Christ the King
As always, I am inspired by the insights of Christ the King by my friend and theologian, Jack Shea. In his book “The Spiritual Wisdom of the Gospels for Christian Preachers and Teachers” (Liturgical Press, Luke, Year C, pages 319-327), reflecting on this Feast, Shea focuses not on the title King more but the exchange between Jesus and the Repentant Thief who is dying on a cross as Jesus did. The other thief, the leaders, and soldiers want a fantasy messiah to come down from the cross. The REAL Messiah goes through suffering to new life. The Repentant Thief engages our Savior using His fundamental identity, “Jesus,” not the title King that is on a sign above Him or given by the church. “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Shea says, “The request for the kingdom galvanizes the kingdom bringer.” One thief is betting on this life, asking Jesus to save himself and them by coming down from suffering. The other thief is betting on the eternal kingdom and wants Jesus to bring him with.
This interchange is a fitting culmination of the life of one who seeks the lost. Acknowledgement of sin is the first step in Reconciliation. Here, Jesus is doing what he was sent to do, even as he dies, even in his dying.
I Need Your Help
One of the six areas of focus for our Conversations about our future here at Holy Family is listening to those who are no longer as engaged with the Church – meaning us here at Holy Family and/or the larger church. I have a strong personal interest in listening to people’s experiences and stories related to a diminished or even non-existent relationship with our community and the larger Catholic Community.
Many of the reasons that people have stepped away are intimate and painful. I believe that we as a community are not only called to be compassionate to those who have been hurt, disappointed or alienated from the church, but we can grow and learn from listening to others who have feedback and may want to share that feedback with us.
Given the sensitive nature of this request, many people may never want to talk with us, but I know that some will.
This is where I need your help. Could you at least ask a friend or loved one if they would be willing to share their experiences with us? Emphasize that we truly want to listen to them and that their feedback will help us to grow as a community. I or a member of our Movement of Growth Leadership Team will follow up if you share their contact information with us. You may even show them this bulletin article or point them to our website if my words here can facilitate what might be a sensitive request. THANK YOU.
Your Generous Response to Faith Feeds
With recent growing needs to feed those in our community who are hungry, your unbelievable generosity to last week’s food drive was remarkable. Children from our Academy and Family Faith contributed, as did so many of you, when an extra need to feed was announced.
Sue Geegan, our Director of Human Concerns reports that last weekend we collected FIVE TIMES the food that we normally collect each month. I think I am most proud of the collaboration by so many in our community in response to this need. THANK YOU on behalf of those who will be fed.
Gospel of Matthew
Join me for a presentation on the Gospel of Matthew following 9:00am Mass tomorrow/Monday, November 24 in Breakout Room 1. The very faithful and welcoming morning Mass regulars will provide a tasty spread of treats that will surely not disappoint. The Gospel of Matthew will be our focus for readings at Mass this coming church year that begins the first Sunday of Advent next Sunday, November 30.
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
Sunday, December 7 at 4:15 PM
Our next exciting Shenanigan’s event is our Annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Sunday, December 7 at 4:15 PM with hot chocolate warming up families, singing of Christmas Carols and the tree lighting ceremony. And don’t forget, Santa will be in the narthex for pictures immediately following the ceremony.
Our Annual Gala
Please mark your calendar for our annual Gala, A NIGHT UNDER THE STARS, on Saturday,
March 7 at Concord Banquets in Kildeer. We thank this year’s Chair couple, Mike and Lisa Kelly, for their leadership in creating another unforgettable evening for all of us.