Bob Jensen

I write this after having returned from the funeral of Fr. John Renggli. He was a person filled with the joy of the Kingdom. Rarely, if ever, did I hear him say anything negative about someone. He always looked for the positive in the other. He had a self-deprecating sense of humor, quick to laugh at his own foibles. Even during the last few years as he slowly lost his memory he still pulsated with joy in the present moment.

I mention all this because today we celebrate Gaudete Sunday, lighting the pink candle of the wreath. Gaudete is a Latin word meaning to rejoice. Although we continue to wait for Christ’s coming it is almost as if we can’t contain the joy that lies therein. May we be people who know of the joy of the Lord.

 

This Advent Sunday we hear the fiery preaching of John the Baptist, introduced for the first time in the Gospel of Matthew. It almost goes without saying that John the Baptist is Jewish, and he is preaching to fellow Jews. But because he is considered a Christian saint, it’s possible to overlook that he is a Jewish prophet calling the Jewish people to repentance, as prophets had done for centuries before. He directly confronts the Pharisees and Sadducees, name-calling them a “Brood of vipers.” They are not to rest assured in their being part of the chosen people of God, the children of Abraham. For God can raise up children of Abraham from the stones. This message is so stark it nearly needs to be recast to our own day for those of us who might feel secure in our Christian or Catholic identity.  We can hear John telling us that God can make Christians from the stones. There is no inherent value of guarantee of salvation simply by being Christian. Such a statement is shocking. But John would say something more is demanded. We are to repent, for the kingdom is at hand.

We are familiar with the stories of John the Baptist and his preaching. But when we read them with careful attention to detail, new meaning pops from the page. Let us not grow complacent in the face of such a baptism. John’s baptism only prefigures that of Jesus, the mightier one. An interior renewal is called for. Resting in our identity as chosen by God, even as a Christian, is not enough.

 

As we approach Thanksgiving Day it is important for us to pause and reflect on our own sense of gratitude for all that we have. The Gospel story of the healing of the ten lepers illustrates the importance of thankfulness. Although it was not imperative in their actually healing (faith is), it separated the nine from the tenth who recognized what had happened and returned to show his deep gratitude. Not only had Jesus freed him from his physical contagion; he also validated the Samaritan as a human being worthy of respect even if he was a foe of the Jews. He was given a second chance at life. Whereas the others returned to their old ways of living, this Samaritan was now free to walk a different path, namely one which followed Jesus with a new vision. Our healing may not be as dramatic but may we recognize that Jesus is inviting us to a whole new way of life. May we be people of thankfulness seeing the world anew.

It never fails that when we have had a lapse of a few months without a funeral that they come in threes. This is happening in November no less which is the month we especially remember the dead. Two of these funerals involved daily mass attendees. Bill Arrigoni whose funeral was November 8th was a faithful steward whose wife Madeleine died about 13 years ago. Bill always refused to go out for coffee with the ladies after daily Mass. He felt that it would be disloyal to Madeleine. He was loyal to the very end. Wanda Serbesku whose funeral is November 21st was a sweetheart. I will always remember her loving support over the years, especially remembering my birthday and anniversary. I will greatly miss Bill and Wanda. Well done, good and faithful servants.

This week we remember our armed forces veterans who have gone be-fore us marked with the sign of faith. Many of them paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of battle. We indeed commend them to the Lord. May we lift up their families as well. May we also pray for those who currently in theaters of war throughout the world. May they be kept safe. The Knights of Columbus will host our annual Veterans Day Mass on Thursday at 6:30 pm Mass. There will be a special blessing for all veterans who are in attendance. Thank you for your service.

The month of November finds us reflecting on our loved ones who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith. On Friday, Nov. 1, we celebrated the Solemnity of All Saints, those who have finished the race and now rejoice in God’s presence.  On Nov. 2 we celebrate All Soul’s Day in which the church prays for all who have died. We pray for our deceased loved ones, trusting that God will hear and answer our prayers that they know eternal light, happiness, and peace.  Again we have a small altar set up to commemorate Dia de los Muertos along with our Mexican community. Also, we have the book of the names of the dead set out during the month. Please write your deceased loved ones name there, and they will be remembered.  They are still with us in a special way. May we join them in giving continual praise and thanks to our gracious God.