How did we get to the Third Sunday of Advent already?! This weekend we hear from Isaiah about how the Lord will make a new Garden of Eden. That he will make all things new as He will come to save us. Our God will redeem us and make the blind see and the deaf hear and the lame leap and the mute sing. Isaiah tells of the coming Messiah and what He will do when He comes to vindicate us.
John the Baptist sends his disciples to find Jesus to ask if He is the one. John is trying to show his disciples who Jesus truly is so they will follow Jesus from now on. Jesus tells them to tell John about the fulfillment of the prophets, especially Isaiah, that the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. After they leave to proclaim the good news to John, Jesus then speaks to the crowd about who John is and why it is important for all to know. John is the new prophet, the new Elijah, the long-awaited messenger announcing the coming of the Messiah. Jesus is telling them very bluntly who He is in the way Jesus tells us who John is. For in this announcement of who John is, He begins the announcement of the good news of the kingdom of heaven. Do you believe what He proclaims?
This last week we hosted a multitude of people for the funeral of Rev. Fr. Daren Zehnle. There were probably close to 600 or more people in attendance. We had two Bishops, over 70 priests, and around 20 deacons. It was quite the event to host and feed and welcome all of those mourning the death of Fr. Zehnle. I cannot thank you all enough for your work to welcome our guests. I am greatly appreciative of how you all made our parish look amazing to everyone here visiting. The hospitality you showed not only helped mourners, but showed the love and face of Christ. THANK YOU! I was so proud of you all.
I am deeply saddened at the passing of my friend, but I am hopeful for where we pray Fr. Daren is in the loving arms of His savior. He had the final sacraments, died with priests surrounding him, and was rightly offered back to the Lord in a proper Mass of Christian Burial. This gives me great comfort. I will miss my friend.
Father Arisman