A - Fourth Sunday in Advent

What do we know of our God? GOD, our creator. Who is he? What can we say we know and understand about him? We are taught from an early age that he is all knowing, all powerful, and everywhere present. These are the three omni's we hear about. The word omni means ‘all’. God is omniscient or all knowing. God is omnipotent, meaning all powerful. And God is omnipresent – he is found everywhere; in all times and places. The Bible and the Catechism go on to tell us, God is eternal, he is just and merciful, he is holy and separate from sin and all impurity. He is true and faithful. As philosophers, theologians and bible scholars tackled this question on who God is, we learn that God is simple, indivisible; he is Ipsum Esse Subsistens, he is the very nature of Being itself, as He himself tells us, “I AM who I Am.” He is un-created, the first cause, the unmoved mover. He is neither male nor female, incorporeal, he is wholly spirit. He is invisible. He is the supra-mundane (above the world) intelligence, guiding creation. Some, like Aquinas, approach God by describing what he is not, rather than what he is. He is not composed of parts, he is not finite, he is not contained in space or subject to time, he is not a creature, and He, God is not caused. 

In this quick synopsis of the ways man has attempted to describe and know God, we are left a little more informed of who God is and is not, but these beautiful-crafted descriptions can leave us stranded and for those not philosophically minded, even unsatisfied. But now we can turn to the heart of the matter. For God is love. God loves. God loves his creation, loves us, each of us, and not in a distant, remote or dispassionate way, but in a truly personal and intimate way. For these last 2000 years and for the many before, he tells us he is a God of relationship, for love requires relationship. We see this relationship first within the Godhead itself, as the Father loves the Son, and the Son obeys the Father in the Spirit, who is the expression of the love that passes between them. And we see this relationship between the creator and his creation, you and me. For the mystery of God reveals itself and invites each of us into his revelation and into a growing relationship with him.

The rejection of this relationship was the sin of King Ahaz in our first reading. Isaiah encouraged Ahaz to ask for any sign to show God was with his people and would protect them from the Syro-Ephraimite alliance that threatened Judah. Ahaz was from the line of David, and heir to the covenant's promise of protection. But Ahaz would not ask for a sign, preferring to appear pious or perhaps relying on his alliance with Syria. But here comes Isaiah saying, "you will not ask for a sign, but a sign will be given anyway, for the virgin is with child and will give birth to a son whom she will call Immanuel, meaning God is with us." 

Ahaz was invited to make the presence of God evident by way of a sign, but he declined that invitation. Ahaz’s ‘no’ stands in clear contrast to Mary who would give her fiat, her ‘yes’ to God’s invitation to bare and give birth to the Son of God. A visible and clear sign that God was, is and remains with us. And Joseph would likewise give his yes in response to the encouraging words of the angel he encountered in his dreams.

Just like Mary and Joseph, we too are being asked to participate in the life of God, in the plan of salvation, by our assent, our own yes. We too are being called to make present to everyone and everywhere the love of this omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent God. A God who so loves the world that he chooses to come to us as a little child. A child that was held, loved, cared for, who would grow up to show us by his life and death the depth of God's love for each of us. A child born of the infinite yet humbled to share in our humanity.

On this, the last Sunday before Christmas, we prepare ourselves to meet our God – the infinite God made present as a little child – so small, so vulnerable, dependent and innocent. In union with Mary and Joseph, we say our, "yes" to God in our lives, and by this demonstrate to others, to family, friends, neighbors and strangers that Jesus is Emmanuel, God truly with us. 

 Deacon Peter Bujwid
St. Agnes Church, Arlington, Massachusetts
Sunday 21st December 2025

Year C – The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Today is the Solemnity of Christ the King, the last Sunday in ordinary time and so the end of the liturgical year. Next Sunday Advent begins during which time we will prepare ourselves to meet the newborn King – the King of the Universe. 

Our readings today encourage us to stay focused on the Lord and to recognize him, not only as our savior but, as our Lord and King. He brings all things together in himself delivering all men from the power of darkness, setting before them the gates of Jerusalem, which is his house and our eternal home. The message for us today is that ultimately, it truly is all about him. He is at the center of all things, and we, his people, his church, journey towards that center. Our life is to be an unfolding realization of that truth.

In our first reading we hear how the tribes of Israel gave their allegiance to David who was, “of the same flesh and bone,” meaning they allied with him as one does to one's family. Though not their King, David had been the one who led the Israelites, ‘out and back.’ At that time the northern kingdom of Israel was separated from the southern kingdom of Judah but here is the great unification under David, who had been anointed as the future King by the prophet Samuel. Here all the tribes were united and gathered, acknowledging that it was God who had selected David to be their leader and their King. And it was now that Jerusalem would become the spiritual and political center of this new nation. This was a unique time when all would be gathered and would acknowledge a single king.

United under King David all the tribes would gather, a sign of what was to come, because under Jesus, a blood descendant of David, all nations are similarly gathered together.

And so, we, His church, spread throughout the world, are gathered under Christ’s Kingship and made fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light, as we read in the letter from St. Paul to the Colossians. We are made ‘fit’ by way of our baptism, which gives each of us a new life and by which we become heirs to the kingdom of God. Yet do we really experience and acknowledge that new relationship which is born of baptism? That new relationship spoken of in the first reading and reflected in the good thief on the cross next to Christ. We are all too willing, as I am, to call upon Jesus to be our Savior. But this the unrepentant criminal did as well. The real question is are we willing to acknowledge Jesus Christ as the King of our life? This relationship is altogether quite different, demanding a poor man's humility. The good thief, traditionally named St. Dismas (means Dying in Greek), would hush and rebuke the words of the unrepentant thief and rather than demanding to be saved would honestly and humbly reflect on his own sinful life and would ask to be remembered. Jesus, in the throes of his own death would look upon him with kindness and mercy. 

In that moment the good thief had recognized Christ as the King of the Universe as only that King could say, “today you will be with me in Paradise.”

To be like St. Dismas, the good thief, you and I are to come into Christ’s presence with honesty and humility. He is our savior, but he is also our King. Our minds, our hearts, our souls, our bodies, every aspect of our individual being and personhood belongs to him, and the more of these we place in service to him, the more freedom we discover. Unlike the Kings of the Old Testament that demanded taxes, tithes, land, military service, and forced labor, our King does not demand but does desire every aspect of our life. Yet this with the sole intention that each of us should grow in the fullness of life and with ever-increasing freedom. Freedom from the pain of sin, freedom from hopelessness, freedom from anger, freedom from resentment, freedom from the attachments to this world, which unsettles us and robs us of the peace found in Christ.

Jesus is our savior. To acknowledge him as the King of the Universe and as the King of our lives is the beginning, middle, and end of all things. Jesus gathers us to him and shepherds us towards the eternal Jerusalem. We are to eschew the demanding voice of the unrepentant thief. Rather, we are to be humble and rebuke those words. We are to turn to Jesus acknowledging him as the King of the Universe, and in so doing can ask him with great confidence, “Jesus, remember me.” 

Saint Dismas, pray for us.

Deacon Peter Bujwid
St. Agnes Church, Arlington, Massachusetts
Sunday 23rd November, 2025

 

A Short Pilgrimage Journey to the Heart of the Church.

A Short Pilgrimage Journey to the Heart of the Church.
St. Vincent De Paul Keynote - St. Vincent de Paul Communion Breakfast.

Deacon Peter Bujwid, St. Camillus Church, Arlington, Massachusetts.
October 18th, 2025

On 7 September this year Pope Leo XIV canonized St. Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901–1925), together with Carlo Acutis.  Frassati was an Italian Catholic activist, he was a member of the Third order of Saint Dominic, he was a member of Catholic Action, he was a member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. He was a daily communicant. And he was also an avid mountain climber, using the phrase "Verso l'Alto," meaning, "to the heights," as a motto for his spiritual journey.

I am not a mountain climber, but I do enjoy long distance hiking. Many of you know that my oldest daughter and I recently completing a multi-year hike along the Welsh and English border.

For me hiking is a soul healing experience, but it is also rich in symbolism and meaning for it expresses in a way the pilgrim journey of life. Sunny days are mixed with cold wet days, there are hills and valleys, steep climbs, precipitous falls, beautiful views, muddy boots. It is a pilgrimage.

So today I want to take us on a short pilgrimage, a short spiritual journey.

On this, our pilgrimage, we will have three stops. At each one we will have a moment to pray and consider this waypoint along our journey; like a wayside cross we would find in the mountains of Poland or Lithuania.

Our pilgrimage will follow the steps into the Church itself. From the entryway or Narthex to the Nave where we all gather, to the Sanctuary and the tabernacle. All this in 20 minutes....

 

The first stop – The Narthex - A Warm Welcome

It is a Sunday morning, and you are heading into church for Mass. At the door to the church we are each met with the smiles and hellos from our Welcome Ministers and hopefully our clergy too. These are the same warm smiles and happy voices that are heard at every baptism when the joy of that moment is palpable and clearly present. We bless ourselves coming into the church with holy water to remind ourselves of the joy that was experienced when we first entered the church and became part of the family of God. Our welcome ministers reflect that same happiness and joy and so welcome our catholic brothers and sisters as they enter the house of God.

As Christians we are to be known for our joy since joy is one fruit of faith gifted by God by means of the Holy Spirit. It serves as a witness to the world that there is a hope that transcends circumstances and a peace that "transcends all understanding". Our joy is a witness story and boy the world needs to see it.

Philippians 4:4, the apostle Paul urges believers to "Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice". This is a central theme in the New Testament that highlights the distinct and enduring joy that comes from a relationship with Christ and remains with us regardless of our circumstances.

That joy that we should express needs to be a real joy and not a mask we put on and takeoff. Yet clearly some Catholics do not exhibit the joy we believe belong to us by means of our faith. But joy can be ours and we can cultivate joy by fully participating in all the churches sacraments, by way of bible study and spiritual reading, by living in love, but also by reflecting on the specific gifts that God has given us.

There is an enemy to joy. The enemy of real joy can take many forms, but principal is the failure to consider, see and recognize God's gifts to us each day. It is the lack of thanksgiving. The gifts of life, of family, of friends, hobbies, of work and rest. The gifts of the seasons, the sun, moon and stars, the gifts of reason and will, studiousness and rest. And the list goes on...

At this first stop of our pilgrim journey at the entryway or Narthex to our church – my question for you is what gives you real joy? It is important for us to consider where we find joy in our lives. Is it in nature or hiking in Wales, is it in playing music, or singing, is it in carpentry, cooking, or puzzle solving, is it in helping a neighbor or stranger, is it in coaching your son or daughters' soccer team. Each of us are wonderfully and uniquely made – where has God put joy in your heart and where is your thanksgiving?

This is the first stop on our pilgrimage journey. For the next minute truly consider a place where you find real joy in your life and then simply thank God for that gift.

[5 minute quiet time and meditation.]

The Second Stop – The Nave - The Glory of the Cross

St Paul tells us that, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. If while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his son, much more now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life (Romans 5:8-10)”.

As people who pray and pray often, we place ourselves regularly into God’s presence. The joy we may have felt upon our entry into the church may at times be replaced by something quite different. For here in the nave of the Church we look up and see the giant crucifix. The cross with Christ crucified. Our Protestant brothers and sisters will display the simple yet empty cross to emphasize the finished work of Christ and the joy of the resurrection. But for us Catholics we have the Crucifix – the cross with the corpus or the body of Christ nailed to it. We remember the suffering, the pain and sacrifice of Christ as this was the price he paid to redeem us. This was the terrible price for our sins to be eternally forgiven. The Cross reminds us that we too must take up our own cross and carry it and this at times will be difficult and at other times almost impossible.

I recall several years ago, and in the middle of the night, I heard a crash in my basement. So, I went down there to see if I could find what the noise was. I did not know if perhaps the boiler had blown up, or if something had mysteriously fallen from a shelf, or if we had an unwelcome animal or intruder running around in there. With trepidation I went into the basement to see what I could find.

At the first stop on our pilgrimage, we spoke about joy, yet at times life is difficult and lacking in all joy. Our prayer lives become difficult, dry, even uncomfortable as we can be invited to a gradual decent into the basement of our lives. For sin has taken hold of each man and woman and sin can overpower lives and derail them. By way of the sacraments and in prayer we invite Christ’s light to shine into every nook and cranny of the basement of our lives. And at times that light reveals what we prefer to keep away, hidden, unacknowledged, left in the dark.

‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’ (John 8:12). This verse from John’s Gospel inspired Holman Hunt (1827–1910) to paint the world-famous image of the ‘The Light of the World’. In this picture we see Jesus, dressed as a priestly king, veiled in darkness and carrying a lantern (the light of truth or the light of Christian doctrine). The landscape is dark, and the hinges of the door are overgrown with Ivy. Jesus is knocking on the door of a soul for there is no door handle to open the door, for the door needs to be opened from the inside.

Each room of the house, which is our life, needs the light of Christ. In prayer we open the door to each room and invite Christ to come in. In so doing we see more clearly the truth, and impact and even the evil of our sins and soon we may feel like the worst of sinners, since the light reveals first before it can heal. This is why so many saints can say, “I am the worst of all sinners.” Prayer does not always take us to that mountain top experience, or even the lightly salted mundane everyday life, at times prayer can be difficult and challenging.

But God has known us from the beginning. He is neither surprised nor shocked. It is us who can be shocked, appalled, find ourselves defeated by our own history. Where God forgives, it is we who withhold forgiveness from ourselves. In this case we must learn to be gently and kind to ourselves.

To love and love fully, we accept our sinfulness for we are the fallen creature, this is our condition. Our concupiscence – our proclivity to sin remains with us despite our Baptism. Quite rightly we do not like it, but we must accept this reality. Why? Because the Lord accepts and loves us, died for us, as we are. It is God who does the work of purification – his job not ours. At times we hold tightly to our sinful pass with a wrongful tenacity and pride. In prayer we can release those reins of ownership, and we open the door to the Christ who wishes to come in and shed his light upon us.

On this our second pilgrimage stop, look closely at the cross and consider what you see. Consider Jesus now on the Cross in his Glory. Infact see the Cross itself as a manifestation of Glory. Let the light of that Glory shine into the darkest and deepest recesses of the basement of your life.

For the next minute or so listen, as Christ knocks on the door to your soul. He brings his light but where should it shine?

[5 minute quiet time and meditation.]

The Third Stop – The Sanctuary - Anchors away

“Behold the lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world”. Our final stop is the sanctuary and before the tabernacle and the Holy Eucharist. Christ came into creation and lived amongst us and continues to do so. Our desire is to be close to our God and our creator who already knew us before time began. Picture the body of Christ not on the cross but held up for all to see, in the form of the holy Eucharist. Living and Alive.

As we travel to the heart of the Church, the sanctuary and to our God, we leave behind the devastating effects of mortal sin and make the effort to uproot even venial sins. Our driving force now is not a fear of punishment, nor the threats of eternal hell but rather the pursuit of God in love. A desire to know our God at the level of intimacy. We begin to recognize God as a loving creator, as love itself poured out for us. Where else can we go, what else is there for us to do with the little time we have? How can we love more? For we already resist sin and make the effort to bring about that which is true, good and beautiful in our lives and for those around us. Consider, perhaps that there is something more to be done than resist venial sin! Something more than resisting any temptation to venial sins.

Here St. John of the Cross helps us to understand that venial sin may not hinder a soul as much as that soul’s attachments. This is a holy insight - again, attachments may hinder us more than venial sins. To be clear, that is not to say we should not resist venial sin – we absolutely must since all sin is an afront to God.

And here we are given the image of the little tethered bird. Whether it is a cord or a thread in each case the little bird is unable to take off and fly as it is intended to do, as it is designed to do, for which it was created. In this image the cord represents deliberate sin, and the thread represents our attachments. But in each case the little bird is prevented from taking off and flying. For sure the cord of deliberate sin is much heavier and will hinder both flight and free movement on the ground. The thread of attachments will not hinder free movement but will hinder flight just as much as the cord. In each case the bird is unable to fly – the soul is unable to fly.

Our attachments are sticky. This is the place where my views, my understanding, my opinions, my routines, my good acts, my memories even, can be a thin thread that prevents the soul’s flight.

We find freedom, true freedom in looking for God, in finding God, in serving God, in allowing his forgiveness to pierce us as the nails pierced him. The answers to our deepest desires are found only in him.

In this our final pilgrimage stop consider your attachments and name one to yourself. Is it pride in success, attachment to certain feelings or memories, is it attachment to social media, acclaim, recognition. Dare I say it, is it even an attachment to a particular path of prayer that has become routine and comfortable? Once freed the little bird can travel freely but now and always remains attentive to the voice of God.

[5 minute quiet time and meditation.]

Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord

That was our final pilgrimage stop. In these few minutes we traveled from Joy through the darkness of sin and suffering, to the freedom of a cut thread. Our meditation for today comprises just three words, a word that encapsulates our joy, a word that describes a place where light needs to penetrate, a word that describes a single attachment. Think of them now and keep these three words just for today and let them be a holy meditation for you.

And now we are to do what you as Members of the St Vincent De Paul society do so beautifully, and that which St. Pier Giorgio Frassati showed us a century ago by way of his example.

After prayer, and mediation, now that we have rested in the Spirit, we go out and change the world one good action at a time. For we come into God’s presence always to be sent out again, until the whole world knows his love and saving power.

Amen

Deacon Peter Bujwid
October 18th, 2025