Glory to God!

In the gloria that we sing at every Sunday Mass (outside of Advent and Lent) and on feast days comes from Luke’s gospel as the angels appear to the shepherds to proclaim the birth of Jesus the Savior and sing “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14) Reminding us that on Christmas Day God gave the us the greatest gift...the gift of His Son Jesus Christ who came to die for our sins that we might receive the gift of eternal life. It is only through Jesus that heaven is possible. It is only through Jesus that mankind will have peace.

As if that wasn’t enough, He was born as we are born and experienced life as we might experience life. He has shared in our humanity in all things but sin. (Hebrews 4:15) On Christmas we see that God wanted to enter the human experience personally; that He might enter into relationship with us, each and every one of us. As Pope Benedict XVI put it “Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.” By entering creation as a human person God sets our lives in the direction of eternity. God cares for us and wants to take on our humanity that He might take away our sin and transform our suffering into an experience to glorify God.

This Christmas season may we recommit to deepening our relationship with Jesus Christ. First, by fulfilling the precepts of the Church: Attending Mass on Sundays and days of obligation, go to confession at least once a year, receive the Eucharist at least once a year during the season of Easter, observe days of fasting and abstinence, and provide for the material needs of the Church. But these are just the basics there so much more to the adventure that is friendship with Jesus. He desires for each of us to flourish and become saints. Begin a practice of daily prayer; do something small to achieve success adding a little at a time. Perhaps this practice is to pray with the scriptures for 5 minutes a day or to pray a decade of the rosary. Start somewhere but at least start. “A saint is a sinner who keeps trying.” (St. Josemaria Escriva)

Know of my prayers for you and those you love on Christmas throughout the coming New Year. The Lord has wonderful things in store for you, those you love, our Family of Parishes, and for all who put their trust in Him. Jesus came that we might have a joy-filled existence where we see opportunity and not obstacles beckoning us towards eternity. “Open wide your door to the one who comes. Open your soul, throw open the depths of your heart to see the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace, the sweetness of grace. Open your heart and run to meet the Sun of eternal light that illuminates all men.” (St. Ambrose)

Please note that this year Mary, Mother of God (January 1) is not a holy day of obligation. We will still have four Mass to celebrate the Motherhood of Mary. First there will be an opportunity to ring in the New Year by celebrating Mass at 11:30 PM at St. Michael on December 31, then on January 1 there will be two Masses at 9 AM at Sacred Heart and Ss. Peter & Paul, then a Mass at 7 PM at Holy Angels. Thus, there will still be ample opportunity to honor Mary’s Motherhood to start the New Year off right!

Thank you to so many who contributed throughout the Season of Advent and for Christmas celebrations. Whether you helped decorate the Church, work to get yourself and your family to confession, made the season merry and bright with Christmas decorations, prepared/provided food for the poor or your loved ones, opened your home to friends, family, and even strangers, gave to charity and the Church, and the numerous unseen acts of kindness you did during this season. Thank you and may God reward you for your generosity to Him and His people.

Peace in Christ,
Fr. Jarred Kohn