Third Sunday in Advent

 

Third Sunday in Advent, December 13th, 2020

In the Eleventh Chapter of the Gospel of St. Matthew, we hear of the interaction between St. John the Baptist and Our Blessed Lord.  As St. Matthew describes the scenario for us, he tells us that St. John has been placed in prison and he sent to of his disciples to contact Our Blessed Saviour.  And after He had given St. John's disciples the message for St. John, He continued to speak about St. John the Baptist.  Our Lord says in Verse Ten:  "For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee."  (St. Matthew 11:10)  Here, Our Blessed Lord is quoting the Prophet Malachi from the Old Testament.  Our Lord is paying the ultimate compliment to St. John the Baptist by telling all those listening that he is the messenger which was foretold of by the prophets.  

But the question remains what kind of messenger are we?  All of us are messengers.  We all convey messages whether we realize it or not.  At work I convey messages on behalf of my boss.  I pass along messages which need to be  relayed to others.  When we enjoy a fabulous meal at a great restaurant and we tell our friends, we are passing along a message that this is a good restaurant.  "You should try it too!" is the message we convey.  When we are hosting an event such as a dinner or a rummage sale, we send out a message whether that be via announcement, sign or post on social media announcing the details.  In days past we would send messages via letters or telegram.  Now we are more likely to send messages via email or text.  But the point is still the same.  What is the message we are sending?  What message are we trying to convey?  Our Lord said of St. John the Baptist that he was the messenger which was called to prepare the way of the Lord.  Do we pass along any messages when it comes to God?  Do we let others know about God?  Do we allow ourselves to ever become the messenger of God?  Maybe we are too busy to pass along any messages.  Perhaps we do not receive the messages ourselves.  Is it because we are not listening?  Is it because we don't care to receive the message?  At this time of year, Advent provides us not only with the time to wait for the Lord but to also take account of what kind of servant we are.  What kind of messenger are we?  

PLEASE NOTE:  St. Margaret Church will NOT meet on Sunday, December 13th, 2020.

St. Margaret Church is still being affected, as is the whole world, by the Coronavirus outbreak.  Specifically, our church is not allowed to meet as we would like due to CDC and State recommendations.  But despite these recommendations, our members still continue to pray to Our Heavenly Father.  Our members still continue to reach out to their neighbors and loved ones.  Our members still continue to be the face and hands and instruments of the Lord throughout these troubling times.  Additionally, Fr. Todd also continues to post his sermons and reflections online.  So, please continue to pray for St. Margaret Church and all the Christian Churches throughout the world that we may continue to stay close to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.   

And please remember that you can still show support to St. Margaret Church by sharing these posts on social media . . . sharing the sermons and reflections of Fr. Todd on social media as well.  In this way, despite any sort of "lock-down," you will help St. Margaret Church continue to spread the Gospel and continue to tell the world about our love for Our Blessed Saviour!