Dec 30 - Sixth Day of Christmas

We have two additional beautiful readings as we celebrate the days of the Octave of Christmas. Yesterday in the first reading from St. John’s letter we read about “living in love” which is the true proof of being a Christian. Today he explains that a little bit further. John told us that if we say we say we love God, but hate our brothers and sisters then we are liars. Why? Because God is found in them – so we can’t love God in one place and not in the other – it is illogical.

 

It is interesting to note that for those wanting to get to know God, reaching out to be kind to others and take an interest in them may be a first step in that regard. We know what Jesus said later, that he was to be found in the poor. This is true. Let’s have a look and see!

 

The gospel passage today reflects yesterday’s when Simeon blessed the child Jesus who was presented to him in the temple. His life’s dream was fulfilled, and now he could die a happy man.

 

Today the prophetess Anna, who also came to the temple at that time, saw Jesus and told everyone about what she saw. She had lived an extraordinary life: being married for just seven years and then as a widow until she was 84. She never left the temple and worshiped day and night! May she be an example of single-sighted devotion and attention to God who ought to be everything to us!

 

Jesus for his part returned to Galilee with his parents, to their own town of Nazareth, where he grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Dec 28 - Holy Innocents

+ The Holy Innocents were the boy children of Bethlehem and its vicinity who were put to death not because of Christ, but instead of Christ: thus, being the first New Testament persons to give their lives for him: thus making them the first martyrs of Christendom! All male children under the age of two were put to death when Herod became infuriated at being deceived by the Magi whom he sent to ascertain the whereabouts of the Child who was born King of the Jews: for he felt that his own throne was threatened by this newborn King. Anywhere from five to twenty-five children were taken from their mother’s and killed, in one account; but other accounts and observances from other rites in the Church list the number as 14,000 (in the Greek Liturgy for today), 64,000 in the Syrian Rite, and 144,000 of the Apocalyptic interpretation: [in any and every case] thereby fulfilling the prophecy of Jeremiah regarding “Rachel weeping for her children.”

 

The feast has been celebrated on this day in the West since the sixth century. They are depicted in art as children playing around God’s heavenly altar, with the crowns and palms that are their reward. They are also in a mosaic arch in the basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. In England their feast was called Childermas. They are the object of special veneration in Bethlehem where the Franciscans and children of the choir visit their altar under the Church of the Nativity and sing a hymn to their memory from the Divine Office.

 

May we always remember the sacrifices that were made by many to establish to the one true Church of Jesus Christ, beginning with the glorious martyrdom of these dear young children; may our sacrifices today on behalf of the Church and its continued spread be significant and loving, and also deserving of heavenly reward.

 

Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare!

Dec 26 - Holy Family

 + On this Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I should like to focus on the person of St. Joseph. Yesterday we celebrated the feast of the Child Jesus, next Saturday we will celebrate the feast of Mary, the Mother of Jesus and of God, and so today it is fitting and proper to speak for a few moments on holy, just, good and faith-filled Joseph who was chosen by God to be the husband of Mary and foster-father of Jesus the Lord.

Joseph possessed all of the virtues of a true holy man of the faith of Abraham and the house of David. And his most outstanding virtue, along with faith, would have to be TRUST! Joseph trusted God absolutely, implicitly, unquestioningly and immediately!

In the gospel passage we hear that Joseph received news from an angel in a dream to take the child and his mother and flee into Egypt for the safety of the life of the child. Joseph did not have to question the angel at all; he awoke and did what the angel told him!

Then later, when it was safe, the prophecy: out of Egypt I called my son was fulfilled, when the angel again appeared to Joseph and told him to take his family and return to Nazareth in Galilee – to fulfill yet another prophecy: he shall be called a Nazorean – this Joseph did immediately!

It was then that Joseph became the strong earthly father figure for Jesus in his formative years in the home of Nazareth. He taught him his own carpentry trade. He with Mary taught Jesus to pray and to observe all of the dictates of the Jewish religion of which they were a part. His loving example of husband and foster-father is a great role model for all men who marry and have children. And the respect and submission that Mary and Jesus had to Joseph’s God-inspired leadership in their family was equally noteworthy.

Mary was the ideal mother and wife – who trusted God that all would work out well for her family! It would not be easy later on – but with the support of Joseph for a while, and the community of disciples of Jesus after that, she would have what she needed for the remainder of her earthly life. And it is to be noted that Jesus, as a child obeyed Joseph without question or argument!

May our family lives resemble Holy Family Life – with parents and children respecting and loving and anticipating one another in deeds of kindness and helpfulness. And may the dynamic of the marriage of Mary and Joseph, be the model for all Christian marriages – which were sanctified and sacramentalized by their own Son Jesus – where the husband cherishes and cares totally for the wife and children more easily, the more they each in turn trust in and submit to his prayer inspired, Spirit aided decisions for their welfare.

Let the peace of Christ control our hearts, all of us;

let the word of Christ dwell in us richly through FAITH and 

Dec 7 - 2nd Week of Advent - Tuesday

Today we have repeated the magnificent Prophecy of Hope, Peace and Restoration, from last Sunday’s first reading. Isaiah is so very skilled in painting a breathtaking picture of a desire for comfort to be distributed by God himself to him wayward sheep of a people. He wants everyone to know that he would do anything to shepherd his flock tenderly, to seek out and save what is lost. He loves to carry his sheep close to his bosom so that they no longer need to feel afraid or abandoned.

 

Our gospel passage today continues that same theme: Jesus wants to be that shepherd – that very shepherd – who has as his only concern, the care of the sheep!

 

We must believe that – from the first moment of his existence Jesus was not concerned about himself – at all – but only for the “wayward sheep of the house of Israel.” (and beyond, of course) – for he came that gather all men, women and children into his arms – to protect them and love them, and lead them safely home to heaven.

 

Yes, the Lord our God comes with power – to make our lives easier, to make our lives more joyful, to make our lives more peaceful – let us be overpowered by him! (We will not be disappointed.)

December 5 - 2nd Sunday of Advent

+ On this Second Sunday of Advent we reflect for a few moments on the motivation behind the Incarnation of Jesus: and that would be, LOVE!  Our God came to save us from certain doom and eternal separation from Him, by sending his Son who would make everything better, and in a big way – because they both loved us, unconditionally! And when that Messiah finally came, everything would have to be completely ready and prophesied to the last detail, the final prophesy being the straight-road by which he would be able to process into the history, into the lives of those who would never be the same because of his appearance.

 

This is why the mountains had to be lowered and the valleys filled in: so that the highway could be straight, smooth and inviting! “Salvation Street” could be the name of the road traveled by the Savior; a name that ought to be ever on our lips, if we are to enjoy the blessings of the one who traveled on it!

 

St. Paul tells the Philippians today that he is so happy with them because they are carrying out the good work that the Holy Spirit began in them with their baptisms: they became a truly loving people, truly possessing the great knowledge of the treasure they were entrusted with: life in Christ Jesus, the Divine Love-of-God-made-flesh! They were excited about the prospect of being blameless when Christ returns in glory! Can we share their excitement? What is the evidence on our behalf?

 

May we, in the remainder of this Advent season, contemplate often the great things that God has done for us, because his Son literally traveled down the dusty streets of a Holy Land for our benefit – so that even we today could be filled with joy and hope, knowing that God’s love for us is so large, encompassing, expansive and enduring that it will draw us safely into eternity where we belong!

 

Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths,

          so that he can reach us, and we can reach him!

         

Dec 3 - 1st Week of Advent - Friday

Our specially chosen readings today have to do with “restoring sight to the blind” – restoring balance, health and well-being to the lives of those who had suffered because of their treacherous ways. God himself will restore what was broken and afflicted: eyes, ears, the lowly and the downtrodden – there is nothing God can’t fix – with a little faith and trust on our part.

 

The gospel passage reiterates the ability of Jesus to cure and heal – especially because he is the light of the world; the blindness that is symbolized in the reading is that which comes with a life lived without him – it is a very dark world; but with him – “the lights are turned on” – like the decorations at this time of year – and “all is calm, all is bright”!

 

May we today be the brightness of the little Lord Jesus today to any who might need a “miraculous moment” of healing and care – a radiant smile on our part can go a very long way! Be a happy Christian! It’s time now to “tell people about this” – the moratorium is over!

 

[The Lord is my light and my salvation.]

Dec 2 - 1st Week of Advent - Thursday

There are two brief motifs in the readings today:  the first is that for those who trust in the Lord – really trust in him – their lives feel as secure as a strong city set up with high walls and ramparts for protection; like a nation – of those who keep faith – who are kept safe in the peace of God.

 

The gospel passage is a slight variation of that theme: those who hear God’s words and actually keeps them – are like those who build their own houses on rock – on a high mountain – safe from all intruders (rather than on the sand of worldly allure and empty promises).

 

Not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” to me will end up in the kingdom: that is, not everyone who says “I am a Christian, see, I do all kinds of good deeds and go to church”! As Pope Francis said in his mass this morning: being a Christian means quietly going about the business of loving and serving others in the name of God – and not “strutting our stuff”!

 

May we not strut today – but be genuine, authentic Christians who trust in the Lord, have faith in him, and demonstrate that faith by good deeds done for love of him – this is the best way to prepare for Christmas.

 

 

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.