Sunday Sermon

When Our Blessed Saviour told the parable of the "Sower," He explained that the Sower sows his seed on various types of ground. Some of the seed went on rock, some of the seed went among thorns, some of the seed fell by the wayside, etc. The parable certainly makes sense for it shows that the seed will grow (or not grow, for that matter) depending on the soil it is planted in.

If there are any days in the year on which most men lead an idle, or rather an unchristian and sinful life, it is on these days of Shrovetide.—that is to say, the time that immediately precedes the Lenten fast; a time that, according to the vicious custom of the world, is supposed to begin almost on Christmas day, as far as revelry and dissipation are concerned.

Wednesday, February 17 is Ash Wednesday. I like to think of Lent as a time of Spiritual Spring cleaning. And with Septuagesima let us think about what we want to do, during Lent.

Hear today about Zacchaeus the tax-collector, and how he let nothing stand in the way of his effort to catch a glimpse of the Lord as He traveled through Jericho. Our Lord's presence brings about a remarkable and lasting transformation for Zacchaeus! The same can be done for all of us, even today.

“And Jesus also was invited, and his disciples to the wedding.” John 2: 2. Truly that was a happy marriage-feast, at which Jesus, the Son of God, and Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and the Apostles of our Lord appeared among the guests. Ah, Christians, would that all our social gatherings, conversations, meetings, entertainments and marriage-festivities were so arranged that we could invite Jesus without scruple to be present at them. But alas! How many there are in such assemblies who cannot hope to have Jesus as their friend and companion. I allude to the danger and occasion of sin.

Today when division seems to be around every corner. It is now when we need to remind ourselves that we belong to God. We are His children. We were chosen by Him to be His adopted sons and daughters. Our identity as humans beings is not based on what political party we belong to. It is not based on who we voted for in an election. Our unity is based on the fact that God loves us . . . God has chosen us . . . and Our Blessed Saviour died on the Cross to save us from our sins.

Do penance! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! With these words Saint John the Baptist prepared the way of the Lord, and with these words our Lord begins His own public preaching.

Do we stop and thank God for all of His many blessings?

And how many things that come into our lives are blessings in disguise.?

The great feast of the Nativity comes upon us quickly! Just as we have been preparing our hearts now during the Nativity Fast for many weeks, so the world itself prepared from generation to generation for the coming of the Saviour.

With each passing generation, the Advent of the Lord approaches - sometimes seemingly imperceptibly... until that great day in which the Sun of Righteousness dawns!

So also, for us, with each passing day the great Feast approaches - are we making the preparations we should in order to meet the Newborn King?

Second Sunday after Christmas, January 3rd, 2021

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me.” (Isaiah 60:1)

Make this your motto for 2021! Live by these words this year! Remind yourselves each and every day that God is in charge and He is with us every step of the way!