Dear Friends in Christ,
As the Christmas Season ends for another year and Ordinary Time begins, the words of St. John the Baptist in this Sunday’s Gospel challenge us. John makes it clear to His disciples that
Jesus is “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” Through these words, St. John points to Christ and directs others to follow Him.
How do we do the same in our ordinary lives? In late November, on the weekend of Thanksgiving, St. Peter’s participated in the neighborhood tree lighting on the town common. Volunteers from the parish put together small bags of candy and Nativity ornaments with small cards attached
wishing those who would receive the bags a ‘Merry Christmas’ and letting them know what our Christmas Mass schedule was. In this friendly way, the parish practiced evangelization and
pointed to Christ as the ‘Reason for The Season’ and the One to follow in faith.
Often, opportunities to point to Christ as Lord present themselves as invitations to act charitably. When we show others care, we bring Christ to others through our actions. Jesus is our motivation for doing good. Others may wonder why we do what we do. Only those who know us will realize that it is because we seek to put our faith into action. As the Lamb of God, Jesus acted as a sacrifice for our sins, to save us from sin. What do we need saving from today? Perhaps it is a habit or addiction that has hold of us. Maybe it is an attitude or perspective that needs change. It could also be a toxic relationship, a way of relating to another, a lack of prayer, a misconception of the world or people that is harmful or countless other difficulties. The more we know ourselves we
understand that we cannot save ourselves. Only One Person can do this…Jesus.
Ordinary Time reminds us that Jesus is part of our ordinary moments. He is with us in our regular routines, jobs, friendships and social life. He is there, often an unseen and unrecognized companion on our life’s journey. Let us pray for the grace to see Christ more readily in our lives and in one another in 2023.
In Christ,
Fr. Michael