Visitation of Our Lady

The readings this weekend lay out some typical Advent themes, for lack of a better word. We see this especially in the first reading from Isaiah and in the Gospel.       The prophet Isaiah gives us one of the most important Messianic prophecies, or prophecies related to the coming Messiah. He begins by saying that a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse. This is another way of saying that the Messiah will be of David’s line, as Jesse is the father of David. This isn’t the origin of the Davidic understanding of the Messiah. It simply helps to give us the clue that Isaiah is referring to the Messiah.  

The new Liturgical Church Year begins. We begin Year A, which emphasizes the gospel of St. Mathew. Advent is here! Advent is season of waiting. It rings like a bell in the early morning, rousing us to reality. In the Gospel today, Jesus says: “Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come." (Mathew 24:42). It is noted that the Church draws our attention again to our final destiny. What began with Christ's birth in  Bethlehem will finally culminate in his Second Coming at the end of time.

This Sunday we end our current liturgical year with the celebration of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. This is a relatively new celebration in the Church, as it was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925 amidst that tumultuous time that saw the rise of communism and socialism.    The pope wanted the world to realize whom we all should bow to first. Properly understood, serving Christ first leads us to serve our brothers and sisters around us regardless of race, color, or nationality. With all the sovereign powers around the world it is Jesus Christ from whom their authority comes from. The horrors of the 20th Century bear testimony to the world of what it looks like when this is forgotten.

This coming Monday is November 11th, Veterans Day. Every Veterans Day we remember those men and women who have served our country in the military. We are thankful for all of our veterans, and I am personally thankful to all of our VOL parishioners who have served. Did you know Veterans Day has a Catholic origin? November 11th is the Feast of St. Martin of Tours. St. Martin of Tours is the famous 4th Century Roman Officer turned Catholic bishop. His conversion story is noteworthy. As we are told, one day he came across a poor man while he was on his horse. Filled with compassion for him, yet having nothing to give him, he tore his cloak in two and gave one half to him. That same night he dreamt the same scene, but instead of the poor man he saw that the face of Christ. This led to him leaving the service of the Roman government and entering the service of God, eventually becoming bishop of Tours in France.