SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
December 7 & December 8, 2024
REFLECTION ON TODAY'S READING
Faith and Gratitude at the Beginning of the Day!
As you begin this day, thank the Lord for all the wonders He places in your path: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths smooth. The valleys will be filled in, the mountains and hills will be leveled. The winding paths will be made straight and the uneven roads smoothed. Then all will see the salvation of God” (Lk 3:1-6). Ask Him to help you open your heart to conversion. Consider: What can you do today to make space for Him in everything you do? How can you become a better instrument for His salvation to reach your brothers and sisters?
Pray the Prayer of Offering.
Under the directive from the Diocese of Honolulu
St. Joseph Church has set up an egiving program to allow parishioners and guests an easier way to give. It will also allow the donors to: 1. Give from anywhere using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. 2. No need to find a check or stop by the ATM. 3. Use your Checking/Savings Account or your Debit/Credit Card. 4. Schedule gifts to occur automatically. Click on the give now link or on your phone using my parish app. “All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 16:17
Online donations may be made at any time from the comfort of your own home or any place with internet access. Online donations are credited to your tax statement for the end of the year (except when made anonymously)and you can change your account preferences and donation amounts at any time.
New Letter from Bishop Larry on the importance of voting.
New documents from the Vatican:
Saint Joseph Church Makawao - Bulletin
The Gospel Reading, Luke 3:1-6
John preaches repentance and baptizes in the region of the Jordan.
This week and next, our Gospel readings invite us to consider John the Baptist and his relationship to Jesus. John the Baptist appears in the tradition of the great prophets, preaching repentance and reform to the people of Israel. To affirm this, Luke quotes at length from the prophet Isaiah. John baptizes for repentance and for forgiveness of sins, preparing the way for God's salvation.
The three Synoptic Gospels—Mark, Matthew, and Luke—attest to the importance of the baptism of John in preparing for Jesus. Only the Gospel of Luke, however, extends the connection between these two men to their birth. The first two chapters of Luke's Gospel contain the Infancy Narrative, which tells about the births of John the Baptist and Jesus. These stories set the stage for the beginning of Jesus' public ministry in chapter 3.
The evangelist Luke is the author of the Gospel that bears his name, and he also wrote the Acts of the Apostles as a continuation of the story of Jesus and the Church. In these two works, Luke's sense of time and history emerges. He identifies three epochs of salvation history: the time before Christ, the time of Christ, and the time of the Church and the Holy Spirit.
In today's Gospel reading, as elsewhere, John the Baptist is presented as the figure who bridges the time before Christ and prepares the way for Christ's own ministry. In today's Gospel we also note Luke's attention to political and historical detail. Luke shows that salvation is for all people and situated in world events. Therefore, Luke lists the political and religious leaders at the time of John's appearance in the desert. Salvation is understood as God's breaking into this political and social history.
John's preaching of the coming of the Lord is a key theme of the Advent season. As John's message prepared the way for Jesus, we too are called to prepare ourselves for Jesus' coming. We respond to John's message by repentance and reform of our lives. We are also called to be prophets of Christ, who announce by our lives the coming of the Lord, as John did.
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(https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/sunday-connection )
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STEWARDSHIP CORNER!
The Greek word for ‘disciple’ is mathétés and it means ‘someone who learns from a teacher.’ The Greek word for ’stewardship’ is oikonomia and it refers to ’someone managing what is entrusted to him like the household or teaching.’ We say that stewardship is a disciple’s response to God. Therefore, if we have to respond as stewards we have to be disciples first. We have to learn from our Teacher and Master, the Lord Jesus. We can learn from HIM through the Bible, the textbook of stewardship. We can learn from HIM through the Mass, the school of stewardship.
— (Fr. Edison, MS)
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
First Thursday of Every Month. Come anytime between 5-6:30 pm.. All are Welcome!
THRIFT SHOP HOURS OF OPERATION
Effective May 2021, the Thrift Store hours of operation became every Tuesday from 8 a.m. - 12 noon.
SOCIAL OUTREACH MINISTRY
The Food Pantry holds a drive by distribution, every third Thursday from 8-9 a.m. or while supply lasts. To qualify simply signup as you drive up. The Food Pantry is also accepting non-perishables. Thank you!