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Father Daniel Toof |
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St. Anna’s Catholic Church 836 East Spring Street Monroe, GA 30655 Phone : 770-267-7637 |
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To contact us: |
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January 22, 2012 Third Sunday in Ordinary Time |
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“This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent & believe in the Gospel” Jesus Christ (approximately 30 A.D.)
Jesus spoke these words 2,000 years ago. What do they mean? How are they being fulfilled? What difference does it make living in the Kingdom of God? Repent from what? Our post-modern world appears to have broken free of its Christian moorings now guided by human choice*. For a believer, living under the reign of Christ the King, this only appears to be true for our Sovereign God does and will bless and correct peoples choices (a lesson from today’s first reading from the Prophet Jonah). For a believer, living under the reign of Christ the King, we see partial fulfillment of Divine Judgment in this life—enough to narrow the leap of faith—for we see God has so designed life so that whatever answer we give to “why” of life faith is involved. (For example: “Big Bang” is science’s current theory to the “why” of an expanding universe yet, there is no empirical example of an explosion that results in more order rather than less order- just have faith in science. Non-living matter evolves over eons into living beings: over millions of years, who knows-so just take their word for it.) We have chosen to place our faith in the Word of God. The freedom to choose what we believe is a part of God’s plan. As we “repent and believe in the gospel” our lives bear witness (provide evidence, not proof) of our King’s reign. All of our choices have consequences. No one can escape responsibility by washing our hands and saying, “what is truth?”. Our choices reveal our faith. St. Anna’s 15 year-old, young adult Confirmation candidates have only known a post-modern world. They will be asked to step forward and enroll their names in the Book of Enrollment at our Noon Mass this Sunday. Our Candidates are asked to enroll in front the faithful gathered to worship, who have also chosen to place our faith in Jesus Christ. Each candidate has stated while interviewed by Deb Farabaugh (Director of Religious Education) and me this is their choice. Each individual who steps forward today does so to freely and publicly choose Christ. Each understands, as do all adults (both young and not-so young) that choices have consequences; that our choices reveal our faith. Our choosing Christ, truly living in the Kingdom of God, has consequences in our use of “time + talent.” After worship next Sunday all are invited to freely come and sign up for ministry at our Ministry Fair in the Hall. Christ’s peace, Fr. Dan Toof
* On this 39th Anniversary of “Roe v. Wade” I point to the acceptance of mother’s choice to pay someone to kill the human being growing within her womb [science confirms the little one is human] as the most damning evidence that this era has broken free of Christian moorings.
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The Meal, The Man, and The Mission: 3 Nights to Create Your Best Easter Ever
Who: Allen Hunt Once mega-church pastor, now Catholic Nationally syndicated talk radio host
Where: St. Anna’s Catholic Church
When: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 7-8pm, February 27 th, 28th, and 29th
3 inspirational nights to prepare your heart for Easter · Helpful for you · A wonderful event to invite a friend to enjoy with you · Spiritual encouragement for the entire family |
