11/19 Preparation of Advent

Sisters and Brothers,
This Friday, we will have a special guest, Maria, to join us the study.
As we are coming to the beginning of Advent, Fr. Marvin is going to talk about the history and background of Advent.

According to present [1907] usage, Advent is a period beginning with the Sunday nearest to the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle (30 November) and embracing four Sundays. The first Sunday may be as early as 27 November, and then Advent has twenty-eight days, or as late as 3 December, giving the season only twenty-one days.

The preparation for the feast of the Nativity of Our Lord was not held before the feast itself existed, and of this we find no evidence before the end of the fourth century, when, according to Duchesne [Christian Worship (London, 1904), 260], it was celebrated throughout the whole Church, by some on 25 December, by others on 6 January.

Regardless the origin of Advent, it is a joyful time waiting for the Lord's coming.

in Christ,
Dan

11/12, 1 Corinthians CH4

Sisters and Brothers,
We are continuing St. Paul's first letter to Corinthians this week.
In chapter 4, St. Paul talks about judging people. On one hand, we shouldn't judge others for the Lord is the one judged. On the other hand, we should not be concerned being judged by people. As Paul said, "I do not even pass judgment on myself, .., the one judge me is the Lord". As long we live to the Lord's step, we will receive praise from God when time comes.
Isn't this is so true? Aren't all the fame short lived? You don't have any when God sends you the the world and you can't bring any when God calls you back. We not only shouldn't judge other people, we shouldn't concern too much how other people judge us.
I like the way St. Paul urges us to imitate him. What a clear and direct instruction. Sounds simple, but, in reality, it is very difficult to accomplish. How many people can do even one tenth of Paul's virtue. Luckily, like Paul said, he come s to us with love and gentle spirit. Isn't it comforting? May we follow Paul's step, be a servant of Christ and steward of God.

in Christ,
Dan

11/5 1 Corinthians 3 and on

Sisters and Brothers,
After celebrating all saint and all soul days, we are continuing on St. Paul's first letter to Corinthians.
In chapter 3, Paul continues to emphasize Jesus the one to follow. We, as Jesus' followers, are all equal, regardless what we do. As Paul said, Paul planted and Apollos watered. Neither the one who plants nor the one waters is anything. They are ministers like God's co-workers. No one is greater, neither inferior, to one another. Only God causes the growth.
Paul also explains our relationship to God. For we are the temple of God and the spirit of God dwells in us. This explains if we destroy God's temple, God will destroy us. Obviously, we will need to take care this God's temple and allow the spirit to be with us.
Let us empty ourselves and let the Holy Spirit dwells in us. So we will follow the foot step of Jesus and be an imitator of St. Paul.

in Christ,
Dan