Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

First, may I thank all who prepared and served my  unexpected 75th birthday party last Sunday, and for  all who were able to attend. It was indeed a surprise  and joyful celebration. I am sincerely grateful for your  good wishes and the beautiful cards and such generous gifts. It was the “fuel” that keeps me going. Bless  you. 

As we feel the chill in the air and see the spectacle of  color surrounding us we behold a beauty that soon  will fade and become lifeless. It seems to be an ending,  but in truth is only a dormancy, a slumber, until there  will be a fresh and new beginning. It means we always  live in expectation and anticipation. That is the basis  for the virtue of hope. The season of less-light creates  in us a longing for more light and that light is Jesus  Himself. The Lord enters into the dark to address  it and dispel it wherever it may be. Many times that  darkness is within us and in our relationships, particularly in that sacred and binding relationship between  a man and a woman in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. Always, husbands and wives must remember, as  Jesus does in today’s Gospel, that He is the bond that  holds two persons together in marriage because He is  the author of human love and devotion. Thus, for man  and wife to be faithful to each other they must first  be faithful to Him. Faithfulness to Christ in married  and family life magnifies human love making it all the  stronger and more fruitful. Because our Lord is recognized and acknowledged as the bond then no trials or  difficulties are too difficult to handle. 

Our Lord in today’s Scriptures brings us back to “as  it was in the beginning”. He provides hope for those  who may be going through that darkness and cold  that Satan tries to exploit in trying times. May we be  humble enough to permit our Lord to always bring us  back to the beginning through repentance and confidence that He can and will make all things new. 

With Blessings, 

Father Langan