Awaken…to Baptism. We are introduced to one of the most dynamic and fascinating characters in all of scripture this weekend, and his perennial message is one of the pillars of each Advent season – John, who draws his reference name from his action – Baptist.
John the Baptist’s message is always one of preparing for the greatest spiritual movement of all time – God moving into human life in the form of Jesus, born of God’s instinct to join us, and Mary’s open and welcoming heart.
This Advent we are encouraging you to Awaken to some of the deeper spiritual stirrings of baptism and the message of John the Baptist, who is so dynamic in his urgent message, and wild in his dress of a camel hair coat, leather belt and diet of locusts and honey, yet so humble in comparison to Jesus.
We are encouraging you to Awaken by immersing yourself into a deeper spiritual awareness this Advent. Baptism is a dunking so to speak. In its original form the word resembles the concept of pickling. A substance is totally dunked in a liquid and, as a result, it is then changed.
John the Baptist called people to change. He encouraged the original hearers of his message, and therefore us, to change, in preparation for the coming of Jesus. So what changes is God calling you to make this Advent? What changes can you make in someone else’s life? Consider simply carrying out this message by inviting someone else to Awaken this Advent. What must you Awaken to in preparation of the Word of God becoming real in our midst? Invite others to Awaken, not only to the coming of Christ at Christmas, but the journey of preparation during Advent. Invite them to attend church with you and Awaken to the uniqueness of Holy Family Catholic Community.
The entire concept of Baptism was then enhanced by the fact that Jesus was baptized. Jesus expanded the concept of Baptism by walking into the river and being baptized like the rest of us. Although he had no need of change himself, in this ritual he was making several profound statements. He was walking not only into one river, but the river of human life, and in doing so ritualized the fact that he is one of us – he is fully human. In his own baptism at the beginning of his public ministry, Jesus immersed himself fully into your life and my life, and in doing so made a commitment to be with us on the journey. He didn’t have to do this, much like he did not have to die on the cross for us, but he did.
To encourage a deeper Awakening to these and many spiritual stirrings, we are starting Mass in a unique way. First of all, we are encouraging families to light the Advent wreath composed of four candles placed in our Baptismal Font. Notice the diversity of the families that light the candles. Consider signing up to light the candles with your family. Contact the Worship Office to sign up.
As Mass continues, please actively join in the guided reflection that begins and continues our Penitential Rite. This rite includes the ever familiar “Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.” But this year we are enhancing it and encouraging you to use silence and some guiding questions to Awaken your soul to the rich images of Advent. Many of the key words of our Advent scriptures accompany the word Awaken on the right and left angled spaces on either side of the sanctuary.
I ask you to be attentive to our unique Christmas schedule this year. We will celebrate the 4th Sunday of Advent with only two Masses: Saturday, December 23 at 5:00pm and Sunday, December 24 at 7:30am. Christmas Eve liturgies begin at 2:30pm with Masses in the church, social center and multitorium. There will be two Masses at 5:00pm in the church and multitorium. Additionally, there will be Masses at 8:00pm and 10:30pm in the church. Please note that we will not have a Midnight Mass this year.
Please be sure to put February 24, 2018 on your calendar as the date for our annual Holy Family Gala. This year’s gala theme is Le Grand Ball de Versailles and it will be held at Concorde Banquets in Kildeer. Tickets are available at www.holyfamilygala.org. Gather your family and friends and buy a table. Other ways that you can help: sponsorship opportunities are available; purchase an ad in the program book; donate an auction item; volunteer to help before or at the event. For more information, contact Bernie Schaeffer at bschaeffer@holyfamilyparish.org or call 847-907-3420.