In this short passage we hear from the prophet Isaiah today, God tells us through the prophet that he is teaching us what is best for us, directing us in the way that we should go. However, in a modern American society that often values individualism and freedom of expression beyond anything else, many of us don’t want anyone directing us and putting up parameters in what we can do in our lives. Some don’t want to listen to God at all.
We hear from Isaiah frequently during the holy season of Advent, as his message helps prepare us for the coming of Jesus in our lives as Christmas. The Lord tells us that if we follow his laws and commandments, then peace will flow in us like a river. Even though we already had our Advent reconciliation service here at St Jude on the very first Monday at the start of the Advent season, I still want to encourage you all to go to the sacrament of reconciliation if you have not done so already. We offer confession on Saturday afternoon right before our 6:00 pm Mass. The sacrament of reconciliation is an important part of our Advent journey, something that our Catholic faith calls us to do.
Today, we also offer our monthly Healing Mass with the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. When I posted the notice for this Haling Mass a couple of months ago on Facebook, someone asked me what that meant. I remember Pope Francis saying that the Eucharist is not a sacrament offered for those who are perfect on our journey of faith, but rather it is a sacrament that brings healing and wholeness in our lives of faith as we strive toward perfection and as we strive to follow God’s laws and commandments. We need healing in our lives on many levels: spiritual, physical, and emotional. God enters our lives today in these two wonderful sacrament and in his holy word.
May the voice of God that is calling out to us this Advent season reach our ears and our hearts. May we be open to the healing presence of the Lord that is trying to bring peace and fulfillment to our lives.
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