Dear Parishioners,
It’s not unusual for siblings to have problems with one another, for children to have attitude difficulties with their parents, and spouses to have disagreements over different issues. It’s part of our DNA to behave in unattractive ways from time to time; it’s the residual of original sin. While these things are normal, they are not good; they are not how God wants us to behave. On this Feast of the Holy Family, we should be mindful of how important our families are to us. After all, they are the ones who take us in when nobody else will. Therefore, today is an excellent opportunity to reflect on how we contributed to our own families. Have we added flavor and zest to the family stew, or have we poisoned the pot with our selfish behavior and know-it-all attitude? We might remember the words of today’s gospel (Luke 2:41-52) where it is stated that Jesus was obedient to Mary and Joseph. And He really did know it all.
- Father Carl
Rev. Stephen Hook is Pastor of the Pastorate of the Visitation which includes the Catholic Churches of Pasadena, Maryland: St. Jane Frances de Chantal (Riviera Beach) and Our Lady of the Chesapeake (Lakeshore). He is assisted by Associate Pastor Rev. Kevin Farmer, Deacon Howard Klohr, Deacon Phil Snyder, and Deacon Rick Clemens. To learn more about our pastorate, please visit www.catholicpasadena.org.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Friday, December 21, 2012
What’s in it for me?
Dear Parishioners,
“What’s in it for me?” More and more, that question is the question of our society and culture. It certainly wasn’t the attitude of Jesus who humbled himself to come to earth in difficult circumstances to work, suffer, and die for our salvation. Nor was it the attitude of Mary as we see in today’s gospel (Luke 1:39-45). Mary, although she is with child, goes out of her way traveling over rough ground to help her cousin Elizabeth. She didn’t ask, “What’s in it for me?” because she wasn’t self-absorbed, thinking only about herself. Instead, she focused on the need of Elizabeth. Mary is still willing to help those in need; she is our loving mother as well as Jesus’. Let us never forget her and turn daily to her in prayer: “. . . holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”
- Father Carl
“What’s in it for me?” More and more, that question is the question of our society and culture. It certainly wasn’t the attitude of Jesus who humbled himself to come to earth in difficult circumstances to work, suffer, and die for our salvation. Nor was it the attitude of Mary as we see in today’s gospel (Luke 1:39-45). Mary, although she is with child, goes out of her way traveling over rough ground to help her cousin Elizabeth. She didn’t ask, “What’s in it for me?” because she wasn’t self-absorbed, thinking only about herself. Instead, she focused on the need of Elizabeth. Mary is still willing to help those in need; she is our loving mother as well as Jesus’. Let us never forget her and turn daily to her in prayer: “. . . holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”
- Father Carl
Friday, December 14, 2012
Rejoice in the Lord always! I say it again. Rejoice!
Dear Parishioners,
“Rejoice in the Lord always! I say it again. Rejoice!” these words of St. Paul in the second reading (Philippians 4:4-7) remind us that the underlying attitude of the Christians should be joy. Today, on Gaudete Sunday, the readings and prayers focus on joy. And so we light the rose (pink) colored candle and wear rose-colored vestments as a sign that we are called to be a people filled with joy. But how can we be that way when we see so much pain, suffering, and injustice in the world around us and even among our loved ones and even in our very own lives? The answer lies in God who never abandoned his people in spite of their rebelliousness toward Him.
As the prophet Zephaniah says today (Zephaniah 3:14-18a), “The Lord your God is in your midst a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness and renew you in his love…” And if God was with his people before Jesus, how much more is He with us now through the seven sacraments, especially the Blessed Sacrament? Finally, He comes to be with us in our parish community as we pray, socialize, and work together. As Jesus himself said, “Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in their midst.” It doesn’t get any better than that; therefore we must “Rejoice always.”
- Father Carl
“Rejoice in the Lord always! I say it again. Rejoice!” these words of St. Paul in the second reading (Philippians 4:4-7) remind us that the underlying attitude of the Christians should be joy. Today, on Gaudete Sunday, the readings and prayers focus on joy. And so we light the rose (pink) colored candle and wear rose-colored vestments as a sign that we are called to be a people filled with joy. But how can we be that way when we see so much pain, suffering, and injustice in the world around us and even among our loved ones and even in our very own lives? The answer lies in God who never abandoned his people in spite of their rebelliousness toward Him.
As the prophet Zephaniah says today (Zephaniah 3:14-18a), “The Lord your God is in your midst a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness and renew you in his love…” And if God was with his people before Jesus, how much more is He with us now through the seven sacraments, especially the Blessed Sacrament? Finally, He comes to be with us in our parish community as we pray, socialize, and work together. As Jesus himself said, “Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in their midst.” It doesn’t get any better than that; therefore we must “Rejoice always.”
- Father Carl
Friday, December 7, 2012
Make ready the way of the Lord
Dear Parishioners,
It’s that time of the year again. No, I don’t mean Christmas shopping, decorating, buying trees, or mailing cards. No, it’s the time when John the Baptist makes his annual appearance (Luke 3:1-6). We need him and his annual reminder of repentance. Our lives become so very busy that we tend to drift away from God and into sin. John lived a very simple and austere life dining on locusts and wild honey. While his wild appearance may have attracted people at first, it was his life style that made people listen to his message, “Make ready the way of the Lord.” The best way for us to do that is the Sacrament of Penance whereby we level the mountains of our pride and arrogance and fill up the valley of our spiritual laziness.
Holy Trinity Parish will be having a penance service on Tuesday, December 11th at 7pm in its church. Of course, confessions are held here each Saturday from 3:30 – 4:30pm and also by appointment in the rectory.
I can’t think of a better way to prepare and put Christ into Christmas.
- Father Carl
It’s that time of the year again. No, I don’t mean Christmas shopping, decorating, buying trees, or mailing cards. No, it’s the time when John the Baptist makes his annual appearance (Luke 3:1-6). We need him and his annual reminder of repentance. Our lives become so very busy that we tend to drift away from God and into sin. John lived a very simple and austere life dining on locusts and wild honey. While his wild appearance may have attracted people at first, it was his life style that made people listen to his message, “Make ready the way of the Lord.” The best way for us to do that is the Sacrament of Penance whereby we level the mountains of our pride and arrogance and fill up the valley of our spiritual laziness.
Holy Trinity Parish will be having a penance service on Tuesday, December 11th at 7pm in its church. Of course, confessions are held here each Saturday from 3:30 – 4:30pm and also by appointment in the rectory.
I can’t think of a better way to prepare and put Christ into Christmas.
- Father Carl
Friday, November 30, 2012
Be on watch! Stay awake!
Dear Parishioners,
As my driver’s license was due to expire in a few weeks, I decided for once in my life, not to wait until the last minute. I heard MVA at Annapolis was quicker than Glen Burnie, so I went there. I discovered that if you go in late morning it’s going to be slow no matter where you go. So if you go, go early! As I waited, I paid attention to the numbers being called casually at first, because there were many others before mine. And as my number approached, I watched very intently as I didn’t want to miss my turn. I was very watchful, awake, and alert. In today’s gospel (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36), Jesus reminds us to do the same “Be on watch! Stay awake! You do not know when the appointed time will come.” Of course, Jesus is talking about being ready for the coming of the Lord at the end of time or the end of our lives. If I had missed my number at the MVA, it would have been most annoying and inconvenient, but if I’m not ready when Jesus comes, it would be tragic. That’s why I go to the sacrament of Penance at least once a month and say my prayers every morning and night. I want to be ready. How about you?
- Father Carl
As my driver’s license was due to expire in a few weeks, I decided for once in my life, not to wait until the last minute. I heard MVA at Annapolis was quicker than Glen Burnie, so I went there. I discovered that if you go in late morning it’s going to be slow no matter where you go. So if you go, go early! As I waited, I paid attention to the numbers being called casually at first, because there were many others before mine. And as my number approached, I watched very intently as I didn’t want to miss my turn. I was very watchful, awake, and alert. In today’s gospel (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36), Jesus reminds us to do the same “Be on watch! Stay awake! You do not know when the appointed time will come.” Of course, Jesus is talking about being ready for the coming of the Lord at the end of time or the end of our lives. If I had missed my number at the MVA, it would have been most annoying and inconvenient, but if I’m not ready when Jesus comes, it would be tragic. That’s why I go to the sacrament of Penance at least once a month and say my prayers every morning and night. I want to be ready. How about you?
- Father Carl
Friday, November 23, 2012
The Feast of Christ the King
Dear Parishioners,
Christ the King is the crucified and risen Lord, our Savior and the One who is alive forever and ever. He holds the keys to life and death. In him, the most brutal suffering can be infused with meaning, unspeakable loneliness becomes companionship with God, and our fear of death is transformed into hope. The foundation for all Christian worship in every season of the year is knowing and being known by him who is Christ our King.
- Deacon Robert
Christ the King is the crucified and risen Lord, our Savior and the One who is alive forever and ever. He holds the keys to life and death. In him, the most brutal suffering can be infused with meaning, unspeakable loneliness becomes companionship with God, and our fear of death is transformed into hope. The foundation for all Christian worship in every season of the year is knowing and being known by him who is Christ our King.
- Deacon Robert
Friday, November 16, 2012
In the Meantime
Dear Parishioners,
In the Meantime... So what does it mean to live in the meantime? It means many things, depending on where you are in life’s journey and what you believe life’s circumstances are calling from you. If we believe as Daniel and Jesus believed that heaven and earth will one day pass away (Daniel 12:1-3; Hebrews 10:11-14, 18; Mark 13:24-32); if we believe there is coming a day when days will be no more and God's Kingdom will be our great hope and home, then we believe what we do and how we live matters in the meantime.
Be of good courage. See with eyes of faith that God’s coming Kingdom is as certain as green leaves in the spring time opening up from tiny buds. And in the meantime, as we await that coming day, be a person celebrating life and living your faith. For when you do, you bear witness to this age that a new day is coming in God's Kingdom.
- Deacon Robert
In the Meantime... So what does it mean to live in the meantime? It means many things, depending on where you are in life’s journey and what you believe life’s circumstances are calling from you. If we believe as Daniel and Jesus believed that heaven and earth will one day pass away (Daniel 12:1-3; Hebrews 10:11-14, 18; Mark 13:24-32); if we believe there is coming a day when days will be no more and God's Kingdom will be our great hope and home, then we believe what we do and how we live matters in the meantime.
Be of good courage. See with eyes of faith that God’s coming Kingdom is as certain as green leaves in the spring time opening up from tiny buds. And in the meantime, as we await that coming day, be a person celebrating life and living your faith. For when you do, you bear witness to this age that a new day is coming in God's Kingdom.
- Deacon Robert
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)