From the Desk of Father Tharp
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FEAST OF MARY MOTHER OF GOD (Same as Weekend Schedule)
Sacred Heart. St. Ann
December 31 4:00 p.m. 5:15 p.m.
January 1 8:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m.
12:00 p.m.
Pastor out of Commission for two or three Days
Some Tuesday after the middle of January, I must have cataract surgery. Once I am scheduled, I will indicate which Tuesday, Wednesday, and possibly Thursday I will be unable to have Masses or Funerals. Hopefully the recovery time will only keep me out Tuesday and Wednesday morning. I hope we can schedule funerals around this one and a half to two day absence.
I apologize for the inconvenience to both parishes, but I don’t think I can put the surgery off two more years until I retire. So when you see me with a patch over my left eye, it is simply the result of necessary surgery that comes from being old.
Reflection on Scripture
The Feast of the Holy Family reminds us of the truth of the “hypostatic union.” Jesus is the Son of God and the Son of Man, the Messiah; fully human and fully divine. But how can this be? I know we say it every week when we read the Nicene Creed. But you mean to tell me Jesus had a “family” and a “childhood?” Sure, remember the scripture recounting the “Finding of Jesus in the Temple.” (Luke 2:41-52) My suspicion is that Jesus may have hit his thumb with Joseph’s hammer the first time he tried to drive a nail. This does not detract from the truth of Jesus’ divinity. Quite the contrary (as Philippians says) Jesus “emptied himself taking the form of a slave…” The Son of God became part of His creation, so His creation could come to appreciate and love its Creator.
So on the Feast of the Holy Family, we celebrate our families as well as our family the Church. When we come to recognize the humanity of Jesus, we come to appreciate the Incarnation. How blessed we are to be a part of His Family.
Next Weekend: Feast of the Epiphany
Is 60:1-6
Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6
Mt 2:1-12
Theme: The whole world needs Jesus