Welcome to

St. Anne Parish

Welcome to

St. Anne Parish

November 27 -28, 2021

First Sunday of Advent C

From Fr. Brito, Pastor

      In the past couple of weeks we have been reminded of the end times and we have been encouraged to be prepared. This week, we begin our new liturgical year with similar readings. The Church reminds us that being prepared for the coming of Christ is of very high importance.  

      The words Jesus speaks in todays Gospel can be frightening for some to hear, but they should not scare those who are prepared.  

Ok, so what must we do to be prepared? Jesus was asked by the people what they must do to accomplish the works of God. Jesus responded: “believe in the one he sent”. We must demonstrate this belief in him by doing what he has asked us to do. We must keep the commandments and we must fulfill them in love. The sacraments of the Church are Jesus’ gift to us to help us along our journey of faith. This is a good time to go to confession and prepare our souls to receive the Lord. 

     Now we live in the times predicted by the prophets. We are living in the times in which the words of the prophets are being fulfilled. Once Jesus told his disciples: "how many people wanted to see what you see and hear what you hear". We are living in the times in which we have access to the Word of God. When God communicates directly with us through his own human life. God is with us, but many do not care and many do not want to listen or see. We ignore the Son of God because we prefer to be in the dark instead of living by the light. 

Listen to what the Lord Jesus says to us: "Watch and be prepared, because you do not know when the time will come" 

The Lord's message to us is urgent. Now is the time for us to respond, let us prepare ourselves well, so that we will not be counted among the people who, because they are not prepared, “will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world”. 

Saint Paul writes urges us: “to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones.” 

Jesus has left us with all the advantages to arrive safely in his Kingdom. His Word is true and his sacraments are safe, but many ignore the gifts he has given us for our good, let us not be counted among those who ignore this help. 

      Knowing that God sees everything, even the things that seem most hidden, we must live our lives as children of light, avoiding the things that are selfish and shameful. 

      The Church is urging us to draw our attention to the light of the world, that is, to listen to Jesus Christ. It is extremely important that we know Jesus, love him and imitate him especially in the service to the poor.  

      We begin and end the year with readings reminding us that we should be ready and that we wake up! The message is urgent, now is the time to respond. We do not know when the Lord will come, but if we are always ready to receive him, then the time or day is not important. 

Be not afraid, just be prepared, If we are prepared then there is nothing to fear and so we can stand erect and raise our heads waiting in joyful hope for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen