Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • January 7, 2022 5 9274 Hwy 49/Airport Gulfport, MS 39503 228-863-5525 1-800-880-2446 FAX: 228-863-9612 www.butchoustalet.com In thanksgiving to Jesus, Mary, & Joseph; St. Anne, & Saint Therese, for prayers answered. SAO There was a story on the local news about an eighty-nine-year-old woman living alone in a house with no windows, a collapsing roof, and no heat, electricity, or indoor plumbing. The story sparked an outpouring of community compassion and a national response. Soon there was a fundraising drive that made it possible to build a new 1,100 square foot, fully furnished home with all the amenities she was without for so many years. There was even enough money left over to pay her utility bills for three years. In an interview from the living room of her new home she thanked the community and all who contributed and placed significant emphasis on God’s hand in coming to her rescue. “I was starting to lose hope, every place I turned I came up empty, but I knew God heard my prayers and He has now given me a new life.” Her words were hymns of praise and thanksgiving as she spoke of Jesus as the center of her life and a wish that all would come to know Him in a deeper, more personal way. She also said, “I am born again at eighty-nine years old.” In her television interview, she could have raved about her good fortune, her lucky day, and the wonderful amenities that she now enjoyed, but instead used the short time to give praise, honor, and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ. Including an invitation for others to catch a spark of her faith and be empowered by it. It was God who came to her rescue when in dire need and she took the opportunity to let everyone know it. The Book of Isaiah chapters 1-39, the Book of Judgment, exposes the moral breakdown of Israel and Judah and presents repeated admonitions by the prophet of the disastrous path the Israelites were carving out for their lives. When it became obvious that his warnings were being ignored, Isaiah spoke God’s judgment, which comes to pass with Israel and Judah being enslaved by their enemies and expatriated to a foreign land. These rebellious people could have had it better but chose to live as they pleased instead of complying with God’s invitation to seek help. They desired to be separated from God and, sadly for them, their wish came true. Today’s reading, from the second division of Isaiah, the Book of Comfort (Chapter 40-55:13) offers words of comfort to these same dissenters. Isaiah makes no promise to trade their tents for palaces but assures that God had not abandoned them and that their guilt would be expiated, not because of their goodness or repentance but because of God’s fidelity to his covenant promise. God’s tender mercy and forgiveness would once more be theirs to enjoy. God would wipe their slate clean, free them from slavery to sin, and eventually restore their fortunes in a new land -- he would give them a new chance on life -- a rebirth. They knew their (spiritual) house was a disaster but now, newly blessed, they could prepare to receive God’s newness, his power tempered with tender mercy, and shepherding presence. The Psalmist offers a hymn of praise to the God of creation. The former image of an angry God, unbending and merciless, has given way to God’s open-handed eagerness to send his Spirit and renew the face of the earth. Into what was once a dark abyss and chaotic, God has put light and newness of life. Our second reading is from Paul’s pastoral letter to Titus; a missionary companion of Paul’s (Galatians 2:1) appointed to administrate the Christian community in Crete. Titus is charged to select presbyters in keeping with the apostolic mandate to reject worldly desires and live temperately, justly, devoutly, and eager to do God’s will. Such leadership requires rebirth, a change of heart, and a teachable spirit. Humility and personal pride can now surrender to grace: God’s unmerited gift motivated by love, generosity and mercy. “God saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit (Baptism)… to become heirs (of Christ) in hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:5c-7). Today’s gospel suggests preconceived expectations (that John the Baptist might be the promised Messiah) and elicits a comment and question. John’s dress, words and demeanor fit the day’s popular but false image of Messiah who with mighty stallion, army, and sword would rescue the persecuted. So, when the real thing (Jesus) came along they rejected Him. After all, Jesus was meek, humble, compassionate and preached love for enemies. I cannot help wondering; if I were there, living in the first century, would I have made the mistake of thinking John the Baptist was the promised Messiah? Worse yet, would I have rejected Jesus as Lord and Messiah? Certainly, it is so much easier to have faith living on this side of the resurrection. We have thousands of old Testament prophets, saints, martyrs, and disciples of our Lord who gave witness to His presence. Yet, so many people still reject Jesus as Lord, within and outside the Church He founded. Since we know so much more about Jesus today than they knew then: one would think we should be applying some of that knowledge and embrace Him as Lord and redeemer. Early in His public ministry, Jesus (the sinless savior) got in line with others to receive Baptism because He wanted to establish solidarity with sinners. With such assurance, every baptized person as a missionary disciple of Jesus Christ, empowered by Father, Son and Holy Spirit can spread God-like love, oneness, comfort and service, and act in ways that would benefit the other. Baptismal grace expects no less. The eighty-nine-year-old woman said, “I didn’t know my (old) house was in such bad shape until I saw pictures of it on television.” I pray that each of us will look deeply into our hearts and assess the ‘shape’ of our spiritual house. Deacon Ralph Torrelli lives in Hattiesburg and is assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Visit his website: www.homilypearls.com . 1st Reading: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 Responsorial Psalm: 104:1b-2, 3-4, 24-25, 27-28, 29-30 2nd Reading: Titus 2:11-14, 3: 4-7 Gospel: Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 Baptism of the Lord Spiritual house Deacon Torrell i Sunday Scripture Commentaries To include your parish and school events and activity information in “Diocesan Briefs”, email that information to: tdickson@ biloxidiocese.org.