The word “time” is nuanced in Greek. In today’s Gospel, when Jesus says “This is the time of fulfillment,” he uses the Greek term kairos for “time.” Kairos is “sacred time.” The “time” used in the Corinthians passage is different and means “has been drawn together, compacted, made short.” The same word was used in classical Greek for stowing sails, packing luggage, and reducing expenses. Our modern term would be “downsizing.”

“Gaudete in domino semper” –“Rejoice in the Lord always.”

The word “advent” has an interesting background. Both the Latin “adventus” (Coming) and its Greek equivalent “Parousia” (Appearance) were both originally secular, pagan, words which would refer to singular events such as the birth of an Emperor or the proclamation of the Victor of a crucial battle. These kinds of events meant that people’s lives were forever changed and transformed. Is it any wonder, then, that both of these words found their way into the Christian expression of the Incarnation?

Jeremiah 20:7-9

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Gospel reflection

An invitation sent out by the Filipino Chaplaincy Chaplain to the community to attend the coming celebration of the Feast of St Joseph the Husband of Mary. Reminding the community of the Filipino religious tradition that the community practices outside of the Philippines.

L.R. Akers said that “gratitude has been called the memory of the heart. A heart without gratitude is like a grate filled with fuel but unlighted; cold and dead thing. A cardinal sin of our modern life is ingratitude”

The two forthcoming events namely, the Holy Week and the fiesta are opportunities for faith-sharing, personal-sharing, and renewal.

Christmas is just few weeks away. As a celebration of the Saviour’s birth, the Church also calls our attention to the second coming of the Messiah. We are called to stand in an expectant hope for his coming.