Dear Parishioners,

We often say that Our Lord Jesus Christ came to bring us Good News: a message of salvation for all people. Through Jesus Christ, we are sons and daughters of God. Through Him, we are saved. We see over and over again, when people first encounter the Christian message, people respond to it. (Look at the accounts of any missionaries to lands that aren’t Christian.) We can often forget that because we live in a post-Christian world. We have heard the message and think we understand it and so we can easily become bored. Many even begin to think that all religions are basically the same and that it doesn’t matter what you believe. We forget the impact that Christianity (and therefore Christ) has had on the world.

When I was young, I had a special interest in studying ancient mythologies. I can safely say that the so-called gods in these stories do not remotely compare to the God of the Bible. The God of the Old Testament might be harsh and judgmental, acting swiftly and firmly against sinners. But, He is also a God of justice acting in a world that has already turned against Him and is already condemned. The gods of the various pagan mythologies, on the other hand, are cruel, immoral, selfish and act without any purpose beyond their own desires. The cults that grew around them often encouraged human sacrifice. That is very different than the God of the Old Testament requiring His people to live by a certain holiness code and to practice circumcision.

Then Our Lord Jesus comes in the New Testament and everything in the Old Testament is put into context. God acts to save His people and He does it by inviting us to be part of His family. He does not defeat sin with power but with sacrifice. He does not offer power, but life everlasting. (Meanwhile, St. Paul refers to the ancient gods as demons in disguise, see 1 Cor 10:20.) No wonder why the world responded so well to the Christian message.
While we are in this Advent season, it is good to reflect on what makes Christianity so good. I know that this can be an awfully busy time of year as we prepare for Christmas. But, please, take time to learn to about the faith. Cut out 15 minutes every day pray. Give alms to those who need it. Go to confession, especially if you have not been in a while. The Good News has not ceased to be good and if we do not see it, we are spoiled with riches. In this darkest time of year, the light of Christ shines even brighter.

God bless!

Fr. Carter