Did You Know?

“When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flocks, the work of Christmas begins: to find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among the people, to make music in the heart.”
Sometimes we hear complaints about “C&E Christians” – those who attend Mass only at Christmas and Easter! The real issue is that those who only connect with the Church to share in the joy of Christmas and the victory of Easter – miss what comes between those two “high points”: the hard work of discipleship! This is what Howard Thurman calls the “The Work of Christmas”. We make a point of never ‘scolding’ those who only show up twice a year, but it is a real concern, that many are missing the whole reason for God coming to be with us. The problem with ‘cultural Christianity’ (a vague attachment because “my family has always been Catholic”) is that it has no foundation deep in the heart, and when the storms of life come – and the come to everyone – the house (the life) built on sand will collapse, as JESUS tells us. (Matthew 7:24-27). Only a life of active discipleship, founded on a growing dynamic relationship with God in Christ, can meet and conquer the storms of life. The famed Evangelist Billy Graham once observed that most Americans have been ‘inoculated against Christianity’ – that they have had just enough exposure that they will never catch the real thing. . .” This year, consider that our Lord is calling you personally to a deeper, more dynamic relationship with Him. Look into one of the many, many spiritual growth programs, prayer groups, Bible Studies, Hallow app, resources in our Parish Library, one of the apostolates serving the Poor, volunteering to teach others (Faith Formation or OCIA) and learning in the process! Now begins the “Work of Christmas” – to know JESUS Christ and to make Him known!