ADVENT PRAYER from Henri J.M. Nouwen

Lord Jesus,

Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.

We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.

We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.

We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.

We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.

We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.

To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!"

Amen.

ON THE PRIESTHOOD...We need priests or do we?

I had to share this little piece on the day of the Priesthood - Holy Thursday...

praying that we priests remain humble and our flock a bit more understanding of our foibles...

I think we generally make a pretty good team - the shepherds and the flock together...

A PRIEST IS ALWAYS WRONG BECAUSE...

If he begins his mass on time, his watch is advanced;

If he begins a minute later, he keeps people waiting

If he preaches too long, he makes people get bored;

If his homily is too short, he is unprepared.

If he owns a car, he is luxurious;

If he does not own one, he does not go with the times.

If he goes out to visit families, he is always out:

If he does not, he has no time for them.

If he asks for donations, he is a moneymaker;

If he does not do it, he is too proud and lazy.

If he takes time in the confessional, he is too slow;

If he makes it too fast, he has no time for his penitents.

If he renovates the church, he throws away money;

If he does not do it, he allows everything to rot away.

If he is with the youth, he forgets the old.

If he is seen with women, he is a playboy;

If he goes with men, he is not normal;

If he is young, he has no experience;

If he is old, he should retire.

As long as he lives, there are always people who are better than him;

BUT IF THE PRIEST DIES....THERE IS NOBODY TO TAKE HIS PLACE!

REPENT, AND SIN NO MORE

TODAY'S GOSPEL reminds us to "REPENT, AND SIN NO MORE"...and in a lighter vein here is another story...

A man was repainting the outside of the Church on Saturday to get it nice and spiffy for the service on Sunday. He had two sides of the Church done, when he realized that he didn't have enough paint to finish the job. What to do, since he was a long way from any store where he could buy more paint, and he would be running out of time? So he came up with the idea that he would thin the paint down so he would have enough to finish painting. After finishing the third side, he realized he would have to thin the paint even more if he was going to finish the job. Finally he finished the job and stood back admiring his work when suddenly it began to rain. The man watched in dismay as the paint ran off the last two sides he painted. The pastor came outside to see what was going on, and saw the look of disappointment on the man's face. The man confessed what he had done in order to finish the job. The pastor, wanting to ease the man's burden, said, "Repaint and thin no more!" What we hear in today's gospel is: 'Repent, and sin no more!"

(John Pachapilly in 'The Table of the Word' as cited in the homily notes of Jude Botelho)

ON EPIPHANY SUNDAY

Two wonderful pithy statements that summarise what the Solemnity of the Epiphany celebrates:

- "Divinity is always where one least expects to find it" (Fulton Sheen)

- "Wisemen still seek Him..." (Lyn Cooper)

May each of us continue to seek Him - and also be prepared for the Unknown and the Unimaginable...He may not be where we expect to find Him...but if we truly seek we shall see His Star...

Happy Feast one and all !!!