First Sunday of Advent

Dear Parishioners,

    This Sunday afternoon we will be having our Advent vesper service.  We read from the prophets during Advent.  The prophets always seem to be getting in trouble because they preached against the injustices of society.  Why do certain people live in luxury while others struggle to have the necessities of life, they asked?  This is one of the things Jesus spoke about as he advocated for the poor and challenged the wealthy.  His Gospel is the basis for all social justice teaching. 

I thought it would be good to speak of social justice issues during our Advent vesper services.  One of the poorest areas of the world is the Amazon Basin.  Recently, the Vatican had a synod on this area of the world.  Popes have had synods concerning the ministerial challenges that specific areas of the world face before. In 2001 Pope John Paul II had a synod on Oceania for example.  At the end of each synod, documents are written that offer a sense of direction for the ministry of the church.

Pope Francis, who is from Argentina, is very aware of the challenges the people of the Amazon face.  In September and October, a synod of Catholic leaders was convened in Rome.  Many important issues were discussed and several of topics were of concern to the whole church. 

We will touch on three topics that came up at the synod.  The first is the ecological crisis the people of the Amazon are struggling with. Tropical rainforests are disappearing at an alarming rate.  Precious raw materials are being gobbled up by unscrupulous corporations.  Pollution is another problem as streams are poisoned and the air is filled with the smoke of burning forests.  Climate change is affecting the people of the Amazon.

At today’s prayer service we will pray for those who are suffering the most, the poor and the powerless.  Just as the prophets called out to God.  We will call out to God asking for justice and healing for our sisters and brothers in South America.

Blessings,

Fr. Mark