The Church's Prayers

There are billions of people who do not know Christ. Some of them are atheists. Others are extremists who bomb people and kill them. Still others are Christians, devout Christians, who are only asking God for themselves and praying for their own little families. How about the rest?

I ask the entire Christian people whom  I know to pray everyday for the above people and for each other. They are like us men and women and children. They and we need God. Jesus said "I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit because without me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

As the star guided the Magi to Christ, so we too can guide many to him. When they found him, the Magi adored him in the manger. Are we arrogant and selfish as Herod was? Do we only look for vanity? I saw many yesterday December 17, 2016 in the Christmas party in which we thanked Fr. Michel Chalhoub for his humility in 10 years serving the congregation of Jesus the King parish as a priest and others too who served the parish for so long. Are we only in Christmas to have a party? No. We thank God for him and them.

By the same token, we ask the Lord to help us prepare for Christmas by helping the needy, sending money or children clothing to pro-life organizations such as Birthright where mothers need help to avoid abortion, working with St. Vincent de Paul to feed the lonely and old, preparing some food for Out of the Cold program in Toronto and other cities, participating in "Baptism Preparation" for parents who wish to baptize their children or at least engaging in helping them if asked,

For our own sanctification, we need to fast if we can, go to confession - possibly with a spiritual director priest, receive the Holy Eucharist in the Church on Christmas where we mystically become one with Christ.

You may wish to listen to Bishop Robert Barron here on having a personal relationship with Christ:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2KZDQSxwF4

The Church is praying...Always trusting in our Lord the Holy Trinity who loves all that He created in His own image and likeness (Genesis 1: 26-27).

"For in him we move and live and have our being" (Acts 17: 28).