Alpha and Omega

     In the Book of Revelation we hear Jesus say that He makes all things NEW ... He is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end.

     This is a day of new beginnings - a new Church year with the First Sunday of Advent ... a new cycle of Sunday readings, and with that for us at Elizabeth Seton, the third and final volume of the Sunday Lectionary (the red book from LTP) ... the new hymnals from Oregon Catholic Press (Breaking Bread) were placed in the pews Friday ... the Advent Wreath with new candles for the season ... new "pew cards" to help with the translation change ... and premiering tonight, the new 3rd edition of the Roman Missal and the use of the long anticipated translations.

     In the midst of all of this "newness", it is important to focus on the source of the change.  When I met with my class from the local Catholic school a while back, they wanted to know how old Pope Benedict was, and if the new guy will change things back?  I know some who question why the Church renews and relives the Church year repetitively over and over again.  Most of us, as we get older, long for the "stability" that keeps us comfortable.

     Jesus says, I make all things new!  Without change we grow stagnant and complacent.  Without change things get boring.  Without change we die.  We are not talking about novelty, but change that leads to growth.  We are talking about death to life, the limited to the eternal, the lost to the redeemed.  On this day of change ... of new words and objects ... of new seasons ... let us focus upon the source of all that is, Jesus the Christ, and the love that he brings us from the Father in the power and grace of the Holy Spirit.  Let us acclaim him as our Lord and Savior, and renew our journey with the confident assurance that we draw ever closer to his New Life.