As we begin the new Church Year we will be reading from the Gospel of Mark. Although the gospel is the story of Jesus it is more about the disciples and the call Jesus gives to follow him. The disciples combine positive and negative traits. When Jesus calls they follow immediately, Jesus teaches them privately and before crowds and gives them the power to share in his work of preaching and healing. The picture of the disciples is also one of growing estrangement from Jesus. They are slow to understand his miracles and his teaching and they do not like his always referring to the cross and his sufferings to come. During the passion narrative one will betray him, one will deny him and all will flee when he is arrested. John Donahue, S.J. in Harper’s Bible Commentary writes: “The failure of the disciples is seen as a warning that without a theology of the cross, a triumphalist theology of glory can only end in denial and betrayal…the failure of the disciples encourages those in Mark’s community who have failed in the face of persecution.”

As disciples of the Lord through our baptism and through our growing knowledge of him and our deepening relationship with him we hope to be more faithful. We would like to be those disciples Paul addresses in today’s second reading (1 Cor 1:3-9) “I continually thank my God for you because of the favor he has bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, in whom you have been richly endowed with every gift of speech and knowledge. Likewise, the witness I bore to Christ has been so confirmed among you that you lack no spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Part of our task as disciples is to make more disciples. As we approach Christmas we know that many of our community will come to worship with us. Could you not, in the days leading up to the feast, invite people you know who have been away from the church to come to Mass with you? Perhaps all they need is a person to know they have wandered and will help them find a way back.

Together with Isaiah in today’s first reading (Is 63: 16-17) we pray: “You, Lord are our Father, our redeemer you are named forever. Why do you let us wander, O Lord, from your ways and harden our hearts so that we fear you not? Return for the sake of your servants.”

“Watch, therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.” - Mk 13:35-36

 

Please pray for all who are in need of our prayers that God’s healing and comforting presence may be with them, especially Father Smith, Kevin Murray, Geraldine Worthington, William Moretti, Claire McDonough, Josephine Siders, Philip Johnson, Brianna Cimino and Marisol O’Brien.  Please also remember all of our deceased relatives and friends.

 

In Service For Their Country

Lt. John Schiavi, Sgt. Christopher Considine, Timothy Dunbar, Richard Rigley, Timothy Busa, Chris Cullen, Caitlin R. Battell, Robert McLaughlin, Sean Maddigan, Elizabeth Leyne, Rev. Paul Passamonti, Airman Jason Cunha, Mark Zarnecki, Patrick J. Nordahl, Scott and Michael Donahue, Lt. Brian Casey, and 1st Lt. Brian Geary.

Lord Jesus, watch over our sons and daughters in the service of their country.  Give them the courage to serve their country with honor and dignity and grant that when their service is finished they may return to us, sound in mind, body and soul.

St Vincent De Paul

St Vincent De Paul Society of Lexington is looking to help those in need this winter. This group, consisting of members from both St Brigid and Sacred Heart Parishes, is a charitable organization that provides monetary assistance in time of need for food, fuel oil or other essentials, year round and especially during these tough economic times. Our goal is to assist those people, who may be struggling, with a one time donation to help them get through a rough time. We also help out during Christmas, as part of the Christmas Giving Tree. Donations are added to and distributed by our group. This allows children in our parishes to receive something at Christmas time. If you have a need or know someone who has a need, please contact Mary Peterson, Pastoral Associate, at 781-862-0319. All information is confidential.

More to Come

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