Thirty—third Sunday in
Ordinary Time November 17, 2019

 
From Fr. Anthony Columba Ekanem, MSP—Pastor
 
“THE DAY OF THE LORD”
With just a week left to come to the end of the Church's Liturgical calendar, (Year C), it is evident that many of the Scripture readings this time of the year are about the end time when Jesus will come again. We noticed that a couple of Sundays ago. 
"Lo, the day is coming."
            This concept of "fire" and "blazing like an oven" constitute familiar imagery in the Bible, used to express God's wrath that punishes evildoers. A minor prophet called Malachi, begins with this prophecy, which contains a terrifying image, "the day of the Lord, the great and terrible day” (3:23), the Lord of hosts will judge the proud and evildoers with a blazing fire. The prophet issues a warning to the wicked and directs a word of encouragement to those who fear God's name. The figure "sun of justice” is applied in later literature to our Lord Jesus Christ. Malachi's prophecies are sharp indictments against Israel, the people of the covenant who have acted corruptly and have not kept the faith of the ancestors.
            According to Malachi, when the people returned from exiles and rebuilt the temple, their temple sacrifices were a sham. The priests did not lead the people in proper worship and even accepted animals for obligation that were stolen, lame and sick. The Lord's indictment extends to beyond the priests, for the people have abandoned the Torah requirements: they defrauded widows and orphans, have turned aside from the stranger, and do not fear the Lord of hosts.
            The graphic metaphors of the Day of the Lord, along with the indictments against both the priests and people of God, are intended to make the people of Israel aware of their behavior and challenge them to turn from their sinful ways. There is hope to those who repent. For the ones who fear God's name, “the sun of justice” will arise with its healing rays. This last verse of today's reading (verse 20a) “the sun of justice will arise,” will be the dawning of a new day for those who have listened to the prophetic word and have turned to the Lord.
            The Responsorial Psalm today; (Ps 98) brings out that when you have been on the alert all your life, "The Day of the Lord" will be a day of joy.
            Amid such confusion and unrest, we are expected to witness to Christ. In the Second Reading, 2 Thess. 3:7-12, we noticed that some other preachers had gone along later and emphasized that "The Day of the Lord" in an entirely different perspective. Hence, many of the Thessalonians had stopped working and were confused. If everything will soon be over, why should they exert themselves? Paul tells the congregation not be alarmed but to go on working quietly and earn the food they eat. “We hear that some are conducting themselves among you in a disorderly way, by not keeping busy but minding the business of others.” (Verse 11) This misunderstanding about “Second Coming” was what St Paul was trying to correct when he told the people to go on living and to work as normal and not to be content to live off the community. 
            St Luke talks about this Second Coming in close association with the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. The prediction by Jesus concerning the destruction of the temple had already occurred by the time Luke was writing this account. And so, St Luke reminds us of the message of Jesus, in which He warned His disciples not to be deceived by rumors and apparent signs that the end was near. Like Malachi’s prophecy, Jesus speaks of a coming time of great devastation and turmoil. His speech is often referred to as His eschatological discourse. Eschatology treats the events that are connected wit the “end” sometimes dealing with the fate of individual, but more broadly with the God’s final, triumphant conquering of evil and the vindication of the just.
            In the Gospel also, St Luke goes on to address the situation of Christians in a time of persecution. Persecution will be an opportunity to bear witness to the Gospel. The Lord Himself will see to it that believers will triumph in the end, provided they remain steadfast. It is also a similar message that prophet Malachi is concerned about in the first reading when he was warning sinners in Israel and encouraging to the just. 
            As the Liturgical year draws to a close, the focus is on the world and the Second Coming of Christ. It is only faith in God that can thrive in adversity, and it is also the rightness of one's causes that gives strength - Endurance. "A person with a grain of faith in God never loses hope because he ever believes in the ultimate triumph of the truth." (Gandhi). 
            In a world of so much social and political turmoil, people of faith will often be regarded as naive and ineffective and irrelevant. However, we must not be afraid of skepticism and cynicism but trust that God will give us the strength to hold our ground. 
            Jesus said to His disciples, "Do not be frightened." "A person without fear is no hero; the person who overcomes fear is." (Solzhenitsyn). Jesus says: "By your endurance, you will gain your souls." Faith can only be proved in suffering and endurance. Endurance is something we all need. Perseverance means to share in Christ's suffering. If we share in His pain, we share in His glory.
 
· What thoughts and feelings do readings about “end - times” evoke in you?
· How can you be busy about God’s business today?
· What do you do when faced with tragic news?
· What gives you hope?
 
Stewardship
*Tithing - God’s Plan for Giving on Sunday, 11/10/19 our Offering was $ 3,496.00
*Todays second collection is for Catholic Charities Campaign for Charity and Justice.
 Thank you for your generosity.
 ¨ There will be an important combined Parish Pastoral and Finance Council Meeting on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at 7:00 pm in the Parish Rectory. Please members, endeavor to be present. Thank you.
Parish Family Directory:
Please see Dianne to make your appointment for your parish family photo for December 21 & 22 and January 4 & 5. This family photo is only for the use of the parish.
 
NEED FOR A NEW BOILER
 We are in need of a new Boiler for the Rectory. The one we have now is having some problems and it has been serving for about 22 years or more. ATLAS WELDING & BOILER REPAIR COMPANY who maintains the Heating—system for us, are proposing we get a new one because the parts are now difficulty to find or fix and are obsolete. A new one will cost about $31,350 including labor.
 
Sundays Readings:
First Reading: Malachi 3: 19-20a p. 61
The sun of justice shines with healing warmth on those who walk in the Lord, but evildoers ace a blazing oven, for the day of the Lord is coming.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98: 5-6, 7-8, 9 p. 61 The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
Second Reading : 2 Thessalonians 3: 7-12 p. 62 Paul urged members of the church in Thessalonica to conduct themselves in a way that befits Christ’s followers. He asked them to work in the community and earn their keep.
Gospel : Luke 21: 5-19 p. 62 Jesus urged patient endurance for his followers when they face trial or contradiction. He consoled them and calmed their worries in the midst of war, earthquake, disease, and hunger.
 
Religious Education
  November:
Please remember that next week we have Family Catechesis Day .
11/23/19 Religious Education Classes ~ Family Catechesis Day Families and Children 9:30am to 1:00pm. Please bring your donation.
 11/30/19 No Religious Education Classes
-Happy Thanksgiving to all our families of St. Mary’s Church
 
Prayer for Vocations
Hail Mary, full of grace; all generations call you blessed.
Hail Mother of God; when asked by the angel to bear the Son of the Most High, filled with faith, you responded: "Let it be done unto me."
Holy Mother of Jesus, at the wedding feast at Cana, you prompted your Son to perform his first sign.
Be with us as we discern our life's work and guide us in the way we are called to follow in the footsteps of your Son.
Holy Mother of the Savior, at the foot of the cross you mourned the death of your only Son.
Bless and embrace the loving parents of all priests, deacons, brothers and sisters.
Holy Mother of the Good Shepherd, turn your motherly care to this nation.
Intercede for us to the Lord of the harvest to send more laborers to the harvest in this land dedicated to your honor.
Queen of Peace, Mirror of Justice, Health of the Sick, inspire vocations in our time.
Let the word of your Son be made flesh anew in the lives of persons anxious to proclaim the good news of everlasting life. Amen.
 
Thank you very much to all who supported the celebration of the 171 ^st anniversary of the parish. May God pour out his blessing on each one of you, For your great love and support to our parish.
 

Mass Intentions for the week
of November 16 - November 24, 2019

Saturday, November 16, 2019:
12:05 pm - The Jean Baptiste & The Pierre Family * Marie Baptiste
6:00 pm - Joseph Kunny * The Kunny Family
6:00 pm - Marco Antonio Monegro Vega +* Hilda Vega
Sunday, November 17, 2019:
7:30 am - For the Parishioners/ Para Los Parroquianos
9:00 am - Bernardo & Rafael Torres + * Maria Polanco
11:00 am - Elizabeth Russ * Genny Brown & Family
Monday, November 18, 2019 :                      
8:15am - Available/Disponible
12:05 pm - Margaret R. Walsh + * Catherine Reid
Tuesday November 19, 2019
8:15am - Joseph Beatrice Margaret * The Leechak Family
12:05pm - Fr. James Lloyd. CSP (Living) * Tony Felicissimo
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
8:15am - Rose Fernandez + * Del Rio Fernandez
12:05 pm - Wally Elias Filpo + * Luisa Filpo
Thursday, November 21, 2019:
8:15 am - Paul Maurer + * Emilio Diez & Family
12:05 pm - Rogelio Gonzalez + * Malta Garcia
7:00 pm - Teodora Ochoa + * Maria Rubio
Friday, November 22, 2019:
8:15 am - Available / Disponible          
12:05 pm - Fr. James Lloyd. CSP (Living) * Tony Felicissimo
Saturday, November 23, 2019:
12:05 pm - Virgil Borrelli + * Angelina Borrelli
5:00 pm - Joanne Kunny + * Rose Anne Jones
7:30 pm - Mia Medina + * Ana Medina
Sunday, November 24, 2019:
7:30 am - For the Parishioners/ Para Los Parroquianos
9:00 am - Ruben Sanchez *Anahi Sanchez
11:00 am - Coltilde & Manuel Rodrigues * Eduardo & Esther Rodrigues
 
+Indicates deceased *Indicates the person (s) who requested the Mass.
 
 This month, we remember all those who have died, especially family members, friends, and others whose lives were extraordinary to us.
Prayer for all Souls Day
Merciful Father, hear our prayer and console us. As we renew our faith in your Son, whom You raised from the dead, strengthen our hope that all our departed brothers and sisters will share in His resurrection, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever: Amen.