Week of November 20, 2011

Greetings from the Pastor

Christ The King:
When All Is Said & Done

Today we gather together to celebrate the Mass for the Feast of Christ the King. It is the last Sunday of this particular liturgical year. We put a period on the year ending and it is good for us to ask the question, “Am I a better Catholic at the end of this particular liturgical year than I was last year?”

There are two possible answers – one is Yes, and I can feel good about it. During the year I have made progress and my worship of God has improved. I have made the effort of doing better and my relationship with God has gotten stronger. I can feel that I have made a persistent effort and the results are good.

If on the other hand, I have slipped and my relationship is not bad but less than it was twelve months ago, I can put on the brakes and stop the slide. This is one of the ways that God gives us to get back on the road of improvement. We have to think it is wonderful the relationship we have with God. He gives us many chances to change and we take every opportunity to begin again.

Out nature itself is such that deep down inside we always want to do what pleases God and we have various times in the course of the year to take stock and the end of one liturgical year and the beginning of another is that time. This Sunday is the end and we examine answers as to where we are. Am I good or do I need improvement? If I need improvement, than I have the opportunity to get going in the right direction.

This week we gather together on Thursday to celebrate Thanksgiving. Let us pause and remember all that God has given to us. Am I a better person than I was on Thanksgiving day last year? Have I remembered that my relationship with God has grown? Has my concern for others become better? Am I more kind, considerate, and think of others? You might surprise yourself and find the answer is “Yes!”

–FR DAVE