News From The Parochial Vicar
Dear Brother and Sisters in the Lord,
Father Michael and I want to thank all of you for the warm welcome and generous support you extended to His Eminence, Cardinal Okpaleke and his Priest Secretary, Father Lawrence. The Cardinal conveyed to us several times what a warm and welcoming community we have here at OLM. The mere presence of a Cardinal, a Prince of the Church, especially one from another continent, reminds us that we are part of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. The Church is larger than Our Lady of Mercy. It is even larger than the Diocese of Joliet. The Church truly is universal. Despite various languages and cultures, we celebrate the same Eucharist, whether in Aurora, Joliet, Rome, or Nigeria, we are all united in the one celebration of the Eucharist!
Thank you all for your generous support and please continue to pray for His Eminence, his Priests, and the faithful of the of Diocese of Ekwulobia, Nigeria.
The Gospel this weekend reminds us to be ready, “for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” This can be somewhat unsettling for us for one reason or another. I like to be prepared, I like to know what is going on, what is planned, and what time everyone is showing up. I like to have everything ready and when plans change at the last minute, it can throw my whole day off.
When people come unannounced, I (and I assume most others) panic and scramble to get the house clean and put everything away for the company that is coming over very shortly and without notice.
That is why this reading is a little nerve-wracking for me. It would be so much easier if Jesus would give a little “heads up” before his return so we can get ready. Well, that “heads up” is today! The Gospel today is a call to active faith, not passive belief. We cannot just merely be spectators of the Gospel, but we must immerse ourselves as active participants in our faith. Instead of worrying about guessing when Christ will come back, we must live our faith in the here and now. Let us prepare our hearts and our souls through a good confession, and live everyday striving to grow more in the likeness of Christ.
Every day, Jesus comes to us truly and substantially in the Eucharist. Let us make sure we are prepared to receive him now so when he comes in glory at the end of time, we will be ready to welcome him and go into the wedding banquet, which is Heaven itself.
May the Lord bless you and keep you!
Father Vagenas