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Thirty-Third Sunday of the Year
19 November 2006
Dear Friends in Christ,
On Thanksgiving Day everyone comes around a table as a family and gives thanks. Most of the time, everyone is there. Even the "black sheep" who just don’t seem to fit in with the rest of the folks come home for that day, and what memories are made when they do come home; some of them not always good, but always memorable! It is a time for taking stock of all the blessings God has given us, for reconciling with one another, and for a mighty tasty meal with rest and relaxation afterwards.
The Church celebrates Thanksgiving every day with the Lamb’s Supper. We come around the altar and give thanks to God for His blessings, we reconcile with one another and with God, and we partake of the most heavenly food and rest in His Heart. What memories we may have of beautiful or thoughtful celebrations of Mass: First Communions, Confirmations, weddings and even funerals. But how many people are missing from the LORD’s table?
Everywhere I go: the mall, the gym, the movies, restaurants, I run into people who tell me, "Father, I’m Catholic, but I haven’t been to confession in years," or "I was raised Catholic. I know I need to get back in church but I just haven’t found the time yet." You have met them too. But have you asked them to come to church to confession with you? Or have you invited them to mass at our parish?
There are no "black sheep" in Christ’s family! We are sheep alright; we need to be led, prodded and goaded back into the fold sometimes, but we are washed as white as snow in the Blood of the Lamb. The sacrament of Confession puts the sheep back in the fold and washes him clean with the Blood of Christ; the sacrament of the Eucharist gives him the nourishment to live, and to live abundantly.
This Thanksgiving, let’s find all of those sheep who have wandered far from the fold and bring them to drink of the waters of eternal life, the sacraments. Then maybe our table will feel just a little more complete!
And by the way, don’t forget the novena! Souls are counting on you!
Praised be Jesus Christ!
Father Smith