Gulf Pine Catholic • December 19, 2025 5 MORE THAN FUNERAL DIRECTORS We are Professional Remembrance Planners Explore the many unique ways to honor and celebrate lives. Call or visit Bradford O’Keefe today. BRADFORD-O’KEEFE FUNERAL HOMES Professional. Compassionate. Digni ed. 228-374-5650 • Bradfordokeefe.com Thanks to the Holy Trinity, Blessed Mother, St. Raphael & St. Jude, for prayers answered. PH Opening Reflection: History, Mystery, Majesty: This last Sunday of Advent heightens our anticipation for Jesus’ coming in history, mystery, and majesty. In history, because He has already come, foretold by the prophets, announced by John the Baptist, and born of the Virgin Mary. We celebrate that on December 25. Jesus comes in mystery during the Eucharistic prayer at Mass when the celebrant extends his hands over bread and wine, calls down the power of the Holy Spirit, and (mysteriously) transforms them into Jesus’ body, blood, soul, and divinity. Jesus also comes in Majesty at the end of time, as Lord of Lords and King of Kings, to judge the living and the dead. Our personal holiness lived out in community is necessary for the possibility of spending eternity with the Lord. Right Choices: In today’s first reading, Ahaz, King of Judah, faced an enemy attack that could have destroyed his kingdom. Isaiah, God’s prophet, advised Ahaz to trust the Lord for victory in the upcoming battle. But Ahaz, pretending to be righteous, refused to ask the Lord for help. He said, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the Lord” (Isaiah7: 11-12). He used this ploy because he had already decided to align himself with the army of pagan Assyria, instead of Israel’s God. Ahaz went ahead with his rebellious choice, and Judah was defeated. It’s foolish to think we can fool God. If we persist in rejecting God’s will and ways, we will become godless. We ignore history at our own risk, and ignore God out of foolishness and pride. Do you believe that “nothing is impossible for God?” (Lk. 1: 37). The Lord wants to break through our stubbornness and guide us in right choices for His glory and honor, our well-being, and our eternal salvation. The Lord enters: Today’s Psalm response is, “Let the Lord enter; He is king of glory.” At the end of the previous Psalm (23), the Psalmist expresses a desire “to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” In today’s Psalm, we learn who may be worthy to enter heaven. “One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean (pure, focused on and dedicated to God), who desires not what is vain but lives God’s truth” (Psalm 24: 4). Set Apart: “Paul, a slave of Jesus Christ, called and set apart for the gospel of God.” (Romans 1:1-2). Paul’s “slavery” was a voluntary surrender of his life to the Lordship of Jesus and an “obedience of faith” through his words and actions. We make right choices when obedience to Christ is the number one priority in our lives. Faith, when added to obedience, strengthens the endurance of our life committed to Christ. Pope Benedict XVI wrote in his encyclical “Spe Salvi,” “Faith in Christ brings well-founded hope that can sustain people through the trials of this world.” Living the Sacramental life of the Church (CCC 1210 ff) builds strong faith that gives new life. Righteousness: Today’s Gospel fulfills Isaiah’s prophetic promise from the first reading. “The virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name Him Emmanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). The promised Lord of History, Mystery, and Majesty has come to His people, and nothing will ever be the same. But how He comes is very important. It took the willingness, faith, and cooperation of a young Jewish girl, Mary, and her betrothed, Joseph, to fulfill Jesus’ plan to become incarnate with both a human and divine nature. Today’s Gospel focuses on Joseph, an ordinary man whom God trusted with extraordinary things. He may not have understood the mystery of how our blessed mother Mary conceived a child, but with faith and docility, he accepted it and was chosen to be Mary’s spouse and the father of the Son of God. Joseph proved His love for God by keeping God’s commands and living His life in obedience to God’s will. Closing Comments and Questions: With the birth of Jesus, everything has changed. Time is divided into before and after His birth. The Catholic Church, which Jesus founded (Matthew 16:16-19), is a divine institution and will prevail in good times and hardships. Hearts of men and women are transformed to love one another and work for justice and peace. Visions are expanded to look with hope beyond an earthly existence to a new heaven and new earth where death is conquered, and we anticipate another promise fulfilled -- the Lord’s coming in Majesty to judge the living and the dead. What have you been called and set apart by God to do? What is your mission for Christ? Christmas decorations, wrappings, and carols may disappear after December 25, but the Lord of History, Mystery, and Majesty will always be with us -- worship Him every day of your life. Deacon Ralph Torrelli lives in Hattiesburg and is assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Visit his website: www.homilypearls.com. 1st Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14 Responsorial Psalm: 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 2nd Reading: Romans 1:1-7 Gospel: Matthew 1:18-24 4th Sunday of Advent Prepare the Way Deacon Torrelli Sunday Scripture Commentaries
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