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​​​​​​​Today, we hear the familiar reading from the eleventh chapter of the Prophet Isaiah with its enchanting imagery of the peaceable kingdom. The first half of the reading describes qualities of the ideal future king of Israel. In the second half, we are given a glimpse of the kingdom of heaven is perfect.

Today, we begin a new liturgical year as we begin the season of Advent. We are invited to reflect on the entire Christian journey of faith to its end goal. On the First Sunday of Advent in all three lectionary cycles, the Gospel focuses on the Parousia, when the “Son of Man will come” (Matthew 24: 44). In Year A, (the one we begin today) Saint Matthew’s Gospel emphasizes how this moment will happen during ordinary things of daily life—eating, drinking, marrying, working, etc. The Advent season is a two-fold character, for it is a time of preparation for the Solemnities of Christmas, in which the First Coming of the Son of God to humanity is remembered, and likewise a time when, by remembrance of this, minds and hearts are led to look forward to Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time. For these two reasons, Advent is a period of devout and expectant delight. (Universal Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, # 39).

Today, is the last Sunday in Ordinary Time and we celebrate it with the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Leaders of nations come and go. The world mourned the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and the end of her seventy-year reign. Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, is ruler over all people both now and forever. The idea to celebrate this feast was born out of a growing nationalism and secularism one hundred years ago. The world had just lived through the horrors of four years of war unprecedented in its spread over the whole world. This led to Pope Pius IX instituting the feast of Christ the King in 1925. Today we recognize Christ’s preeminence and pray for the day when peace and goodwill forever overcome war and aggression.

Life is described as a journey with an ultimate destination. As we near the end of the liturgical year, we are invited to reflect on the last things—death, judgment, heaven, and hell. We do so not in fear, but in hope, for while this earthly life might end, the promise of life eternal shines brightly in Christ.

Today’s Scripture Readings show difficult situations, whether physical in the first reading or moral in the Gospel. In each setting, the Scripture lifts our sights to what is most important. We are the children of God, and our strength is in the Lord. This is what truly matters in the world, no matter what we might face.

In the Gospel, Zacchaeus was not looking for a miracle; he just wanted to see Jesus. When Jesus called him, he came down quickly with great joy. When Jesus calls us, do we come quickly, or do we hesitate? Jesus comes to us in the Eucharist. As Zacchaeus did, we ought to receive Him with great joy. For Zacchaeus received and was changed by the encounter. We, too, are meant to be transformed, for the sake of the world.

Family of the Month for October is Melvin & Irene Weber.  Chicken and andouille gumbo will be served at the Msgr. Eyraud Knights of Columbus Home following the Blessing of the Cemetery which will take place immediately after the 10:00 A.M. Mass. All practical Catholic gentlemen 18 years and older are invited to join our council. Contact Robert Beadle or Joel Ocmand for details.

Today is World Mission Sunday. Pope Francis reminds us that in Baptism we are all called by the Lord to be His missionaries: “You shall be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8). Joining Catholics worldwide this Sunday, we offer our prayers and financial support, through the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, to the Pope’s missions. Your prayers are most treasured, and they, along with financial support offered today, WORLD MISSION SUNDAY, answer Christ’s call to be His witnesses.

Today, October 16th , Confirmation candidates from St. Peter and St. Hubert Parishes will celebrate the Rite of Election, their formal declaration that they wish to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Rite of Election takes place at the 11:00 A.M. Mass. Today, Confirmation candidates will also participate in a Day of Retreat. I ask that you keep the Confirmation candidates in your prayers. The Sacrament of Confirmation will be administered on Monday, November 7th by Archbishop Alfred Hughes. All parishioners are invited to attend.

We come together today to give praise and glory to God in a spirit of gratitude. We are grateful to God for the gift of faith that blossoms within us and for God’s healing presence in each one of us and in the world, which makes us whole again. During the pandemic there have been times when collectively or individually we have not been able to gather. Our Scripture Readings invite us to reflect on our gratitude for what God has done for us, particularly through Christ. It begins with acknowledging that it is the Lord who has acted on our behalf. Take a few moments during this week and ask yourself, “what am I grateful for?” Then thank God for the gift of gratitude.

Each October the Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month, and the first Sunday of October is observed as Respect Life Sunday. As Catholics, we are called to cherish, defend, and protect those who are most vulnerable, from the beginning of life to its end, at every point in between. During the month of October, the Church asks us to reflect more deeply on the dignity of every human life.

Today, Sunday, September 25th is FAMILY DAY in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. This year, the theme for Family Day is “Rise to the Occasion.” To “Rise to the Occasion” means to take responsibility for what is right in front of us. Like a small amount of yeast in a huge mass of flour, we make the whole dough rise and reach its full potential. We “rise to the occasion” when we encourage each member of our family to be the person God calls them to be. We “rise to the occasion” when we contribute to our church parish’s life that needs our presence and participation.

Today, the second collection will be for the Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC). Your support helps CCC engage and build Catholic communities in the United States and around the world using the internet, television, radio, and print media. Half of the funds we collect remain in the Archdiocese of New Orleans to support local efforts. Be a part of this campaign to spread the Gospel message.

As Catholics, we belong to a liturgical church. One aspect of this is the observation of the Church Year—a fixed, three-year (Sunday) calendar. In other words, we follow the Lectionary. We do not freely choose the readings, but rather, subject ourselves to the discipline of a Lectionary that proclaims the same message to all members. This is part of being a universal Church. That being said, on 9/11, today’s celebration just happens to proclaim stories of God’s mercy in each of the readings, as well as the responsorial Psalm 51. It is the great penitential psalm known as the Miserere. This anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy becomes even more significant in the light of subsequent terrorism in our country. Today’s Second Reading from Saint Paul to Timothy expresses the evangelist’s gratitude to Christ for being treated with mercy and patience. The Gospel’s parable of the prodigal son completes the mercy and forgiveness circle.