Extraordinary Form Latin Mass Homily
We are now in the Fourth Sunday of Advent. We are spending these days of Advent, together with Joseph and Mary, as we wait, watch, ponder and receive it all as the gift which is so precious in our spiritual growth. It is a gift that is meant to be cherished. This is what St. Paul in today’s epistle from I Corinthians 4:1-5 states that “Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ and the dispensers of the mysteries of God. Here now it is required among the dispensers that a man be found faithful.” (Sic nos existemit homo ut ministros Christi, et dispensatores mysteriorum Dei. Hic jam quaeritur inter dispensatores, ut fidelis quis inveniatur.)
Being chosen as dispensers of the Goodnews, we must be faithful. We see how the world is preparing for Christmas, being busy decorating, buying gifts, and all the noise and commercialization. People are not receptive to the wilderness telling us to prepare for the Lord. Many people are not listening to the gospel and unfortunately are forgetful of the Word. However, we need to be “faithful” and we need to hear what God wants us to hear, preparing consciously for the Birth of Jesus. God will certainly come; therefore, we need to repent. This is what John the Baptist proclaimed, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” John the Baptist baptized the people in preparation for the coming of the Savior. He was baptizing the people with water in order to get rid of the sins. He asked the people to render their heart, recreating oneself anew and preparing their heart and soul for Jesus.
What does this mean to prepare the way of the Lord? What should we prepare then? How do we prepare it? The gospel in Luke 3:1-6 is telling us to re-create ourselves by cleansing our souls. This is the very essence of letting Jesus stay in our hearts through charity. The pandemic is very tough for us all, but indeed our trust in the Lord is what makes us strong. We may not have enough resources to share, but if we have spare blessings, we can share it in any way we can.
First, extravagance is not necessary, for what we need is a pure heart and our willingness to help others. Practicing charity and almsgiving are the things we can do in times like this. We must learn from John the Baptist seeking only the presence of God, and not seeking the praise from others.
Second, John was in a desert, a voice in the wilderness, and yet people came to hear his preaching. He could have chosen a better place to prepare himself for his ministry, but he prepared in a desolate place that was free from noise and distractions. We, however, should come to a place, like the church, so that we can focus all our attention on God alone. Since we close this church, and that is not possible, we can just shut the door of our room (Matthew 6:6), switch off the television and put away our mobile phone in a drawer so we can concentrate on listening to the voice of God. The point is we need complete silence because common sense dictates that it is in quietness that we hear God’s voice.
Third, John was serious to fulfill his mission to give the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Repentance is necessary for conversion and salvation. The first thing is to accept that we are sinners and, with humility, repentance is possible. Change our ways.
Fourth, when we are expecting a special visitor, we clean the whole house, fix everything so that we can make the best impression in order to welcome our visitor with the best hospitality. Can’t we do that for Jesus, our Lord? We still have time these few days of Advent, to fix our lives, clean our minds and hearts and put on the garment of faith, hope and love to welcome our Savior.
Brothers and sisters please return to God – He is our salvation. He is the one that can change your life – It has to be that way. Sacrificiis praaesentibus, quaesumus, Domine, placates intende: ut devotioni nostrae proficient et saluti. Oh Lord, we beseech Thee, look down favorably upon these present sacrifices so that they may profit us both unto devotion and salvation.
God bless you.
Fr. Arlon, osa
The Dictate of the Heart: Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year A
We are in the Third day of “Simbang Gabi” in St. Therese of Little Flower Parish, and at the same time we are in the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Simbang Gabi, means “worship in the evening,” or a mass in the evening for nine consecutive days to prepare for the coming of the Lord. This is a Filipino-faith tradition every December beginning the 16th until the 24th. However, in the US, we advance it for a day so that on the 24th, the faithful may return to their respective parishes for the Christmas Vigil Mass. Filipinos are happy to share this very enriching tradition annually in the Diocese of Reno. We walk together in faith to prepare for the nativity of the Lord, that is journeying together into the mystery of the incarnation. As we encounter Simbang Gabi each year, may we draw new life from this celebration and may we continue to bear seeds of faith and hope for everyone.
I invite you to reflect on the readings today. The first reading from the Prophet Isaiah tells us about his prophecy that Emmanuel, God, is with us. This prophecy came to King Ahaz, who was confronted with so many problems, like threats of war. However, King Ahaz was proud and considered himself better that anyone else and refused to accept God’s intervention and signs. He claimed to be the center of everything.
The theme of this Simbang Gabi is, “The Eucharist: the summit and source of our Christian life.” Many of us presume that with our constant attendance at Mass, we have the full knowledge of what has transpired before our eyes. Like King Ahaz, we refuse to acknowledge that the Mass is the very heart of our worship. There are signs revealed to us, like the Priest leading us, because he is representing Jesus as the High Priest, offering the same sacrifice in Calvary for the salvation of all. We walk with Jesus thru the priest at the altar as we enter during the entrance hymn. We need to imagine that at the foot of the cross, we are gathered together to make the story of the same sacrifice of Jesus from the past, which is made present in our celebration of the Mass. God is truly with us and dwelling in the midst of the people. “Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.” God wants our desire and longing rather than our excuses. We must be willing to be transformed.
The 2nd reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans speaks about the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah in which St. Paul was “called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God, and to “bring about the obedience of faith.” St. Paul and all of us are called to be obedient to God who raised Jesus from the dead and who has called us to holiness. Certainly, we cannot do it alone; therefore, we must be like King Ahaz to open our hearts, for God will give us this sign: “THE VIRGIN SHALL CONCEIVE AND BEAR A SON AND SHALL NAME HIM EMMANUEL.”
The gospel taken from St. Matthew 1:18-24, explains that this was part of the fulfillment of Isaiah’s ancient prophesy when an “angel who appeared to Joseph in a dream said, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.” What could we learn from this gospel passage?
First, I believe that it is natural for Joseph to experience fear and uncertainties in life due to his inadequate knowledge of his role in salvation history. But he was awoken by an angel to answer his questions.
Second, Joseph was able to act on the word that was revealed to him. Just imagine an angel told him, “Take Mary your wife.” He was not expecting to be chosen as a spouse to the Mother of the Savior.
Third, we have seen Joseph’s total submission and obedience of faith. He is our model and the person worthy to be imitated because his resignation to the will of God is complete.
Oftentimes, we have some doubts and confusion that prevent our hearts and minds from understanding the will of God. It is true that as always, we cannot comprehend at all that Joseph acted upon the message of an angel. He acknowledged God’s intervention in moments of crisis. We need to connect with God and be receptive to see the signs.
By our own presence in the Mass, listening to His words, praying, receiving the sacraments, and knowing the meaning of the Mass, we encounter God. The Mass has given us opportunity to participate in the divine life and grace of God.
In our responsorial psalm, we say, “Let the Lord enter; he is the king of Glory.” By listening, discerning, and acting, we are given the privilege of participating in the life of God to which we are called today, like St. Joseph. We will surely overcome our fears. Love grows for the Lord through our neighbors. We are sent out every time after the Mass to bear fruit and to evangelize the world.
God bless you.
Fr. Arlon, osa
