WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?
Dear Parishioners,
My Shepherd’s Corner comes largerly from Theresa from our 9:30am Mass preparation and Family Committee Team.
As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:27-28
A constant theme we have heard through the Epiphany season has been that through Baptism we are “clothed” in Christ.
At baptism in the Maronite Church are reminded of this every time a child is baptized. The child is put into new white clothes symbolizing that the child has accepted the new clothing of Christ.
Through Baptism, no matter who we are, what race or gender we belong to, how much money we have or what we do for work, we all receive the same glorious robe, the robe of Christ. Baptism gives us all, no matter our position, the spiritual clothing that will lead to salvation. Unlike designer clothing, it will not go out of fashion and we will not need to change it with the trend next year. We always need to remember that we are wearing Christ. By wearing Christ we receive holiness and joy and we can inspire others around us to receive that same joy.
So in this Epiphany season let us reflect on our own Baptism and always remember that through baptism we wear Christ. Through our actions, by attending Mass, being involved in our Parish, focusing on prayer, living in accordance with Christ’s teachings, and by showing love and compassion to others we can serve as a reminder to those around us that through Baptism they are also clothed in Christ.
Thanks Theresa, very well explained.
I would add that how we dress everywhere in community and especially in gathering at Church as members of God’s Family around the Lord’s Table at Eucharist and for Baptisms and Weddings that this should reflect all the values, including modesty, that we are clothed spiritually with Christ.
This value of personal modesty reflects the truth of the beautiful spiritual dignity of every person and that we don’t want to cause anyone to be distracted while at these most wonderful, Grace-filled and Sacred celebrations at Church.
Sometimes in the hot weather this means some personal sacrifice in comfort, not following fashion trends for the good of others in my parish family.
And especially to the younger members of our parish family, remember nothing can outshine a heart clothed in Christ and shining out to others through your eyes and face.
Monsignor Shora Maree
DRIVE THRU OR STAY IN?
Dear parishioners,
In reflecting about God’s wonderful life-giving Grace given to us in Baptism, I used the analogy of not small, medium, or extra-large to describe its dimension, but the new dimension of “Supersize”.
Supersize Grace means this Grace from God is ‘Super’ - above anything we can imagine or have by ourselves.
This week we will reflect that this Baptismal Grace can’t be experienced fully with a “drive thru”, “fast food” or “all by myself” attitude. Baptismal Grace calls us to stay with Jesus all day as we heard in the Gospel. Why stay all day? For we can experience ‘family and belonging’. And it also calls us to have time to share it with others. “Andrew went and told Peter.”
Pope Francis in his Wednesday Audience spoke of this beautifully in his Catechesis on Baptism.
“On receiving faith and Baptism, we Christians welcome the action of the Holy Spirit that leads us to confess Jesus Christ as Son of God and to call God “Abba,” Father! All of us baptized men and women … are called to live and transmit communion with the Trinity, because evangelization is an appeal to participation in the Trinitarian communion” (Final Document of Aparecida, n. 157).
No one is saved on his own. We are a community of believers, we are People of God and in this community we experience the beauty of sharing the experience of a love that precedes us all, but which at the same time asks us to be “channels” of grace for one another, despite our limitations and sins. The communal dimension is not just a “frame,” a “garnish,” but an integral part of Christian life, of witness and of evangelization. Christian faith is born and lives in the Church and, in Baptism, families and parishes celebrate the incorporation of a new member of Christ in His Body which is the Church.
So what is your attitude to your faith and God’s Gift of Grace- “drive thru”, “fast food”, “all by myself” or staying for family and belonging?
Monsignor Shora Maree
KNOWING YOUR BAPTISM DAY
Dear Parishioners,
This week at his General Audience, Pope Francis spoke about Baptism. His words are a wonderful reminder to us as Maronites in this Season of the Epiphany. Speaking about Baptism he explained;
"It is not a mere formality. It's an act that touches our very existence deeply. It is not the same having a child baptized, than not having the child baptized. It is not the same. It is not the same having a person baptized, than not having a person baptized.”
He also explained that knowing you Baptism day was as important as knowing your birthday;
"I allow myself to give you advice, more than advice, homework for today. When you get home, search and ask for the date of your Baptism. That way, you will be aware of that beautiful day when you were baptized. Will you do it? I don't sense any enthusiasm. Will you do it? Yes! Because you learn about a joyous occasion.”
Do you know your Baptism date? Do you know your children’s Baptism date? In this season of the Epiphany, why not take Pope Francis’ advice and search for the date of your Baptism and that of your family members. Put them in your calendar and remember to celebrate them this year, reliving that great day of joy and remember the Mystery of Baptism when you were clothed in the “robe of glory”, signed “with the seal of the living Holy Spirit” and called “to become spiritual children reborn through Baptism.”
Thank you Sr Rose-Therese and our prayers for her new appointment
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sr Rose Therese for her work and efforts within the Parish especially in regards to the Divine Word Family and with counseling services. We keep her in our prayers and ask God to give her strength and perseverance as she leads the congregation of the MSHF at St Maroun’s, Dulwich Hill.
The late Fr James Stack.
We pray for Fr James Stack who suddenly passed away last Monday. He served Holy Family Parish with our many Maronites who lived in the area for over 30 years. The Vigil prayers and Rosary will be on Monday evening 7:30pm and the Funeral Mass 10:30am both at Holy Family Church, The Trongate in Granville
