This week we hear that John the Baptist is out in the wilderness eating “locusts and wild honey” (Mark 1:6). It’s not just a strange historical detail. It’s a symbolic expression of a healthy spiritual diet. The path to Christ includes both the hard and the beautiful, the gritty and the sweet. We have to learn to gulp the locusts and savor the honey.
I remember working with a young couple preparing for marriage. They were sincere, but raw — barely beginning to discover faith. Part of me wanted to rush them ahead, to fill in all the gaps, to bombard them with scripture and church documents. I swallowed that instinct. It was like eating locusts.
But I also recall them light up as they spoke about each other, about their first child, then their second. And they wanted to be close to God. Something innocent and beautiful was unfolding. That was the honey. I knew God was asking me to savor it.
This Advent, maybe we’re each being invited to accept both locusts and honey. Maybe it’s time to stop avoiding the difficult parts of faith — prayer that feels dry, the call to repentance, the patience with the troublesome. It’s time to eat some locusts.
But we also need to notice the small gifts God gives us: a peaceful moment, a good conversation, the joy of serving someone else, new life, good intentions of our friends. That’s the honey. Savor it!
John didn’t avoid either. He took it all in. And so can we. What are your locusts? Your honey? If we let God feed us with both, we’ll be ready — really ready — for the coming of Christ. — Father John Muir ©LPi
General Mass Notes
Welcome
Good afternoon and welcome to St. Joseph,
As we begin our Liturgy, we would like to extend a special welcome to everyone visiting our Parish for the first time. We also warmly welcome all of you here this (morning/afternoon/evening). We are so grateful and blessed to have you with us. As we settle in and prepare our hearts for Mass today, please take a moment to make sure your cellphones are turned off so as to not disturb our prayer.
(wait a few seconds)
Let us take a moment now to prepare for Mass and open our hearts and minds to the
message that will hear today. The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and for...
Everyone please stand and greet those beside you.
Mass Intentions
Universal Prayer (Petitions)
A. For the Church, that we may sustain John the Baptist’s call for repentance, recognizing the joy of reconciliation and remaining conscious that the kingdom of heaven is always at hand, let us pray to the Lord.
B. That we may resolve differences without violence or anger, hastening an end to hostilities the world over and contributing to fullness of peace for ever, let us pray to the Lord.
C. For those who call us to repentance, who persist in trying to make us better people, that they may not grow discouraged, let us pray to the Lord.
D. That we may take the time during this busy Christmas season to make room in the inn of our hearts to welcome the Lord in our midst, let us pray to the Lord.
E. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.
Announcements
1. Next week we have a second collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious. This fund provides housing, medical assistance, and essential support for thousands of aging religious. Please consider giving next week.
2. This Monday, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Our daily bilingual Mass will be at 8am, with Spanish at 5pm, and additional Masses at 6:30pm in English and 8:00pm in Spanish. Due to these additional Liturgies, there will be no confessions or Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after the 5pm Mass
3. On Friday, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Mañanitas will begin at 4:00am, followed by Spanish Mass at 4:30am, 12:00pm, 5:00pm, and 8:00pm. Our Bilingual Mass will be at 8:00am, and English Mass at 9:30am. Because of the additional liturgies, confessions and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will not be available all day.
4. The Parish is selling Advent and Christmas reflection books, which offer simple yet enriching reflections for each day during Advent and Christmas. These can be purchased in the Parish Center for $2 each.
5. Adult Confirmation registration will take place this Wednesday, December 10, from 6pm to 8pm, and Sunday, December 14, from 11am to 2pm in the Parish Center. Classes will be held on Thursdays from January to April, from 7pm to 9pm.
6. It’s time for the St. Margaret Center annual Christmas Program and we need your generous support! Please consider donating a gift to a child this year and bring them to the parish office by Friday, December 12th. We thank you for your support in advance!
