“This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict”

Luke 21

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of terrifying trials to come and He instructs His disciples to let God guide them so that they may be true witnesses to the Lord and the Gospel. When we look back on the history of the Church, every epoch has had its challenges. Proclaiming the Gospel always met adversities. This should not surprise anyone because Jesus foretold that His true disciples would be facing persecution, misunderstanding, ridicule, mockery, derision, betrayal and treachery. These trials are certainly a challenge to those faithful to the Lord and His Gospel but, paradoxically, facing these challenges gives the true disciple such eloquence and wisdom that none of their opponents might withstand or contradict them. This is the prize of authentic discipleship. In the present, we are also called to witness to the Lord and His Gospel despite all circumstances and this is our joy and happiness.

Today we observe a World Day of the Poor which was established by Pope Francis in his Apostolic Letter Misericordia et Misera issued on November 20th, 2016 celebrating the close of the Extraordinary Year of Mercy. We pray for the poor and those who care for them. The Bishops of Canada also recognise this Sunday as a Day of Prayer for Canadian Home Missions.

This Monday, November 18th we celebrate the memorial of the Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul. St. Peter’s is probably the most famous church in Christendom. It was built on the Vatican Hill where the faithful gathered to pray at St. Peter’s tomb and St. Paul’s Basilica Outside-the-Walls where St. Paul is believed to have been beheaded.

On Thursday, November 21st, we observe the memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As with Mary’s birth, we read of Mary’s presentation only in apocryphal literature. Although it cannot be proven historically, Mary’s presentation has an important theological purpose. It continues the impact of the feasts of the Immaculate Conception and of the birth of Mary. It emphasizes that the holiness conferred on Mary from the beginning of her life on earth continued through her early childhood and beyond.

On Friday, November 22nd, we hold the memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr, Patroness of musicians. Let us pray for those who serve our parish in music ministry.

St. Cecilia – pray for us!

God bless,
Fr. Peter