Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • December 10, 2021 5 9274 Hwy 49/Airport Gulfport, MS 39503 228-863-5525 1-800-880-2446 FAX: 228-863-9612 www.butchoustalet.com THANKSGIVING NOVENA TO ST. JUDE O Holy St. Jude, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need, to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my present and urgent petition. In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. St. Jude pray for us and all who invoke your aid. Amen. Say three Our Fathers, Hail Marys and Glorias. Publication must be promised. This Novena has never been known to fail. I have had my request granted. Publication promised. GSK Happy New Year, Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary, Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas. All of us want to be happy and wish happiness to those we love. We experience happiness when God’s affectionate care is extended from people who help us in an hour of need or simply through random acts of kindness. A neighbor who randomly stops at the house with a plate of food or desert. A thinking of you, praying for you card that arrives at the time you need it most. Acts of kindness are often exercised through humanitarian motives by people of good will. But as Christians we differentiate from many of the good and helpful giving organizations because of our faith in Christ. We serve others because the Lord continually showers his joy, love and mercy on us and sharing that in various ways is our love response to the Lord’s love initiative. Unless our motivation is to do for others what our Lord has done for us, we can easily run out of self-generated zeal and good deeds can turn to a drudgery that we regret. Our internal joy -- the movement of God’s Holy Spirit -- is evidence that sustains and strengthens every good work and every good blessing we do for the sake of Christ. We come now to the third Sunday in Advent where our theme shifts to rejoicing in the Lord. Where our focus for week one and two of Advent was on Jesus’ second coming at the end of time. For the remaining two weeks we look to Jesus coming soon at Christmas. It is a theme of joyful anticipation -- the birth of a child is always a cause for joy and celebration. Today’s readings speak of joy’s promise, joy’s delight, joy’s expression, and joy’s evidence. Joy goes beyond an occasional smile or brief feeling of delight. It is the result of a holy and eager response to the love and promises of God. Zephaniah lived in a time of religious degradation. His task was to make people aware of their sin and its consequences. But he didn’t stop there. The verses in today’s reading contain promises from a loving and merciful God to a broken people. “Shout for joy…be glad and rejoice with all your heart.” The Lord has removed judgment against you” (Zephaniah 3:14-15). Although there is no limit to God’s love nor God’s desire for all to receive healing and restoration, only a remnant of the oppressed, those few who turn from self-gratification and embrace God’s promises of forgiveness, the removal of judgment and protection from enemies, will enjoy the joy of repentance and the fruits of friendship with God. Jesus, who is the same yesterday, today and forever continues to hold out the same offer to us. Read and reflect on Zephaniah 3:12- 20 and noticewhat gives cause for rejoicing. Repentance, humility, forgiveness, living truth, no fear or discouragement, a mighty savior (God). Today’s responsorial psalm comes from Isaiah, Chapter 12: A Song of Thanksgiving . As a sign of contradiction, the Lord’s chosen cry out to God with joy and gladness. Confidence, strength, courage and salvation flows from God’s abundant love as a font of life-giving water. Without God’s love and care, lasting joy, amid the calamities Israel experienced would have been unattainable. Saint Paul writes to the Philippians from a prison cell, yet we refer to this epistle as the letter of joy, “Rejoice in the Lord always.” How could someone express such joy and confidence while confined to a dungeon? Paul’s rejoicing is faith-based, not incident- dependent. External events have little effect on him. By trading anxiety for prayer and thankfulness, his confidence is in the capability of Christ Jesus to provide peace that defies understanding. Internal joy and peace should not be affected by external circumstances. Imagine what life would be like if you would Rejoice in the Lord, always? With its focus on the preaching ministry of John the Baptist, today’s gospel may appear to dampen the spirit of rejoicing present in the other readings. Christ’s forerunner pulls no punches with his unrelenting demand for justice and holiness and insistence on a life showing evidence of transformation. According to John, the herald of Christ, one cannot have true and lasting joy apart from repentance and a committed relationship with Christ. John’s methods elicit a key reaction to any serious consideration of Christ’s Lordship and gospel values. The people ask, “What should we do” (Luke 3:10). I live for that question because then I can share the joy and blessings God has given to me and hopefully help someone in their struggles. In reply, John points to a path separate from self- indulgence. Give liberally; food, clothing, time and talent. Deal fairly and justly with all. Joy comes from mirroring the giving, caring and just heart of Jesus and avoiding all contrary practices. Those who embraced John’s message, “were filled with expectation,” envisioning the possibility that the promised Messiah might be in their midst. Today’s bottom line: If we desire God’s gifts of Love, Joy and Peace we need to act accordingly. Our transformation (repentance and putting Jesus first in all we think, say, and do) will turn that desire into actualization. The testimony of Old Testament prophets, New Testament Saints and contemporary witnesses affirms this truth: a gloomy Christian is a contradiction of terms. If your soul has been redeemed, inform your face. 1. With Christ’s coming less than two weeks away what joyful tidings are you anticipating? 2. What would make you feel that your joy is complete? What can you do to help bring it about? 3. In what circumstances had you been able to rejoice in the Lord despite hardship? 4. 4. Spread lasting Joy by witnessing your faith in Christ to at least three people this week. Deacon Ralph Torrelli lives in Hattiesburg and is assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Visit his web- site: www.homilypearls.com. 1st Reading: Zephaniah: 3:14-18 Responsorial Psalm: Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6 2nd Reading: Philippians 4:4-7 Gospel: Luke 3:10-18 Third Sunday of Advent Joy of repentance Deacon Torrell i Sunday Scripture Commentaries