which is selected to be read at the Christmas Vigil Mass. The geology of Jesus proclaims to us the lineage of Jesus Christ. From its start we hear: “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David.” We later hear: “Jesse the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon.” We finally hear: “Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.”

Here we are reminded that Jesus is connected to the line of David. As we heard from the Prophet Isaiah: “But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.”

One traditional practice for many during the Advent season is the Jesse Tree. It is the Jesse Tree which takes figures of the Old as well as New Testament and leads towards the coming of the Messiah. The Jesse Tree helps children as well as parents that they may come to know these important figures who build up to the coming of Christ. As we see from the genealogy of Jesus as well as the Book of Isaiah this begins with the figure of Jesse who is the father of David and leads to the Christ.

In the doorway of the rectory in Oak Ridge stands a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary which is very striking. If you would look closely you would see that connected to her lip was a root. This added root to her face was symbolic of this root that we heard from in the Book of Isaiah and comes to represent this geneology of the Lord.

This root is symbolic of the coming of the Lord. The Lord will not simply appear in any way, but will come through the royal lineage of King David. The word Advent comes from the Latin word, Adventus, which means in English, coming or arrival. I hope that we can see the great gift that we now prepare to receive into our life. We not prepare only for our Lord’s coming at Christmas, but we also prepare for His second coming at the end of time. As Saint John the Baptist proclaimed in our Gospel: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.”

This is precisely what we must do in the midst of this sacred season. We must come to realize the great gift for which we now long. A root becomes symbolic of something which is living. We do not want to be cut off from the root for we will be found dead. Let us now look at the roots of our faith and pray upon what may be doing them harm. Where they have been effected by the reality of sin may we see the need to go to the Sacrament of Confession.

With that we will have our Advent Penance Service on Tuesday where a total of 9 priests will be present. Let us not be filled with pride, but instead radiate towards humility through the confession of our sins. If it has been a long time since you have frequented the Sacrament of Confession despair not, but instust yourself to the infinite mercy of God.

Jesus is truly of the lineage of King David may we make straight his paths.

St. Mary Men Evening is Recollection Sermon IV: Advent our Hope

Advent is a time of fervent hope.

The Advent wreath serves as a reminder of this expectant hope. From the candles of the wreath the darkness is illuminated with light. On December 13 we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Lucy. Saint Lucy is often depicted with a wreath of candles placed upon her head. This wreath would illuminate the darkness as she made her way to visit Christians in the catacombs.

The Memorial of Saint Lucy is important because it gives way to the light for the coming of the Messiah now draws near. This is the great hope for which we now long.

Saint Josemaria Escriva stated: “That disturbance in your spirit, the temptation which envelops you, seems to blindfold the eyes of your soul. You are in darkness. Don't insist on walking by yourself, for, by yourself you will fall.”

These words are very true because we so often attempt to toil about the issues of life all by ourself. If all by ourself we will toil about lost in the darkness. We are in need of a guide who will light the way for us. That guide for which our soul now longs is Christ our Lord.

With that we must make use of the sacraments of the church. We must make use of the sacrament of confession for it purifies us in order that we may see more clearly. We must receive our Blessed Lord in the state of grace for here we come to not only encounter Christ as He is, but allow Him to enter into our life.

In the words of Saint Josemaria Escriva: “Seek union with God and buoy yourself up with hope — that sure virtue! — because Jesus will illuminate the way for you with the light of his mercy, even in the darkest night.”

Truly the Lord is our fervent hope. Let us never be found downcast. When we feel alone and afraid may we remember the Lord who is our hope. In time we will pass through this season of Advent and will come to rejoice with our Savior born in the manger to the Blessed Virgin. May Christ truly become our fervent hope.

Anniversary of Dedication of Church Homily

19 years ago this parish church was dedicated unto God.

This was made possible through the hands of many parishioners who came together to make this offering acceptable. To this day this parish community is blessed by many parishioners who carry on this concern through the offering of their time, talent, and treasure. To each of you I say thank you for your generosity springs forth from the Lord and His invitation to us to come and follow after Him in order that He may make us fishers of men.

And so since that time of that dedication these hallowed walls could tell many stories of sacraments celebrated and souls who have been claimed for God the Father. Within these hallowed walls people have proclaimed the Glory of God and have been drawn together as a community of faith.

As one walks into this Church they are first of all greeted by the Baptismal font which serves as a reminder of our baptism. Through this sacrament we have been welcomed into the life of the church. It was here that we were claimed for Christ Jesus and sent forth to proclaim His Most Holy Name.

From this Sacrament springs forth the other Sacraments of the Church. With that the Eucharist has been received here, confessions have been heard, people have been anointed, confirmation has been received, and weddings have been offered. Very soon we will celebrate the ordination of a new priest in the form of one Zach Griffith, may we remember to pray for him.

With that this is a house of prayer. It is the purpose of this place to elevate our sight upwards towards Heaven and inspire each of us to get there. May each of us continue to band together under the banner of the Eucharist. Through the Eucharist we become one though we are many. Through the Eucharist we put difference aside in order to follow after Christ who unites us. It is the devil who desires to spread lies which bring forth division, but as instructed in Holy Scripture a Kingdom divided among itself will not stand.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, despite the turmoil which may lie ahead this church will continue to stand. Truly the gates of hell will not stand against the church. The church will always prevail. Let us celebrate with great joy this day as we come to proclaim the glory of these hallowed walls and the stories contained here in. When we enter this hallowed temple of God may we always be inspired towards Heaven and towards an encounter with Christ.

Bulletin Article: December 1

We have now begun the Advent season and our journey towards Christmas. Let us remember that Christmas begins on December 25 and is a season that stretches until our celebration of the Baptism or the Lord on January 12. With that in mind let us use this season that has been set before us to prepare for that coming season.

Monday, December 2, we will celebrate the anniversary of the dedication of our parish church. In the liturgical calendar this day is treated as a solemnity. Therefore, we will have a special Mass at 6pm to celebrate this day. Following Mass there will be finger foods in the gathering area. Please bring something to share following this Mass.

Tuesday, December 3, we continue our Men’s Evening of Recollection in the church from 6:45pm-8pm. This is an opportunity for the men of our parish to gather together for reflection, prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, and confessions are offered.

Saturday, December 7, will fall our parish Advent retreat. The theme is taken from Luke 2:7, “There was no room for them in the inn.” Following 8:30am Mass there will be donuts and coffee in the gathering area, the conference will begin at 9:30am in the chapel, and will conclude with a Holy Hour beginning at 11:30am. During this Holy Hour confessions will be heard.

In Christ,

Fr. Dustin Collins

1st Sunday of Advent Year A Homily

Let us stay awake for the Lord’s coming is drawing near. We now find ourselves in the season of Advent and we now prepare for Christmas where God’s love is so great that He chose to take on our human flesh and dwell among us. It was for this life altering reality that the angels appeared to the shepherds and sung out “Glory to God in the Highest.”

Advent must remain a season of expectation. Within us there should be a longing to be united to God made Flesh. In the midst of our liturgy we can see this same expectation. For we will not sing this hymn of the angels again until the Good News of the birth of the Saviour has been proclaimed unto us on Christmas Day. Hopefully we use little reminders such as this during this season to allow ourself to stay awake.

Our Epistle reminded us of the need to “throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” As we drive around at night we will start to see Christmas lights which shine brightly from the darkness. Christmas lights serve as a reminder to us of the Light of Christ. Hopefully through seeing them we will be reminded of the one for whom we now prepare to encounter and realize our need to stay awake as we prepare to encounter Him.

It is sin which plunges us into darkness and causes our life to move around something other then Christ. With this many will now rush about and fill stores with the rush of finding the perfect gift for a loved one. There is nothing wrong with giving gifts to one another, but hopefully we do not let this rush detract from what is actually important during this season, coming into an encounter with Christ.

Throughout Advent I encourage you to find ways to stay awake and thus prepare for this life giving encounter. Let not the hustle and bustle of this short season take away from this preparation that we are called to make.

With this in mind make use of Sacrament of Confession, especially if it has been a long time since you have participated in the sacrament. Our confession times can be found in the bulletin and our parish Advent penance service will be December 10th. I also invite you to make use of our Perpetual Adoration Chapel. We sadly have hours which are open when our Blessed Lord is left all alone. Coming to this chapel as an individual or as a family would be a perfect way to place your attention upon Christ as you prepare to receive Him.

I also encourage practices within the home. Maybe an Advent wreath that brings that family together to pray each day. Maybe an Advent calendar for the children. Set up a manger scene in your home holding off on placing the baby Jesus until Christmas. Some even keep hay in a special place adding one grain each time a member of the family does something nice for someone else.

Let us thus head into the season of Advent and prepare the way for the Lord’s coming. Let us not be caught off guard, but stay awake and vigilant as we now prepare for His arrival for very soon we will once again sing “Glory to God in the Highest.”