From the Pastor's Desk | December 24, 2023

Gospel Reflection

We find ourselves in the fourth week of Advent. Over these last three weeks, we have focused our preaching on the Eucharist. In the first week of Advent, we emphasized the reality that the Eucharist is Jesus Christ body, blood, soul, and divinity. In the second week, we stressed the importance of remaining watchful and alert particularly through Eucharistic prayer and Eucharistic adoration and emphasized the Eucharist as sacrifice and how we are called to live sacrifice ourselves. Our repentance - our turning away from sin and turning toward God - becomes our sacrificial offering and unites us to Christ’s saving sacrifice on the Cross. In the third week, we emphasized the power of words. Jesus Christ is himself the logos, the Word made flesh. Words have power to create or destroy - to build up or to tear down. The words of institution are used to transform bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. We are called to use words that give life and to imitate what it is we celebrate.

This week, our fourth and final week of Advent, we hear the story of the Annunciation. Two things are of unique importance. First, Mary is told that the Holy Spirit will come upon her and overshadow her. And, through the power of the Holy Spirit, Mary will become pregnant and bear a son who will be the savior of the world. In fact, Jesus’ very name means God saves! Second, Mary, though overwhelmed, afraid, and disturbed, says “Yes.” Through her act of faith and fidelity, she becomes the Theotokos - the God bearer.

Every time you and I approach the priest, deacon, or extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, we hear the words, “The Body of Christ” or the “The Blood of Christ.” The proper response is simply, “Amen.” In saying that word and responding that way, like Mary, we are saying “Yes!” Echoing our patron saint, St. Martha, we are saying, “Yes, Lord. I believe!”. As we receive Holy Communion, like Mary, we become God bearers. In consuming the sacred host, we become tabernacles in which Jesus Christ dwells. That should always be on our minds as Mass ends, and we are exhorted to “Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.” That should always be on our minds as we leave the church.  

As we move into the Christmas season, may we remember Christ dwells within us, uniting Himself to us and uniting us together as the body of Christ - the Church. I pray this Eucharistic preaching has both inspired you and strengthened your faith in the Eucharist. May we be a parish community all the more devoted to Christ present among us in the Eucharist.

Know of my prayers for you all! 
Fr. Ryan