Lights shining in the world

 

River Jordan. Image credit https://faith.nd.edu/

Selection by Deacon Steve: Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

“Jesus rises from the waters; the world rises with him. The heavens like Paradise with its flaming sword, closed by Adam for himself and his descendants, are rent open. The Spirit comes to him as an equal, bearing witness to his Godhead. A voice bears witness to him from heaven, his place of origin. The Spirit descends in bodily form like the dove that so long ago announced the ending of the flood and so gives honour to the body that is one with God.

Today let us do honour to Christ’s baptism and celebrate this feast in holiness. Be cleansed entirely and continue to be cleansed. Nothing gives such pleasure to God as the conversion and the salvation of people, for whom God’s every word and every revelation exist. Our Lord wants you to become a living force for all humanity, lights shining in the world. You are to be radiant lights as you stand beside Christ, the great light, bathed in the glory of Christ who is the light of heaven. You are to enjoy more and more the pure light of the Trinity, as now you have received – though not in its fullness- a ray of its splendor, proceeding from the one God, in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom be power and glory forever and ever. Amen”

From the Second Reading- From a Sermon by Saint Gregory Nazianzus, bishop – Office of Readings, Liturgy of the Hours on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, p. 634- 635.

Free Community Meals - Newmarket

Here are all the free community meals that take place in Newmarket throughout the week, all thanks to volunteers who care about the people in their community:

• Sundays: Valley View Alliance Church hosts a community dinner every Sunday of the year between 4 and 5:30 p.m. at 800 Davis Dr. in Newmarket. 
• Mondays: St. John Chrysostom Catholic Church serves a free hot meal to anyone who needs it out of their parish centre at 432 Ontario St. The program is called Community Bread and runs from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. every Monday. 
• Tuesdays: Trinity United Church hosts its Lunch At My Place (LAMP) Supper Program on Tuesdays at the church, which is located at 461 Park Ave. It serves beverages at 4 p.m. and a hot meal from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. 
• Wednesdays: The Annex Cafe at Christian Baptist Church runs every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Guests can enjoy a hotdog or burger out on the church lawn. There is also coffee and light breakfast foods. 
• Fridays: Inn From The Cold's community meal takes place weekly on Fridays from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the community hall of their Penrose Street location. Different groups of volunteers sign up each week, whether they are corporations, religious groups, families, or friends. 
• Saturdays: Crosslands Church at 47 Millard Ave. West hosts a free dinner every Saturday starting at 4:30 p.m. 

Advent Reflection: Two gifts that are needed

 After telling us how King Ahaz, St. Paul. and St. Joseph received the gift of divine grace which they in turn passed on to bless and strengthen others, Claretian Fr. Ferdinand Okorie CMF, writing for the Catholic Theological Union, concludes a reflection for the 4th Sunday of Advent as follows:

"Next Sunday, we celebrate and renew our faith in the gift of God’s presence in the incarnation of Jesus Christ, and in doing so, we share in the spirit of the season by giving and receiving gifts with our loved ones, and with one another. But I invite you to think beyond the traditional routine of wrapped gifts under the Christmas tree, but rather to discern the impactful gift that your loved ones and the world are in dire need from you today. For our loved ones, trust is ebbing dangerous in our homes and society, affecting our respect and dignity for one another. Rebuilding a culture of trust can go a long way to repair fragile and damaged relationships. For our world, let us remember that every region has experienced a record climate disaster or the other. Time has come to give our world the gift of doing whatever we can to contribute to cutting down our carbon footprints. During this season of giving and receiving gifts, give the gift that is impactful and transformational to one another and to the world." https://learn.ctu.edu/fourth-sunday-of-advent-3/

Rebuilding a culture of trust: Instead of being negative and critical, can I be more positive, affirming and upbuilding? Pray the Prayer of Saint Francis

Cutting down our carbon footprints: Food waste? Plastic? Recycling? Unnecessary travel? Explore Laudato Si' - the encyclical by Pope Francis on the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor

Resources:
Laudato Si' Movement - https://laudatosimovement.org/
Laudato Si' - News and Resources - https://www.laudatosi.org/
Laudato Si' Action Platform - https://laudatosiactionplatform.org/

Image credit: https://cdn3.volusion.com/yhebw.jkdkr/v/vspfiles/photos/10501-2.jpg