Weekly message
from Fr. Chris

Dear SPA Family,
The last person announcing the coming of God’s Son - the Messiah was John the Baptist. His mission had two purposes. First, the preparation of the Israelites for the coming of the Messiah, and then the revealing and presenting of the announced Son of God. Both tasks were fulfilled by John the Baptist. He preached the imminent arrival of the Messiah and called everybody for a change of heart and conversion. The outward sign of this was the reception of the baptism of purification in the Jordan. Jesus was among the many who came to the Jordan. When John the Baptist saw Him, he announced the arrival of the Messiah: “This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”

And let’s ask a question here. Is Jesus the Messiah accepted by people today? It is sad to say that Jesus does not arouse universal interest among people. Why is this happening? Jesus as the Messiah has become unnecessary to many people. This is because humans have lost the sense of sin, from which the Messiah - the Lamb of God can deliver. Very clearly and with great sadness, St. John Paul II in the Apostolic Exhortation on the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. There is a tendency to make fun of sins, to minimize their harmfulness or to deny them. People don’t lie, but only hide the facts, stretch the truth. People don’t steal, they only borrow. They don’t commit adultery, they just enjoy life. They don’t cheat, they just know how to combine. After all, people don't kill unborn babies, they just terminate pregnancies, abort the fetus.

People, not recognizing sin, trivializing it, not considering themselves sinners, do not need Jesus, because He can no longer offer anything. John the Baptist had this awareness of the sinfulness of our human nature, which needs constant purification in God’s Mercy.

After His resurrection, Jesus gave the apostles and their successors the power to forgive sins - he established the sacrament of reconciliation. If people did not commit sins and did not need God’s forgiveness, Jesus would not have instituted this sacrament. Through this sacrament, Jesus not only forgives sins, but also gives graces for a better Christian life.

People who do not have this sacrament or avoid it may be unhappy. They are tormented by guilt and remorse. A substitute for experiencing the sacrament of penance and reconciliation is sought in the offices of psychotherapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Does it bear fruit? There you can talk, confide in your problems, throw out what torments the heart, but you can never hear those words that we hear in the sacrament of penance and reconciliation: “Go in peace! God has forgiven you your sins!”

Let us thank Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, for His forgiving love. Let us ask for the grace of humility so that we can recognize and confess our sins in the sacrament of penance and reconciliation.
Have a blessed week. Fr. Chris

Dear SPA Family,
Isaiah had foretold that "all the ends of the earth will behold the salvation of our God."
Now, on the Epiphany, the light from the skies is strengthened a hundred, a thousand fold and the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that "nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance."
To the amazement of all in that region, there come foreign camels bearing foreign scholars – wise men – kings! Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh!

What courage and perseverance those strangers have shown, to brave the dangers of travel, skepticism, and political intrigue. But they found what they were looking for.
That star gave trustworthy guidance and now triumphantly shines as guard over the lowly dwelling wherein rests the child who possesses all meaning.
They fall to their knees in homage, for their learning has made them humble, and their wisdom leads them to recognize the Divine in the fragile flesh of a child.
What a silent Adoration! What loving glances they exchange with Mary and Joseph!
But for all their simple faith, their wisdom is sharp enough to detect the sham delight and murderous intentions of the wily Herod. And so they pay their respects, leave their gifts, and modestly depart for their homeland, sorrowfully aware of the terrible price justice must pay for Peace.

Their role in history has been accomplished – to teach us all to follow the guidance of the Almighty, to accept our own role as Bearers of the Light, and to follow this Christ into His Mission, to partake of His Passion, and to join the millions through the ages who will preach His Gospel of universal salvation.
The Son of God is the one Judge and Arbiter of Truth and the one Source of Light, but we are all called to be "epiphanies," providing glimpses of that Truth, showing the way in our own small spots of time and circumstance to a larger plan and destiny.
O princely Child make of us all, wise men, courageous women, obedient children who will follow wherever You lead us.

That means being faithful to prayer, diligently reading articles and booklets about our faith, sharing what we learn with others, taking part when possible in prayer and study groups.
This is the way for us to be light-bearers, lighting up the darkness and confusion in the world in which we live.
Have a blessed weekend. Fr. Chris