November 26th, 2016
Vivian McDonough has recently retired from her role as Coordinator of the Lectors. On behalf of St. Gabriel’s Parish I would like to personally thank Vivian for her many years of valued service and dedication. Her guidance has enriched and enhanced the experience of all those lectors who have served with her.
I would also like to welcome Marie Deans as the new Coordinator. We wish her well.
Preacher: Fr. Bob Joerger CP Saturday, December 10th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM St. Gabriel’s Church
This week, we begin the season of Advent, a time to prepare ourselves for the celebration of Christmas. In Advent, we are called to stay awake as we keep vigil, with our eyes set on the light, and not let ourselves be too carried away by the unnecessary care and concerns of the Christmas Season. Please consider joining us for a few hours of quietude in prayer and reflection.
The preacher for our Advent Retreat this year will be Father Robert Joerger, CP. Father Bob is the Provincial of the Passionists of the St. Paul of the Cross Province. Many of you have met him when he last visited St. Gabriel’s. He has touched many hearts with his preaching.
The topic of our Advent Retreat is “Leaning into the Light”. It will be held on Saturday, December 10th from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at St. Gabriel’s Parish. Come and be prepared to be inspired and be challenged to a deeper relationship with God.
All are welcome. There is no cost to attend. However, donations will be gratefully accepted. For more information, please call the parish office at 416-221-8866, or email fatimalee@bellnet.ca The retreat will begin at 1:00 PM sharp. Please plan on arriving a little earlier.
Saturday, December 10th from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM.
Gabriel Room
We as a parish have been blessed with the ministry of the Passionists priests for over six decades. Have you ever wondered what the Passionists are about? Do you want to find out more about their spirituality and their work? Is there any way we as lay persons can share in their spirituality and mission?
If you are interested, please join us for a conversation with Father Bob, the Provincial of the St. Paul of the Cross Province of the Passionists. (The Province covers Canada, Eastern USA, Jamaica, W.I. and Haiti.) The meeting will be held on Saturday, December 10th from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM, in the Gabriel Room. This is an opportunity not to be missed. Please mark your calendars. If you plan to attend, please email fatimalee@bellnet.ca or call 416-221-8866.
November 28th to December 3rd, 2016
MONDAY – DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE O’CONNELL FAMILY – Requested by Fergus & Mary Ann O’Connell TUESDAY – ELIO RANCATI – Requested by his Family WEDNESDAY – GIUSEPPINA SMERGILIO – Requested by Lina Giannotta THURSDAY – JOSEPH NGUYEN – Requested by the Nguyen Family FRIDAY – FRANCES MARION DESROCHES – Requested by Mark DesRoches SATURDAY – GERALD HARQUAIL – Requested by Ginette Harquail
Wednesday, December 7th: 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
CHRISTMAS EVE – Saturday, December 24th 4:30 PM Vigil Mass – Carol Singing 7:00 PM Family Mass – Carol Singing 9:00 PM Adult Choir – Carol Singing 12:00 AM Midnight Mass – Contemporary Group Office Open 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
CHRISTMAS DAY – Sunday, December 25th 8:30 AM 10:30 AM 12:30 PM Office Open 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM
BOXING DAY – Monday, December 26th Office Closed No 9:00 AM Mass
Tuesday, December 27th Office Closed No 9:00 AM Mass
NEW YEAR’S EVE – Saturday, December 31st 4:30 PM Mass Vigil for Feast of Mary the Mother of God Office Open 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
NEW YEAR’S DAY – Sunday, January 1st Feast of Mary the Mother of God 8:30 AM 10:30 AM 12:30 PM Office Open 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM
Monday, January 2nd Office Closed No 9:00 Am Mass
Rehearsal: Sunday, December 18th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM
Each year, young people, Grade 3 and up, form a special choir for the Family Mass on Christmas Eve. Children must be at the Church by 6:00 PM. One rehearsal, which is mandatory, will be held on Sunday, December 20th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.
Please call Marilyn Calderone at 416-618-2041 for more information.
Sunday, December 18th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM
Each year a Nativity pageant takes place at the 7:00 PM Family Mass. S.K. to Grade 5 children are invited to participate in the pageant. The rehearsal will be held on Sunday, December 18th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM in the Church.
Saturday, November 26th to Sunday, December 10th
We are having a Christmas Toy Drive again this year for the Catholic Children’s Aid Society. You can help by dropping off an unwrapped new toy for a child newborn to12 years old. Containers will be set up at the doors of the Church until Sunday, December 11th.
During Advent, the Society of St Vincent de Paul has a Giving Tree in the Gathering Space.
The tree is decorated with gift tags. Each tag has the gender and age of a child. We invite you to take a tag, buy a gift or a gift card of about $25.00 for that child and return the unwrapped gift, with the tag attached, to the box provided in the Gathering Space. If you are a knitter, there will be mitten tags. Please take one and return mitts to the box in the Gathering Space.
At this time of the year, we are also thinking of the young mothers and babies of Rosalie Hall. If you wish to help, you may choose a “Christmas Stocking” from the tree to purchase pyjamas or undershirts for babies ages 6 to 18 months.
Unwrapped Items with the original stocking tag attached can be left in the box provided near the “mitten” tree no later than December 11th. Toys for these little ones would also be appreciated.
For the Moms, we are suggesting gift cards from Tim Hortons, Walmart or MacDonald’s. These can be placed in the envelopes provided and brought to the Parish Office. Thank you for your generous support.
Weekend of December 3rd/4th
Following a very successful “Create a Climate of Change” Campaign last year in which many of you participated, this year Development and Peace is calling us to support small family farmers around the world and sustainable agriculture.
In the Global South, 85% of farmers live on small family farms. They produce 60% of the food consumed worldwide, while only occupying 20 to 30% of arable land. Farming provides the main source of income for the family.
If the family cannot farm, they cannot eat. Yet small family farms are suffering the most serious consequences of climate change. The farmers have very little resources at their disposal to face such impacts, though they are the ones who feed the world.
Action cards in support of small family farmers will be available in the Gathering Space from D&P members before and after each of the Masses next weekend, December 3rd/4th. These cards will be mailed to the Prime Minister to ask our government to put small family farmers at the heart of its policies to help the poorest countries. Please stop by and take a couple of minutes to sign these cards and support small family farmers.
Friday, December 9th at 7:30 PM
St. Bonaventure Parish, 1300 Leslie Street
Christmas, Christmas time is near! Come join the Seraphim and Cherubim Chorus’ singing the Christmas songs you love as part of their That’s Christmas to Me! concert series. A mix of old favourites and twists on classics! Please join us at St. Bonaventure Parish on Friday, December 9th at 7:30 PM. Advanced tickets are available online at www.seraphimandcherubim.ca. Proceeds will go to the support of Camp Winston – camp for children with complex neurological disorders.
Sunday December 4th from 2:00 to 5:00 PM
Temple Har Zion, 7360 Bayview Ave.
MOSAIC Interfaith (of which St. Gabriel’s is a member) invites you to attend the annual Peace Meal on Sunday December 4th from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at Temple Har Zion.
Renu Mandhane, Chief Commissioner, Ontario Human Rights Commission will speak on “Creed and Human Rights: an evolving approach in an evolving world.” Inter-faith panelists will be Mary Jo Leddy, founder of Romero House for Refugees, Ihsaan Gardee, Executive Director of the National Council of Muslims and Pardeep Singh Nagra, Executive Director of the Sikh Heritage Museum & Manager Employment Equity TDSB.
Attendees are asked to bring a nut-free dish (and alcohol free) for the vegan supper – i.e. no meat, poultry, eggs, fish or dairy products. Please RSVP to Nora at 416-218-0680 by November 30th. For more information see poster on bulletin board.
December 9th to 11th
Manresa Spiritual Renewal Centre, Pickering.
The Office of Vocations invites single Catholic men, 17 years and older to attend a Vocations Discernment Retreat from December 9th to 11th at Manresa Spiritual Renewal Centre, Pickering. The retreat starts on Friday at 7:00 PM. This is a good retreat for men who are at crossroads in discerning God’s desired Vocation for them. The retreat offers Guided reflections, Holy Mass, Adoration, confession and the assistance of a vocations team. The suggested donation of $150 will help cover costs. For more information, please contact Fr. Brando or call 416-968-0997 or email vocations@archtoronto.org.
Weekly Offertory Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week. Collection for last weekend: Envelopes 377 $ 10,753 Loose Change 1,271 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 163 3,025 Total 540 $ 15,049
The 2017 Offertory Boxed Envelopes are available in the Gathering Space. Please pick yours up as soon as possible.
| Posted in Bulletin |
November 20th, 2016
In a few weeks, we will begin the season of Advent, a time to prepare ourselves for the celebration of Christmas. In Advent, we are called to stay awake as we keep vigil, with our eyes set on the light, and not let ourselves be too carried away by the unnecessary care and concerns of the Christmas Season. Please consider joining us for a few hours of quietude in prayer and reflection.
All are welcome. There is no cost to attend. However, donations will be gratefully accepted. For more information, please call the parish office at 416-221-8866, or email fatimalee@bellnet.ca
The retreat will begin at 1:00 PM sharp. Please plan on arriving a little earlier.
We as a parish have been blessed with the ministry of the Passionists priests for over six decades. Have you ever wondered what the Passionists are about? Do you want to find out more about their spirituality and their work?
If you are interested, please join us for a conversation with Father Bob, the Provincial Superior of the St. Paul of the Cross Province of the Passionists. (The Province covers Canada, Eastern USA, Jamaica, W.I. and Haiti.) The meeting will be held on Saturday, December 10th from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM, in the Gabriel Room. This is an opportunity not to be missed. Please mark your calendars.
November 19th/20th
The youth group will be raffling off advent wreaths after all the Masses this weekend. They have been crafted by our very own youth group members. Raffle tickets are being sold in the gathering space.
Tuesday, November 22nd from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
On Tuesday, November 22nd from 7:30 to 9:00 PM the choir will be hosting a hymn sing. We will be focusing on new hymns for Advent and Christmas. Please join us for a good ol’ sing-a-long!
November 21st to November 26th, 2016
MONDAY – ALBINO GERARDI – Requested by Stella & Isabel Luke TUESDAY – FR. DON SANVIDO – Requested by Jeanne Robinson WEDNESDAY – TULIO RAMIREZ – Requested by the Family THURSDAY – PHILIP BRADLEY – Requested by Moira McCarthy & Bob Torpey FRIDAY – DAVID SHELDRICK – Requested by Teresa Sheldrick SATURDAY – DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE CHUCHRA & WROBEL FAMILIES – Requested by Jack & Wanda
Your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses next weekend for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.
More volunteers are needed to help feed the hungry in our city. Please get a copy of a casserole recipe and a pan and give it a try. Three recipes are available on St. Gabriel’s web site. Printed copies of the recipes are also available in the Parish Office.
Please remember to mark the label on the pan lid with the name of the casserole. For more information, you may contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791.
During Advent, the Society of St Vincent de Paul will have a Giving Tree in the Gathering Space.
The tree will be decorated with gift tags. Each tag will have the gender and age of a child. We invite you to take a tag, buy a gift or a gift card of about $25.00 for that child and return the unwrapped gift, with the tag attached, to the box provided in the Gathering Space. If you are a knitter, there will be mitten tags. Please take one and return mitts to the box in the Gathering Space.
Unwrapped Items with the original stocking tag attached can be left in the box provided near the “mitten” tree no later than December 10th. Toys for these little ones would also be appreciated.
We are having a Christmas Toy Drive again this year for the Catholic Children’s Aid Society.
You can help by dropping off an unwrapped new toy for a child newborn to 12 years old.
Containers will be set up at the doors of the Church from Saturday, November 26th until Sunday, December 10th
Winter is coming and many Out of the Cold Shelters will open their doors at night during the winter months. Scarves for their clients will be most welcome.
I use a very simple pattern, knitting while I watch TV. If you are interested, I can meet with you at your convenience and show you the pattern. Please leave your name and phone number with the Parish Office and I’ll arrange a meeting. Mary Landry
St. Gabriel’s Parish Weekend of April 21st, 22nd and 23rd, 2017
A Marriage Preparation course will be offered here at St. Gabriel’s the weekend of April 21st to 23rd, 2017. The course will be held Friday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
For a registration package please email Marie Deans at deansm@sympatico.ca.
Monday, November 21st at 7:00 PM
Duke of York Pub, 39 Prince Arthur Ave, Toronto
Want to discuss faith and justice topics relevant to your life? Want to meet other young adults who share these interests? Faith Connections invites young adults 19-39 to join us for evenings of thought-provoking theological discussions and presentations in a comfortable and relaxed setting.
Munchies will be provided. There is a cash bar. Come and bring a friend! The special guest will be Florence Loh, Manager of Programs and Services, Catholic Family Services of Toronto.
Renu Mandhane, Chief Commissioner, Ontario Human Rights Commission will speak on “Creed and Human Rights: an evolving approach in an evolving world.”
Inter-faith panelists will be Mary Jo Leddy, founder of Romero House for Refugees, Ihsaan Gardee, Executive Director of the National Council of Muslims and Pardeep Singh Nagra, Executive Director of the Sikh Heritage Museum & Manager Employment Equity TDSB.
Weekly Offertory
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.
Collection for last weekend: Envelopes 369 $ 7,212 Loose Change 1050 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 163 3,025 Total 541 $ 11,287 Shepherd’s Trust $12,582
The 2017 Offertory Boxed Envelopes will be available in the Gathering Space next weekend.
If you are new in the community and would like a box of envelopes, you may contact the Parish Office. Please print your name and address on your envelope so that your donation may be properly accredited to you. Please do not use envelopes from previous years since that envelope number may have been reassigned to another parishioner.
November 13th, 2016
I think that when we Catholics hear the word ‘church’ we think of a building. What might come to mind is a picture of St. Peter’s in Rome with its massive dome that dominates the city of Rome. But as you know the church is all about people. As I mentioned before we were church long before we had buildings. But we do get tied up in buildings, especially our cathedrals.
Just supposing years from now, maybe a few hundred years from now, you were a visitor to Rome and the must see tourist cite is the ruins of St. Peters. Just as today people visit the ruins of the Roman Forum, the heart of the ancient Roman Empire. This once beautiful church, the pride and joy of Catholics around the world is now reduced to a pile of rubble. Did the life and faith of the people of God die when this building was destroyed by whatever means. No, the life of our church went on.
In today’s gospel we hear of people boasting about the beauty of the Temple with its precious stones and expensive gifts dedicated to God. It must have been a beautiful structure. But Jesus throws cold water on their enthusiasm, ‘The days will come when not one stone will be left upon another. All will be thrown down.’ The men and women who heard these words couldn’t believe them. The temple, God’s own house will last forever. It was built on the site of Solomon’s temple built centuries before. That temple was destroyed by the Babylonians then rebuilt by the Jewish people who came back from exile in Babylon. During his reign King Herod started adding to this second Temple wanting to make it more impressive. He meant his restoration and enhancement of God’s house to be a memorial to him. But 70 years after the death of Jesus the Romans came and reduced the temple to ruins and left not one stone upon another as the Roman punished the Jewish people who revolted against them.
Important though it was to Jewish faith and ritual celebrations the faith and observance of the Jewish people did not die, it just took on another way of expressing itself. It thrives today.
If every church in the world was left with not one stone upon another our Christian faith would survived, kept alive by good people like yourselves who strive to live out your faith in God, your faith in God’s Son, Jesus the Christ. Good people like you who know that we did not choose God but that before the world began God Choose us in Christ to be God’s adopted sons and daughters. Good people like you who believe that God sent his son into the world not to condemn us but that through Jesus we might be saved. Our Christian faith survives in and through good people like you who try to love and forgive family members and neighbours and fellow workers as Christ loves and forgives you.
This has happened before. Portuguese missionaries brought Christianity to Japan in the 16th century. The Christian community thrived for about 50 years until Christianity was outlawed and a great persecution followed. A good number of the people went underground and practice their faith in secret. In 1837 freedom of religion was restored and missionaries returned. They were surprised when after a few years they were approached by some people who asked the missionaries these questions; do you believe the Pope is the head of the church and do you believe Mary is the Mother of God?
When the missionaries said ‘yes’ to these people, they said ‘we too are Christians.’ These good people became known as the hidden Christians of Japan. In those many years of hiding they camouflaged their statues of Mary and the saints to look like Buddhists god and goddesses. Because of what we might call ‘inbreeding’ and because they were cut off from the universal church, some of the truths and practises of the faith became distorted but they still saw themselves as real Christian Catholics and many were gradually brought back to the church. The original hidden Christians have pretty well died out. But those dedicated good people kept the faith alive.
If the time comes when in the present reality of our church ‘one stone is not left upon another the church will survive because each Christian is, as St. Peter teaches, like a living stone built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood. St. Paul tells us that the foundation of this spiritual structure is the teachings of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ as our corner stone. It is Jesus Christ who holds the spiritual structure together so that we can grow into a holy temple in the Lord, a dwelling place for our God.
As we continue to celebrate this Mass, as living stones of this spiritual structure, we pray that each one of us, through the work we do, the prayers we pray and the service we give, always do our part, by God’s grace to be true living stones in the structure of the church.
| Posted in Homily |
November 12th, 2016
If you are interested, please join us for a conversation with Father Bob, the Provincial Superior of the St. Paul of the Cross Province of the Passionists. (The Province covers Canada, Eastern USA, Jamaica, W.I. and Haiti.) The meeting will be held on Saturday, December 10th from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM, in the Gabriel Room.
This is an opportunity not to be missed. Please mark your calendars.
Weekend of November 19th/20th
The youth group will be raffling off advent wreaths after all the Masses next weekend. They have been crafted by our very own youth group members. Raffle tickets will be sold in the gathering space.
Wednesday, November 16th at 7:30 PM
St. Gabriel’s Church, Gabriel Room
On Wednesday, November 16th at 7:30 PM there will be a meeting in the Gabriel Room for parents of children who will be receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time.
Sunday, November 20th at the 12:30 PM Mass
The Confirmation Enrollment Ceremony for all Confirmation candidates will be held on Sunday, November 20th at the 12:30 PM Mass. All Confirmation candidates must attend.
Candidates are reminded to submit their letters requesting Confirmation to Fr. Brando through the Parish Office by this Sunday, November 13th.
November 14th to November 19th, 2016
MONDAY – MAURO FIONDI – Requested by the Benito Fiondi TUESDAY – TAM WAI-YENG – Requested by Angela Wong WEDNESDAY – MARGARET ALLORE & BERTHA RICKETTS – Requested by the Family THURSDAY – FR. ADRIAN LEE – Requested by Jeanne Robinson FRIDAY – EDWIN PINTO – Requested by Anne Pinto SATURDAY – PATRICK McGROARTY – Requested by Bill & Carolyn Markle
This Weekend, November 12th/13th
As members of our Catholic community, we regularly benefit from the tireless service of our priests. In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, we remember how they have been tangible instruments of the Lord’s mercy in our lives. Called by God and ordained to care for His people, our priests serve our families, in churches, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, missions and on the streets. The Shepherds’ Trust ensures our priests can live their retirement years with dignity.
The Shepherds’ Trust collection will take place in all parishes in the Archdiocese this weekend, November 12th/13th. Envelopes are in the pews.
This fund does more than just support our priests in their retirement years; it represents a very tangible gesture of thanks for the blessings we have received. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
Fair trade organic coffees will be on sale after all the Masses next weekend.
Regular ground coffee: $5.50 Decaffeinated: $6 Whole Beans: $5.50 Chocolate Bars: $4.50 incl. taxes Hot Chocolate and Cocoa: $5.00 Teas: $4.25
We are having a Christmas Toy Drive again this year for the Catholic Children’s Aid Society. You can help by dropping off an unwrapped new toy for a child 0 to 12 years old.
Containers will be set up at the doors of the Church from Saturday, November 26th until Sunday, December 10th.
At this time of the year, we are also thinking of the young mothers and babies of Rosalie Hall. If you wish to help, you may choose a “Christmas Stocking” from the tree to purchase pyjamas or undershirts, for babies ages 6 to 18 months.
For the Moms, we are suggesting gift cards from Shopper’s Drug Mart, Tim Hortons, Walmart or MacDonald’s. These can be placed in the envelopes provided and brought to the Parish Office. Thank you for your generous support.
Wednesday, November 16th from 1:00 to 3:00 PM
The next Milk Bag workshop led by Sharon Gusz will be held in the Gabriel room on Wednesday, November 16th from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. No experience needed! All are welcome!
November 16th at 7:00 PM
Blessed Trinity Parish Hall 3220 Bayview Avenue
Music speaks to the heart. At times when words are difficult, music can help to evoke expressions of consolation, joy, and sorrow. Come and explore the role of music at times of loss with speaker Connie Price on Wednesday, November 16th, at 7:00 PM at Blessed Trinity Parish Hall,
For more information, contact Terry McDermott, RN, Parish Nurse. at 416-226-0262 ext. 8 or by email at btparishnurse@gmail.com.
Wednesday, November 23, 2016 Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St West
Catholic Family Services of Toronto presents a Benefit Concert to End Abuse to Women and Girls. Join us at Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St West, for a concert featuring Enrico Galante and Friends on Wednesday, November 23rd. Doors open at 6:00 PM. Enjoy live music, good food and a silent auction all for a good cause.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at Hugh’s Room (416-531-6604) for $40 or $45 at the door. All proceeds go to Catholic Family Services of Toronto’s Women Abuse Programs.
Weekend of April 21st, 22nd and 23rd, 2017 St. Gabriel’s Parish
A Marriage Preparation course will be offered here at St. Gabriel’s the weekend of April 21st to 23rd, 2017. The course will be held Friday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM. For a registration package please email Marie Deans at deansm@sympatico.ca.
Collection for last weekend: Envelopes 378 $ 7,990 Loose Change 1,001 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 163 3,025 Total 541 $ 12,016
If you are new in the community please print your name and address on your envelope so that your donation may be properly accredited to you.
Please do not use envelopes from previous years since that envelope number may have been reassigned to another parishioner.
If you are moving out of the Parish or have changed your address, please contact the Parish Office at 416-221-8866 so that we can update our records. Thank you.
November 6th, 2016
This month of Nov. is the month of all souls. Every Sunday we rattle off the creed and end our statement of faith with the words, we believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.
What do we mean by the Communion of Saints? Fr. Ron Rolheiser describes it this way: We believe that the dead are still alive, still themselves, still living in a conscious and loving relationship with us and with each other. That’s our common concept of heaven and, however simplistic its popular expression is at times, it is wonderfully correct. That’s exactly what Christian faith and Christian dogma, not to mention our deep intuitive experience, invites us to. After death we live on, conscious, self-conscious, in communication with others who have died before us, in communion with those we left behind on earth, and in communion with the divine itself. That’s the Christian doctrine of the Communion of Saints.
In death life is changed not ended, when our earthly body turns to dust we gain an everlasting dwell place in heaven where the eye has not seen, nor has the ear heard nor has it entered into human mind the things God has prepared for us.
This new life of ours will not be a prolongation of our present earthly existence but it will be a totally new way of existence and there will be no need for the provision to perpetuate the human race – which was the concern of the Sadducees in their attempt to trip up Jesus with their questions.
Our new life with God can only be described in figurative language such as ‘shining stars, clothed in white robes or having a spiritual body.
What will our new life be like? Sometimes when I was called to the hospital for an emergency and arrived after the person died the family could be quite anxious about the spiritual wellbeing of the dead person. The only thing I could say about that was, if you tell me how he/she lived, I’ll tell you how he/she died.
When we think of it, there is not a discontinuity between this life and our afterlife. There is just life, some of it temporal and some of it eternal. In other words the way we live now is the way we will always live. Our present way of living and loving and relating to others is the promise of our eternal destiny.
We can say that God doesn’t lure us with the promise of heaven nor does God threaten us with the threat of hell, we fashion all this for ourselves by the choices we make during our lives.
If we lived our lives carrying for family, friends or strangers in the different ways we feed the hungry whether they hunger for food or acceptance – the ways we quench the thirst of others for water or for love – the ways we cloth people with clothes or with human dignity and respect – the ways we invite people into our homes or our hearts – our attitudes of openness and acceptance of friend or stranger, these will be the same mindset we bring to our lives beyond the grave and we will hearing the welcoming words of Christ – come, for as often as you did these things to one of the least of mine, you did it to me.
If we lived our lives in a ‘me first’ attitude, heedless and indifferent of the needs of other men and women, if we lived, uninvolved, selfish, uncaring, unloving lives, if we’ve borne grudges and refuse to forgive and forget, that means we’ve lived a hellish mean existence that will stay with us beyond physical death.
Again as Ron Rolheiser reminds us of something we’d rather not face, ‘as we and die, so we become eternally, outside the limits of time and space. There may not be marriage in the afterlife but there will be the fulfillment of what we have been in this life. Scary isn’t it?
Founded by St. Paul of the Cross, every Passionist takes a special vow to spend his or her energies in promoting remembrance of the sufferings of Jesus, the memory of the Cross, and reflection of the meaning of the Cross for the world.
Learn about Passionists and our insignia »
Companion for the Walk of the Stations of the Cosmic Earth
St. Gabriel’s Garden – Guided Sensory Reflective Walk
