Dear Friends,
We offer prayerful congratulations to our newly confirmed young disciples who were confirmed on Saturday (November 5) by Archbishop Pérez in two celebrations. We know that the Holy Spirit who comes to them with His gifts will continue to lead and guide them as they continue on their journey through this world towards Heaven. We are very grateful to the Archbishop for his visit to our parish for these celebrations.
Happy November! Can you believe Thanksgiving is only three weeks away and Christmas only seven weeks. Hard to imagine for sure but all the stores were in full Christmas mode before Halloween. But how beautiful the trees are this Fall with such vibrant colors. I’d say the best Fall foliage in quite some time. All praise to God!!
Our Scripture readings at this time of the Liturgical year, turn our attention to what is referred to in Christian eschatology as the Four Last Things ~ Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell. These are things that all of us must grapple with.
Our first reading this weekend, shares the gruesome tortures and death of seven Jewish brothers and their mother for refusing to violate God’s law. The positive or enlightening aspect of their story is how each of the sons as they approach their death do so entrusting themselves to God and speak about God bringing them to heaven. They realized that this world was and is passing and they preferred to remain faithful to the God of all.
In the Gospel, Jesus is questioned by those who do not believe in the resurrection of the dead. They offer a “what if” concerning the Mosaic Law and a woman who married seven brothers who all die childless. Of course, they are trying to entrap Jesus.
But Jesus instructs them directly. They are truly mistaken. There is no marrying in heaven that is a part of this world. In heaven we no longer die, we are like angels, children of God who is the source and the fulfillment of everything and everyone. In heaven, is a glory and a life we cannot yet fully know here, something far greater than we can image. We are one with God. As Monsignor Joseph Pellegrino puts it, “God gave us His Son in this life. What must He have in store for us in the next life?” Amen!
So, in pondering the Four Last Things, we have much to hope for and much to look forward to. Let us keep our eyes focused not on the things of this world, all of which are passing away, but on Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who is leading us into His Father’s house, where He is preparing a place for us for all eternity.
God bless you, God love you,
Monsignor McCulken
