¡Viva Cristo Rey! ¡Viva Cristo Rey! Its translation is “Long live Christ the King”.

Readings for today: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121224.cfm 

By Fr. Anthony 

 ¡Viva Cristo Rey! ¡Viva Cristo Rey! Its translation is “Long live Christ the King”. I can still remember shouting this over the course of a week at World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain in 2011 with crowds ranging from 10,000 to literally over 1 million people. I was amazed at how alive Jesus Christ was as I was surrounded by more than a million youth who traveled from all over the world to celebrate their Catholic faith and recognize Jesus Christ as Lord of their life. Walking through the streets of Madrid, a group of 50, 100 or 1,000 youth would spontaneously break out into song praising God. Smiles, laughing, singing, dancing, and praising God consumed Madrid. It was truly an incredible experience.  

  In the first reading from the prophet Zechariah, we are told, “Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion!” While life can be very difficult at times, we are called to remember how good God is and sing his praises, because even amid our most difficult times, God is with us, active, and alive.  

  2,500 years ago, the prophet Zechariah reminded the Jewish people to “sing and rejoice” because God said, “I am coming to dwell among you”. Nearly 500 years ago, Our Lady of Guadalupe reminded the Aztec people and all peoples in the Americas that God is with us, that God has dwelt among us in Jesus Christ. In 2011, at World Youth Day, I was reminded of just how alive and active Jesus Christ continues to be in our world. All of this is cause for singing and rejoicing: ¡Viva Cristo Rey! “Long live Christ the King”. 

Blessings, 

Fr. Anthony Astrab 

Matthew 11:28 

Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” 

Readings for today: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121124.cfm 

By Celia Mozzicato 

  Sometimes our burdens in life are so heavy we can no longer continue to keep going. No matter how much time, effort and attention we put in to solving our problems things don’t change. But when I recognize my weakness and ask Jesus for help, things always begin to change. 

  In this time of Advent, let’s learn to surrender our lives to Jesus every day more and more until we can rest in Him.  

  On this day, I come to you my dear Jesus with all the burdens of my troubles, and tribulations, needs, sorrows and sicknesses. I want to rest in You my Lord every day of this time of preparation with a clear mind and open heart to receive you on Christmas day.  

  How can you trust Jesus and rest in Him today?  

Celia Mozzicato has attended St. Anne Parish for 15 years. She is a member of women’s Emmaus since 2012. At age 15, she gave her life to our Lord Jesus Christ through the Catholic Renovation, the Charismatics.