Repentant People,

Today the Gospel tells us to repent.  I think of our 200th anniversary in the Archdiocese of Boston.  Sometimes our recient history in the Archdiocese can be leave us discouraged.  Sometimes we might see that in ourselves and we definitely have seen that discouragement in others around us.  This discouragement has contributed to some people's not coming to Church.

One thing that the two hundred year anniversary can help us to do is become more familiar with the bigger picture of our own history.  Did you know that there was a time in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts when it was illegal for a Catholic priest to even be here at all.  If one was discovered he was forced to leave and if he turned up again he could be killed!  Did you know that at first we only had about three priests.  The culture in the beginning of the Archdiocese was against us for sure.  Their used to be annual public protests against the Pope in Boston Common.  If my memory serves, I think it was the first convent, or at least one of the first, that was burned to the ground by anti catholic people and the sisters inside died.

The history of our young 200 year old diocese seems to be one with internal and external problems.  The internal problems are before us all the time now.  What does all this mean?  I find it helpful to look into the longer world history of the Church.  When you look at that you see that from the begging we were plauged by the same kinds of problems. 

We should remember that the Church's struggle with problems both external and internal is nothing new.  In our own lives the same is true.  We are a pilgrim people.  We are in a battle in this life.  This is the ordinary state of things in this world.

Today in the Gospel we need to repent.  We are not called to give up.  We need to set a good example for those who may have fallen by the way side.  We need to strengthen ourselves by standing again without fear before our merciful God and believe in his goodness.  He can help us back from anything.  He is God.  He made us.  He has shown us through his son that he can even bring us back even if we die.

Let us look again at our own sins.  Let us look at our own faults and try again as members of His Church to turn away from all that is bad and learn anew to do good.  Make this Advent a time of renewal for yourselves and you will help others to see the light of God's goodness once again.

Pray for our Catechumen, James Jones, and our confirmation students as they prepare to receive the full outpouring of the Spirit.  With them we will help to make history in such a way that many will be converted and know the love God has shown us in his beloved Son.

In Christ,

Fr. St. Martin