This 3rd Sunday of Advent offers a change of color – rose vestments are worn today to signify the crescendo of joy that builds in each of us as we prepare to celebrate Christmas. We also need to balance that rising excitement with patience, however.
We hear in our second reading from the Apostle James: “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You too must be patient. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand.”
Today, even farmers are less patient than they were in Jesus’ day. Irrigation systems and satellite-controlled fertilizing enhance how they make their crops and fields productive. Modern technology, yes, but still we have the seed, planted in the ground, that requires patience to have it grow.
The same is profoundly true for our lives of faith. Seeds of faith are planted – by parents, grandparents, teachers and friends. Those seeds are sometimes planted intentionally, such as within schools and religious education programs. More often, however, they are planted by the daily actions and words of families. If we think about what behavior we hope to see in our children, we need to ask whether we are modeling that life with our everyday conversations and actions.
There is an old Advent song, “Patience, People,” composed in1977 by Jesuit Father John Foley, SJ, which has always been a favorite of mine. The words reflect on this second reading of St. James: “Patience, people, till the Lord is come. See the farmer await the yield of the soil; he watches it in winter and in spring rain. … You have seen the purpose of the Lord. You know of His compassion and His mercy.”
Watching and waiting for God to direct our lives and our world is necessary, but as Father Foley writes, we already know His compassion and mercy.” If we are to nurture the seeds of faith around us every day – among our families and friends – do we live out the compassion and mercy which Jesus has taught us
Jesus forgave sinners; Jesus fed the hungry; Jesus cared for the brokenhearted. Jesus always lifts us up and shows us a better path forward. Will we follow His example? Will we love and live with compassion and mercy?
- Father Jim
Hospice Care Information
Faith at Home
These links provides you with the latest one-page resource for families, Faith At Home; it connects to the theme of the upcoming Sunday Liturgy. This resource is updated each week and can be found on the diocesan webpage at www.dioceseoftrenton.org/faith-at-home and en Español at www.dioceseoftrenton.org/fe-en-casa.
May God continue to bless us and keep us close to Him.
Please support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul so that together we can help local families in need. Those needing help should call the SVDP helpline at 856-291-7313. Click this link to visit the SVdP website: www.SVDPmoorestown.org
Local food pantries include:
St. Matthew's Church, 318 Chester Ave.
First Baptist Church, 19 West Main St., Moorestown
Bethel AME, 512 N. Church St., Moorestown
Prince of Peace 61 E Rte 70, Marlton, NJ 08053
SVDP also has Thinking of You cards available. A gift can be given to the poor in the name of someone special at your
request. You will be remembered in the prayers and works of the Moorestown Vincentians. We are so very grateful for your
generous ongoing donations.
Our Promise to Protect
The Diocese of Trenton is committed to the initiatives outlined in the U.S. Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in regard to the reporting and investigation of sexual abuse allegations involving minors. The Diocese has in place a Victim’s Assistance Coordinator, who is available to obtain support for your needs and help you make a formal complaint of abuse.
If you have been sexually abused as a minor by a member of the clergy or anyone representing the Catholic Church, or if you know someone who was, you can report that abuse through the diocesan Abuse Hotline: 1-888-296-2965 or via email at abuseline@dioceseoftrenton.org.
The Diocese encourages anyone with an allegation to also report that abuse to their local law enforcement agency. The Diocese reports all allegations received to the appropriate county prosecutor’s office.
ONLINE GIVING OPTIONS
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