Advent Reflection

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This weekend, we joyfully celebrate the feast of St. Martin of Tours, our parish’s patron and guide in faith. His life reminds us why our community bears his name – because we are called, like him, to live lives of compassion and mercy.  St. Martin was a Roman soldier who one day met a poor beggar trembling in the cold. Moved with compassion, he took his sword, cut his cloak in half, and shared it with the man. That night, Martin dreamed of Jesus wearing that same cloak, saying, “Martin, the catechumen, has clothed me with this garment.” From that moment on, Martin dedicated his life entirely to Christ and to serving the poor, the sick, and the forgotten. Martin became a religious, priest and later a bishop of Tours, France. As a bishop, he was known not for wealth or power but for humility and love. He walked among his people, bringing comfort, healing, and reconciliation wherever he went. His simple yet profound acts of mercy revealed Christ’s love to all. St. Martin is venerated in the Catholic Church throughout the world. He is the patron saint of many groups including soldiers, the poor, and France itself. Saint Martin's Day, November 11th, is celebrated across Europe with various traditions. In Tours, France, where Martin served as bishop and where he is buried, the city hosts a special procession through the streets that includes a horse without a rider. This horse reminds everyone of the moment when St. Martin got off his horse to share his cloak with a beggar, a powerful sign of compassion. There's also a festive dinner, with the traditional Martin's goose as the main dish, and the local wine producers open their cellars for tastings of the new season's wine. As we celebrate our parish feast, we give thanks for the example of our patron saint. St. Martin’s spirit continues to inspire our parish community – in every outreach to the needy, every meal shared, every visit to the hospital or prison, every moment of forgiveness and any act of kindness. His legacy calls us to see Christ in those around us and to live as a true community of mercy and service. May this feast renew in us a deeper commitment to follow Christ with the same compassion and faith that marked the life of St. Martin of Tours. “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40) Fr. Andrzej

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, the cathedral church of the Bishop of Rome – the Pope. This feast honors the dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the oldest and highest-ranking of the four major basilicas. Built by Emperor Constantine around the year 324 AD, it was the first church officially dedicated to Christian worship after the time of persecution. Though many might think of St. Peter’s Basilica as the Pope’s church, it is actually the Lateran Basilica that holds this title. The Basilica of St. John Lateran is called the “mother and head of all churches in the world.” This celebration teaches us three important things. First, it reminds us about the role of the Pope. The Lateran Basilica as the “mother church” is a sign of the unity of the Church around the successor of St. Peter. The Pope’s mission is not about power but about serving others and protecting the faith. Through his leadership, the Church stays united in teaching, prayer, and love. We are invited to pray for the Pope and stay in communion with him as he leads us closer to Jesus Christ. Second, this feast helps us appreciate our churches. The Lateran Basilica, like every church, is not just a building of stone but a holy place where God lives among His people. When we enter a church, we come into a sacred space where heaven and earth meet. The beauty and peace we find there remind us of that God also wants to dwell in our hearts. Each of us is called to be a living temple where God’s love shines. Third, this day reminds us that we belong to one Church community. The Lateran Basilica, as the “mother church,” is a symbol of unity for all believers around the world. The Church is not just an organization but a family of faith. We are “living stones” (1 Peter 2:5), building up the Body of Christ through our love, faith, and service to one another. As we celebrate this feast, let us thank God for our unity in the Church, for our sacred places of worship, and for our mission to live as members of Christ’s living temple. May our own parish, St. Martin of Tours, always be a sign of that unity – a place where God is loved, the Gospel is lived, and everyone feels at home. Fr. Andrzej  Photo Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jiuguangw/4982078131/in/photostream/

Today we pray for all the faithful departed – our family members, friends, and all who have died and gone before us in faith. The Feast of All Souls reminds us that love never ends. When we pray for the dead, we show our love and trust in God’s great mercy. Death can make us sad, but our faith gives us hope. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me will live even if he dies.” Because of this promise, we believe that those who have died are not lost – they are alive in God. We remember them with love, and we ask God to welcome them into his peace. This day also helps us think about our own lives. We are all on a journey toward heaven. By living with kindness, forgiveness, and faith, we prepare ourselves to meet God one day. Our prayers for others also remind us to stay close to God. As a parish community, let us pray for all souls – those we knew and those forgotten. May our prayers bring them closer to God’s light and peace. And may we live each day with hearts full of love and hope in the resurrection. Fr. Andrzej Indulgences for the Feast of All Souls The Church gives special indulgences during the Feast of All Souls to encourage prayer and charity for the souls in purgatory. These indulgences express our faith in the Communion of Saints – the spiritual bond between the faithful on earth, the souls in purgatory, and the saints in heaven. An indulgence is the remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven. In simpler terms, even after we confess our sins, there can remain a need for healing or purification. Through indulgences, the Church – by the power of Christ – applies the spiritual treasury of Jesus’ sacrifice to help in this purification of the souls in purgatory. When we gain indulgences for the dead, we show love and mercy toward them, continuing the bond we shared in life. It is one of the most beautiful ways to live the Gospel of charity. Conditions to obtain these indulgences: To gain a plenary indulgence (full remission of temporal punishment) for a soul in purgatory during the days around All Souls (usually from November 1-8), the faithful must: · Visit a cemetery and pray for the departed (this indulgence can be applied only to the souls in purgatory). · Go to Sacramental Confession (within about 20 days before or after the act) · Receive of the Holy Communion · Pray for the intentions of the Pope (such as one Our Father and one Hail Mary) · Make a resolution to detach from all sins, even venial sins  If any of these conditions are not fully met, partial indulgence is still granted. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

Last Sunday, we reflected on ‘work and prayer’ – two things that every disciple of Jesus needs. Both are important in our journey of faith. Work keeps us active in service, and prayer keeps us close to God. We need both in balance to live as true followers of Christ. This Sunday, the readings concentrate more on prayer. In the Gospel, Jesus tells the story of two men who go to the temple to pray: one is a Pharisee, the other a tax collector. The story is simple, but it shows us something very profound about how we stand before God. The Pharisee prays proudly. He thanks God that he is not like others. He talks about all the good things he does – fasting, giving money, and keeping the law. The tax collector, on the other hand, stands far away. He feels unworthy. He does not even lift his eyes to heaven. He simply says, “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” And Jesus says that it was the tax collector, not the Pharisee, who went home right with God. The difference between the two is not their actions, but their hearts. The Pharisee’s good deeds are fine, but his heart is proud. He thinks he can earn God’s love by praising himself. The tax collector knows he is weak and needs God’s mercy. His honest and humble heart opens the way for God’s forgiveness. This parable invites us to look at ourselves. How do we pray? Do we sometimes compare ourselves to others? Do we think we are better than someone else because we pray more or do more good things? Pride can quietly grow even in good works. True prayer starts with humility and gratitude – knowing that everything good we have is a gift from God. In the temple, only one man truly prayed – the one who knew he was a sinner. God can fill only an empty heart. If we are full of ourselves, there is no room for God. But when we come before God with open and humble hearts, God’s grace fills us with peace and love. May this Gospel remind us to pray with humility, gratitude, and trust. God does not look for perfection but for hearts that are honest and humble. As Jesus said, “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14)  Fr. Andrzej