A timely reflection

1)Eucharistic Adoration tonight, 7-8 pm, SAA Church. All those who wish to adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament are invited!!

2)DC ‘Hood vs. St Andrew / St John the Baptist parishes, Fri., Nov 30, 7:30 pm, Wheaton High School. Go ‘Hood!
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The following is a reflection (11/27/94) by Msgr. Thomas Wells from the book, “From the Pastor’s Desk”:


“TBS gives thanks to Clint Eastwood…Parental discretion advised.” I believe these lines faithfully quote part of a widely shown Thanksgiving week advertisement on TV and lets us know to whom the owners of Turner broadcasting, at least, give thanks during this wonderful holiday weekend. In the days leading up to Thanksgiving you may have noticed the Postal Service announcement that either this year or next, they will cease to reproduce Nativity scenes on postage stamps at Christmas. This, I suppose, is because mail delivery has become so efficient that divine help is no longer necessary to enhance service. We have begun what offense avoiding merchants safely call, “the holiday season,” and judging by the parking lot at Montgomery Mall this weekend, our response has been early and fervent. And, oh yes, this is the first Sunday of Advent.

Folks, ours is an increasingly and in some ways, militantly, secular age. TBS can announce an all-day barrage of Eastwood movies by confusing the movie star with God and probably not even realize their blasphemy. How many even spend time at all asking the question, “Thank who?” as they celebrate the fourth Thursday of November? Let us not be naïve; those who have given so much time to eliminating any reference to the birthday of the Lord from school holiday celebrations have been enormously successful. Many children of supposedly Christian heritage have no knowledge of any seasonal story beyond that of Santa.

In the first reading from the Mass of Friday of the first week of Advent, the Prophet Isaiah (Is 29:17-24) says, “Out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see.” Certainly our age, as much as that of the prophets, is one of gloom and darkness, but the Advent message will not allow us to lose hope. For any who keep focused on Christ, there will be sureness of vision. But even more importantly, for those of us who have been baptized into Christ, there is a reminder that we – His Church, his people – are empowered by the Spirit to be His light that shines in the fog and gloom of secular unhappiness. It is not enough for us simply to protect ourselves from the darkness of unbelief, but also we must ask Him to use us to light the way for those lost in the darkness of the world’s deceiving message.