SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS: Celebrant Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Epistle: I Cor. 4:1-5
Gospel: Luke 3:1-6
Monday: Greater Feria of Advent No Latin Mass
Tuesday: Saint Thomas, Apostle
Wednesday: Greater Feria of Advent
Thursday: Greater Feria of Advent
Friday: Vigil of Christmas; Midnight Mass at the Carmelite Monastery
Saturday: The Nativity of Our Lord, Mass @ 2:30pm @ Saint Agnes Cathedral
--A plenary indulgence may be gained by publicly saying or singing the Te Deum in thanksgiving on the last day of the year (December 31). A plenary indulgence may also be gained by publicly saying or singing the Veni Creator Spiritus on the first day of the year, (January 1).
Saint Luke formally introduces John the Baptist in today’s Gospel passage. Christ praises John the Baptist for his strength of will and his commitment to his God-given mission. Humility, austerity, courage and a spirit of prayer are all a part of John the Baptist’s personality. John was so faithful to his mission of preparing the way for the Messiah that Christ said of him: he is the greatest of those born of woman, “a burning and shining lamp.”
John the Baptist preached the need for repentance. He prepared the way of the Lord. He simply announced that salvation was on its way. He knew that his role was to decrease, and Christ’s must increase. Our Lord’s coming is imminent. We must prepare ourselves spiritually for that coming. We must prepare ourselves by doing penance for our sins. We must open our hearts to receive the Divine grace our Lord is offering us.
Now is the time of year once again during Advent to proclaim the coming of Jesus Christ, our Savior. We must purify our souls by a new interior conversion.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
