Members of the Newman Club of Messiah College serenade the residents of Messiah Village with Christmas carols while visiting the residents. This is time for final exams at Messiah College, so we join in prayerful encouragement of our stude

nts. As my Botany prof at Messiah College (Dr. K. B. Hoover) always prayed before an exam, "Lord, please reward each student according to the measure they put into studying for this exam." (We all hated when he said that!)

December 11, 2012
Msgr. William J. King

In the past few weeks I have had the blessed opportunity to minister the sacrament of anointing of the sick to about half a dozen people approaching death. There are those who resist until the last breath, but all of these people are very much at peace with what is inevitable for all of us but a bit closer for them than we think for ourselves. I recall one person very close to death some years a

go, when visiting I asked him how he fealt about his impending death. He told me that he long ago accepted the inevitability of death, was anxious to move into the next life, but still held two lingering questions in his last days: "Did I pray enough?" and "Did I love enough?" We had a long conversation that evening about both of those questions. He died before dawn the next day. It occurs to me that these are the two questions we might pose to ourselves before we go to sleep each night, reviewing the day behind us and looking forward to the next.

After all, what else really matters?

 

December 7, 2012

Msgr. William J. King

When the prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures spoke of "that day," it was always a reference to the coming of the Messiah. It is shorthand, in a theological sense, for the work of the Savior to restore justice and hope, to usher in an age of peace. In the Season of Advent, Believers bring to mind "that day" when Jesus did come as Messiah, Savior, and Lord, and we look forward to "that day" when He wi

ll return as king and judge. That reminds us of another phrase, another saying that is theological shorthand for our current experience: "already but not yet."

We have "already" witnessed the grace and mercy of the Savior's presence, not only historically but also personally in our lives. We know how this presence transforms lives, but as truly as we "already" experience God's grace in our lives, its fullness is "not yet" a reality. The world is a commingling of sin and grace. We are growing toward heaven, one step and one day at a time, "already" experiencing God's gifts "but not yet" perfectly; we "already" rejoice in what God has done, "but not yet" do we possess God's promises fully. Each day, however, gives us new opportunities to look for the presence of God, each day can become "that day" when we recognize God more and more.

So, the challenge for us is to use the time we have on earth to draw nearer to heaven. In other words, let's make this day "that day."

 

December 7, 2012

Msgr. William J. King

Today the Catholic Church celebrates a feast known formally as The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe, and commonly called “Christ the King.” It gives me pause to reflect.

Through most of my life, Lord, I have looked to you as a fan would look to a talented performer, a skilled athlete, a great leader. I have admired you, and sought to emulate you. I have studied your

words and have respected your actions. I have thought highly of you and held you in esteem. You have been a mentor, a guide, a teacher, and I a student and fan.

But you don’t want an admirer; you want a disciple, and I don’t need a role model; I need a king.

—I need a king to protect me when the enemy comes against me ferociously.
—I need a king when injustice cries out for remedy.
—I need a king when I’m lost and have no purpose.
—I need a king when I can’t provide for myself.
—I need a king when I’m trapped inside myself and can’t find the way out.
—I need a king when the world seems so big and I, so small.
—I need a king when life seems empty and I need something to believe in.
—I need a king to guide me when there are too many choices.
—I need a king to light a bright fire that inspires me in the gray and gloom.
—I need a king to mete out justice in the midst of so much that is wrong.
—I need a king to strengthen me when I falter.
—I need a king to discipline me when I go astray.
—I need a king to come find me when I am lost.
—I need a king to ransom me when the enemy takes me where I do not want to go.
—I need a king to give order to a world that so often is confusing.
—I need a king to hold high the banner so that I may follow wherever you lead.
—I need a king to remind me that I am not the center of the world. You are.

Christ, be my king.

 

November 25, 2012

Msgr. William J. King

After Mass this morning I had the golden opportunity of flying (most Turkeys do not, at least on Thanksgiving). I flew in a Cessna single engine plane from Carlisle to Harford County airport in Maryland, near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay -- not far from Havre de Grace. That's a quick flight, only 30 minutes or so each way, but on such a clear day it was wonderful to look out and see the Chesa

peake Bay spreading out beautifully. When I called FAA Flight Services for a weather briefing prior to takeoff, the briefer said that the skies were "severe clear" and it would be a good day for flying. How right he was! It had been 6 weeks since I'd had the opportunity to fly, and I was reminded today how much I enjoy it. As I was preparing to take off from the airport in Maryland to return tio Carlisle, another Cessna ahead of me taxied for takeoff on a grass runway. "Sounds like fun," I thought, and I radioed, "Cessna 75621 is also taxiing for departure on runway 01" (the grass strip). I had not done a "soft-field takeoff," as it's called on an unpaved runway, for a few months (last one was at Piper Field in Lock Haven, PA, in late August), so taking off on a grass runway was challenging but fun. Although my landings have been a bit rough over the last few months, today's 3 landings were perfect -- if I must say so myself -- squeaking to a stop on the runway just as it should be.

So today I have much to give thanks for: the gift of faith, the Grace of God, a wonderful parish family, and the gift of flight to see the world as few do -- all of which open my eyes to the wonder of God in awesome ways.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

 

November 22, 2012

Msgr. William J. King

Our souls bent heavenward, simply saying "Thank you" places us in right relationship with God.

November 22, 2012
Msgr. William J. King

All are welcome: prepare for the Season of Advent with a quick mini-Retreat on Saturday, December 1st, from 9 to 11 AM at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton church, 310 Hertzler Road, just off US Route 15 and the PA Turnpike in Mechanicsburg (near Messiah Village). With 2 local organists (Steve Stringer from our parish, and Tony Ciucci from the Church of the Good Shepherd in Camp Hill), we'll reflect on the beautiful and very spiritual musical motifs - short phrases of a few notes each, repeated to empohasize spiritual themes - in the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. This will be a very unusual event, yet very spiritual, as we reflect together on how the texts of the hymns and the musical motifs work together to lead us closer to the spiritual meaning of the hymn. There will be a coffee/donut break in the middle, so some only if you can only stay for about an hour.

November 18, 2012

Msgr. William J. King