“The night is long and I am full of tossing until dawn,” so it says in our First Reading today from the Book of Job. Who of us cannot relate to this experience? Sleeping pills and herbal remedies for sleeplessness have become a multi-billion dollar industry! Maybe more than ever, our lives have become increasingly hectic and jam-packed full of activity. Medical experts tell us that many of our killer diseases such as heart attacks, cancer, strokes, etc., are stress related illnesses. And although many of our activities are very worthwhile, all of us, like Jesus, who “went out to a deserted place and there he prayed,” must also make room in our lives for prayer and contemplation. Without prayer-time, we lose our sense of direction, our meaning and purpose in life. We begin to feel as though we are on a conveyer belt just being pushed forward without having any control of where it is that we are going.

When we take the time to re-connect with our God, it is like someone who comes home. Home is where we all start out, it is the point of reference from which all other places are measured. Home is the place where we take refuge and recharge, where we feel secure, safe and at peace. Home is where we take our “broken hearts and bind up our wounds”. Home is where we come for healing when life has left us wounded and bleeding.

This Sunday, let us be resolved to come home to the Lord more often, to foster a fervent life of prayer and reflection, to take “time out” or spend some “quality time” with our healing and loving God. Maybe then, we will sleep more soundly and we will enjoy a greater sense of peace within our hearts!

“Sing praise to the Lord
who heals the broken hearted.”
–Psalm 147

“O that today you would listen to his voice! Do not harden your hearts…” It isn’t always easy to discern God’s voice in our own hearts, let alone to appreciate holiness in the heart of a questionable stranger who emerges from a harsh and hostile world.

St. Mark writes: “They were astounded at his teaching for he taught them as one having authority…” Jesus then expands this authority to heal a man convulsed by an “unclean spirit.” But all of us are a mixture of dark and light, turmoil and peace. Can we push through our fear to listen to God’s voice? Will we then respond – with love and trust – to God’s healing touch?

Paul’s message can sometimes seem judgmental, contradicting ideas of an inclusive, open-hearted God: “The unmarried woman and the virgin are concerned about the affairs of the Lord, so that they may be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is concerned about the affairs of the world, how to please her husband.” He says the same about men; according to Paul, married folk inevitably succumb to “divided interests.”

Worldly concerns, holiness and scandal coexist in all walks of life. Does Paul suggest that in order to be close to God we must consecrate ourselves to a life of virginity and contemplation in a controlled “safe” environment? Even in contemplative life, “unhindered devotion” to the Lord — developing compassion for family, friends and strangers — is daunting. Perhaps, like all of us, Paul struggles in his journey to understand the myriad questions and concerns of his time and place.

Thomas Merton says: “Clean, unselfish love does not live on what it gets but on what it gives. It increases by pouring itself out for others…” Can we pour ourselves out with unselfish love for those unexpected and sometimes frightening prophets and messengers in our midst? To begin, we might put aside our fear; we might even invite them into the car as we travel through this challenging, complex world.

“In the face of my reluctant, half-hearted, blundering
Christianity, this stranger touched…no, gripped…….
my shoulder. In that deliberate gesture, he assured me
that I’m not so bad. He understood my fear, and for-
gave me for it. This marginal stranger forgives me.
He blesses me.” (Strachan, American Magazine, 2008)

Today, January 22nd, we, celebrate the feast of our founder, St. Vincent Pallotti. He was a remarkable man, marked by holiness and vision for the Church. He was truly ahead of his time, as he gave a call for all the lay people to fully realize their vocation in the Church.

St. Vincent Pallotti was born in Rome, on April 21st, 1795. He was ordained priest on the 16th of May, 1818. On the 4th of April, 1835, he founded the Union of Catholic Apostolate, bringing together priests, men and women religious, and lay people, united as a faith community for the common purpose of living and spreading the Good News. In 1846, he formed a community of priests and brothers, now known as the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottine Fathers). He died on the 22nd of January, 1850, at the center of his new community, the church of San Salvatore, in Onda, Rome. He was beatified by Pius XII on the 22nd of January, 1950, and proclaimed a Saint by John XXIII, on January 20th, 1963.

St. Vincent Pallotti gave special emphasis to the fact that every Christian has received from Christ a mission for the Church and for the world. He was aware that bishops, priests, and religious cannot carry the total responsibility for evangelization. Lay people, too, have the obligation and the right to actively participate in the mission of the Church. This concept was new at the time of Vincent Pallotti and, to implement it, he founded the Union of Catholic Apostolate. He meant this Union to be an association of priests, religious, and lay people who, together, would strive to awaken in all a consciousness of their call to the apostolate of Jesus Christ. Moreover, they are called to bring this consciousness to all parts of the world.

In every age, God has been generous in giving special gifts of the Holy Spirit to certain men and women, in order to continue the mission of Christ for the salvation of humankind and to promote the growth of the Church. During the first half of the 19th century, St. Vincent Pallotti was among those whom God enriched with his gifts and inspiration for the purpose of aiding the Church in fulfilling her mission.

Because of the worsening crisis of faith in his time, and because of the growth of the Church’s work in the missions, Pallotti saw the urgent need to revive the faith of Catholics, to renew their love, and unite all in Christ.

Today, we celebrate the Jubilee Year of the Canonization of St. Vincent Pallotti. In his honour, Vespers and Benediction will be held at 6:00 p.m., followed by a reception. Please contact Gerry Richardson at 403-278-5960 for further information.

In today’s noisy world, stillness can be rare and we might wonder what, if anything, can draw us into intimacy and meaning. Today’s readings provide us with a key, for they call us to stop talking and listen.
In the first reading, Samuel hears the voice of the Lord but does not recognize it. It is Eli, in his wisdom and age, who knows that the proper response to this unknown call is to be still and listen.

When they first met Jesus, John’s disciples are tentative and tongue-tied. When Jesus asks what they want, they ask in return, “Where are you staying?” – as if they might want to get in touch at some later date. To this, Jesus’ simple invitation is to “Come and see,” and they spent the day with him. More importantly, they take the time to listen to Jesus.

When we, like the first disciples, listen to God’s voice, we deepen our commitment to the Lord. God calls us through what we see, hear and feel.

God speaks to us through creation and through the lives and words of ordinary people. In turn, we ourselves call others to God when we walk together on our faith journey.

May the Eucharist open our hearts to enter more deeply into communion with God and each other. “Speak, Lord for your servant is listening.”

Matthew is the only evangelist who tells the story of wise men from the East who follow a star in their search for the newborn King of the Jews.

These ’wise men’ might be practicing of Eastern mystical traditions, Babylonian astrologers, Arabian magicians, or rich adventure -seekers. They come from another world and are seeking something out of the ordinary. We can easily see in these travelers the restless searchers of our own age – people who keep looking for the ultimate experience, the perfect path, the next big thing.

We continue to tell and reflect upon their story as part of our own journey, more than 2,000 years later. The wise men are more than just ‘new-agers’ from an ancient time. They follow the signs and they show us the star. That star, pointing to the Christ child, is still part of our world today. Sometimes our work may be to polish the star and make it shine when it has been obscured by clouds of doubt, scandal or suspicion. Sometimes we have the privilege of pointing it out to restless searchers; and sometime we are the ones out in the dark, cold night, needing to get back up on the camel and follow the star again….until it leads us once more to the Christ-child who brings life and joy for the whole world.

In today’s psalm, “Forever I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord”, it is such a love that is at the heart of God’s desire to come near to us, to dwell in our hearts.

In the readings today two important persons are asked to give space to God in their lives. First, King David decided the “House of God’ needed improvements – something more than a tent. Who among us might not desire to give the same respect and honour? But we hear that God had other plans – it was among and in the people that God would dwell and establish a kingdom.

Then, in today’s Gospel, the angel Gabriel visits Mary, inviting her to give birth to the Son of God. Mary ponders, questions, considers. At the moment when Mary seems to hesitate, she learns that her cousin Elizabeth has also been graced by God’s love and will herself bear a child through God’s action in her life. Mary responds, Let it be done to me according to your word.”

We wait in joyful anticipation of the feast of Christmas. We know the spark of divine life within each of us that yearns to reach out in acceptance, openness and availability. God will give to each one of us what is needed.

The feast of Christmas calls us to make space for this God of unconditional, abounding love. It calls us to live love and extend it to others.

So this week let your thoughts wander to the Holy Family as they journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, and with them make a joyful anticipation for the birthday of the child. The last preparation for welcoming him into this world and into your lives and hearts.

Today is Gaudete Sunday (from the latin for rejoice). Today’s readings overflow with joy. “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,” we read in Isaiah. “My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,” sings Mary. “Rejoice always“ urges Paul. Today’s gospel seems in some ways, not to fit. John the Baptist’s speech is full of negotiations: “I am not the Messiah…nor Elijah…nor the Prophet” – but rather, “the voice of one crying out in the wilderness.”

Yet in that solidarity, lowly task there is joy. There is the comfort and assurance of knowing who you are and what your calling is. There is the joy of anticipation, of preparing the way, of looking forward to the one who is to come.

John may seem like a negative figure, but in some ways he is like a child waiting for Christmas with a sense of anticipation – someone- wonderful is coming.

We are called to share in this anticipation and joy. It is not always clear what we are waiting for or should be happy about. But as Christians, we know that there is more than this life – there is something yet to come. With John the Baptist, we are waiting….we are looking forward with hope: we “await the blessed hope and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.”

“My soul rejoices in God, my Saviour
My spirit finds its joy
In God the living God”.

These last weeks before Christmas are such busy times. So much planning and preparation to do. Presents must be bought, Christmas cards and letters to write. Meals to be planned and cleaning is never-ending. Time goes by at warp speed. Preparing for this great Christian celebration can feel like preparing for an expedition to the top of Mount Everest. And if we forget any of the things we have to do, there are many voices constantly reminding us: “hurry! Only three more weeks until Christmas”!

Barely audible through the racket another voice is calling out to us ,too with a different, less noisy invitation

Look, I am going to send my messenger before you
He will prepare your way
A voice cries out in the wilderness
”Prepare the way of the Lords,
make his paths straight.”

Today, right now, in this quiet moment, we can hear this voice, Mark, echoing Isaiah, is telling us to pause, to consider what we are doing, and to prepare ourselves for the arrival of the Lord. Clear away all the clutter, the unnecessary baggage, the tempting detours with their attractive scenery. Remember that the path between us and God, the path that opens before us from the moment we are born, is both simple and straight. We can walk that path any time, even a busy time like now. All we have to do is set off.

On this first Sunday of Advent, which is the beginning of a new Liturgical Year, we are given a fresh chance to prepare for the coming of Christ. The season of Advent offers a spiritual wake-up call to us. Unless we are spiritually awake we are only half alive. To be awake spiritually means to be open and receptive; vigilant and active; and to be attentive to God.

Jesus urges us to stay awake, to be on our guard, to be on the watch. In today’s Gospel, it is Christ himself who is asking each one of us so to live our lives, that when we are called to judgment we may not be found wanting. This does not mean that we must be praying constantly. Nor does it mean that we must take no interest in the affairs of this life. Of the two men working in the field and of the two women grinding corn, one of each pair was found unworthy, not because of the work he or she was doing, but because they had excluded God and His purpose in their life. The two who were found worthy had room for God and their own salvation. Their work was part of their loyal service to God and was a means towards their salvation.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus talks about the future coming of the Son of man to encourage people to take responsibility for the present time. The only way to be ready for an unpredictable event is to make the present a time of ‘fidelity’. Then there is nothing to fear. The only way to secure the future is to care about the present and stay awake.

How, then, do we as Christians prepare for Christmas? One beautiful practice is to attend Mass, as far as possible, daily. In the First Reading of today, Isaiah prophesied that people would stream to Jerusalem from all over the world. We do it by faith every time we gather and worship Christ, and every time we read the Bible and meditate. In the Second Reading St Paul exhorts us to fight against sin, mindful that our salvation is near at hand. Work to get rid of all sinful habits. We must ‘put on Christ’. One of the great ways “to put on Christ” is to grow in affection for Christ’s members, first of all for those in our own families. Another thing we can do is to be peacemakers.

When we have peace in our hearts, we radiate it and people sense it. As Christians, it is not enough to be physically awake; we need to be awake socially, morally and spiritually. So, during this Advent season, let us try to focus on Jesus, our Saviour and make our hearts a worthy place for him.

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A special Thank you to all who made our Feast Day such a great success, it was the best ever! It was truly a beautiful tribute to our Patroness St. Cecilia.