Let us give thanks to the Father,
who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light.
He delivered us from the power of darkness
and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
. . .
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
that in all things he himself might be preeminent.
For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell,
and through him to reconcile all things for him,
making peace by the blood of his cross through him,
whether those on earth or those in heaven.
Colossians 1:12-14, 18-19, St. Paul quoting an early Christian hymn
Happy Solemnity of Christ the King and Happy Thanksgiving!
In case anyone needs to be reminded, this is November, when our liturgical calendar becomes Mes de los Muertos and even our secular calendar turns to giving thanks. This early Christian hymn encompasses them both.
There’s so much to unpack in this hymn, let me quote Gerhard Lohfink from his book, Is This All There Is?:
Precisely because the Easter event in Jesus was experienced not as rapture nor as the reception of a martyr into heaven nor as exaltation but as resurrection from the dead, it is clear that the resurrection of all the dead, the return home and transformation of the world, God’s new creation that is the goal of all history – all that has “already” begun in Jesus’ resurrection.
This is the importance of the phrase “first born of the dead”. Jesus’ resurrection begins the reconciliation of humanity to God in all our collective sin and in all our individual sins. Regardless of our sins, we will be reconciled to God.
Thanks be to God!
This is also the time to reflect on our gratitude for our St. Therese Parish and how we can let that be reflected in our giving. Two excellent stewardship reflections were offered in the last two weeks and are available here. To pledge your support for your parish, please click here.
There are two ministry positions that are in desperate need of being filled:
-We need someone familiar with social media marketing strategy. They will evaluate and refine a multiplatform, cross-generational social media marketing plan intended to attract young people, Catholics and non-Catholics to our church. If interested, email Diane Figaro at paa@st-therese.cc.
-We also need a team of people to help Nicole keep our livestream alive. This is an ababsolute necessity in these times! If interested email Nicole St. Hilaire at: nicoles@st-therese.cc.