Dear Parishioners,
In Baruch’s prophecy, our first reading this Sunday, he says that “God has commanded that every lofty mountain be made low, and that the age-old depths and gorges be filled to level ground.” This is supposed to be part of the good news and the joy of the coming of the messiah.
It’s an interesting prophecy. I don’t think folks from Colorado, Utah or Switzerland would agree. There wouldn’t be many smiling faces if their mountains disintegrated. People from Arizona and other hikers or geologists wouldn’t be too pleased if the Grand Canyon was filled in. Mountains, valleys, gorges and winding roads all add to the beauty of our earth. Why would we rejoice in these features disappearing, and everything becoming flat?
Obviously this is a metaphor. The birth of Christ didn’t level mountains, and we’re not hoping these landscapes go away. The reason for the metaphor deals with vision. Baruch starts his prophecy by saying, “Up, Jerusalem! Stand upon the heights; look to the east and see your children gathered from the east and the west at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that they are remembered by God.”
Mountains, like buildings, can block one’s vision. You cannot see for miles and miles like you can on flat ground. If you’ve ever been out in a large field under a massive sky, you have a sense of just how big the earth is. And yet you don’t feel so far away from things because you can see for a long distance.
God desires us to be able to see one another and to see him. We can be far away from each other, far away from God, but with the earth leveled out we won’t feel far. With God all things are near. Jesus’ coming means we can truly see one another.
There are no mountains or gorges where we live here in the Midwest. But we’ve created these barriers…buildings, literally, but also technology, social media, materialism. These things are like a mountain blocking our view. When we look down at our phone we truly are looking down. We’re not seeing the beautiful sky above us, the people off in the distance. Our world becomes very small and we are just a meaningless speck in it.
When we look to God, however, everything is near and our lives are very meaningful. May we see him this Advent season.
+
This Sunday is the St. Nick’s Christmas Party in the school gym. Donut Sunday and New Parishioner Sign-Up will also be taking place. Please stop by to enjoy some treats, some wonderful music, and accomplish a little bit of Christmas shopping. This is always a vibrant event, and I’m grateful to the AOW for organizing the party.
We will have a family Mass this Sunday at 10:30am in the HFC. Next Sunday, December 15th will be our second family Mass of the month.
Because the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (December 8) falls on Sunday, the celebration is transferred to Monday and is not a holy day of obligation this year. The Archdiocese of Chicago has instructed that the faithful in our diocese do not need to attend Mass on Monday, December 9th. A decree from Cardinal Cupich states: “Because the Blessed Mother is the Patroness of the Archdiocese and of the United States under the title of the Immaculate Conception, I still encourage your participation at Mass and your devotion to the Immaculate Conception, but so everyone is on the same page, this year’s feast is NOT A HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION.” We will have our typical Mass schedule on Monday, December 9: the 6:25 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Masses.
The Religious Education Christmas Pageant is this Tuesday at 4pm. Good luck to our students and catechists.
All are invited to the SPC Parishioner Appreciation Christmas Party this Wednesday, December 11th at 6:30pm in the Parish Life Center. We hope you will be able to join us. This is just a small way of thanking you for all you do for St. Paul and celebrating our community in this great season.
STROLL Park Ridge is hosting a Christmas Walk event on Saturday, December 14th. Different venues in downtown Park Ridge will be featured, including our parish. The choir will be performing in our church throughout the morning. Please feel free to stop by.
Finally, as the year is winding down we are also nearing the end of the Archdiocesan Capital Campaign. Many of you have received information in the mail, including a pledge card and envelope. Those of you who haven’t, the pledge card and a letter from the Cardinal is inside the bulletin on pages 10-11. If you are able to contribute, please fill out the pledge card and you can drop it off in the collection basket or in the rectory mailbox. We’re grateful for your support of the campaign, and a special thank you to all those who have already contributed.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. James Wallace
Comments