Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • November 26, 2021 5 9274 Hwy 49/Airport Gulfport, MS 39503 228-863-5525 1-800-880-2446 FAX: 228-863-9612 www.butchoustalet.com As I write this a top story on the news reads, “It just keeps growing and growing. Expect long lines at your nearby convenience store as Lottery fever continues to grip the nation.” The reference is to the Mega Million Dollar lottery jackpot which had grown to $700 million dollars for October 4. Of course, we know that millions of people will be motivated to take the gamble for a chance of winning the prize. The message of Lottery peddlers promises solutions to financial problems, relief from the stress of work and worry, and a chance for fulfillment of dreams for a better life. Despite the outrageous odds of winning being one in 175,000,000 the lottery’s message and promise are enticing enough for people to take a chance. The Church too offers powerful motivators for taking a chance on love of God and love of neighbor (Matthew 22:35-40). Here and elsewhere in the Gospels Jesus lays out His message, promise and testimony that for more than two millennia have excited people to become committed disciples and unrelenting martyrs. Our message: God loves you and has made provisions for you to live forever -- John 3:16. Our promise: All things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose -- Romans 8:28. Our testimony: The inspired Scriptures, 2000+ years of Apostolic Tradition, and the holy lives of ancient and modern-day saints and martyrs --- Matthew 16:13-19. So, we reflect through today’s readings on what the Church has to offer through its message, promise, and testimony. In today’s first reading, a promising future and divine assurance comes amid ruins and ashes. With Jerusalem destroyed and its people in exile, Jeremiah proclaims a message of restoration. Even though the shadows of COVID-19 pandemic are still with us, we take hope from Jeremiah’s message. There is no possibility of chance here -- God, in His time, will do what God says He will do. He calls for vision to imagine restoration, vigilance to see the hand of God in the people who reach out to help, and joy to bolster their spirits. God will bring them back to their land, shepherd them and give a future full of hope. Finally, he reveals their chance for salvation that will come with a new and unbreakable Covenant through the person of Jesus of Nazareth. This good news is worthy of sharing. Imagine the delight of those who believed and ‘took a chance’ on God’s promises? What evidence of belief are you providing to those around you? How are you being a light of hope to those who now cling to darkness? Some Christians in Thessalonica believed the Lord’s final return in glory would happen in their lifetime and decided to just wait and do nothing. But waiting for the Lord should be an exercise of active hope. After Jesus’ resurrection as Peter and the eleven apostles waited for the promised Holy Spirit, there was uncertainty and fear, as to whether the ministry Jesus called them to would ever continue. Peter called for an apostolic election to select Judas’s replacement so the college of 12 apostles would be intact and ready for God’s next move for them (Acts 1:1-26). So, Paul warns that since no one knows the time of Jesus’ return their progress of faith must continue to grow with greater zeal. To be holy by abounding in love and strengthened for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Are you anticipating God’s next move? Waiting with joy for the ways God will reveal himself in your life and the lives of those you are praying for? Prepare your mind and heart by diligent scripture reading, prayer, and excitement at the presence of Jesus living within you. Jesus said, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to all creation” (Mark 16:15). Even now there are many who need to be uplifted by your testimony of confidence and trust in the Lord. Today’s gospel draws attention to our Lord Jesus Christ’s second coming in power and glory to judge the living and the dead. Do you want to gamble on how you will fare in this judgment? Can you casually rely on a triumphant end despite how you have lived your life? Is it all just the luck of the draw? We know enough about God’s promises to realize that God expects something of a return from those who hope to be in heaven with Him forever. God has created each of us with a free will and expects us to exercise this liberty by a life of loving, honoring, worshipping, and serving the people He puts in our lives. This requires a persisting in faith and living the sacramental life of the Church on a consistent basis. Jesus Christ will come again at a time we do not know or expect. We do know that in time we will meet the Lord not as a babe in a manger but as divine and merciful judge. Fear is useless. This divine appointment is with our loving and merciful God. Rely on assurances God provides through his promises. Persist with vigilance built on hope, expectation sustained by faith, and newness revealed through God’s persistence in drawing us to Himself. Take courage and trust that Jesus wants you to share in his triumph of eternal life. “God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:17). Imagine the delight of joining the chorus of saints and angels singing God’s praises in perpetuity. Now, each of us can make a dedicated commitment this Advent to listen closely to the readings and homilies and seize tangible opportunities to draw closer to Jesus through the Church’s ministries of word, charity, and service. We can plan, and dream, and act in ways that will assure our peaceful and joy-filled life now and secure our eternal future as well by living the sacramental life. There is no gamble here and the odds of victory are in our favor. Rejoice that God came as a babe at Christmas, continues his presence in our lives every day, and promises to come again at the end of time. Read the book of Jeremiah Chapters 30-33 for assurances from the Lord. How well are you prepared for your divine appointment with God?” Deacon Ralph Torrelli lives in Hattiesburg and is assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Visit his web- site: www.homilypearls.com. 1st Reading: Jeremiah: 33:14-16 Responsorial Psalm: 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14 2nd Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2 Gospel: Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 First Sunday of Advent Taking a chance Deacon Torrell i Sunday Scripture Commentaries