Homily: Feast of the Annunciation
Feast of the Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38) “Dedicate to the Lord”
When we think of the word consecration, we immediately relate it to the Eucharist. The bread and wine at Mass become the actual Body and Blood of Jesus. When we hear consecration used in relationship to some other item or place or person it sounds very strange.
But consecration is defined as “an act by which a person or a thing is separated from secular or profane use and dedicated permanently to the sacred by prayers, rites and ceremonies. This expands our understanding of consecration.
When Sacred Heart church was dedicated in 1923 it was consecrated. The Bishop Dunn went around the church with chrism and anointed the walls. There are candles in our church at each place where chrism was spread on the walls in the form of a cross.
When a man is ordained, his hands are anointed with Chrism and hands are laid on his head. He is consecrated to the Lord. From that point forward he is said to be God’s instrument. Hopefully, that man has a sense that he is not superhuman, but rather as Mother Theresa said, “I am just a pencil in the hand of God”
The Blessed Mother was consecrated by the Angel Gabriel. Her purpose in the life was to be the Mother of God. For that reason, she has been revered throughout the centuries.
Today Pope Francis will consecrate Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. What does this mean. It means that these two countries, like the whole world, are sacred. The destruction that is taking place there is sacrilegious. It is an offense against God.
Hopefully, the unique prayer that Pope Francis will use today will cause the soldiers who are fighting to stop and think. Maybe this will be the case. We can only hope that it will be so.
Reflection Questions:
- What sacred spaces have touched my life? Is my home a sacred place?
- How do I treat the earth? Do I see it as God’s sanctuary?
Dear Parishioners,
This Sunday our First Communion students will go through the Rite of Election. In this ceremony the students declare their intention to prepare prayerfully for First Communion. It is important that our church community affirm their choice. Sacraments are the liturgy of the church or the public worship of the church.
Many times, the First Communion service has friends and relatives in attendance, but the rest of the church community does not attend. This is sad because witnessing First Communion can be something that affirms everyone’s faith.
Please remember to pray for our children as they approach this important day in their lives.
May Our Lady of Peace bring peace to our war-torn world.
Fr. Mark