Advent, 2nd Sunday (A) Christ walks with Me

Think about a time that you had to spend a whole day with someone. Maybe it was a “Bring your child to work day”, or maybe you had a friend visiting from out of town. What did you do that day? Now imagine for a moment that Jesus Christ himself wanted to spend the day with you. How would you spend it? Would you go to the same places and do the same things that you always do, or would you have different conversations, leave the TV off, and avoid certain things? Would it be a stressful day or a beautiful day?

Dominus Vobiscum – Lord with You

The truth is that Jesus really does walk with us every day. He promised, “He who has my commandments and keeps them,… I will love him and manifest myself to him” (John 14:21). At Mass we say, “The Lord be with you” (in Latin there is no verb; literally the priest says: “Lord with you”). He promises, “I am with you always” (Mat. 28:19). So Christ really is with us. This is why Pope Benedict can say, “He who believes is never alone.” Prayer is not about trying to find a God who is out there somewhere. Prayer is about being open, aware, and in communication with the God who is with me every moment of the day. For many of us, this means we have some work to do. What do I have to get rid of to allow Jesus to be fully present in my life? Fortunately, Jesus provided us with the sacrament of Reconciliation. We have a service on Tuesday, December 14th at 6:30pm at Holy Trinity. We also offer Reconciliation Saturdays at 3:30pm at Holy Trinity and 4:00pm at St. Anthony, and Friday mornings from 8:30-9:00am at Holy Trinity. Please come and experience the gift that cost our Friend his life: Forgiveness, and a fresh chance to walk closer with him. (5 Dec 2010)

PS: If you would like to know how confessing your sins to a priest is a Biblical idea, see the following passages: Leviticus 5:13, Mat. 9:1-8, John 20:19-23, James 5:15-17, 1 John 1:9.