Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, December 1, 2021 -- THREE
Spiritually Speaking
Second Sunday of
Advent: Prepare the way
By Fr. Thankachan Joseph
The readings of this second Sunday of Advent recall
God’s saving deeds in the history of Israel, culminating
in the coming of the promised Messiah.
The prophet Baruch (5:1-9) depicts
the situation of Israel: The enemies
practically destroyed Jerusalem in 587
BC and deported many Jews to Baby-
lon. Almost fifty years later, Cyrus, the
Persian emperor, defeated Babylon and
decreed that the exiles could return to Fr. Thankachan
their homelands. Many Jews returned to Joseph
Judah and Jerusalem, but some stayed
among the pagans. They became known as the Diaspora
(“dispersion”) Jews. Although they were cut off from
the temple and the sacrifices of the community, most
of them remained faithful to their ancestral religion.
They nourished their faith with the teaching of God’s
word by prophets, scribes and priests, primarily in their
synagogue gatherings. They continued to feel their kin-
ship with Judah’s Jews and to write of their longing for
Jerusalem and its temple. The Prophet Baruch voices a
hope for release from exile and oppression by portraying
Lady Jerusalem, who, like a priest, takes off the robes of
mourning and puts on the cloak of God’s justice and the
mitre that displays the glory of God’s name. And by the
prophet Isaiah, the people exiled in Babylon were told that
their God would lead them home, just as He had led their
ancestors through the wilderness to the Promised Land,
assured that all obstacles would be removed so that this
could be accomplished. Isaiah’s version is familiar to us,
quoted by John the Baptist in today’s Gospel.
Paul, in the Letter to the Philippians (1:4-6, 8-11),
prays that they be filled with joy as they await the day of
Christ. Paul reminds us that our remembrance of God’s
saving deeds during the Advent season is meant to stir
our faith and to fill us with confidence so that “the One
who began a good work in us will continue to complete it”
until He comes again in glory. This Pauline Letter warns
early Christians of the second coming of Jesus, referring
to it as “the day of Christ” and “the day of Christ Jesus.”
The passage stresses everyone’s need for that perpetual
readiness found in a righteous life.
The Gospel reading from St. Luke (3:1-6) communi-
cates John the Baptist’s preaching in the wilderness. He
preached about the baptism of repentance, not a prose-
lyte baptism converting Gentiles into Jews, but instead,
a baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and it required
repentance (metenoeo, a change of being), implying a
turning to proceed in a new direction. Baptism itself is
a purification ritual and John was inviting people to be
purified of the unholy elements in their lives. Today’s
Gospel offers the powerful message of John the Baptist,
a message for all ages:
1) John preached condemnation. He preached the
truth of what men were and what they had become:
“vipers,” poisonous. They had allowed themselves to be
poisoned and were poisonous to others.
2) John preached repentance. Man must first repent
and then produce fruit, fruit that is worthy, consistent
with repentance – showing a changed heart and a turning
away from sin.
3) John preached against pride. The people of John’s
time wrongly believed that they were acceptable to God
simply because they were Jews, children of Abraham and
godly forefathers whose righteousness saved them. How
they lived mattered little. Similarly, we can wrongly think,
“I have godly parents, I have been baptized, I am better
than so many, I belong to the church choir…” and many
other pious associations.
4) John preached judgement. God is the divine wood-
cutter who cuts down the trees. The axe already lies at the
roots of the trees. The trees are not yet cut down, but all
human beings are warned. There are many trees, some
lofty, some stately, some diseased, some bearing good
fruit, some bearing bad fruit, some bearing no fruit at
all. All trees that do not bear fruit will be cut down and
cast into the fire.
5) John preached social justice. The people responded
positively and wanted to know how repentance would
affect their lives. What kind of fruit should they bear?
John answered in practical terms. To the average person
he said to share surplus food and clothes with the starving
and the naked. To tax collectors he said, “Do not rob the
people, just collect what is authorized.” To soldiers he
said, “Do not abuse your power. Do not scare people or
use violence against them.”
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Obituaries
~ Letters to the Editor ~
Henrietta “Luella”
Taylor
Henrietta “Luella” Tay- required quite a lot of trav-
lor, 90, of Hermiston, died eling, her husband was her
Saturday, November 27, chauffer.
They lived in Lexington
2021, at Regency Nursing
Home in Hermiston, OR. for a time when they both
A graveside service will be retired, and later moved
held at 11 a.m. on Monday, to Sun Terrace in Hermis-
ton in July 2010,
December 6, 2021, at
Robert passed
the Mayville Cemetery
away in 2015.
at Mayville, OR.
Luella remained
She was born De-
there, where she
cember 21, 1930, at
kept busy sew-
Spearfish, SD, the
ing aprons for the
daughter of Edwin and
staff, collecting
Leslie Knust Schmidt. Henrietta
bobbleheads and
On February 26, 1949, “Luella”
pandas, working
she married Robert R. Taylor
puzzles and play-
Taylor of Fossil, OR, at
Goldendale, WA. The cou- ing pinochle.
She was preceded in
ple had two sons and cared
death by her husband of
for two nephews.
Luella attended Mult- 66 years, her parents, three
nomah College School of stepsisters, Shirley Eddy,
Nursing and University of Arvilla Jones and Glaves
Oregon School of Nursing Hite and her brother, Nor-
with reentry at BMCC af- man Newton of Oregon
ter her boys were grown. City.
Survivors include her
During her nursing career
she was employed locally two sons, Robert R. Tay-
at Good Shepherd Hospital, lor Jr. (Darla) of Othello,
Hermiston Good Samaritan WA and William J. Taylor
Nursing Home, Pioneer (Colleen) of Baker City;
Memorial Hospital in Hep- four grandchildren, Traci
pner, the Condon Nursing Davis, Thad Taylor, Heidi
Home and the medical clin- Lagao and Casey Taylor, 11
ics in Fossil and Condon. great-grandchildren, three
Early in her nursing career great-great grandchildren
1949- 1950, she recalled and two nephews Steve
working at the old Morn- Conley and Larry Conley.
Any memorials may be
ingside Hospital and An-
spaugh Nursing Home in sent to the Good Shepherd
Medical Scholarship Fund,
Portland.
Following her retire- Wounded Warriors or the
ment from Good Shep- charity of your choice.
Sweeney Mortuary of
herd, she contracted with
the Department of Human Condon is in care of ar-
Resources as a private PAS- rangements. The online
SAR screener for Umatil- condolence book is avail-
la, Gilliam, Wheeler and able at www.sweeneymor-
Morrow counties. As this tuary.com.
Gary Warren Jones
Gary Warren Jones, restore classic cars and was
83, of Heppner, OR, died a member of the Hermiston
Wednesday, November 24, Cool Rides Classic Car
2021, at Pioneer Memorial Club.
He was preceded in
Hospital in Heppner. A
private family graveside death by his parents, young-
est sibling, Ray Jones and
service will be held.
a grandson, Jake Rol-
He was born in
lins.
Heppner on Sep-
Survivors include
tember 18, 1938,
his wife, Doris of 46
the son of Paul W.
years; daughter, Hol-
and Gladys A. John-
ly Stickney (Phil)
son Jones. He was
of Lyle, WA; son,
raised and attend-
Warren
Guy Jones (Shelly)
ed school in Hep- Gary
Jones
of Hood River, Tere-
pner, graduating
sa Butler (Frank) of
from Heppner High
McMinnville, OR, Tracey
School.
After high school Gary Klink (John) of Millis, MA;
went to trade school in a sister, Sandra Blake of
Portland, OR for auto body Heppner; seven grandchil-
paint and repair. He went dren; 10 great-grandchil-
on to work for Jack’s body dren and numerous nieces
shop in The Dalles and and nephews.
The family expresses
Hood River. He lived in
Hood River for 30 years gratitude to nephew, Nick,
before returning to Heppner for all his help and chauf-
feuring the last few years.
in 2003.
Gary was a member of “Your gentle soul and com-
the Hood River Jaycees, passionate care have been a
Heppner Elks and IOOF. blessing to all of us,” stated
He was a founding member a family member.
Memorial contributions
of the “Over the Hill Gang”
4x4 club in Hood River may be made to Pioneer
and a longtime member Memorial Hospice, PO Box
of the Pacific Northwest 9, Heppner, OR 97836.
Sweeney Mortuary of
Four Wheel Drive Associ-
ation. He enjoyed hunting Heppner is in care of ar-
in eastern Oregon, 4x4 rangements. The online
racing, riding quads at the condolence book is avail-
dunes and while wintering able at www.sweeneymor-
in Yuma, AZ. He loved to tury.com.
COVID Boosters Available Now
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Rápido. Fácil. Conveniente. Se aceptan visitas sin cita previa.
The Heppner Gazette Times will print all letters to the Editor with the following
criteria met: letters submitted to the newspaper will need to have the name
of the sender along with a legible signature. We are also requesting that you
provide your address and a phone number where you can be reached. The
address and phone number will only be used for verification and will not be
printed in the newspaper. Letters may not be libelous. The GT reserves the
right to edit. The GT is not responsible for accuracy of statements made in
letters. Any letters expressing thanks will be placed in the classifieds under
“Card of Thanks” at a cost of $10. Email to editor@rapidserve.net or upload
to Heppner.net.
Omnicron is coming
To the editor:
OMNICRON is com-
ing. Close the schools;
close the borders; man the
checkpoints to avoid all
without vaccine papers.
Tighten the lockdowns.
Like Covid 19, a Fauci/
Chinese bioweapon as ex-
posed in the House Foreign
Affairs report titled “The
origins of COVID-19: An
Investigation of the Wuhan
Institute of Virology” we
do understand Omnicron
is coming. But are we to
trust the science induced
lockdowns and forced vac-
cinations thanks to the om-
niscient, unchallengeable
counsel of Dr. Fauci? Did
not Omnicron come via
vaccinated masked passen-
gers from South Africa and
now the rest of masked and
mostly vaccinated airline
passengers throughout the
world? Science, according
to Dr. Fauci, will require
the Global World govern-
ments, to never relent until
they have mandated forced
vaccinations and stricter
lockdowns on every nation
in the world. In Australia,
where our family lives,
you cannot participate in
society and soon you will
not survive without the jab.
Thomas Paine said it
best in 1776, “These are
the times that try men souls.
The summer soldier and
the sunshine patriot will, in
crisis shrink from service…
but he that stands now de-
serves the love and thanks
of man and woman. Tyran-
ny, like hell, is not easily
conquered, yet we have the
consolation with us, that the
harder the conflict, the more
glorious the triumph.”
How are we to stand
against this tyranny? We
must heed the courage of
those before us that faced
similar tyranny. In 1941,
when all Europe had yield-
ed to the tyranny of Hitler,
one brave man of integrity
and courage rallied his
countrymen to resist the
evil of the hour. “Never
give in, never give in, never,
never, never, never- in noth-
ing, great or small, large or
petty- never give in except
to convictions of honor and
good sense. Never yield to
force; never yield to the
apparently overwhelming
might of the enemy.” (Sir
Winston Churchill)
How are we to know
this latest Omnicron vi-
rus is just the next step in
the biblical ‘Beast’ system
that will bring the whole
world under the control
of ‘antichrist.’ Follow the
money. Fauci, Gates, the
world pharmacology cartel,
Communist and Socialist
dictators, and the world’s
billionaires have become
obscenely wealthy and
powerful during this pan-
demic. “The world’s 2,365
billionaires enjoyed a $4
trillion boost to their wealth
during the pandemic.” (The
Philadelphia Trumpet, An-
drew Miller, p. 16, Nov.
Dec. 21) Capitalism is be-
ing destroyed, the middle
class is disappearing and
320 million citizens on
planet earth have been driv-
en into poverty and malnu-
trition. (Op. Cit. p. 16)
The new science of
Fauci’s world lockdowns
will cause a devastating
shortage of everything from
food to services, to supply
lines of all commodities. In
Matthew chapter 24 Jesus
foretells this hour of great
tribulation with manifesta-
tions of pestilence, famine,
and warfare. “And because
iniquity shall abound, the
love of many shall wax
cold.” (Matt. 24:12) Jesus
is speaking about believ-
ers (Christians) that turn
away from God because
they were not prepared or
forewarned to endure this
time of great tribulation. Je-
sus exhorted his followers
“to endure to the end, the
same shall be saved.” (Matt.
24:13) Jesus is the only
answer to the present hour
of iniquity. He is no longer
the sacrificed lamb on the
cross. He is now a man of
war coming soon to end
this wickedness. He will
return just like he promised
on a white horse. “And he
was clothed with a vesture
dipped in blood, and his
name is called the Word of
God. And the armies which
were in heaven followed
him upon white horses.”
(Rev. 20: 13,14a).
Do not yield to this tyr-
anny my brethren. Samuel
Adam’s said it best in the
grim early days of the war
that birthed our liberty. “If
you love wealth better than
liberty, the tranquility of
servitude than the animat-
ed contest of freedom- go
from us in peace. We ask
not your counsel or arms.
Crouch down and lick the
hands which feed you. May
your chains set lightly upon
you, and may posterity
forget that you were our
countrymen.”
Stuart Dick, Irrigon
Death Notices
Phyllis M. Piper – Phyllis M. Piper, 81, of Lexing-
ton, died Friday, November 26, 2021, at Hermiston, OR.
She was born April 8, 1940, at Heppner. A full obituary
will follow in next week’s edition of the Heppner Ga-
zette-Times. Arrangements are pending at Sweeney
Mortuary of Heppner.
C h r i s t m a s a t
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Christmas Messages
The Heppner Gazette-Times will
publish Christmas messages from
area pastors on
Wednesday, December 22nd
The deadline to submit messages is
Monday, December 20th at 5 p.m.
Off-site vaccinations
available for businesses
and home-bound
patients. Call for details.
Vacunas fuera del sitio disponibles para
empresas y pacientes confinados en el
hogar. Llame para obtener más detalles.
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MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M.
Advent Worship at 11:00 AM with
Lighting of the Advent Candles each Sunday
until Christmas.
Children’s Christmas Program Dec. 12th
as a part of morning worship –with
potluck following.
Christmas Candlelight Worship
Christmas Eve –
Dec. 24th at 7:00 pm.