January 9, 2022
Why does the Christmas season end on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord? In the early centuries, the birth of Christ didn;t have its own feast. It was a part of a great feast on January 6 called "Epiphany" which celebrated several "manifestations" of Christ- his birth, his recognition by the Magi, his baptism in the Jordan, and his miracle at Cana. In about the fourth century, Christians in the western world pulled Christmas out of the Epiphany celebration and gave it a feast of its own on December 25. The time between this new feast on December 25 and the fest on January 6 became the Christmas season- the "12 days of Christmas." But the Christmas season no longer ends on January 6. That's because some parts of the Church made the feast of Epiphany more solemn by adding an "octave," an extension of the celebration for a week after the feast. When this happened, the Christmas season no longer ended on Epiphany but continued through the octave. The feast of the Baptism of the Lord was eventually placed at the end of the octave, and now that is the feast that brings the Christmas season to a close.
After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened up and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." (LK 3:15-16, 21-22)
We don't know the exact details of how Jesus came to understand his identity and calling, but many theologians and spiritual writers have suggested that Jesus came to understand who he was and what he was called to do in a gradual way. His process of self-understanding certainly must have been influenced by his study of the Hebrew Scriptures, by his practice of his Jewish religion, by the preaching of John the Baptist, and by his own experience of baptism. All four Gospels describe his baptism by John as a powerful experience of God's love and acceptance and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon him. His life was never the same after that. I too am called to be a child of God. The Spirit is within me, God's hand and the love are there. In my baptism, God has lovingly embraced me and given me a mission. The feast of the Baptism of Jesus celebrates the turning point in his life. When Jesus received the Spirit and went back to his home territory. He was different. That same vivid experience has to burn in my heart too. Like Jesus, I have been specially chosen, carefully formed, and clearly sent to serve others around me. I need to think more deeply about the effect of my own baptism on my life.
After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened up and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." (LK 3:15-16, 21-22)
We don't know the exact details of how Jesus came to understand his identity and calling, but many theologians and spiritual writers have suggested that Jesus came to understand who he was and what he was called to do in a gradual way. His process of self-understanding certainly must have been influenced by his study of the Hebrew Scriptures, by his practice of his Jewish religion, by the preaching of John the Baptist, and by his own experience of baptism. All four Gospels describe his baptism by John as a powerful experience of God's love and acceptance and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon him. His life was never the same after that. I too am called to be a child of God. The Spirit is within me, God's hand and the love are there. In my baptism, God has lovingly embraced me and given me a mission. The feast of the Baptism of Jesus celebrates the turning point in his life. When Jesus received the Spirit and went back to his home territory. He was different. That same vivid experience has to burn in my heart too. Like Jesus, I have been specially chosen, carefully formed, and clearly sent to serve others around me. I need to think more deeply about the effect of my own baptism on my life.
January 8, 2022
Maximilian Kolbe was born in Poland on this date in 1894. His father fought for Poland's independence from Russia, and was hanged as a traitor in 1914. After her husband's death, Maximilian's mother became a Benedictine nun. In 1910, Kolbe entered the Franciscan Order, and eight years later was ordained a priest. In 1931, he went to Japan and founded a monastery in Nagasaki, and then another in India. He returned to Poland in 1936 because of ill health. Two years after the 1939 Nazi invasion of Poland, Fr. Kolbe was arrested for helping the to house Jewish refugees and for publishing anti-Nazi materials. He was sent to Auschwitz. Several months later, a prisoner escaped from Auschwitz. It was the Nazi practice there to execute 10 men for each prisoner. When the 10 were chosen, one pleaded for mercy, saying that he was a married man with young children. On hearing this, Fr. Kolbe stepped forward and offered to take his place. The camp guard accepted his offer. Fr. Kolbe's execution was to be slow and painful-confinement in a starvation bunker. When, after three weeks, he was still alive, he was given a fatal injection. Maximilian Kolbe was canonized by Pope Paul II in 1982. His feast is August 14, the date of his death in 1941.
***
John the Baptist said "...I am not the Messiah, but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice...He must increase; I must decrease." (Jn 3:22-30)
At the time of Jesus, the final ceremony of marriage took place when the groom came to the bride's house and took her to his home in a festive procession. The best man went to her house in advance and waited for the groom's arrival. John sees his role in relation to Jesus as that of a best man. He comes on the scene before Jesus, listens for his approach, rejoices when he hears his voice, and then steps aside. The last words spoken by John the Baptist in the fourth Gospel are: "He must increase; I must decrease." Every Parish, every diocese, the entire Church must always keep in mind that the center of our focus is Jesus Christ. The second Vatican Council, referring to the Church, says: "The head of this body is Christ." Guided by the Spirit, we have developed structures and rituals which enable us to live as the body of Christ as the one who leads us, teaches us, sanctifies us. The church is made up of human beings, but it is more than that. It is the body of Christ. I might wish we were a perfect Church. We're not. Never were from the beginning. Won't be until the end. But the Lord stays with us. That's something worth talking over with him.
***
John the Baptist said "...I am not the Messiah, but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice...He must increase; I must decrease." (Jn 3:22-30)
At the time of Jesus, the final ceremony of marriage took place when the groom came to the bride's house and took her to his home in a festive procession. The best man went to her house in advance and waited for the groom's arrival. John sees his role in relation to Jesus as that of a best man. He comes on the scene before Jesus, listens for his approach, rejoices when he hears his voice, and then steps aside. The last words spoken by John the Baptist in the fourth Gospel are: "He must increase; I must decrease." Every Parish, every diocese, the entire Church must always keep in mind that the center of our focus is Jesus Christ. The second Vatican Council, referring to the Church, says: "The head of this body is Christ." Guided by the Spirit, we have developed structures and rituals which enable us to live as the body of Christ as the one who leads us, teaches us, sanctifies us. The church is made up of human beings, but it is more than that. It is the body of Christ. I might wish we were a perfect Church. We're not. Never were from the beginning. Won't be until the end. But the Lord stays with us. That's something worth talking over with him.
January 7, 2022
``My films must let every man, woman, and child know that God loves them..." -Frank Capra
'It's a Wonderful Life'
A perennial favorite at Christmas time is "It's a Wonderful Life," which was released on this day in 1947.
The film was directed by Frank Capra, who once described himself as a "Christmas Catholic." He was born Francesco Rosario Capra on May 18, 1897, in Bisacquino, Sicily. His Catholic family (Frank's grandfather built churches in Sicily) immigrated to the United States when Frank was five, After college, Frank eventually got into filmmaking. During the 1930s, he earned three Oscars for Best director.
Capra returned to his faith following the success of his 1939 movie. "It Happened One Night." which won Academy Awards for its stars Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable. One day, a Christian Scientist friend told Capra, "The talents you have, Mr. Capra, are not on your own, not self-acquired. God gave you those talents: they are his gifts God blessed you with, you are an offense to God and to humanity."
That message, his wife's conversion to Catholicism, and the sudden death of their three year old son brought Frank Capra back to his catholic faith.
Capra's wife died in 1984, and Capra passed away September 3, 1991, in La Quinta, California. Both of their funeral Masses were celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in La Quinta.
Now there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where Jesus was: and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said,"Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean." Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, "I do till it. Be made clean." And the leprosy left him immediately. (Lk 5:15-16)
Early on in Jesus' travels, he came upon the man whose servant suffered from leprosy. The poor fellow was well known in the town because it was such a bad case. His appearance was repulsive.
Now the man falls on his knees in front of Jesus and pleads with Jesus to cure him.
And Jesus does. The servant with leprosy as "transformed" right in front of the townspeople. The awful scores were gone.
When Jesus looked at the man full of leprosy, he saw more than leprosy. He saw a human being, a child of God, a person made wondrously by God. So Jesus reached out and touched him.
Jesus didn't cure the man with leprosy simply to cure a man with leprosy. He cured him to teach me that love of God enters into creating and makes it (and me) whole.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
'It's a Wonderful Life'
A perennial favorite at Christmas time is "It's a Wonderful Life," which was released on this day in 1947.
The film was directed by Frank Capra, who once described himself as a "Christmas Catholic." He was born Francesco Rosario Capra on May 18, 1897, in Bisacquino, Sicily. His Catholic family (Frank's grandfather built churches in Sicily) immigrated to the United States when Frank was five, After college, Frank eventually got into filmmaking. During the 1930s, he earned three Oscars for Best director.
Capra returned to his faith following the success of his 1939 movie. "It Happened One Night." which won Academy Awards for its stars Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable. One day, a Christian Scientist friend told Capra, "The talents you have, Mr. Capra, are not on your own, not self-acquired. God gave you those talents: they are his gifts God blessed you with, you are an offense to God and to humanity."
That message, his wife's conversion to Catholicism, and the sudden death of their three year old son brought Frank Capra back to his catholic faith.
Capra's wife died in 1984, and Capra passed away September 3, 1991, in La Quinta, California. Both of their funeral Masses were celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in La Quinta.
Now there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where Jesus was: and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said,"Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean." Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, "I do till it. Be made clean." And the leprosy left him immediately. (Lk 5:15-16)
Early on in Jesus' travels, he came upon the man whose servant suffered from leprosy. The poor fellow was well known in the town because it was such a bad case. His appearance was repulsive.
Now the man falls on his knees in front of Jesus and pleads with Jesus to cure him.
And Jesus does. The servant with leprosy as "transformed" right in front of the townspeople. The awful scores were gone.
When Jesus looked at the man full of leprosy, he saw more than leprosy. He saw a human being, a child of God, a person made wondrously by God. So Jesus reached out and touched him.
Jesus didn't cure the man with leprosy simply to cure a man with leprosy. He cured him to teach me that love of God enters into creating and makes it (and me) whole.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
January 6, 2022
Blessing the home
In commemoration of the visit of the Magi to the home of the Holy Family, there arose the custom of blessing homes during the week of Epiphany. The first initials of the legendary names of the Magi (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar) are marked at the top of the main door frame, along with the year, plus crosses in between the numbers and the letters.
20 + C + M + B + 22
The home of a Christian in a holy place - a place with Christian symbols, and a place where prayers are said.
The Church encourages the practice of lay people praying blessings - blessing food, children, their home. The bishops of the United States have publishes a book of Catholic household blessings, notice that if the Sunday assembly is to be praying community, prayer has to happen in the "little churches" of households and families.
On this feast of the Epiphany, whether you live alone or with a family, pray a blessing on the place you call home.
Here's an example:
Be my shelter, Lord, when I am at home, my companion when I am away, and my welcome guest when I return. And at last receive me into the dwelling place you have prepared for me in your Father's house, where you live forever and ever. Amen.
Today is the traditional feast day of the Epiphany.
***
Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: "The spirit of the Lord is upon me..." (Lk 4:14-22)
When Jesus was about in his late 20's, he left the northern hill town of Nazareth and went south to the Jerusalem area where he spent time listening to John the Baptist.
He was baptized in the Jordan River by John, and this was a turning point in his life. He began preaching and teaching. Eventually he returned to his hometown and people were impressed by "the gracious words that came from his mouth." But the more they listened, the more he seemed to be suggesting that he was the long awaited Messiah.
They wandered along, "Who does he think he is? He's Joseph's boy. We watched him grow. He's just one of us."
It happens all the time. People put us in a box. They always see us thr way they used to see us, no matter how we've changed.
God never puts me in a box. God knows my potential. God can let go of the past - even a bad past - and move on to a new future. It's one of the great things about God.
Anything I want to move on to in my life? God will not only let me do it. God will help me do it.
* Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
In commemoration of the visit of the Magi to the home of the Holy Family, there arose the custom of blessing homes during the week of Epiphany. The first initials of the legendary names of the Magi (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar) are marked at the top of the main door frame, along with the year, plus crosses in between the numbers and the letters.
20 + C + M + B + 22
The home of a Christian in a holy place - a place with Christian symbols, and a place where prayers are said.
The Church encourages the practice of lay people praying blessings - blessing food, children, their home. The bishops of the United States have publishes a book of Catholic household blessings, notice that if the Sunday assembly is to be praying community, prayer has to happen in the "little churches" of households and families.
On this feast of the Epiphany, whether you live alone or with a family, pray a blessing on the place you call home.
Here's an example:
Be my shelter, Lord, when I am at home, my companion when I am away, and my welcome guest when I return. And at last receive me into the dwelling place you have prepared for me in your Father's house, where you live forever and ever. Amen.
Today is the traditional feast day of the Epiphany.
***
Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: "The spirit of the Lord is upon me..." (Lk 4:14-22)
When Jesus was about in his late 20's, he left the northern hill town of Nazareth and went south to the Jerusalem area where he spent time listening to John the Baptist.
He was baptized in the Jordan River by John, and this was a turning point in his life. He began preaching and teaching. Eventually he returned to his hometown and people were impressed by "the gracious words that came from his mouth." But the more they listened, the more he seemed to be suggesting that he was the long awaited Messiah.
They wandered along, "Who does he think he is? He's Joseph's boy. We watched him grow. He's just one of us."
It happens all the time. People put us in a box. They always see us thr way they used to see us, no matter how we've changed.
God never puts me in a box. God knows my potential. God can let go of the past - even a bad past - and move on to a new future. It's one of the great things about God.
Anything I want to move on to in my life? God will not only let me do it. God will help me do it.
* Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
January 5, 2022
Foundling wheel
Pope Innocent III is credited with establishing Italy's "founding wheel" at the Hospital of Santo Spirito, near the Vatican, back in the 12th century.
Shocked by the numerous dead babies floating in the Tiber River or caught in fisherman's net. Innocent based his idea on a practice in Marseilles, France. There, desperate mothers could place their babies in a wooden wagon wheel, placed halfway inside the wall of a convent. The parent would ring the convent bell, and slowly wheel their child into the convent.
The mothers could remain anonymous, as their babies were "wheeled" into the safety of convent care.
***
When it was evening, the boat was far out on sea and Jesus was alone on shore. Then he saw that the disciples were tossed around while rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, he came towards them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out. They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke with them, "Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid." (Mk 6:45-52)
Twice, earlier in Mark's Gospel, Jesus calms the fears of others. The first time was also on the sea. a great storm came up and Jesus was asleep in the back of the boat. The disciples woke him. He calmed the storm then said: "Why are you terrified? Do you not have faith?"
In today's Gospel, once again the disciples are terrified. Jesus responds: "It is I, do not be afraid."
The darkness, the water, the wind - these represent the dark forces that can threaten us: crime, terrorism, chemical weapons, nuclear war, disease, a relationship that seems about to break, serious financial problems, a job that is shaky.
God is not an absentee God. "The world was made flesh and made his dwelling among us."
Keep celebrating Christmas, and hear the Lord say to you, "It is I. Do not be afraid."
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
Pope Innocent III is credited with establishing Italy's "founding wheel" at the Hospital of Santo Spirito, near the Vatican, back in the 12th century.
Shocked by the numerous dead babies floating in the Tiber River or caught in fisherman's net. Innocent based his idea on a practice in Marseilles, France. There, desperate mothers could place their babies in a wooden wagon wheel, placed halfway inside the wall of a convent. The parent would ring the convent bell, and slowly wheel their child into the convent.
The mothers could remain anonymous, as their babies were "wheeled" into the safety of convent care.
***
When it was evening, the boat was far out on sea and Jesus was alone on shore. Then he saw that the disciples were tossed around while rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, he came towards them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out. They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke with them, "Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid." (Mk 6:45-52)
Twice, earlier in Mark's Gospel, Jesus calms the fears of others. The first time was also on the sea. a great storm came up and Jesus was asleep in the back of the boat. The disciples woke him. He calmed the storm then said: "Why are you terrified? Do you not have faith?"
In today's Gospel, once again the disciples are terrified. Jesus responds: "It is I, do not be afraid."
The darkness, the water, the wind - these represent the dark forces that can threaten us: crime, terrorism, chemical weapons, nuclear war, disease, a relationship that seems about to break, serious financial problems, a job that is shaky.
God is not an absentee God. "The world was made flesh and made his dwelling among us."
Keep celebrating Christmas, and hear the Lord say to you, "It is I. Do not be afraid."
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
January 4, 2022
Christmas pizza
While aficionados might argue that pizza is the perfect food for every holiday, there is pizza known as the Christmas pizza.
The Sicilian pizza called sfincione ("thick sponge") resembles focaccia and features bread crumbs (which makes it crunchy) and caramelized onions (which makes it sweet). Unlike other pizza, Sicilian pizza tends to have a fluffier dough and more tomato sauce. It is especially served on special occasions like Christmas or New years.
***
The margarita pizza features colorful toppings of red (tomato sauce), white (mozzarella cheese) and green (basil), in honor of the Italian national flag. It's said to be named after Queen Margarita of Savoy, Italy, who allegedly loved pizza so much that she would disguise herself as a monk in order to get pizza at local shops.
Raffaele Esposito, the chef at Pizzeria Brandy in Naple, Italy, and his wife are credited with creating and naming the margarita pizza when the queen and her husband, King Umberto I, once visited Naple. Espositio was commissioned to create a special pizza for the queen, who was tired of the French food often served to the royalty. The queen enjoyed her pizza so much that it was named in her honor.
Queen Marguerita died on this day in 1926 at age 74. Raised in a devout Catholic family, she was known for her charitable works, including support of the Red Cross and the establishment of Italy's first library for blind people.
Jesus began to teach the crowd many things. By now it was already late and his disciples approached him and said, "This is a deserted place and its already very late. Dismiss them so that they can go to the surrounding farms and villages and buy themselves somethings to eat.: He said to them in reply, "Give them some food yourselves." (Mk 6:34-44)
The Eucharistic overtones of this passage are clear. Jesus feeds the crowd with his teaching (Liturgy of the Word), and then with food (Liturgy of the Eucharist)
The disciples are given what seems to be an impossible task: "Give them some food yourselves." They explained they don't have what is needed. Jesus then asks them to bring the little they do have. Jesus takes it, blesses it, gives it back to them, and it is enough. It is more than enough.
Many a time, I can look at the demands placed upon me and say, "Lord, I just cant do it. I don't have what is needed - the time, strength, goodness."
At the Eucharist, Jesus invites me to bring whatever I have for him - which includes not only what is good in my life, but also the problems, the gaps. I place everything on the altar through the bread and the wine. Jesus takes it, blesses it, and gives it back to me. And it is more than enough.
That's worth the conversation with the Lord.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
While aficionados might argue that pizza is the perfect food for every holiday, there is pizza known as the Christmas pizza.
The Sicilian pizza called sfincione ("thick sponge") resembles focaccia and features bread crumbs (which makes it crunchy) and caramelized onions (which makes it sweet). Unlike other pizza, Sicilian pizza tends to have a fluffier dough and more tomato sauce. It is especially served on special occasions like Christmas or New years.
***
The margarita pizza features colorful toppings of red (tomato sauce), white (mozzarella cheese) and green (basil), in honor of the Italian national flag. It's said to be named after Queen Margarita of Savoy, Italy, who allegedly loved pizza so much that she would disguise herself as a monk in order to get pizza at local shops.
Raffaele Esposito, the chef at Pizzeria Brandy in Naple, Italy, and his wife are credited with creating and naming the margarita pizza when the queen and her husband, King Umberto I, once visited Naple. Espositio was commissioned to create a special pizza for the queen, who was tired of the French food often served to the royalty. The queen enjoyed her pizza so much that it was named in her honor.
Queen Marguerita died on this day in 1926 at age 74. Raised in a devout Catholic family, she was known for her charitable works, including support of the Red Cross and the establishment of Italy's first library for blind people.
Jesus began to teach the crowd many things. By now it was already late and his disciples approached him and said, "This is a deserted place and its already very late. Dismiss them so that they can go to the surrounding farms and villages and buy themselves somethings to eat.: He said to them in reply, "Give them some food yourselves." (Mk 6:34-44)
The Eucharistic overtones of this passage are clear. Jesus feeds the crowd with his teaching (Liturgy of the Word), and then with food (Liturgy of the Eucharist)
The disciples are given what seems to be an impossible task: "Give them some food yourselves." They explained they don't have what is needed. Jesus then asks them to bring the little they do have. Jesus takes it, blesses it, gives it back to them, and it is enough. It is more than enough.
Many a time, I can look at the demands placed upon me and say, "Lord, I just cant do it. I don't have what is needed - the time, strength, goodness."
At the Eucharist, Jesus invites me to bring whatever I have for him - which includes not only what is good in my life, but also the problems, the gaps. I place everything on the altar through the bread and the wine. Jesus takes it, blesses it, and gives it back to me. And it is more than enough.
That's worth the conversation with the Lord.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
January 3, 2022
'At the of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and underearth, and every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.' _Phill 2:10-11
Holy Name of Jesus
Traditionally. the month of January is dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus.
Devotion to Jesus' name dates back to the time of the apostles. Over the years, the Franciscans and many saints have promoted devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)wrote a hymn about the Holy Name of Jesus. St. Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444) was instrumental in having the name of Jesus added to the Hail Mary. Pope Sixtus V (pope from 1585 to 1590) even granted an indulgence for praying, 'Praise be Jesus Christ."
Since the end of the 15th century, local parishes have celebrated the feast at various times throughout the liturgical year-usually on the Sunday between January 1 and 6. Pope Innocent XIII (pope from 172-1724) extended the feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus to the whole Church, and in 1721, it became part of the General Roman Calendar, only to be removed when the calendar was revised in 1969.
In 2002, Pope John Paul II restored the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus as an optional memorial for the first free day after January 1 - i.e January 3
***
(This week's Gospels begin to describe the public ministry of Jesus.)
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said though Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled... From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. (Mt 4:12-17, 23-25)
In Matthew's Gospel, the very first word spoken publicly by Jesus is: "Repent."
I've heard it before. However, the word "repent" doesn't mean (as it is often thought to mean) simply beating your breast, and promising to do penance to make up for your sins. It literally means to re-think, to see things in a new way.
When I begin a day, I can automatically fall into a routine way of thinking, fed by the news, traffic and weather reports, opinion polls, etc. My world becomes flat.
"Repent" means to "re-think" - to see a wider, deeper, world, a world in which God is present, a world with a destiny that goes beyond history and flows into the kingdom of God.
Prayer opens my eyes to that world. It's the real world.
Take a look at it through new eyes.
The way God sees it.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
Holy Name of Jesus
Traditionally. the month of January is dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus.
Devotion to Jesus' name dates back to the time of the apostles. Over the years, the Franciscans and many saints have promoted devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)wrote a hymn about the Holy Name of Jesus. St. Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444) was instrumental in having the name of Jesus added to the Hail Mary. Pope Sixtus V (pope from 1585 to 1590) even granted an indulgence for praying, 'Praise be Jesus Christ."
Since the end of the 15th century, local parishes have celebrated the feast at various times throughout the liturgical year-usually on the Sunday between January 1 and 6. Pope Innocent XIII (pope from 172-1724) extended the feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus to the whole Church, and in 1721, it became part of the General Roman Calendar, only to be removed when the calendar was revised in 1969.
In 2002, Pope John Paul II restored the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus as an optional memorial for the first free day after January 1 - i.e January 3
***
(This week's Gospels begin to describe the public ministry of Jesus.)
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said though Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled... From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. (Mt 4:12-17, 23-25)
In Matthew's Gospel, the very first word spoken publicly by Jesus is: "Repent."
I've heard it before. However, the word "repent" doesn't mean (as it is often thought to mean) simply beating your breast, and promising to do penance to make up for your sins. It literally means to re-think, to see things in a new way.
When I begin a day, I can automatically fall into a routine way of thinking, fed by the news, traffic and weather reports, opinion polls, etc. My world becomes flat.
"Repent" means to "re-think" - to see a wider, deeper, world, a world in which God is present, a world with a destiny that goes beyond history and flows into the kingdom of God.
Prayer opens my eyes to that world. It's the real world.
Take a look at it through new eyes.
The way God sees it.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
January 2, 2022
Meteor Showers
Tonight and tomorrow night can be an opportunity to see the brilliant Quadrantids Meteor Shower. Each year at this time, the earth orbits through a batch of small meteors. Sometimes, these small rocks appear as shooting stars.
***
Another significant meteor shower (the Perseids) takes place in the summer. It is known as the "tears of St. Lawrence," because the event occurs near the martyred saint's feast on August 10.
***
Over the years, scientists have tried to determine whether the "star of Bethlehem" mentioned in Matthew's Gospel as leading the Magi to the Infant Jesus, was indeed a star... or a comet or a meteor. General consensus today is that the star was not a meteor. That's because a shooting star moves quickly across the night skies, and wouldn't have lingered over the site where Jesus was born.
The feast of the epiphany is celebrated in many dioceses this weekend.
***
We also have a star
After their audience with the king, the Magi set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. The Magi were overjoyed at seeing the star. (Mt 2:1-12)
The Magi didn't have a smooth trip, but they had resources to fall back on. They had each other. They had a star. They arrived in Jerusalem, and the scribes and chief priests helped them to locate Bethlehem as the place where they should go.
And they had help of God in the dream.
The journey we all take to the Lord is a long one and it passes through death. We're on that journey our whole life.
Not even the saints-including Mary- experienced a journey that was without difficulties, zig-zags, and unexpected problems and mishaps.
What about people who don't have resources to fall back on during this journey? This is what the Church is meant to be- the people and the resources that help us journey to the Lord.
The eucharist is our star. It's where we get the Bread of Life, traditionally called " the food for the journey." When we fall on our face, we have the sacrament of reconciliation.
when we get ill, we have the sacrament of the sick. But most of all we have each other. We are meant to be a community that is always there for each other on the journey of life.
The Magi ended their journey when they found the Lord. One of the most important purposes of the Church is to help us end our journey in the presence of the risen Lord.
We don't live to find the Church.
The Church lives to help us find the Lord.
Tonight and tomorrow night can be an opportunity to see the brilliant Quadrantids Meteor Shower. Each year at this time, the earth orbits through a batch of small meteors. Sometimes, these small rocks appear as shooting stars.
***
Another significant meteor shower (the Perseids) takes place in the summer. It is known as the "tears of St. Lawrence," because the event occurs near the martyred saint's feast on August 10.
***
Over the years, scientists have tried to determine whether the "star of Bethlehem" mentioned in Matthew's Gospel as leading the Magi to the Infant Jesus, was indeed a star... or a comet or a meteor. General consensus today is that the star was not a meteor. That's because a shooting star moves quickly across the night skies, and wouldn't have lingered over the site where Jesus was born.
The feast of the epiphany is celebrated in many dioceses this weekend.
***
We also have a star
After their audience with the king, the Magi set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. The Magi were overjoyed at seeing the star. (Mt 2:1-12)
The Magi didn't have a smooth trip, but they had resources to fall back on. They had each other. They had a star. They arrived in Jerusalem, and the scribes and chief priests helped them to locate Bethlehem as the place where they should go.
And they had help of God in the dream.
The journey we all take to the Lord is a long one and it passes through death. We're on that journey our whole life.
Not even the saints-including Mary- experienced a journey that was without difficulties, zig-zags, and unexpected problems and mishaps.
What about people who don't have resources to fall back on during this journey? This is what the Church is meant to be- the people and the resources that help us journey to the Lord.
The eucharist is our star. It's where we get the Bread of Life, traditionally called " the food for the journey." When we fall on our face, we have the sacrament of reconciliation.
when we get ill, we have the sacrament of the sick. But most of all we have each other. We are meant to be a community that is always there for each other on the journey of life.
The Magi ended their journey when they found the Lord. One of the most important purposes of the Church is to help us end our journey in the presence of the risen Lord.
We don't live to find the Church.
The Church lives to help us find the Lord.
January 1, 2022
Morning Star
"Morning star" refers to the last near the eastern horizon that is visible to the naked eye before the sun rises and the star becomes invisible. (Actually, the morning "star" is Venus which, of course, is not a star but a planet.) The title "Morning Star" is given to Mary. She is symbolically the last star visible in the sky before Jesus, the Light of the World, enters the human race.
***
It is an ancient practice in many different cultures to pray each morning. In pagan cultures, the prayer was often directed to the new light coming over the horizon.
***
One of the morning prayers familiar to Catholics of the past several generations (and often pasted on bathroom mirrors) is the Morning Offering:
"O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart, in union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for the intentions of all our associates, and in particular for the intentions recommended this month by the Holy Father."
Today is the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God.
New Year's Day
The celebration of the New Year may be the oldest of all holidays. New Year's festivals have been celebrated for more than 5,000 years.
The ancient Romans marked the New Year by giving each other branches from sacred trees. Later they gave gold-covered nuts or coins imprinted with pictures of the god Janus (after whom January is named). Janus had two faces- one looking forward and the other looking backward.
During the Middle Ages, the Church opposed New Year's celebrations because of their pagan roots, particularly the use of the image of a baby to symbolize the New Year. That tradition began in Greece around 600 B.C. The annual rebirth of Dionysus (the god of wine and fertility) was celebrated by parading a baby in a basket.
But the popularity of using a baby to symbolize the birth of a New Year proved strong. The Church eventually relented and allowed its members to celebrate the New Year with a baby, but as a symbol of the birth of the child Jesus.
***
In the Jewish tradition, the ritual circumcision and naming of a male child took place eight days after birth.
Thus it was natural that the Church, eight days after Christmas Eve, celebrated the feast of the "Circumcision of the Lord." By coincidence, the feast falls on New Year's Day.
In 1969 the feast of Mary, Mother of God, formerly celebrated on October 11, was transferred to January 1. replacing the feast of the Circumcision.
"Morning star" refers to the last near the eastern horizon that is visible to the naked eye before the sun rises and the star becomes invisible. (Actually, the morning "star" is Venus which, of course, is not a star but a planet.) The title "Morning Star" is given to Mary. She is symbolically the last star visible in the sky before Jesus, the Light of the World, enters the human race.
***
It is an ancient practice in many different cultures to pray each morning. In pagan cultures, the prayer was often directed to the new light coming over the horizon.
***
One of the morning prayers familiar to Catholics of the past several generations (and often pasted on bathroom mirrors) is the Morning Offering:
"O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart, in union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for the intentions of all our associates, and in particular for the intentions recommended this month by the Holy Father."
Today is the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God.
New Year's Day
The celebration of the New Year may be the oldest of all holidays. New Year's festivals have been celebrated for more than 5,000 years.
The ancient Romans marked the New Year by giving each other branches from sacred trees. Later they gave gold-covered nuts or coins imprinted with pictures of the god Janus (after whom January is named). Janus had two faces- one looking forward and the other looking backward.
During the Middle Ages, the Church opposed New Year's celebrations because of their pagan roots, particularly the use of the image of a baby to symbolize the New Year. That tradition began in Greece around 600 B.C. The annual rebirth of Dionysus (the god of wine and fertility) was celebrated by parading a baby in a basket.
But the popularity of using a baby to symbolize the birth of a New Year proved strong. The Church eventually relented and allowed its members to celebrate the New Year with a baby, but as a symbol of the birth of the child Jesus.
***
In the Jewish tradition, the ritual circumcision and naming of a male child took place eight days after birth.
Thus it was natural that the Church, eight days after Christmas Eve, celebrated the feast of the "Circumcision of the Lord." By coincidence, the feast falls on New Year's Day.
In 1969 the feast of Mary, Mother of God, formerly celebrated on October 11, was transferred to January 1. replacing the feast of the Circumcision.
December 31, 2021
The 'Last Gospel'
The Gospel for today's Mass includes the opening verses of John's Gospel (called the "Prologue").
In the 13th century, it became the custom in some places for priests to recite this Gospel passage privately after Mass as they were taking off their vestments.
In the form of the Mass that emerged from the Council of Trent (late 16th century), the priest was to read this Gospel passage (to himself) before leaving the altar. Catholics referred to this part of the Mass as "the Last Gospel."
In the liturgical reform of Vatican II, this private thanksgiving of the priest was no longer included as part of the Mass.
Reading Scripture is not simply information. It is formation- God is shaping our thoughts and feelings through these words.
***
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be... And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (Jn 1:1-18)
The first 18 verses of John's Gospel are referred to as the "Prologue." They deal with truths that soar far above the limits of the human mind, and they are one of the reasons why John is symbolized as an eagle.
John's prologue explicitly states what we mean by the term Incarnation: "And the Word became flesh." This is one of the most basic truths of our faith.
We don't teach that Jesus was a good and holy man who, at some point in his life (e.g. his baptism, his death) was adopted by God and raised to divine status. Nor do we teach that Jesus was God wearing a human costume.
What we do teach is that Jesus is the eternally pre-existing Son of God (the Second Person of the Trinity) who, at a certain point in time, became a human being, born of a woman. Jesus is truly divine and truly human, and neither detracts from the fullness of the other. He did not simply become "like us." He became one of us, a permanent member of the human family.
And (this is the most important part of all) he did this so that, as part of human family and also Son of God, he could bring us into his own relationship to the Father.
This is what I celebrate as Christmas. And it's worth celebrating all through the year.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
The Gospel for today's Mass includes the opening verses of John's Gospel (called the "Prologue").
In the 13th century, it became the custom in some places for priests to recite this Gospel passage privately after Mass as they were taking off their vestments.
In the form of the Mass that emerged from the Council of Trent (late 16th century), the priest was to read this Gospel passage (to himself) before leaving the altar. Catholics referred to this part of the Mass as "the Last Gospel."
In the liturgical reform of Vatican II, this private thanksgiving of the priest was no longer included as part of the Mass.
Reading Scripture is not simply information. It is formation- God is shaping our thoughts and feelings through these words.
***
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be... And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (Jn 1:1-18)
The first 18 verses of John's Gospel are referred to as the "Prologue." They deal with truths that soar far above the limits of the human mind, and they are one of the reasons why John is symbolized as an eagle.
John's prologue explicitly states what we mean by the term Incarnation: "And the Word became flesh." This is one of the most basic truths of our faith.
We don't teach that Jesus was a good and holy man who, at some point in his life (e.g. his baptism, his death) was adopted by God and raised to divine status. Nor do we teach that Jesus was God wearing a human costume.
What we do teach is that Jesus is the eternally pre-existing Son of God (the Second Person of the Trinity) who, at a certain point in time, became a human being, born of a woman. Jesus is truly divine and truly human, and neither detracts from the fullness of the other. He did not simply become "like us." He became one of us, a permanent member of the human family.
And (this is the most important part of all) he did this so that, as part of human family and also Son of God, he could bring us into his own relationship to the Father.
This is what I celebrate as Christmas. And it's worth celebrating all through the year.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
December 30, 2021
Turtledoves
The 12 days of Christmas wouldn't be the same without its two turtledoves.
But turtledoves may soon be on the endangered species list, In Great Britain, for example, the tiny bird's population has reportedly dropped 93 percent since the 1970s. The cause? The use of pesticides and the destruction of the dove's habitat.
***
Turtledoves are mentioned in the Bible, Following the Great Flood, Noah was said to have released the bird to see if there was dry land.
Turtledoves were often used for sacrifice at the Temple in Jerusalem, For instance, after the presentation of Jesus at the Temple, Mary offered a pair of turtledoves as sacrifice, in accordance with the Jewish Law.
***
There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the Temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.(Lk 2:36-40)
Luke goes out of his way to place the presentation of the infant Jesus at the Temple in the setting of the Law.
Joseph, Mary and Jesus came to the Temple in order to fulfill the Law. They, along with Simeon and Anna, saw the Law as something holding the promise of a new horizon. They lived within the Law in expectancy of something yet to come.
For them, the Law was a seed, not a fossil. It was a path, not a prison.
Much of this comes together in Anna. She is a combination of the watchman and the aged, the watchman looking to the horizon and waiting for someone new to come; the aged who has known the Law for many years, has kept it, and who has a great deal of wisdom.
To be only the aged could lead one to be bitter, hesitant, and/or suspicious about the new. To be only the watchman could lead one to be bitter, hesitant and/or suspicious about the past.
At times in my life, I too have to be both the watchman and the aged.
Which one is harder for me to be?
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
The 12 days of Christmas wouldn't be the same without its two turtledoves.
But turtledoves may soon be on the endangered species list, In Great Britain, for example, the tiny bird's population has reportedly dropped 93 percent since the 1970s. The cause? The use of pesticides and the destruction of the dove's habitat.
***
Turtledoves are mentioned in the Bible, Following the Great Flood, Noah was said to have released the bird to see if there was dry land.
Turtledoves were often used for sacrifice at the Temple in Jerusalem, For instance, after the presentation of Jesus at the Temple, Mary offered a pair of turtledoves as sacrifice, in accordance with the Jewish Law.
***
There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the Temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.(Lk 2:36-40)
Luke goes out of his way to place the presentation of the infant Jesus at the Temple in the setting of the Law.
Joseph, Mary and Jesus came to the Temple in order to fulfill the Law. They, along with Simeon and Anna, saw the Law as something holding the promise of a new horizon. They lived within the Law in expectancy of something yet to come.
For them, the Law was a seed, not a fossil. It was a path, not a prison.
Much of this comes together in Anna. She is a combination of the watchman and the aged, the watchman looking to the horizon and waiting for someone new to come; the aged who has known the Law for many years, has kept it, and who has a great deal of wisdom.
To be only the aged could lead one to be bitter, hesitant, and/or suspicious about the new. To be only the watchman could lead one to be bitter, hesitant and/or suspicious about the past.
At times in my life, I too have to be both the watchman and the aged.
Which one is harder for me to be?
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
December 29, 2021
St Thomas Becket
Today is the feast of St. Thomas Becket, the archbishop of Canterbury who became a close friend of the worldly King Henry II of England.
But their relationship gradually became strained, for Thomas resisted Henry's attempts to interfere in Church matters. Eventually Thomas had to flee to a Cistercian monastery in France.
The people greatly loved Thomas, and in 1170 Henry met with him in Normandy and talked him into coming back. Thomas returned to England, but the peace between them didn't last. Henry still encroached in Church affairs and Thomas still resisted. In his Christmas sermon that year, Thomas told the people he might soon be taken from them.
Henry heard about this and is depicted in the drama, Murder in the Cathedral, as shouting: "Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?" Four of his loyal knights took this as a challenge and left for Canterbury. On December 29, 1170 as Thomas was preparing for Vespers, they cut him down with their swords, right in the cathedral.
***
One churchman who supported Becker during this difficult time was Gilbert of Sempringham, founder of a religious order known as the Gilbertines. Gilbert himself drew Henry II's anger for allegedly helping Becker escape to France. Gilbert refused to deny the charges, which were later dropped. He eventually retired to a quiet life within his religious community's monastery. The Gilbertines never expanded beyond England, and were dissolved by Henry VIII.
Gilbert is said to have lived to age 106, and was canonized in 1202, 13 years after his death in 1189.
Simeon took the child Jesus in his arms and blessed God, saying: "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel"(Lk 2:22-35)
This is quite a scene. An aged, holy man talking to God as he looks into the face of the two-month-old child he is holding in his arms.
The old man speaks of peace and light and salvation and glory. Even his name, Simeon (Hebrew for "God has heard"), characterizes him as a man of hope.
Simeon's words have become part of the Church's official night prayer. This prayer is called the "Nunc Dimittis:, which is Latin for the first words of the prayer, "Now you may dismiss your servant..."
That's a good way to end each day. I go to bed, entrusting myself into the hands of God, and rest in peace.
I can do it in Simeon's words, or I can use my own, Just one short sentence would do it: "Lord, as I go to sleep I place myself in your good hands".
It seems a holy thing to do. And a healthy thing too because I will rest better, knowing that I am in God's hands. Night prayer is an old tradition. One worth keeping.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
Today is the feast of St. Thomas Becket, the archbishop of Canterbury who became a close friend of the worldly King Henry II of England.
But their relationship gradually became strained, for Thomas resisted Henry's attempts to interfere in Church matters. Eventually Thomas had to flee to a Cistercian monastery in France.
The people greatly loved Thomas, and in 1170 Henry met with him in Normandy and talked him into coming back. Thomas returned to England, but the peace between them didn't last. Henry still encroached in Church affairs and Thomas still resisted. In his Christmas sermon that year, Thomas told the people he might soon be taken from them.
Henry heard about this and is depicted in the drama, Murder in the Cathedral, as shouting: "Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?" Four of his loyal knights took this as a challenge and left for Canterbury. On December 29, 1170 as Thomas was preparing for Vespers, they cut him down with their swords, right in the cathedral.
***
One churchman who supported Becker during this difficult time was Gilbert of Sempringham, founder of a religious order known as the Gilbertines. Gilbert himself drew Henry II's anger for allegedly helping Becker escape to France. Gilbert refused to deny the charges, which were later dropped. He eventually retired to a quiet life within his religious community's monastery. The Gilbertines never expanded beyond England, and were dissolved by Henry VIII.
Gilbert is said to have lived to age 106, and was canonized in 1202, 13 years after his death in 1189.
Simeon took the child Jesus in his arms and blessed God, saying: "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel"(Lk 2:22-35)
This is quite a scene. An aged, holy man talking to God as he looks into the face of the two-month-old child he is holding in his arms.
The old man speaks of peace and light and salvation and glory. Even his name, Simeon (Hebrew for "God has heard"), characterizes him as a man of hope.
Simeon's words have become part of the Church's official night prayer. This prayer is called the "Nunc Dimittis:, which is Latin for the first words of the prayer, "Now you may dismiss your servant..."
That's a good way to end each day. I go to bed, entrusting myself into the hands of God, and rest in peace.
I can do it in Simeon's words, or I can use my own, Just one short sentence would do it: "Lord, as I go to sleep I place myself in your good hands".
It seems a holy thing to do. And a healthy thing too because I will rest better, knowing that I am in God's hands. Night prayer is an old tradition. One worth keeping.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
December 28, 2021
Lord, by a wordless profession of faith in your Son, the innocents were crowned with life at his birth". From the Prayer After Communion from the Sacramentary of 1974.
Feast of the Holy Innocents
Herod's murder of the male infants in Bethlehem is one of the saddest parts of Matthew's infancy narrative. Matthew spares his readers a description of the slaughter and simply uses a text form the prophet Jeremiah to recall the sobbing that surely took place:
"A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more." (Jer 31:15)
Bethlehem was a small town and the estimated number of boys two years old and under would have been about 20. Herod's massacre is not recorded in historical documents, but the relatively small number makes the story all the more plausible.
Mary and Joseph would have known the families of these children. One can only guess at their feelings when they later heard about this.
***
The feast of the Holy Innocents is celebrated today.
***
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, "Out of Egypt I called my son. " (Mt 2:13-18)
Taking a trip with three or four people ( much less a newborn baby) just for a couple of days or for a week is difficult. People who leave as friends often come back as enemies. Living quarters on a trip can be too close... you know what it's like.
A family is a family for a whole lifetime, and part of that lifetime is in close quarters.
Being a family means sharing food, sharing money, sometimes sharing a room, a computer, or a bathroom, sharing friends, sharing a kinship you can't take away. To do all that-- and to survive all that--is remarkable.
I can't think of a holier or more difficult thing to do than to survive as a family on a trip or at home.
And that's what made the Holy Family a holy family, not just to survive a trip to Egypt and back but to live together for a lifetime.
Maybe I need to take a few minutes to talk to God about my family.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
Feast of the Holy Innocents
Herod's murder of the male infants in Bethlehem is one of the saddest parts of Matthew's infancy narrative. Matthew spares his readers a description of the slaughter and simply uses a text form the prophet Jeremiah to recall the sobbing that surely took place:
"A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more." (Jer 31:15)
Bethlehem was a small town and the estimated number of boys two years old and under would have been about 20. Herod's massacre is not recorded in historical documents, but the relatively small number makes the story all the more plausible.
Mary and Joseph would have known the families of these children. One can only guess at their feelings when they later heard about this.
***
The feast of the Holy Innocents is celebrated today.
***
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, "Out of Egypt I called my son. " (Mt 2:13-18)
Taking a trip with three or four people ( much less a newborn baby) just for a couple of days or for a week is difficult. People who leave as friends often come back as enemies. Living quarters on a trip can be too close... you know what it's like.
A family is a family for a whole lifetime, and part of that lifetime is in close quarters.
Being a family means sharing food, sharing money, sometimes sharing a room, a computer, or a bathroom, sharing friends, sharing a kinship you can't take away. To do all that-- and to survive all that--is remarkable.
I can't think of a holier or more difficult thing to do than to survive as a family on a trip or at home.
And that's what made the Holy Family a holy family, not just to survive a trip to Egypt and back but to live together for a lifetime.
Maybe I need to take a few minutes to talk to God about my family.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
December 27, 2021
Legend of the Christmas cat
Poor baby Jesus was asleep in a lowly manger in a humble stable outside the tiny town of Bethlehem.
Despite his parents' best efforts to keep the child warm, Jesus would shiver from the cold night air, and found it hard to sleep.
Also in the stable was a barnyard cat, who watched the Holy Family as they settled down for the night. Concerned that the small infant was struggling to get warm, the cat jumped up into the manger and began to cuddle close to Jesus, hoping to help warm him.
Mary noticed the cat's kind gesture. She reached over and gently scratched his head to thank him for giving the baby Jesus love and warmth. As she removed her hand, her initial "M" appeared on the cat's forehead.
That is why an M can be found on the head of the tabby cat.
***
Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him ".So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.(Jn 20: 1a, 2-8)
Now what's happening? We just celebrated the birth of Jesus, and today's Gospel is about his resurrection!
This passage was chosen because today is the feast of John the Evangelist, Apostle, "The disciple Jesus loved" (who appears only in John's Gospel) was thought to be John himself.
It is said that John died a natural death at a ripe old age. On the other hand, Jesus was brutally killed at about the age of 30.
It may seem strange to say it this way but, in the great expanse of time and eternity, the length of each one's life in this world hardly matters.
Jesus is "seated at the right hand of God''-an expression that describes his glory. John too enjoys the happiness of heaven.
In this Christmas season, we celebrate that God became one of us and opened the door to the fullness of life for all of us, whether our life in this world is short or long.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
Poor baby Jesus was asleep in a lowly manger in a humble stable outside the tiny town of Bethlehem.
Despite his parents' best efforts to keep the child warm, Jesus would shiver from the cold night air, and found it hard to sleep.
Also in the stable was a barnyard cat, who watched the Holy Family as they settled down for the night. Concerned that the small infant was struggling to get warm, the cat jumped up into the manger and began to cuddle close to Jesus, hoping to help warm him.
Mary noticed the cat's kind gesture. She reached over and gently scratched his head to thank him for giving the baby Jesus love and warmth. As she removed her hand, her initial "M" appeared on the cat's forehead.
That is why an M can be found on the head of the tabby cat.
***
Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him ".So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.(Jn 20: 1a, 2-8)
Now what's happening? We just celebrated the birth of Jesus, and today's Gospel is about his resurrection!
This passage was chosen because today is the feast of John the Evangelist, Apostle, "The disciple Jesus loved" (who appears only in John's Gospel) was thought to be John himself.
It is said that John died a natural death at a ripe old age. On the other hand, Jesus was brutally killed at about the age of 30.
It may seem strange to say it this way but, in the great expanse of time and eternity, the length of each one's life in this world hardly matters.
Jesus is "seated at the right hand of God''-an expression that describes his glory. John too enjoys the happiness of heaven.
In this Christmas season, we celebrate that God became one of us and opened the door to the fullness of life for all of us, whether our life in this world is short or long.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
December 26, 2021
Basilica of the Sagrada Familia
In November 2021, Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain.
The church (which is not the cathedral for the Archdiocese of Barcelona) has been under construction for nearly 140 years, and still is not completed.
It was designed by Antoni Gaudi, a famous and sometimes temperamental architect who died at age 74 in 1926 after being hit by a streetcar in Barcelona on his way to evening prayer. Dubbed (God's architect." Gaudi was a devout Catholic who is being promoted for beatification by those who believe his architectural design will ultimately lead people to Christianity. He would be the first architect to be beatified.
The basilica's construction began in 1883, and has been financed privately through donations and tourist fees (more than two millions people visit the unfinished cathedral each year). When completed, it will hold 14,000 people. and its spire will tower above the Barcelona skyline.
But when will the Sagrada Familia be finished?
It was once thought the basilica would be finished in time t be dedicated on the feast of the Holy Family in 2002. That date was later changed to 2026, to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Antoni Gaudi's death.
Now, because of the coronavirus pandemic, that completion date has been pushed back again.
In November 2021, Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain.
The church (which is not the cathedral for the Archdiocese of Barcelona) has been under construction for nearly 140 years, and still is not completed.
It was designed by Antoni Gaudi, a famous and sometimes temperamental architect who died at age 74 in 1926 after being hit by a streetcar in Barcelona on his way to evening prayer. Dubbed (God's architect." Gaudi was a devout Catholic who is being promoted for beatification by those who believe his architectural design will ultimately lead people to Christianity. He would be the first architect to be beatified.
The basilica's construction began in 1883, and has been financed privately through donations and tourist fees (more than two millions people visit the unfinished cathedral each year). When completed, it will hold 14,000 people. and its spire will tower above the Barcelona skyline.
But when will the Sagrada Familia be finished?
It was once thought the basilica would be finished in time t be dedicated on the feast of the Holy Family in 2002. That date was later changed to 2026, to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Antoni Gaudi's death.
Now, because of the coronavirus pandemic, that completion date has been pushed back again.
December 25, 2021
Panettone and pope's bakes
A popular Christmas treat is panettone, a bread filled with raisins and candied fruits, and covered in different toppings.
Some say "panettone" is from the Italian word meaning "a large loaf of bread." Others say the word comes from an ecclesiastical hat called a pane tone.
The ancient Romans ate a variation of a leavened cake with honey, and during the Renaissance a dessert bread was a Christmas specialty in Milan, Italy (often credited as the birthplace of panettone).
Whatever the origins of the Italian holiday bread, panettone is included in a cookbook published in 1570 and written by Bartolomeo Scappi (ca. 1500-April 13, 1577), the Vatican's head chef.
Little is known about Scappi, except that he cooked for popes and emperors. He may have been born in Bologna, Italy, where he was head cook for Cardinal Lorenzo Campeggio of Bologna. After that cardinal died, Scappi cooked for another cardinal, and by 1549 was head baker for Pope Paul III. After Paul's death later that year, Scappi cooked for the cardinals who attended the papal conclave to elect a new pope. All in all, Scappi cooked for six popes, the last being Pius V (who served from 1566-1572)
***
'In these moments during Christmas Mass when we breathe air of liturgy, the true colors of Christmas come out. This is what liturgy is meant to do. These songs we are singing, these symbols all around us, these prayers we say, these believing people we are with, all express the heart of Christmas... That God would love us so, that God would want to be loved so by us (for who could not love this baby), that God would rescue us from our worst, or the worst that others have done to us... -Bishop Ken Untener
A popular Christmas treat is panettone, a bread filled with raisins and candied fruits, and covered in different toppings.
Some say "panettone" is from the Italian word meaning "a large loaf of bread." Others say the word comes from an ecclesiastical hat called a pane tone.
The ancient Romans ate a variation of a leavened cake with honey, and during the Renaissance a dessert bread was a Christmas specialty in Milan, Italy (often credited as the birthplace of panettone).
Whatever the origins of the Italian holiday bread, panettone is included in a cookbook published in 1570 and written by Bartolomeo Scappi (ca. 1500-April 13, 1577), the Vatican's head chef.
Little is known about Scappi, except that he cooked for popes and emperors. He may have been born in Bologna, Italy, where he was head cook for Cardinal Lorenzo Campeggio of Bologna. After that cardinal died, Scappi cooked for another cardinal, and by 1549 was head baker for Pope Paul III. After Paul's death later that year, Scappi cooked for the cardinals who attended the papal conclave to elect a new pope. All in all, Scappi cooked for six popes, the last being Pius V (who served from 1566-1572)
***
'In these moments during Christmas Mass when we breathe air of liturgy, the true colors of Christmas come out. This is what liturgy is meant to do. These songs we are singing, these symbols all around us, these prayers we say, these believing people we are with, all express the heart of Christmas... That God would love us so, that God would want to be loved so by us (for who could not love this baby), that God would rescue us from our worst, or the worst that others have done to us... -Bishop Ken Untener
December 24, 2021
'O Holy Night'
in 1840's, the organ at a small catholic church in Roquemaure, France, had recently been renovated. to mark the occasion, the parish priest asked Placide Cappeau, a local wine merchant with a hobby of writing poetry, to compose a Christmas poem for midnight mass. A Lax Catholic, Cappeau nevertheless agreed and turned to the Nativity story in Luke's Gospel for inspiration.
His poem, "Minuit, Chretiens," was then set to music by his friend, Adolphe Adams, and it debuted three weeks later at Midnight Mass. The song, known as "Cantique de Noel," became popular with the people, but was later denounced by the French Church after learning that Cappeau was a Socialist. It also believed unfounded rumors that Adams was Jewish.
In 1855, John Sullivan Dwight, a Unitarian minister and classical music critic in the United States, heard the song and decided to translate it into English. In the years before the Civil War, the song (in English, "O Holy Night") was especially popular among abolitionists.
On Christmas Eve in 1906, 115 years ago, Reginald Fessenden (1866-1932), a radio pioneer and former colleague of Thomas Edison, was experimenting with microphones and the telegraph. As he was transmitting, Fessenden read Luke's Nativity story over the airwaves, and then followed up with his own musical rendition of "O Holy Night."
Thus, "O Holy Night" became the first song ever broadcast over the radio."
The Church's Christmas season begins tonight, and this year it ends on Sunday, January 9. You might want to keep Christmas decorations up in your home until the Christmas season ends.
***
Zechariah his father, filled with Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and brought redemption to his people." (Lk 1:67-79)
This is the beginning of Zecharah's "Benedictus" prayer (from the Latin for the first word, "Blessed"). It is part of the morning prayer of the church every single day of the year. (Mary's "Magnificat" is part of the Church's daily evening prayer.)
In the days before electricity, there was a certain rhythm to life, based on light and darkness. Life was quieter then. Prayer often took its cue from the coming of dawn and nightfall.
The first light of dawn is a symbol of God kindly greeting us. God is there to gladden our hearts, brighten our eyes, and get us ready for whatever the day brings. Nightfall is a time to reflect on the blessings of the day and on death.
Now, of course, there is morning TV and late night TV. Quiet time is hard to come by. We're surrounded with news programs, reality shows, or social media rules that trap us in someone else's world.
Its the day before Christmas. This can be a hectic time. But there's also a certain spirit in the air that easily lends itself to some good moment of prayer, especially in the morning and in the evening.
At least for a few minutes, tune in to the Lord.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
in 1840's, the organ at a small catholic church in Roquemaure, France, had recently been renovated. to mark the occasion, the parish priest asked Placide Cappeau, a local wine merchant with a hobby of writing poetry, to compose a Christmas poem for midnight mass. A Lax Catholic, Cappeau nevertheless agreed and turned to the Nativity story in Luke's Gospel for inspiration.
His poem, "Minuit, Chretiens," was then set to music by his friend, Adolphe Adams, and it debuted three weeks later at Midnight Mass. The song, known as "Cantique de Noel," became popular with the people, but was later denounced by the French Church after learning that Cappeau was a Socialist. It also believed unfounded rumors that Adams was Jewish.
In 1855, John Sullivan Dwight, a Unitarian minister and classical music critic in the United States, heard the song and decided to translate it into English. In the years before the Civil War, the song (in English, "O Holy Night") was especially popular among abolitionists.
On Christmas Eve in 1906, 115 years ago, Reginald Fessenden (1866-1932), a radio pioneer and former colleague of Thomas Edison, was experimenting with microphones and the telegraph. As he was transmitting, Fessenden read Luke's Nativity story over the airwaves, and then followed up with his own musical rendition of "O Holy Night."
Thus, "O Holy Night" became the first song ever broadcast over the radio."
The Church's Christmas season begins tonight, and this year it ends on Sunday, January 9. You might want to keep Christmas decorations up in your home until the Christmas season ends.
***
Zechariah his father, filled with Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and brought redemption to his people." (Lk 1:67-79)
This is the beginning of Zecharah's "Benedictus" prayer (from the Latin for the first word, "Blessed"). It is part of the morning prayer of the church every single day of the year. (Mary's "Magnificat" is part of the Church's daily evening prayer.)
In the days before electricity, there was a certain rhythm to life, based on light and darkness. Life was quieter then. Prayer often took its cue from the coming of dawn and nightfall.
The first light of dawn is a symbol of God kindly greeting us. God is there to gladden our hearts, brighten our eyes, and get us ready for whatever the day brings. Nightfall is a time to reflect on the blessings of the day and on death.
Now, of course, there is morning TV and late night TV. Quiet time is hard to come by. We're surrounded with news programs, reality shows, or social media rules that trap us in someone else's world.
Its the day before Christmas. This can be a hectic time. But there's also a certain spirit in the air that easily lends itself to some good moment of prayer, especially in the morning and in the evening.
At least for a few minutes, tune in to the Lord.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
December 23, 2021
Father of John the Baptist
Zechariah was one of approximately 18,000 Jewish priests in Palestine at the time of Jesus.
They were divided into 24 groups of 750 each. Twice a year, each group came to the Temple in Jerusalem to serve for a week. Their roles during this week of service were chosen by a lot. Some of them, in a given week, weren't chosen to do anything.
Each morning, four lots were cast to decide who would carry out the four tasks at the altar. Then in the afternoon, a fifth lot was cast to determine who would enter the Holy Place to offer the evening incense. This extraordinary privilege usually comes only once in a lifetime.
In Luke's account, when the afternoon lot was cast, Zechariah was chosen to enter the Holy Place and offer the evening incense. It was there that the angel appeared to him to announce the birth of John.
***
When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son... When her neighbors and relatives came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father... Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, "John is his name," and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God." (Lk 1:57-66)
After nine months of being deaf and mute. The first words from Zechariah's lips are words "blessing God."
The people had supposed that this long-awaited child, born to an aged parent would be "little Zachary." But nine months earlier, the angel had appeared to Zechariah and said, "Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and shall name him John."
"John" is a Hebrew word that means "God has shown favor." This is a graced child who is called to express in his life God's favor to all people.
There's a lot to think about this passage. Perhaps I should simply think about my own name - how and why it was given, how it sounded when spoken over me as a child.
And... how it sounded now when God speaks it.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
Zechariah was one of approximately 18,000 Jewish priests in Palestine at the time of Jesus.
They were divided into 24 groups of 750 each. Twice a year, each group came to the Temple in Jerusalem to serve for a week. Their roles during this week of service were chosen by a lot. Some of them, in a given week, weren't chosen to do anything.
Each morning, four lots were cast to decide who would carry out the four tasks at the altar. Then in the afternoon, a fifth lot was cast to determine who would enter the Holy Place to offer the evening incense. This extraordinary privilege usually comes only once in a lifetime.
In Luke's account, when the afternoon lot was cast, Zechariah was chosen to enter the Holy Place and offer the evening incense. It was there that the angel appeared to him to announce the birth of John.
***
When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son... When her neighbors and relatives came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father... Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, "John is his name," and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God." (Lk 1:57-66)
After nine months of being deaf and mute. The first words from Zechariah's lips are words "blessing God."
The people had supposed that this long-awaited child, born to an aged parent would be "little Zachary." But nine months earlier, the angel had appeared to Zechariah and said, "Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and shall name him John."
"John" is a Hebrew word that means "God has shown favor." This is a graced child who is called to express in his life God's favor to all people.
There's a lot to think about this passage. Perhaps I should simply think about my own name - how and why it was given, how it sounded when spoken over me as a child.
And... how it sounded now when God speaks it.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
December 22, 2021
Mother of John the Baptist
The name "Elizabeth" was not a common name in Jewish culture. The Hebrew word "El" means "God." The name Elizabeth means "God is the fulness."
Since she was a descendent of Aaron, Elizabeth was of priestly stock. This meant that any of her sons (i.e John the Baptist) would be eligible to serve as a priest in the Temple. This was the privilege John gave up by choosing to live in the desert and preach the coming of the Messiah.
Elizabeth, childless for many years, conceived and gave birth to the child about whom Jesus would one day say, "Amen I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist."
***
Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed." (Lk 1:46-56)
Joy runs throughout Luke's infancy narrative.
The angel of Gabriel's announcement to Mary was a joyful one. Then in her Magnificent, Mary "rejoices in God my savior." When Elizabeth gave birth to John, her neighbors and relatives "rejoiced with her." At the birth of Jesus, the angel of the Lord appears to the shepherds and proclaims "good news of great joy that will be for all of the people."
That's the kind of rejoicing Mary expresses in her Magnificent. She rejoices in "the greatness of the Lord... in God my savior." When she experiences first hand how truly good God is, her heart is lifted. It is delight-pure joy-not at all self-conscious.
The best prayer of all happened when I realized just how good God is.
Prayers of joy. Now might be a good time to try it.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
The name "Elizabeth" was not a common name in Jewish culture. The Hebrew word "El" means "God." The name Elizabeth means "God is the fulness."
Since she was a descendent of Aaron, Elizabeth was of priestly stock. This meant that any of her sons (i.e John the Baptist) would be eligible to serve as a priest in the Temple. This was the privilege John gave up by choosing to live in the desert and preach the coming of the Messiah.
Elizabeth, childless for many years, conceived and gave birth to the child about whom Jesus would one day say, "Amen I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist."
***
Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed." (Lk 1:46-56)
Joy runs throughout Luke's infancy narrative.
The angel of Gabriel's announcement to Mary was a joyful one. Then in her Magnificent, Mary "rejoices in God my savior." When Elizabeth gave birth to John, her neighbors and relatives "rejoiced with her." At the birth of Jesus, the angel of the Lord appears to the shepherds and proclaims "good news of great joy that will be for all of the people."
That's the kind of rejoicing Mary expresses in her Magnificent. She rejoices in "the greatness of the Lord... in God my savior." When she experiences first hand how truly good God is, her heart is lifted. It is delight-pure joy-not at all self-conscious.
The best prayer of all happened when I realized just how good God is.
Prayers of joy. Now might be a good time to try it.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
December 21, 2021
'Infant St. John the Baptist in the Wilderness'
In 2013, a valuable painting by Spanish artist Bartolome Murillo called "Infant St .John the Baptist in the wilderness" was discovered tucked away at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.
Murillo was thought to have painted in about 1670.
The painting had been part of the art collection of lumber baron Alfred G. Wilson and his wife, auto heiress Matilda Dodge. They had lived at Meadow Brook Hall, which was later donated to Oakland University in 1957.
Bartolome Esteban Murillo was born on December 31, 1617. Orphaned at age 10, he was raised by an uncle. He showed artistic talent and was apprenticed by an uncle. He showed artistic talent and was apprenticed to a local artist when he was 12 years old.
As an artist, Murillo was supported by several religious orders , especially the Franciscans. He was foremost a painter of religious art, with special emphasis on the Virgin Mary and Franciscan saints. His "Birth of the Virgin" (1655) and "Holy Family" (1670) can be found in the Louvre. Murillo painted many versions of the "Immaculate Conception," perhaps the most famous version was painted in 1678 and now hangs in the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain.
He spent most of his life in his native Seville, Spain. In 1681, when he began painting an altar for the Capuchins in Cadiz in southwestern Spain, he was unable to finish the altar because he fell from scaffolding and was forced to return to Seville.
Murillo died shortly after his return on April 5, 1682.
***
Elizabeth, filled with the Holy spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." (Lk 1:39-45)
How blessed Mary is - all the gifts she received, how much she is loved by God. We might be tempted to think of Mary as a princess, very different from the rest of humanity. But the reason why we celebrate Mary is that she is the model of disciple, the greatest member of our community of saints. She is one of us.
She is a member of the Church...as I am.
She received the gift of redemption from the Lord Jesus Christ... as I did.
I celebrate Mary's gifts because they are like the gifts I received. From the moment of her conception, she was sinless because of God's power. Each time I come to the Lord with sorrow for sin, and particularly when I celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation, my sins are taken away by God's power.
Mary, the Mother of Our Lord, had the Lord within her held him in her arms. When I received Communication, I held the Lord in my hands and received him into my body as close as he ever was to Mary.
God who is mighty has done great things for me.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
In 2013, a valuable painting by Spanish artist Bartolome Murillo called "Infant St .John the Baptist in the wilderness" was discovered tucked away at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.
Murillo was thought to have painted in about 1670.
The painting had been part of the art collection of lumber baron Alfred G. Wilson and his wife, auto heiress Matilda Dodge. They had lived at Meadow Brook Hall, which was later donated to Oakland University in 1957.
Bartolome Esteban Murillo was born on December 31, 1617. Orphaned at age 10, he was raised by an uncle. He showed artistic talent and was apprenticed by an uncle. He showed artistic talent and was apprenticed to a local artist when he was 12 years old.
As an artist, Murillo was supported by several religious orders , especially the Franciscans. He was foremost a painter of religious art, with special emphasis on the Virgin Mary and Franciscan saints. His "Birth of the Virgin" (1655) and "Holy Family" (1670) can be found in the Louvre. Murillo painted many versions of the "Immaculate Conception," perhaps the most famous version was painted in 1678 and now hangs in the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain.
He spent most of his life in his native Seville, Spain. In 1681, when he began painting an altar for the Capuchins in Cadiz in southwestern Spain, he was unable to finish the altar because he fell from scaffolding and was forced to return to Seville.
Murillo died shortly after his return on April 5, 1682.
***
Elizabeth, filled with the Holy spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." (Lk 1:39-45)
How blessed Mary is - all the gifts she received, how much she is loved by God. We might be tempted to think of Mary as a princess, very different from the rest of humanity. But the reason why we celebrate Mary is that she is the model of disciple, the greatest member of our community of saints. She is one of us.
She is a member of the Church...as I am.
She received the gift of redemption from the Lord Jesus Christ... as I did.
I celebrate Mary's gifts because they are like the gifts I received. From the moment of her conception, she was sinless because of God's power. Each time I come to the Lord with sorrow for sin, and particularly when I celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation, my sins are taken away by God's power.
Mary, the Mother of Our Lord, had the Lord within her held him in her arms. When I received Communication, I held the Lord in my hands and received him into my body as close as he ever was to Mary.
God who is mighty has done great things for me.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
December 20, 2021
Easter, Lent, Advent
From the beginning, the main Christian feast was Easter, and this is still true today - Holy Thursdays evening through Easter Sunday are the Holiest days of the year.
And, Every Sunday is called "Little Easter." (That is why, from early times, penitential actions- such as fasting and kneeling - were prohibited on Sundays, even during Lent."
The death/resurrections of Jesus took place during the feast of Passover. But there is no way of knowing what time of the year Jesus was born. In the fourth century, the feast of his birth began to be celebrated on December 25, apparently to replace the pagan feast of the Unconquered sun" (the time of year when the days start getting longer again). The feast of the rebirth of the sun was replaced by the feast of the birth of the Light of the World.
Just as there was a time of preparation for Easter (Lent), there also developed a time of preparation for Christmas-Advent. This season varied in length, but eventually the practice of beginning Advent on the fourth Sunday before Christmas became the norm.
***
Coming to Mary, the angel Gabriel said, "Hail favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of getting this might be. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and a bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David, his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever and of his kingdom there will be no end." (Lk 1:26-38)
Luke's account of the Annunciation is one of the Gospels most familiar passages. It's read on a number of major feasts and Sundays. However, God speaks through these words. If I try, I can always hear them in a new way and with new depth.
Luke's portrait of the Annunciation is carefully drawn to make clear that what is about to take place - the conception and birth of Jesus - is totally God's work. When Mary wonders how this can come about, God communicates through the Angel: "The Holy spirit will come upons yuo and the power of the Most High will overshadow you."
This is something done by God.
Mary catches on. Later on in the Magnificent, she prays "my soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord... For he has looked upon his handmaiden's loneliness... the mighty One had done great things for me."
This refers to my life too. Make no mistake about it- what I do is not my own work. Rather, I'm doing the work of the Lord.
Something to things about.
* Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
From the beginning, the main Christian feast was Easter, and this is still true today - Holy Thursdays evening through Easter Sunday are the Holiest days of the year.
And, Every Sunday is called "Little Easter." (That is why, from early times, penitential actions- such as fasting and kneeling - were prohibited on Sundays, even during Lent."
The death/resurrections of Jesus took place during the feast of Passover. But there is no way of knowing what time of the year Jesus was born. In the fourth century, the feast of his birth began to be celebrated on December 25, apparently to replace the pagan feast of the Unconquered sun" (the time of year when the days start getting longer again). The feast of the rebirth of the sun was replaced by the feast of the birth of the Light of the World.
Just as there was a time of preparation for Easter (Lent), there also developed a time of preparation for Christmas-Advent. This season varied in length, but eventually the practice of beginning Advent on the fourth Sunday before Christmas became the norm.
***
Coming to Mary, the angel Gabriel said, "Hail favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of getting this might be. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and a bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David, his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever and of his kingdom there will be no end." (Lk 1:26-38)
Luke's account of the Annunciation is one of the Gospels most familiar passages. It's read on a number of major feasts and Sundays. However, God speaks through these words. If I try, I can always hear them in a new way and with new depth.
Luke's portrait of the Annunciation is carefully drawn to make clear that what is about to take place - the conception and birth of Jesus - is totally God's work. When Mary wonders how this can come about, God communicates through the Angel: "The Holy spirit will come upons yuo and the power of the Most High will overshadow you."
This is something done by God.
Mary catches on. Later on in the Magnificent, she prays "my soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord... For he has looked upon his handmaiden's loneliness... the mighty One had done great things for me."
This refers to my life too. Make no mistake about it- what I do is not my own work. Rather, I'm doing the work of the Lord.
Something to things about.
* Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
December 19, 2021
Traditional of weekday Masses
Once upon a time, attendance at daily Mass was a popular devotion, and often was used as a measure of a person's holiness.
But weekday Mass was not part of life in the early Church. Back then, Eucharist was only celebrated on Sunday, and a priest only celebrated one Mass on that day.
Through years, Church practice gradually expanded to include celebrating Masses on special feasts, in thanksgiving for favors from God, or to petition God for a favor. Eventually Mass was being celebrated every day of the week.
The Second Vatican Council stressed the value of weekday Mass by introducing specific scripture readings and prayers for the masses during the week.
***
Christmas 41
"Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled." (Lk 1:39-45)
Think back to Christmas 41.
Not 1941 but Christmas in the year 41, 1980 years ago. Mary would have been in her late 50's. Surely she celebrated her only son's birthday (even when he wasn't with her in person), as we do today. Only back then, they didn't call it Christmas even though it's the same celebration of his birth.
It must have been a lonely day for Mary. She must have missed her son. She must have missed her husband who was long since dead. No matter how many of her relatives may have been there in that little village of Nazareth, it was probably lonelier than some other days... just as Christmas today is often lonelier that some other days for people who have lost their wife or husband or child, people who are divorced, people who don't have any family to speak of.
For whatever reason, Christmas can be a lonely day.
This is about Mary, back in Christmas 41. She must have thought those words spoken to her at the Visitation, "Blessed are you who believed that the Lord spoke to you would be fulfilled." When Mary heard those words the first time, of course she believed. But it was a springtime kind of faith, filled with expectations. Summer was near and soon she would have her son. Now, years later when she was alone, she still believed, but it was a wintery faith because spring wasn't even in sight, let alone summer. Mary still believed but it was just harder.
No matter what I am feeling this Christmas, I can remember Mary and Christmas 41 and be with her and let her be with me too.
Once upon a time, attendance at daily Mass was a popular devotion, and often was used as a measure of a person's holiness.
But weekday Mass was not part of life in the early Church. Back then, Eucharist was only celebrated on Sunday, and a priest only celebrated one Mass on that day.
Through years, Church practice gradually expanded to include celebrating Masses on special feasts, in thanksgiving for favors from God, or to petition God for a favor. Eventually Mass was being celebrated every day of the week.
The Second Vatican Council stressed the value of weekday Mass by introducing specific scripture readings and prayers for the masses during the week.
***
Christmas 41
"Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled." (Lk 1:39-45)
Think back to Christmas 41.
Not 1941 but Christmas in the year 41, 1980 years ago. Mary would have been in her late 50's. Surely she celebrated her only son's birthday (even when he wasn't with her in person), as we do today. Only back then, they didn't call it Christmas even though it's the same celebration of his birth.
It must have been a lonely day for Mary. She must have missed her son. She must have missed her husband who was long since dead. No matter how many of her relatives may have been there in that little village of Nazareth, it was probably lonelier than some other days... just as Christmas today is often lonelier that some other days for people who have lost their wife or husband or child, people who are divorced, people who don't have any family to speak of.
For whatever reason, Christmas can be a lonely day.
This is about Mary, back in Christmas 41. She must have thought those words spoken to her at the Visitation, "Blessed are you who believed that the Lord spoke to you would be fulfilled." When Mary heard those words the first time, of course she believed. But it was a springtime kind of faith, filled with expectations. Summer was near and soon she would have her son. Now, years later when she was alone, she still believed, but it was a wintery faith because spring wasn't even in sight, let alone summer. Mary still believed but it was just harder.
No matter what I am feeling this Christmas, I can remember Mary and Christmas 41 and be with her and let her be with me too.
December 18, 2021
'Every Christmas is different/ The feast is the same, and so are the Christmas carols and other customs/ But all of this comes into lives that has not stood still since last Christmas. Some have experienced the death of someone very close, and this will be the first Christmas without that person. Some have experienced a birth in their family, and this will be the child's first Christmas. Some have moved to a new home or to a new city, and this Christmas will include new neighbors and new friends. Some are without a job, and wonder what to do... Even though our lives are different, the memories of Christmas in the past come back each year and are added to the meaning of this feast. We remember how it was when the family was young, when our mother was still living, or when times were better, or when times were worse... All. of this, the past and the present, is poured into our Christmas. And that is fitting, because Christmas is a time when we celebrate a God who became part of all of human life.' -Cardinal John F. Dearden, who was appointed the second Archbishop of Detroit, Michigan on this day in 1958.
***
The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to tell Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (Mt 1:18-25)
Dreams play an important part in Matthew's account of the bird of Jesus. There are five of them - four to Joseph and one of Magi. In Joseph's first dream, the angel gives him some astounding news that his wife, Mary, has conceived a child by the power of God!
Dreams played an important part in the life of another Joseph centuries earlier. When he told his brothers about his dreams, they became jealous. Eventually they sold him to a caravan headed for Egypt. Joseph ended up as a servant of the Pharaoh. Later he won great favor by interpreting the pharaoh's dreams.
The story of these two Josephs is the story of God working through human beings. God still does that today in all kinds of ways but not necessarily through dreams. I am one of the human beings. God still does that today in all kinds of ways but not necessarily through dreams. I am one of the human beings through whom God accomplishes his plans. As a routine and plains as my life may seem, God acts through me to accomplish great things. What I do may seem small, but in the eons of God's plan, it is like the mustard seed " which when full grown is the largest of plants and puts forth large branches."
How will God work through me today?
*Spend some quite time with the Lord. ✝
***
The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to tell Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (Mt 1:18-25)
Dreams play an important part in Matthew's account of the bird of Jesus. There are five of them - four to Joseph and one of Magi. In Joseph's first dream, the angel gives him some astounding news that his wife, Mary, has conceived a child by the power of God!
Dreams played an important part in the life of another Joseph centuries earlier. When he told his brothers about his dreams, they became jealous. Eventually they sold him to a caravan headed for Egypt. Joseph ended up as a servant of the Pharaoh. Later he won great favor by interpreting the pharaoh's dreams.
The story of these two Josephs is the story of God working through human beings. God still does that today in all kinds of ways but not necessarily through dreams. I am one of the human beings. God still does that today in all kinds of ways but not necessarily through dreams. I am one of the human beings through whom God accomplishes his plans. As a routine and plains as my life may seem, God acts through me to accomplish great things. What I do may seem small, but in the eons of God's plan, it is like the mustard seed " which when full grown is the largest of plants and puts forth large branches."
How will God work through me today?
*Spend some quite time with the Lord. ✝
December 17, 2021
‘It’s worthhile being a vagrant because you get to meet the people.”
POPE’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
“Would you like to come to Pope Francis’ birthday party?” When Pope Francis celebrated his 77th birthday (and his first as pope) in 2013, several street people who lived near his home at Domus Sanctae Marthae were invited to come for Mass and breakfast with the pope.
One of the homeless men even brought along his dog. Pope Francis began his day by celebrating Mas at his Vatican residence, inviting staff to join him in a family-like atmosphere.
“O Antiphons’ (a series of prayers to frame the Magnificant in the Evening Prayer on the seven days leading up to Christmas Eve begin today.
***
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. (Mt 1:1-17)
There are the opening words of Matthew’s Gospel. He begins with the basics, the genealogy of Jesus. It will be a long list of 48 names stretching across 2,000 years.
Matthew wants to emphasize that Jesus is the Messiah, the long-awaited “Son of David” who would fulfill Old Testament prophecies. That’s why he works downward from Abraham, through David, to Jesus. (Luke, in his genealogy, starts with Jesus and works upward to Adam. He wants to emphasize that Jesus is the Son of God.)
Both Matthew and Luke drew upon popular traditions (rather than written records), and both adapted the data. They are trying to establish Jesus’ theological identity, not tracing his DNA.
The list of names in these genealogies of Jesus includes a wide variety of people, not all of them perfect by any means. Matthew and Luke describe a family with some skeletons in the closet.
Probably my family is no different. If I think about my extended family, it includes imperfect people too. Yet they are still part of my family.
Christmas is about a week away. This would be a good time to mend some family ties.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
POPE’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
“Would you like to come to Pope Francis’ birthday party?” When Pope Francis celebrated his 77th birthday (and his first as pope) in 2013, several street people who lived near his home at Domus Sanctae Marthae were invited to come for Mass and breakfast with the pope.
One of the homeless men even brought along his dog. Pope Francis began his day by celebrating Mas at his Vatican residence, inviting staff to join him in a family-like atmosphere.
“O Antiphons’ (a series of prayers to frame the Magnificant in the Evening Prayer on the seven days leading up to Christmas Eve begin today.
***
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. (Mt 1:1-17)
There are the opening words of Matthew’s Gospel. He begins with the basics, the genealogy of Jesus. It will be a long list of 48 names stretching across 2,000 years.
Matthew wants to emphasize that Jesus is the Messiah, the long-awaited “Son of David” who would fulfill Old Testament prophecies. That’s why he works downward from Abraham, through David, to Jesus. (Luke, in his genealogy, starts with Jesus and works upward to Adam. He wants to emphasize that Jesus is the Son of God.)
Both Matthew and Luke drew upon popular traditions (rather than written records), and both adapted the data. They are trying to establish Jesus’ theological identity, not tracing his DNA.
The list of names in these genealogies of Jesus includes a wide variety of people, not all of them perfect by any means. Matthew and Luke describe a family with some skeletons in the closet.
Probably my family is no different. If I think about my extended family, it includes imperfect people too. Yet they are still part of my family.
Christmas is about a week away. This would be a good time to mend some family ties.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
December 16, 2021
St. Januarius
St. Januarius was born in Italy and ws bishop during the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian (284-305 A.D).
While visiting two deacons and two laymen who had been imprisoned, Januarius himself was also arrested.
They were thrown to wild beasts but miraculously weren't harmed. The men were then beheaded.
St. Januarius is perhaps best known for a miracle said to take place at the cathedral in Naples three times a year - September 19 (his feast day), December 16, and the Saturday before the first Sunday of May. Why December 16? St. Januarius is the patron saint of Naples, Italy. The city Commemorates him as their patron today.
On those days, a relic of his clotted blood liquifies and bubbles, and then turns to gel.
On December 16, 2020, the blood of St. Januarius did not liquify.
***
When the messengers of John had left, Jesusbegan to speak to the crowds about John. "What did you go out to the desert to see - a reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine garments? Those who dress luxuriously and live sumptuously are found in royal palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom Scripture says: 'Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, he will prepare your way before you'. I tell you among those born of women, no one is greater than he." (L.K 7:24-30)
John is part of God's plan and does his best to live up to it. The Pharisees and scholars of the law didn't.
What about me? What is God's plan for me? I guess just realizing that God has a plan for me, and I am part of God's plan is something.
What is God's plan for me in my career?
What is God's plan for me in my family?
What is God's plan for me in my faith?
* Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
St. Januarius was born in Italy and ws bishop during the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian (284-305 A.D).
While visiting two deacons and two laymen who had been imprisoned, Januarius himself was also arrested.
They were thrown to wild beasts but miraculously weren't harmed. The men were then beheaded.
St. Januarius is perhaps best known for a miracle said to take place at the cathedral in Naples three times a year - September 19 (his feast day), December 16, and the Saturday before the first Sunday of May. Why December 16? St. Januarius is the patron saint of Naples, Italy. The city Commemorates him as their patron today.
On those days, a relic of his clotted blood liquifies and bubbles, and then turns to gel.
On December 16, 2020, the blood of St. Januarius did not liquify.
***
When the messengers of John had left, Jesusbegan to speak to the crowds about John. "What did you go out to the desert to see - a reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine garments? Those who dress luxuriously and live sumptuously are found in royal palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom Scripture says: 'Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, he will prepare your way before you'. I tell you among those born of women, no one is greater than he." (L.K 7:24-30)
John is part of God's plan and does his best to live up to it. The Pharisees and scholars of the law didn't.
What about me? What is God's plan for me? I guess just realizing that God has a plan for me, and I am part of God's plan is something.
What is God's plan for me in my career?
What is God's plan for me in my family?
What is God's plan for me in my faith?
* Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
December 15, 2021
L'Advent, a time of grace, tell us that it is not enough to believe in God: it is necessary to purify our faith every day.' -Pope Francis in his Angelus address, December 15, 2019
Advent's weekday Gospels
The Scriptures read at Sunday Mass are not arbitrarily chosen by the pastor or parishioners. The Church has a three-year cycle of set readings.
In this cycle, Year A centers on Matthew's Gospel, Year B on Mark, and Year C on Luke. Passages from John are interspersed in the sequence of Gospels every year.
The Gospel passages read at the weekday masses, however, are the same every year. Since there are many more weekdays than Sundays, they cover up a greater part of all four Gospels. Generally speaking, the weekday Gospels include passages that are not read on Sundays.
***
Every year the same scripture readings are used for weekdays from December 17-24. The Gospels on those days describe events leading up to the birth of Jesus:
December 17: The genealogy of Jesus (Matthew)
December 18: The annunciation to Joseph (Matthew)
December 19: The annunciation to Zechariah (Luke)
December 20: The annunciation to Mary (Luke)
December 21: Mary's visit to Elizabeth (Luke)
December 22: Mary's "Magnificat" (Luke)
December 23: The birth of John the Baptist (Luke)
December 24: The "Benedictus" of Zechariah (Luke)
John Summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" When the men came to him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ' Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" At that time Jesus cured many of their diseases, suffering, and evil spirits; he also granted sight to many who were blind. And he said to them in reply, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sign, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me" (Lk 7:18b-23)
Why didn't John go ask Jesus those questions himself? Because John was in prison.
John wanted answers to those questions because it seems that John had expected a Messiah who would come and sweep everything clean and set all things right. Jesus was not meeting those expectations. In John's opinion, Jesus needed to take over, perhaps become king, seize power, get down to the big city where the action is. So John is confused and frustrated.
How is Jesus going to carry out his role as Messiah?
Jesus answers that question in the last verses of this passage.
I am called upon to continue the work of Jesus, but sometimes I feel the same as John the Baptist did. I stand before the world's problems and I want to solve all of them, but I feel so weak and helpless. The Lord tells me, "Do what you can in those little things, it does make a difference in the world."
I can't do better than by following the Lord's way.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
Advent's weekday Gospels
The Scriptures read at Sunday Mass are not arbitrarily chosen by the pastor or parishioners. The Church has a three-year cycle of set readings.
In this cycle, Year A centers on Matthew's Gospel, Year B on Mark, and Year C on Luke. Passages from John are interspersed in the sequence of Gospels every year.
The Gospel passages read at the weekday masses, however, are the same every year. Since there are many more weekdays than Sundays, they cover up a greater part of all four Gospels. Generally speaking, the weekday Gospels include passages that are not read on Sundays.
***
Every year the same scripture readings are used for weekdays from December 17-24. The Gospels on those days describe events leading up to the birth of Jesus:
December 17: The genealogy of Jesus (Matthew)
December 18: The annunciation to Joseph (Matthew)
December 19: The annunciation to Zechariah (Luke)
December 20: The annunciation to Mary (Luke)
December 21: Mary's visit to Elizabeth (Luke)
December 22: Mary's "Magnificat" (Luke)
December 23: The birth of John the Baptist (Luke)
December 24: The "Benedictus" of Zechariah (Luke)
John Summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" When the men came to him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ' Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" At that time Jesus cured many of their diseases, suffering, and evil spirits; he also granted sight to many who were blind. And he said to them in reply, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sign, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me" (Lk 7:18b-23)
Why didn't John go ask Jesus those questions himself? Because John was in prison.
John wanted answers to those questions because it seems that John had expected a Messiah who would come and sweep everything clean and set all things right. Jesus was not meeting those expectations. In John's opinion, Jesus needed to take over, perhaps become king, seize power, get down to the big city where the action is. So John is confused and frustrated.
How is Jesus going to carry out his role as Messiah?
Jesus answers that question in the last verses of this passage.
I am called upon to continue the work of Jesus, but sometimes I feel the same as John the Baptist did. I stand before the world's problems and I want to solve all of them, but I feel so weak and helpless. The Lord tells me, "Do what you can in those little things, it does make a difference in the world."
I can't do better than by following the Lord's way.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
December 14, 2021
How long is Advent?
Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before December 25. It always has four Sundays, but the tidal number of days can vary. For example:
* If Christmas falls on a Monday, then Advent lasts three weeks and a day.
* If Christmas falls on a Sunday, Advent lasts four full weeks.
***
.Jesus said "What is your opinion? a man had two sons. He came to the first and said, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today,' The son said in reply, 'I will not', but afterwards he changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. That son said in reply, 'Yes, sir' but did not go. Which of the two did his father's will?" (Mt 21:28-32)
My first thought when reading this passage might be: Actions speak louder than words. But let's take it a little deeper.
Most of us were baptized as infants, and somebody else said "yes" for us. At some point I implicitly said "yes" - insofar as I chose to continue as a member of the Church. But there is a great benefit in making my "yes" explicit again and again in the course of my life.
The decision to be part of this community of disciples called the Church is a living commitment. I can't make a decision like that one time and then store it in a safety deposit box.
When the decision first becomes my own, there is initial contentment. This may continue for a long time. But I can expect some crises/temptations along the way. My decision to be a disciple of the Lord, ultimately, will have to be reaffirmed and re-owned many times over.
During the Advent season, I think about Mary's "yes" to God: "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." There is a certain exhilaration in making a decision like that, expressing it to God in words, being explicitly aware of it along the way, but Mary also must have consciously renewed her decision as her life unfolded.
How am I doing with my commitment to the Lord?
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before December 25. It always has four Sundays, but the tidal number of days can vary. For example:
* If Christmas falls on a Monday, then Advent lasts three weeks and a day.
* If Christmas falls on a Sunday, Advent lasts four full weeks.
***
.Jesus said "What is your opinion? a man had two sons. He came to the first and said, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today,' The son said in reply, 'I will not', but afterwards he changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. That son said in reply, 'Yes, sir' but did not go. Which of the two did his father's will?" (Mt 21:28-32)
My first thought when reading this passage might be: Actions speak louder than words. But let's take it a little deeper.
Most of us were baptized as infants, and somebody else said "yes" for us. At some point I implicitly said "yes" - insofar as I chose to continue as a member of the Church. But there is a great benefit in making my "yes" explicit again and again in the course of my life.
The decision to be part of this community of disciples called the Church is a living commitment. I can't make a decision like that one time and then store it in a safety deposit box.
When the decision first becomes my own, there is initial contentment. This may continue for a long time. But I can expect some crises/temptations along the way. My decision to be a disciple of the Lord, ultimately, will have to be reaffirmed and re-owned many times over.
During the Advent season, I think about Mary's "yes" to God: "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." There is a certain exhilaration in making a decision like that, expressing it to God in words, being explicitly aware of it along the way, but Mary also must have consciously renewed her decision as her life unfolded.
How am I doing with my commitment to the Lord?
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
December 13, 2021
'Bishop's wine"
Today is the feast of St. Lucy.
In Sweden other Nordic countries, this special feast often calls for a popular drink called glogg, a mixture of red wine, spiced by cinnamon, cloves, and other spices. In the Netherlands, the mulled wine drink is known as "bisschop-swijn" ("bishop's wine")
One source says that when the English made their hot ("smoking") mulled wine, they would give their drink different names based on the alcoholic beverage they added. For example, the Smoking Bishop used port, the Smoking Archbishop used claret, the Smoking Beadle (in England, a beadle is a lay church official) used ginger wine, the Smoking Cardinal used champagne or Rhine wine, and the Smoking Pope used burgundy.
***
When Jesus had come into the Temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, "By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?" Jesus said to them in reply, "I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things. Where was John Baptism from? Was it one of heavenly or of human origin?" (Mt 21:23-27)
If Matthew's Gospel were being performed as a drama, this is the point where the orchestra would suddenly strike an ominous chord. Something bad is about to happen.
Up north in Galilee, Jesus had been confronted at times by Pharisees and scribes. But now he is in the big city, and in the Temple area. Suddenly, for the first time, the chief priests and elders appear on the scene.
These people have power. These people are also the one who are most threatened by what Jesus has just been doing - entering the city like a Messiah, predicting the destruction of the Temple, driving the sellers and buyers from the Temple area.
These are the people who will succeed in having Jesus executed. All of a sudden, here they are looking in the eye.
Why do we have a Gospel like this - which seems like it belongs in Lent - when we're 10 days away from Christmas?
It's because we're preparing to celebrate the birth of the child who will grow up to confront the powers of evil and sin in this world... and will defeat them.
Now that's something to think about.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
Today is the feast of St. Lucy.
In Sweden other Nordic countries, this special feast often calls for a popular drink called glogg, a mixture of red wine, spiced by cinnamon, cloves, and other spices. In the Netherlands, the mulled wine drink is known as "bisschop-swijn" ("bishop's wine")
One source says that when the English made their hot ("smoking") mulled wine, they would give their drink different names based on the alcoholic beverage they added. For example, the Smoking Bishop used port, the Smoking Archbishop used claret, the Smoking Beadle (in England, a beadle is a lay church official) used ginger wine, the Smoking Cardinal used champagne or Rhine wine, and the Smoking Pope used burgundy.
***
When Jesus had come into the Temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, "By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?" Jesus said to them in reply, "I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things. Where was John Baptism from? Was it one of heavenly or of human origin?" (Mt 21:23-27)
If Matthew's Gospel were being performed as a drama, this is the point where the orchestra would suddenly strike an ominous chord. Something bad is about to happen.
Up north in Galilee, Jesus had been confronted at times by Pharisees and scribes. But now he is in the big city, and in the Temple area. Suddenly, for the first time, the chief priests and elders appear on the scene.
These people have power. These people are also the one who are most threatened by what Jesus has just been doing - entering the city like a Messiah, predicting the destruction of the Temple, driving the sellers and buyers from the Temple area.
These are the people who will succeed in having Jesus executed. All of a sudden, here they are looking in the eye.
Why do we have a Gospel like this - which seems like it belongs in Lent - when we're 10 days away from Christmas?
It's because we're preparing to celebrate the birth of the child who will grow up to confront the powers of evil and sin in this world... and will defeat them.
Now that's something to think about.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
December 12, 2021
‘I am the Ever-Virgin Mary, mother of the true God who gives life and maintains its existence. He created all things. He is in all places. He is Lord of Heaven and Earth.’ -Apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe to Juan Diego, December 9, 1531
Today is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico. In the United states and many other countries, the Third Sunday of Advent takes precedence over the feast this year.
***
John the Baptist and God's plan
Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be Messiah. (Lk 3:10-18)
As far as we know, John the Baptist didn’t get a lot of specific directions for what he was supposed to do with his life.
Think of the sending of the 72 disciples in Luke's gospel, and the sending of Twelve in Matthew and Luke. Jesus tells them to “take this with you… and when you come to a town, do this and say this."
Compare that to John the Baptist who has been sent to prepare the way for the Messiah. However, John didn’t receive clear directions about his mission. When Jesus came, John wasn’t even sure he was the right one. When John was in prison (and Jesus had begun his work), John sent his messengers to ask: is he the one, or should they look for another? Because if he is the one, what am I doing in jail? I thought the Messiah was going to do wondrous things.
John's advice and preaching doesn't seem all that way new. He tells the people to be good to their neighbor. He tells tax collection to be fair. He tells the soldiers to do their job justly. Nothing earthshaking in that.
Think about John's death. It seems senseless - killed for the price of a dance, commanded to be killed by someone probably too drunk to know what he was doing, and killed by a soldier who probably didn’t know his name.
An unremarkable life (or so John probably thought) and yet this is the person of whom Jesus said: “I tell you, there is no one born of woman, greater than John.” It reminds me that life’s events and accomplishments don’t necessarily correspond to the value of a human life in God’s plan.
Today is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico. In the United states and many other countries, the Third Sunday of Advent takes precedence over the feast this year.
***
John the Baptist and God's plan
Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be Messiah. (Lk 3:10-18)
As far as we know, John the Baptist didn’t get a lot of specific directions for what he was supposed to do with his life.
Think of the sending of the 72 disciples in Luke's gospel, and the sending of Twelve in Matthew and Luke. Jesus tells them to “take this with you… and when you come to a town, do this and say this."
Compare that to John the Baptist who has been sent to prepare the way for the Messiah. However, John didn’t receive clear directions about his mission. When Jesus came, John wasn’t even sure he was the right one. When John was in prison (and Jesus had begun his work), John sent his messengers to ask: is he the one, or should they look for another? Because if he is the one, what am I doing in jail? I thought the Messiah was going to do wondrous things.
John's advice and preaching doesn't seem all that way new. He tells the people to be good to their neighbor. He tells tax collection to be fair. He tells the soldiers to do their job justly. Nothing earthshaking in that.
Think about John's death. It seems senseless - killed for the price of a dance, commanded to be killed by someone probably too drunk to know what he was doing, and killed by a soldier who probably didn’t know his name.
An unremarkable life (or so John probably thought) and yet this is the person of whom Jesus said: “I tell you, there is no one born of woman, greater than John.” It reminds me that life’s events and accomplishments don’t necessarily correspond to the value of a human life in God’s plan.
December 11, 2021
Martyrs of El Mozote
Forty years ago today, nearly 1,000 people (more than half of whom were children) were tortured and executed in the small town of El Mozote in El Salvador. The killings are considered modern Latin America's worst massacre.
The massacre occurred as the Salvadoran military searched for rebel fighters during the country's civil war. By the time the civil war ended in 1992, an estimated 75,000 people had been killed, with another 8,000 missing.
The Salvadoran government initially denied the El Mozote slaughter had occurred. Nearly a decade later, a United Nations Truth Commission pressured the Salvadoran government to expose the cover up. In 2016, a judge reopened the case of the El Mozote massacre.
***
An Irish missionary named Sr. Anne Griffin helped in conducting interviews with family members and survivors of the El Mozote massacre, as they prepared their case for the Interamerican Court of Human Rights in Ecuador in April 2012.
A member of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Sr. Anee had worked as a nurse with special needs children in England, and in Zambia during the height of the AIDS pandemic, before traveling to El Salvador to work with the people of El Mozote.
***
As they were coming down from the mountain... the disciples asked Jesus, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" He said in reply, "Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands." Then the disciples understood that he was speaking about John the Baptist." (Mt 17:9, 10-13)
The Second Book of Kings describes Elijah, in his final days, talking with the prophet Elisha when "a flaming chariot and flaming horses came between them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind." Thus it was believed that he did not taste death.
Some 500 years later in the Book of Malachi, God says, "Lo, I will send you Elijah, the prophet, before the day of the Lord comes." Jewish theologians too this to mean that Elijah would return before the Messiah came.
So the disciples are asking in today's Gospel passage: if Elijah hasn't returned, how could Jesus be the Messiah? Jesus gives the answer: John the Baptist is the Elijah figure prophesied by Malachi. Here Jesus is doing more than just explaining who John the Baptist is - he is telling his disciples that he himself is the Messiah.
The Gospel writers do not provide a biography of Jesus, but answer the question: who is Jesus? All four Gospels answer: he is the Messiah. He is the Son of God.
Picture Jesus saying to me (As he once said to the disciples): Who do you say that I am?
Let me give that question my honest answer - not in the abstract, but to him.
* Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
Forty years ago today, nearly 1,000 people (more than half of whom were children) were tortured and executed in the small town of El Mozote in El Salvador. The killings are considered modern Latin America's worst massacre.
The massacre occurred as the Salvadoran military searched for rebel fighters during the country's civil war. By the time the civil war ended in 1992, an estimated 75,000 people had been killed, with another 8,000 missing.
The Salvadoran government initially denied the El Mozote slaughter had occurred. Nearly a decade later, a United Nations Truth Commission pressured the Salvadoran government to expose the cover up. In 2016, a judge reopened the case of the El Mozote massacre.
***
An Irish missionary named Sr. Anne Griffin helped in conducting interviews with family members and survivors of the El Mozote massacre, as they prepared their case for the Interamerican Court of Human Rights in Ecuador in April 2012.
A member of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Sr. Anee had worked as a nurse with special needs children in England, and in Zambia during the height of the AIDS pandemic, before traveling to El Salvador to work with the people of El Mozote.
***
As they were coming down from the mountain... the disciples asked Jesus, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" He said in reply, "Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands." Then the disciples understood that he was speaking about John the Baptist." (Mt 17:9, 10-13)
The Second Book of Kings describes Elijah, in his final days, talking with the prophet Elisha when "a flaming chariot and flaming horses came between them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind." Thus it was believed that he did not taste death.
Some 500 years later in the Book of Malachi, God says, "Lo, I will send you Elijah, the prophet, before the day of the Lord comes." Jewish theologians too this to mean that Elijah would return before the Messiah came.
So the disciples are asking in today's Gospel passage: if Elijah hasn't returned, how could Jesus be the Messiah? Jesus gives the answer: John the Baptist is the Elijah figure prophesied by Malachi. Here Jesus is doing more than just explaining who John the Baptist is - he is telling his disciples that he himself is the Messiah.
The Gospel writers do not provide a biography of Jesus, but answer the question: who is Jesus? All four Gospels answer: he is the Messiah. He is the Son of God.
Picture Jesus saying to me (As he once said to the disciples): Who do you say that I am?
Let me give that question my honest answer - not in the abstract, but to him.
* Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
December 10, 2021
'Let us not speak of tolerance. This negative word implies grudging concessions by smug consciences. Rather, let us speak of mutual understanding and mutual respect.' -Fr. Georges Pire
Nobel Peace Prize
Each year, the Nobel peace Prize is awarded on December 10. In 1958, the prize was given to a priest for his relief work with displaced persons and refugees.
Born February 10, 1910, in Dinant, Belgium, Georges Pire entered the Dominican Order in 1928. Ordained in 1934, Georges took the religious name Dominique. For many years, he taught at the monastery. In the late 1930s, he founded an agency to aid the poor. During World War II, he was a chaplain in the Belgian resistance, helping to smuggle Allied Pilots out of the country.
After the war, Fr. Pire learned of the desperate plight of Austrian refugee camps. Using his contacts, he organized sponsors to allow him to set up home for aged refugees. In the 1950s, he set up small refugee villages in Europe, and in 1957 founded an organization to support development projects worldwide.
In awarding Fr. Pire the Nobel Peace Prize, the committee noted that he sought to "build a bridge ac5oss the waves from colonialism, anti-colonialism, and racial conflict," Fr. Pire used the prize money to set up the university of Peace to promote "brotherly love." He died January 30, 1969, in Leuven, Belgium.
***
Jesus said, "To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit up in marketplaces and call to one another, 'We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.' For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, 'He is possessed by a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, 'Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.'" (Mt 11:16-19)
The homespun parable of the little children playing in the marketplace describes two groups of youngsters who can't agree on whether to "play wedding" or "play funeral".
For centuries, scholars have tried to clarify its exact meaning and application, but parables are sometimes hard to nail down that way.
Many would apply it in this way: the children inviting the others to play wedding funerals represent John and Jesus. The group of children who pout and refuse to join in playing wedding or playing funeral represent the people who wouldn't accept either John's ascetic style or Jesus' joyful style. These people refuse to be satisfied with either style because they've made up their mind not to accept John or Jesus.
With what group of children would I be standing?
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
Nobel Peace Prize
Each year, the Nobel peace Prize is awarded on December 10. In 1958, the prize was given to a priest for his relief work with displaced persons and refugees.
Born February 10, 1910, in Dinant, Belgium, Georges Pire entered the Dominican Order in 1928. Ordained in 1934, Georges took the religious name Dominique. For many years, he taught at the monastery. In the late 1930s, he founded an agency to aid the poor. During World War II, he was a chaplain in the Belgian resistance, helping to smuggle Allied Pilots out of the country.
After the war, Fr. Pire learned of the desperate plight of Austrian refugee camps. Using his contacts, he organized sponsors to allow him to set up home for aged refugees. In the 1950s, he set up small refugee villages in Europe, and in 1957 founded an organization to support development projects worldwide.
In awarding Fr. Pire the Nobel Peace Prize, the committee noted that he sought to "build a bridge ac5oss the waves from colonialism, anti-colonialism, and racial conflict," Fr. Pire used the prize money to set up the university of Peace to promote "brotherly love." He died January 30, 1969, in Leuven, Belgium.
***
Jesus said, "To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit up in marketplaces and call to one another, 'We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.' For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, 'He is possessed by a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, 'Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.'" (Mt 11:16-19)
The homespun parable of the little children playing in the marketplace describes two groups of youngsters who can't agree on whether to "play wedding" or "play funeral".
For centuries, scholars have tried to clarify its exact meaning and application, but parables are sometimes hard to nail down that way.
Many would apply it in this way: the children inviting the others to play wedding funerals represent John and Jesus. The group of children who pout and refuse to join in playing wedding or playing funeral represent the people who wouldn't accept either John's ascetic style or Jesus' joyful style. These people refuse to be satisfied with either style because they've made up their mind not to accept John or Jesus.
With what group of children would I be standing?
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
December 9, 2021
‘Saint of the Broom’
St. Martin de Porres is the patron saint of all who work for social justice.
The illegitimate son of a Spanish officer (who later became governor of Panama) and a free Black woman, Martin was born into poverty on this day in 1579, in Lima, Peru.
At age 11 he became a servant at a Dominican monastery. To eventually earn a living, he apprenticed with a barber/surgeon, and learned about the use of herbs in treating illness.
But Martin wanted to become a Dominican and applied to join the order. Because of his piety and charity, his religious superiors dropped a stipulation that prevented a Black person from receiving the Dominican habit and, at age 15, Martin became a Dominican brother.
Martin eventually founded an orphanage for abandoned children, staffing it with the best teachers and nurses he could hire. On the hills of Lima he planted fruit and orchards for the poor. He begged for food and clothing from the wealthy, which he distributed to the poor. Martin wore old, patched garments, never ate meat, and spent long hours in prayer. He became known as the "saint of the broom" because of his devotion to work, no matter how menial.
Martin de Porres died in 1639, and was canonized in 1962. His feast is November 3.
***
Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been more greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." (Mt 11:11-15)
Jesus talked about John the Baptist. But John isn't there to hear him because, at this moment, he is in Herod's prison.
John's crime was to criticize Herod for marrying his brother's wife. John will pay the full price for this when, late one night, an executioner is sent from Herod's birthday banquet to cut off John's head.
There have been many prophets in Israel's history. Jesus says that John is the greatest of all because he was privileged to see the fulfillment of what the prophets had proclaimed - the kingdom of God present in a new way in Jesus.
I live in the time after Jesus - the final stage of God's plan. It may be a long stage, perhaps millions of years, but it is the final stage. Creation is very different now because Jesus is part of it.
What remains is for the human race to gradually live the way we were created to live - in peace, love, forgiveness. That's part of how the kingdom of God comes about. (That's also why it might take a few million years.)
Because of the coming of Christ, the reign of God is present in a new way, and I am to help bring about the kingdom by my actions.
How have I been doing this Advent in helping to bring about a kingdom of God?
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
St. Martin de Porres is the patron saint of all who work for social justice.
The illegitimate son of a Spanish officer (who later became governor of Panama) and a free Black woman, Martin was born into poverty on this day in 1579, in Lima, Peru.
At age 11 he became a servant at a Dominican monastery. To eventually earn a living, he apprenticed with a barber/surgeon, and learned about the use of herbs in treating illness.
But Martin wanted to become a Dominican and applied to join the order. Because of his piety and charity, his religious superiors dropped a stipulation that prevented a Black person from receiving the Dominican habit and, at age 15, Martin became a Dominican brother.
Martin eventually founded an orphanage for abandoned children, staffing it with the best teachers and nurses he could hire. On the hills of Lima he planted fruit and orchards for the poor. He begged for food and clothing from the wealthy, which he distributed to the poor. Martin wore old, patched garments, never ate meat, and spent long hours in prayer. He became known as the "saint of the broom" because of his devotion to work, no matter how menial.
Martin de Porres died in 1639, and was canonized in 1962. His feast is November 3.
***
Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been more greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." (Mt 11:11-15)
Jesus talked about John the Baptist. But John isn't there to hear him because, at this moment, he is in Herod's prison.
John's crime was to criticize Herod for marrying his brother's wife. John will pay the full price for this when, late one night, an executioner is sent from Herod's birthday banquet to cut off John's head.
There have been many prophets in Israel's history. Jesus says that John is the greatest of all because he was privileged to see the fulfillment of what the prophets had proclaimed - the kingdom of God present in a new way in Jesus.
I live in the time after Jesus - the final stage of God's plan. It may be a long stage, perhaps millions of years, but it is the final stage. Creation is very different now because Jesus is part of it.
What remains is for the human race to gradually live the way we were created to live - in peace, love, forgiveness. That's part of how the kingdom of God comes about. (That's also why it might take a few million years.)
Because of the coming of Christ, the reign of God is present in a new way, and I am to help bring about the kingdom by my actions.
How have I been doing this Advent in helping to bring about a kingdom of God?
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
December 8, 2021
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Thirteenth-century Franciscan theologian and philosopher Blessed John Duns (known as John Duns Scotus because he was born in Scotland) is sometimes referred to as a "Marian Doctor". That's because he is credited with establishing the theological foundation for the then-controversial doctrine of the Immaculate Conception.
Born in 1266, John entered the Franciscan Order at age 15, and died November 8, 1308, at age 42. One of the great philosophers and theologians of his time, Duns Scotus taught at Oxford, the University of Paris, and the University of Cologne. He also wrote Extensively.
Part of his theology is the belief that, even if human beings hadn't sinned, Jesus would have been born into the human family. The incarnation, he said, expressed God's infinite love, willed by God from all eternity, independent of sin.
This contrasted with more traditional teaching that the Word would not have to become flesh if human beings had not sinned. That view lies behind the Latin phrase in some Christian hymns - O "felix culpa" (which means "O happy fault," namely the sin of Adam and Eve). According to that view, it was a "happy" fault because without it Jesus wouldn't have become human. Some later opponents of Duns Scotus belittled the hairsplitting distinctions and subtle reasoning of his followers (called "Dunsmen") ; eventually the word "dunce" came to be used to describe an ignorant person.
Was the Incarnation God's plan from all eternity, or was it because of sin?
The Church has remained open to either position.
✝ Today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
****
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth. to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. (Lk 1:26-38)
Do I think Mary, just before the Annunciation, had a sense that she was specially blessed by God?
The church teaches that Mary was free from sin from the very moment of conception, that she was “full of grace” and that she was perfectly sinless throughout her life.
I wonder if Mary knew this or had a sense of this?
And what about me? Do I have a sense that God has been specially at work within me, blessing me with special gifts from my early years?
After all, I was baptized and confirmed. God cleansed me of sin, poured the Holy Spirit into my inmost soul. Jesus called me by name to be his disciple. I have received Jesus himself time and time again in the Eucharist. I have joined with him in going to the Father and giving myself completely to God.
Those are very special works of God in me. I have been specially blessed by God, but perhaps I have a hard time believing it.
I need to believe it and live it. Today.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
Thirteenth-century Franciscan theologian and philosopher Blessed John Duns (known as John Duns Scotus because he was born in Scotland) is sometimes referred to as a "Marian Doctor". That's because he is credited with establishing the theological foundation for the then-controversial doctrine of the Immaculate Conception.
Born in 1266, John entered the Franciscan Order at age 15, and died November 8, 1308, at age 42. One of the great philosophers and theologians of his time, Duns Scotus taught at Oxford, the University of Paris, and the University of Cologne. He also wrote Extensively.
Part of his theology is the belief that, even if human beings hadn't sinned, Jesus would have been born into the human family. The incarnation, he said, expressed God's infinite love, willed by God from all eternity, independent of sin.
This contrasted with more traditional teaching that the Word would not have to become flesh if human beings had not sinned. That view lies behind the Latin phrase in some Christian hymns - O "felix culpa" (which means "O happy fault," namely the sin of Adam and Eve). According to that view, it was a "happy" fault because without it Jesus wouldn't have become human. Some later opponents of Duns Scotus belittled the hairsplitting distinctions and subtle reasoning of his followers (called "Dunsmen") ; eventually the word "dunce" came to be used to describe an ignorant person.
Was the Incarnation God's plan from all eternity, or was it because of sin?
The Church has remained open to either position.
✝ Today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
****
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth. to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. (Lk 1:26-38)
Do I think Mary, just before the Annunciation, had a sense that she was specially blessed by God?
The church teaches that Mary was free from sin from the very moment of conception, that she was “full of grace” and that she was perfectly sinless throughout her life.
I wonder if Mary knew this or had a sense of this?
And what about me? Do I have a sense that God has been specially at work within me, blessing me with special gifts from my early years?
After all, I was baptized and confirmed. God cleansed me of sin, poured the Holy Spirit into my inmost soul. Jesus called me by name to be his disciple. I have received Jesus himself time and time again in the Eucharist. I have joined with him in going to the Father and giving myself completely to God.
Those are very special works of God in me. I have been specially blessed by God, but perhaps I have a hard time believing it.
I need to believe it and live it. Today.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
December 7, 2021
'Our beloved country is at war. Our peaceful shores have been ruthlessly attacked, and all citizens are called upon to unite their efforts toward that peace to unite their efforts toward that peace. for which we all have prayed, that peace which is all we have prayed for. That peace which the world cannot give, and that peace which God will surely bring about when mankind has seen its folly and conforms it ways to his. -Front page editorial of The Catholic Herald, the publication of the Diocese of Honolulu, Hawaii, published December 11, 1941, four days after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.
****
Jesus said to his disciples, “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the 99 in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it… he rejoices more over it than over 99 that did not stray. In just the same, it is not the will of your Heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.” (Mt 18:12-12)
Luke's version of this parable is better known than Matthews because it is read on a Sunday. It’s called the “parable lost sheep”
But Matthew uses the word “stray” instead of “lost” (“stray” appears three times in this passage). Getting “lost” often means accidentally losing the way. To “stray” can imply deliberately roving from the course I know is right.
When I sin, I probably see myself more in the “stray” category, deliberately leaving the right path. I can indent with the words attributed to St. Paul: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save dinners. Of these I am the foremost. But for that reason I mercy treated, so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience. (1 Tim 1:15-16)
I have to be sure to take in the whole first sentence of that quote: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” The first thing the Lord says to a sinner isn’t, “ I came into this world for you”.
The celebration of Christmas isn’t simply that Christ came into the world. It’s that he came into the world…for sinners.
For me.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
****
Jesus said to his disciples, “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the 99 in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it… he rejoices more over it than over 99 that did not stray. In just the same, it is not the will of your Heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.” (Mt 18:12-12)
Luke's version of this parable is better known than Matthews because it is read on a Sunday. It’s called the “parable lost sheep”
But Matthew uses the word “stray” instead of “lost” (“stray” appears three times in this passage). Getting “lost” often means accidentally losing the way. To “stray” can imply deliberately roving from the course I know is right.
When I sin, I probably see myself more in the “stray” category, deliberately leaving the right path. I can indent with the words attributed to St. Paul: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save dinners. Of these I am the foremost. But for that reason I mercy treated, so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience. (1 Tim 1:15-16)
I have to be sure to take in the whole first sentence of that quote: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” The first thing the Lord says to a sinner isn’t, “ I came into this world for you”.
The celebration of Christmas isn’t simply that Christ came into the world. It’s that he came into the world…for sinners.
For me.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
December 6, 2021
TRADITION OF 'BOY BISHOPS'
'But Jesus called for them, saying, "Permit the children to come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." -Lk 18:16
Today is the feast of St. Nicholas, patron saint children.
In medieval England and other counties, it was on this day that a young boy was elected to act as bishop. The boy was chosen from children at the local grammar school or monastery school or the cathedral choir.
Like an adult bishop, the boy bishop wore priestly vestments, and processed about the parish, blessing the people. At the church, he would lead religious services (except for Mass)until the feast of the Holy Innocents. He would give sermons and collect and distribute parish money. If he died while serving as bishop, the boy would receive a full bishop funeral.
The custom was abolished by Henry VIII in 1512, then restored by his daughter Queen Mary, and finally abolished again by queen Elizabeth I.
The custom was said to affirm Jesus' teaching about children's special relationship to the kingdom of God.
***
Some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying to bring him in and set him in Jesus' presence. But not finding a way to grind him in because of the crowd, they went up to the room and lowered him on the stretcher through tiles into the middle in front of Jesus. When he saw their faith, he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.” (Lk 5:17-26)
I know the rest of the story. The scribes and Pharisees think that, when Jesus says “your sins are forgiven,” it is communing blasphemy. After all, only God can forgive sins.
Jesus asks them, “which is easier to say, ‘)974 sins are forgiven,’ or to say ‘rise and walk’?”
Think about it. Which is easier? Don’t answer too quickly.
It’s easier to say, “your winds are forgiven,” because no one can tell if they are forgiven. The harder thing to say is “rise and walk because the result (or lack of result) is easily seen.
So, as a sign that he “he has power on earth to forgive sins,” Jesus says to the paralyzed man: “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home."
Which is exactly what the man does.
Jesus can heal and he can forgive sins. Casa closed. But one other question still remains - will he forgive my sins?
Ask him.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
'But Jesus called for them, saying, "Permit the children to come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." -Lk 18:16
Today is the feast of St. Nicholas, patron saint children.
In medieval England and other counties, it was on this day that a young boy was elected to act as bishop. The boy was chosen from children at the local grammar school or monastery school or the cathedral choir.
Like an adult bishop, the boy bishop wore priestly vestments, and processed about the parish, blessing the people. At the church, he would lead religious services (except for Mass)until the feast of the Holy Innocents. He would give sermons and collect and distribute parish money. If he died while serving as bishop, the boy would receive a full bishop funeral.
The custom was abolished by Henry VIII in 1512, then restored by his daughter Queen Mary, and finally abolished again by queen Elizabeth I.
The custom was said to affirm Jesus' teaching about children's special relationship to the kingdom of God.
***
Some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying to bring him in and set him in Jesus' presence. But not finding a way to grind him in because of the crowd, they went up to the room and lowered him on the stretcher through tiles into the middle in front of Jesus. When he saw their faith, he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.” (Lk 5:17-26)
I know the rest of the story. The scribes and Pharisees think that, when Jesus says “your sins are forgiven,” it is communing blasphemy. After all, only God can forgive sins.
Jesus asks them, “which is easier to say, ‘)974 sins are forgiven,’ or to say ‘rise and walk’?”
Think about it. Which is easier? Don’t answer too quickly.
It’s easier to say, “your winds are forgiven,” because no one can tell if they are forgiven. The harder thing to say is “rise and walk because the result (or lack of result) is easily seen.
So, as a sign that he “he has power on earth to forgive sins,” Jesus says to the paralyzed man: “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home."
Which is exactly what the man does.
Jesus can heal and he can forgive sins. Casa closed. But one other question still remains - will he forgive my sins?
Ask him.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
December 5, 2021
THE ORIGINAL 'FR. BROWN'
One of author G.K Chesterton's most famous characters is a crime-solving priest named Fr. Brown.
Chesterton based the character on Fr. John O'Connor, the catholic priest who guided the author's entry into the catholic church.
John O'Connor was born on this day in 1870 in Ireland. He was educated by Franciscan and Christian brothers, and later studied at the English Benedictine College in Flanders (Belgium), and the English College in Rome, Italy. After his ordination in 1895, Fr. O'Connor served in various parishes throughout England, including the Church of the Holy Spirit where he met Chesterton in 1904.
The priest and the author became friends and, in 1922 Fr. O'Connor received Chesterton into the catholic Church. Their friendship lasted more than three decades.
Fr. O'Connor himself was a writer, publishing poetry and book reviews in various English Catholic publications, and translating the work of such writers as Jacques Maritain.
Because of his illustrious service in the catholic church in England, O'Connor was named a monsignor. He was pastor of St. Cuthbert Parish in Bradford, England, from 1919 until his death on February 6, 1952.
The Fr. Brown mysteries were adapted into a 1954 film, starring Alec Guinness as Fr. Brown. It was also a 2018 British TV series.
THE COMING OF GOD
In the fifteenth year of the reign of the Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene... (Lk 3:1-6)
Today's solemn, literary introduction to this section of Likes Gospel still impresses us who hear it 2,000 years later. Why? Because it’s a real story about real people in a real place in real time. It is not a fairy tale sat in some other world.
The Jewish people's beloved homeland was occupied by the pagan Romans in the 15th year of Tiberius Caesar. There was oppression. The holy places had been taken from the people. The procurator was Pontius Pilate, a mean, malicious man. Historians haven’t been good to him. And there was Herod, a brutal ruthless king. The local Jewish leader were an embarrassment to the people. Anna’s and Caiaphas were not the most revered high priests.
And it was into that world that Jesus was born.
A person might say then (as a person might say now): who’d want to bring a baby into that kind of world?
Well, God… and God did.
That’s the world into which God brought his son-not the world's safe places. He came to where there was opression, crime, and bad parts of life.
And his coming gave- and continues to give- new meaning, hope, and goodness to the whole world.
One of author G.K Chesterton's most famous characters is a crime-solving priest named Fr. Brown.
Chesterton based the character on Fr. John O'Connor, the catholic priest who guided the author's entry into the catholic church.
John O'Connor was born on this day in 1870 in Ireland. He was educated by Franciscan and Christian brothers, and later studied at the English Benedictine College in Flanders (Belgium), and the English College in Rome, Italy. After his ordination in 1895, Fr. O'Connor served in various parishes throughout England, including the Church of the Holy Spirit where he met Chesterton in 1904.
The priest and the author became friends and, in 1922 Fr. O'Connor received Chesterton into the catholic Church. Their friendship lasted more than three decades.
Fr. O'Connor himself was a writer, publishing poetry and book reviews in various English Catholic publications, and translating the work of such writers as Jacques Maritain.
Because of his illustrious service in the catholic church in England, O'Connor was named a monsignor. He was pastor of St. Cuthbert Parish in Bradford, England, from 1919 until his death on February 6, 1952.
The Fr. Brown mysteries were adapted into a 1954 film, starring Alec Guinness as Fr. Brown. It was also a 2018 British TV series.
THE COMING OF GOD
In the fifteenth year of the reign of the Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene... (Lk 3:1-6)
Today's solemn, literary introduction to this section of Likes Gospel still impresses us who hear it 2,000 years later. Why? Because it’s a real story about real people in a real place in real time. It is not a fairy tale sat in some other world.
The Jewish people's beloved homeland was occupied by the pagan Romans in the 15th year of Tiberius Caesar. There was oppression. The holy places had been taken from the people. The procurator was Pontius Pilate, a mean, malicious man. Historians haven’t been good to him. And there was Herod, a brutal ruthless king. The local Jewish leader were an embarrassment to the people. Anna’s and Caiaphas were not the most revered high priests.
And it was into that world that Jesus was born.
A person might say then (as a person might say now): who’d want to bring a baby into that kind of world?
Well, God… and God did.
That’s the world into which God brought his son-not the world's safe places. He came to where there was opression, crime, and bad parts of life.
And his coming gave- and continues to give- new meaning, hope, and goodness to the whole world.
December 4, 2021
CATHEDRAL DE SAL
Nearly 700 feet under the city of Zipaquira, Colombia is the catholic cathedral carved entirely of salt.
The Cathedral de Sal (Cathedral of Salt) is located in the former salt mine they had opened in 1815. For many years, salt workers prayed in a small sanctuary built into the mine to the patron saint of miners, the Virgin of the Rosary of Guasa. They asked her to protect them from a toxic gas, explosions, landslides, and other accidents.
Eventually the mind was abandoned. In 1953, Zipaquira's miners and church officials persuaded the Colombian government to convert the mine into a church. The space was enlarged and became a cathedral. In 1990 the cathedral was closed due to structural issues.
A new cathedral was built nearly 200 feet below the old structure and opened in 1995. Everything within the church is carved of salt, including the stations of the cross which took five years to carve into the walls. The five-ton rock salt altar from the old cathedral was moved to the new.
***
Until the post-Vatican II reform of the liturgical calendar, today was the feast of St. Barbara. She is the patron of salt miners.
JESUS WENT AROUND TO ALL THE TOWNS AND VILLAGES, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “ The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest”. (Mt 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8)
During these 27 days of the advent of 2021, I’m trying to draw closer to Jesus.
Perhaps I think this would be easier if I had a biography, even a picture of Jesus. But the gospels writers don’t give me that kind of information. Except for the story of his birth and Matthew and Luke. They mostly tell me only about the last year‘s of his life.
What does Jesus like? Was he tall, short, then, heavy? Did he laugh too much? Did he have a good singing voice? Did he have a roundish face or a square jaw? Was there a twinkle in his eye or stern look? Did he come off as formal or folksy?
The evangelist don't get into this. They want me to know who Jesus is, not what he looked like or sounded like.
There is, however, one human characteristic they do stress: he was compassionate. On eight different occasions he is described as having pity. On two occasions they note that he wept at the death of his friend Lazarus and also over the city of Jerusalem.
The “Word became flesh”- truly one of us. It helps to keep in mind when spending some quiet time with the Lord.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
Nearly 700 feet under the city of Zipaquira, Colombia is the catholic cathedral carved entirely of salt.
The Cathedral de Sal (Cathedral of Salt) is located in the former salt mine they had opened in 1815. For many years, salt workers prayed in a small sanctuary built into the mine to the patron saint of miners, the Virgin of the Rosary of Guasa. They asked her to protect them from a toxic gas, explosions, landslides, and other accidents.
Eventually the mind was abandoned. In 1953, Zipaquira's miners and church officials persuaded the Colombian government to convert the mine into a church. The space was enlarged and became a cathedral. In 1990 the cathedral was closed due to structural issues.
A new cathedral was built nearly 200 feet below the old structure and opened in 1995. Everything within the church is carved of salt, including the stations of the cross which took five years to carve into the walls. The five-ton rock salt altar from the old cathedral was moved to the new.
***
Until the post-Vatican II reform of the liturgical calendar, today was the feast of St. Barbara. She is the patron of salt miners.
JESUS WENT AROUND TO ALL THE TOWNS AND VILLAGES, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “ The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest”. (Mt 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8)
During these 27 days of the advent of 2021, I’m trying to draw closer to Jesus.
Perhaps I think this would be easier if I had a biography, even a picture of Jesus. But the gospels writers don’t give me that kind of information. Except for the story of his birth and Matthew and Luke. They mostly tell me only about the last year‘s of his life.
What does Jesus like? Was he tall, short, then, heavy? Did he laugh too much? Did he have a good singing voice? Did he have a roundish face or a square jaw? Was there a twinkle in his eye or stern look? Did he come off as formal or folksy?
The evangelist don't get into this. They want me to know who Jesus is, not what he looked like or sounded like.
There is, however, one human characteristic they do stress: he was compassionate. On eight different occasions he is described as having pity. On two occasions they note that he wept at the death of his friend Lazarus and also over the city of Jerusalem.
The “Word became flesh”- truly one of us. It helps to keep in mind when spending some quiet time with the Lord.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
December 3, 2021
XAVIER SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND
'Go forth to strange lands, learn to speak the languages and tell the people about the words of God.' -St. Francis Xavier
The Xavier Society for the Blind was founded to provide Catholic religious material for blind and visually impaired people.
The society began when a visually impaired woman in New York named Margaret Coffey asked Jesuit Fr. Joseph Stadelman (who wrecked with the deaf) if he cold provide a meeting place and religious material for the blind. He agreed to help and the Xavier Society from the Blind began meeting at Xavier College (now a high school) in Manhattan, New York, in January 1900. The Xavier Society was officially incorporated in 1904.
Margaret Coffey donated her life savings to purchase a stereograph machine which could print material in 'raised print' (Braille). The society's first publication for the blind was the Baltimore Catechism. At one time, the society was the only publishing house making such material available to the blind. Today the society produces and distributes materials in Braille, audio format, and large print.
Today is the feast of St. Francis Xavier, patron of foreign missions. It is said that he performed a miracle of giving sight to a blind man.
*November 27 is the earliest day on which the First Sunday of Advent can fall, while December 3 is the latest.
AS JESUS PASSED ON, two blind men followed him crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him. Then he touched their eyes and said “let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened. (Mt 9:27-31)
Each time I read a passage about a miracle, I need to remind myself that Jesus performed miracles not to prove something but to teach something.
In curing these two blind men Jesus is teaching me that I’m not going to see the deeper truth of human life and the world around me unless I do let him open my eyes he is very glad to do this if only I let him.
Christmas is 22 days away. I'm trying to widen and deepen my awareness of who Jesus is. I'm also trying to become more aware of his presence all around me.
Maybe I can take a moment now to look around me if there’s a window look outside to I can ask the Lord to help me see everything with the eyes of faith in the sense that I simply say whatever I see is god's creation of realize that Jesus became part of this creation and is still part of it I will see that the worlds differently if I look at it with eyes of faith in the sense that I simply see whatever I see as God's creation and is still part of it.
I would see the world differently if I look at it with eyes of faith.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
'Go forth to strange lands, learn to speak the languages and tell the people about the words of God.' -St. Francis Xavier
The Xavier Society for the Blind was founded to provide Catholic religious material for blind and visually impaired people.
The society began when a visually impaired woman in New York named Margaret Coffey asked Jesuit Fr. Joseph Stadelman (who wrecked with the deaf) if he cold provide a meeting place and religious material for the blind. He agreed to help and the Xavier Society from the Blind began meeting at Xavier College (now a high school) in Manhattan, New York, in January 1900. The Xavier Society was officially incorporated in 1904.
Margaret Coffey donated her life savings to purchase a stereograph machine which could print material in 'raised print' (Braille). The society's first publication for the blind was the Baltimore Catechism. At one time, the society was the only publishing house making such material available to the blind. Today the society produces and distributes materials in Braille, audio format, and large print.
Today is the feast of St. Francis Xavier, patron of foreign missions. It is said that he performed a miracle of giving sight to a blind man.
*November 27 is the earliest day on which the First Sunday of Advent can fall, while December 3 is the latest.
AS JESUS PASSED ON, two blind men followed him crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him. Then he touched their eyes and said “let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened. (Mt 9:27-31)
Each time I read a passage about a miracle, I need to remind myself that Jesus performed miracles not to prove something but to teach something.
In curing these two blind men Jesus is teaching me that I’m not going to see the deeper truth of human life and the world around me unless I do let him open my eyes he is very glad to do this if only I let him.
Christmas is 22 days away. I'm trying to widen and deepen my awareness of who Jesus is. I'm also trying to become more aware of his presence all around me.
Maybe I can take a moment now to look around me if there’s a window look outside to I can ask the Lord to help me see everything with the eyes of faith in the sense that I simply say whatever I see is god's creation of realize that Jesus became part of this creation and is still part of it I will see that the worlds differently if I look at it with eyes of faith in the sense that I simply see whatever I see as God's creation and is still part of it.
I would see the world differently if I look at it with eyes of faith.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
December 2, 2021
ST. BIBIANA
A saint to remember during the holidays might be St. Bibiana, whose feast is today.
She is the patron saint for preventing hangovers.
Nobody knows why, but it's said that herbs and plants grew about her gravesite, and pilgrims to her grave discover that eating those herbs helped alleviate the pain and discomfort of overimbibing.
Very little is known about St. Bibiana, who lived in the fourth century. She first appears in the "Liber Pontificalis (' 'Book of the Popes``) which notes that Pope Simplicius (pope from 468 to 483) consecrated a basilica to her in Roe. A chapel in the basilica contains the remains of Bibiana and her father.
Legend says that Bibiana was the daughter of Christians. Her father was a perfect (military or civil officer of the Roman Empire). Because of his faith, he was tortured and then banished by the Emperor Julian the Apostate (who reigned from 361 to 363). Bibiana's mother and sister who were also persecuted but died of natural causes.
Another legend says that Bibiana's parents were beheaded. After their parents' deaths, Bibiana and her sister lived in poverty for five months, praying and fasting. When they are finally brought into court, her sister dies on the spot, and Bibiana was sentenced to be tortured and killed.
JESUS SAID, "everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts of them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. but it did not collapse. it had been set solidly on rock." (Mt 7:21, 24-27)
Jesus says that if I take to heart his words and make them the basis of my actions, my life is built on a rock-solid foundation.
This raises some questions. First, do I more or less operate on a vague desire to do what is right or have I built a set of convictions that I try to love by? This would be comparable to the house in today's parable.
If I do have convictions, what are they based on? The "rock: of God's word? Or the shifting sands of what seems to be generally acceptable in society? When the rain and floods and wins come into my life-and they always do- I need solid footings. As a disciple of the Lord, I commit myself to more than following the Gospel whenever convenient.
Just for starters: do I forgive when I feel like it, or do I have a conviction based on the "solid rock '' that Jesus taught about forgiveness? Or, prayer. Do I pray "when I get a chance," or do I have a rock-solid pattern of prayer?
I need to spend some time taking stock of the foundation on which I have built my life.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
A saint to remember during the holidays might be St. Bibiana, whose feast is today.
She is the patron saint for preventing hangovers.
Nobody knows why, but it's said that herbs and plants grew about her gravesite, and pilgrims to her grave discover that eating those herbs helped alleviate the pain and discomfort of overimbibing.
Very little is known about St. Bibiana, who lived in the fourth century. She first appears in the "Liber Pontificalis (' 'Book of the Popes``) which notes that Pope Simplicius (pope from 468 to 483) consecrated a basilica to her in Roe. A chapel in the basilica contains the remains of Bibiana and her father.
Legend says that Bibiana was the daughter of Christians. Her father was a perfect (military or civil officer of the Roman Empire). Because of his faith, he was tortured and then banished by the Emperor Julian the Apostate (who reigned from 361 to 363). Bibiana's mother and sister who were also persecuted but died of natural causes.
Another legend says that Bibiana's parents were beheaded. After their parents' deaths, Bibiana and her sister lived in poverty for five months, praying and fasting. When they are finally brought into court, her sister dies on the spot, and Bibiana was sentenced to be tortured and killed.
JESUS SAID, "everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts of them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. but it did not collapse. it had been set solidly on rock." (Mt 7:21, 24-27)
Jesus says that if I take to heart his words and make them the basis of my actions, my life is built on a rock-solid foundation.
This raises some questions. First, do I more or less operate on a vague desire to do what is right or have I built a set of convictions that I try to love by? This would be comparable to the house in today's parable.
If I do have convictions, what are they based on? The "rock: of God's word? Or the shifting sands of what seems to be generally acceptable in society? When the rain and floods and wins come into my life-and they always do- I need solid footings. As a disciple of the Lord, I commit myself to more than following the Gospel whenever convenient.
Just for starters: do I forgive when I feel like it, or do I have a conviction based on the "solid rock '' that Jesus taught about forgiveness? Or, prayer. Do I pray "when I get a chance," or do I have a rock-solid pattern of prayer?
I need to spend some time taking stock of the foundation on which I have built my life.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
December 1, 2021
ST. ALOYSIUS GONZAGA
Today is World AIDS Day, begun in 1988 to raise awareness of AIDS and to remember those who died of the disease. St. Aloysius Gonzaga is the patron saint for AIDS patients and their caregivers.
Aloysius Gonzaga was born March 9, 1568, in the republic of Venice, Italy. The son of a nobleman/gambler, he was expected to grow up and become a soldier and a member of the royal court. But the child was stricken with a kidney disease which left him bedridden, and this gave him time for prayer.
Even as a youngster, Aloysius was committed to the poor and often gave needy children catechism lessons. At 18, he signed away his claim to the family wealth and decided to join the Jesuits.
When plague broke out in Rome in 1591, Aloysius volunteered to tend to the sick at the Jesuit hospital. But he soon caught the plague and died. He was 23 years old.
Aloysius received his first communion from a future saint, Charles Borromeo (whom he met at the royal court), and the anointing of the sick from another future saint, Robert Bellarmine (his spirit advisor while he was a seminarian)
*Take another look at the Advent plans sketched last Sunday.
JESUS WALKED BY THE SEA OF GALILEE, went up on the mountain, and sat down there. Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds we amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the being able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel. (Mt 15:29-37)
Jesus came to reshape human society and bring about new order in the world- the reign of God. These miraculous healings are signs of what Jesus came to accomplish.
Jesus isn’t showing off his power. Nor is he scrambling to go around and heal even sick person in the world. He is preaching through signs that show what the reign of God is like. He is showing people the future and calling them to be part of bringing it about.
Even though I can’t perform miracles, I can join in the Lords, work through acts of kindness, forgiveness, and peace. These actions are signs that reveal the reign of God and change the world-and me-for the better.
Christmas is three weeks away. There is a spirit of friendship in the air that actually makes it easier to reach out to others. No one would think me strange if, out of the blue, I “miraculously” touched another person's life with a simple note, a Christmas card, a phone call, a visit, a small gift, a word asking for forgiveness, and a word giving forgiveness.
These simple deeds reveal the reign of God and can be the word for the better.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
Today is World AIDS Day, begun in 1988 to raise awareness of AIDS and to remember those who died of the disease. St. Aloysius Gonzaga is the patron saint for AIDS patients and their caregivers.
Aloysius Gonzaga was born March 9, 1568, in the republic of Venice, Italy. The son of a nobleman/gambler, he was expected to grow up and become a soldier and a member of the royal court. But the child was stricken with a kidney disease which left him bedridden, and this gave him time for prayer.
Even as a youngster, Aloysius was committed to the poor and often gave needy children catechism lessons. At 18, he signed away his claim to the family wealth and decided to join the Jesuits.
When plague broke out in Rome in 1591, Aloysius volunteered to tend to the sick at the Jesuit hospital. But he soon caught the plague and died. He was 23 years old.
Aloysius received his first communion from a future saint, Charles Borromeo (whom he met at the royal court), and the anointing of the sick from another future saint, Robert Bellarmine (his spirit advisor while he was a seminarian)
*Take another look at the Advent plans sketched last Sunday.
JESUS WALKED BY THE SEA OF GALILEE, went up on the mountain, and sat down there. Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds we amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the being able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel. (Mt 15:29-37)
Jesus came to reshape human society and bring about new order in the world- the reign of God. These miraculous healings are signs of what Jesus came to accomplish.
Jesus isn’t showing off his power. Nor is he scrambling to go around and heal even sick person in the world. He is preaching through signs that show what the reign of God is like. He is showing people the future and calling them to be part of bringing it about.
Even though I can’t perform miracles, I can join in the Lords, work through acts of kindness, forgiveness, and peace. These actions are signs that reveal the reign of God and change the world-and me-for the better.
Christmas is three weeks away. There is a spirit of friendship in the air that actually makes it easier to reach out to others. No one would think me strange if, out of the blue, I “miraculously” touched another person's life with a simple note, a Christmas card, a phone call, a visit, a small gift, a word asking for forgiveness, and a word giving forgiveness.
These simple deeds reveal the reign of God and can be the word for the better.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
November 30, 2021
YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH
'The greatness of St. Joseph is that he was the spouse of Mary and the father of Jesus. In this was he placed himself, in the words of St. John Chrysostom, at the service of the entire plan of salvation' -Pope Francis, in his apostolic letter, "Patris Corde" (With the Father's Heart")
This marks the last week of the year of St .Joseph which was proclaimed by Pope Francis in 2020. It began on December 8, 2020, and concludes next week in December 8, 2021. His proclamation marks the 150th anniversary of Pope Pius IX's declaration of St. Joseph as the patron of the universal Church.
When Pius made the proclamation in 1870, the Catholic Church was enduring troubled times and under fire from many countries which urged extensive Church reform. At one point, the pope himself was under house arrest.
Just as St. Joseph had protected the Holy Family, the pope also entrusted the beleaguered Church to the saint's protection.
Pope Pius IX is the longest reigning pope of the catholic church, serving for 32 years until his death in 1878.
In 1854, after consultation with the bishop of the world and with theologians, Pope Pius IX declared the immaculate Conception to be a dogma of the Church.
AS JESUS WAS WALKING BY THE SEA OF GALILEE, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a new into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Jesus walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. (Mt 4:18-22)
Today's reading is the familiar story of Jesus choosing his first four disciples- Peter, Andrew, James, and John.
What’s interning is that Jesus didn’t give them a commandment (Thou shalt…) nor did he simply make a passing suggestion (You might think about…). He said, “Come after me.” It was a personal call to each of them.
Like the disciples, I have been personally called by Jesus called by name to associate myself with Jesus, to do something that no one else can do, and (as if worked out for the disciples) to do something that I will never see finished.
The reason why I am doing what I am doing isn’t because I stood back and analyzed the whole thing and decided to become a disciple of Jesus. It’s not because of any reason other than the fact that in some strange way, God has called me.
And when God calls, one responds. I don’t always have to make sense out of everything, but when God called, like the disciples, I said yes.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
This marks the last week of the year of St .Joseph which was proclaimed by Pope Francis in 2020. It began on December 8, 2020, and concludes next week in December 8, 2021. His proclamation marks the 150th anniversary of Pope Pius IX's declaration of St. Joseph as the patron of the universal Church.
When Pius made the proclamation in 1870, the Catholic Church was enduring troubled times and under fire from many countries which urged extensive Church reform. At one point, the pope himself was under house arrest.
Just as St. Joseph had protected the Holy Family, the pope also entrusted the beleaguered Church to the saint's protection.
Pope Pius IX is the longest reigning pope of the catholic church, serving for 32 years until his death in 1878.
In 1854, after consultation with the bishop of the world and with theologians, Pope Pius IX declared the immaculate Conception to be a dogma of the Church.
AS JESUS WAS WALKING BY THE SEA OF GALILEE, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a new into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Jesus walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. (Mt 4:18-22)
Today's reading is the familiar story of Jesus choosing his first four disciples- Peter, Andrew, James, and John.
What’s interning is that Jesus didn’t give them a commandment (Thou shalt…) nor did he simply make a passing suggestion (You might think about…). He said, “Come after me.” It was a personal call to each of them.
Like the disciples, I have been personally called by Jesus called by name to associate myself with Jesus, to do something that no one else can do, and (as if worked out for the disciples) to do something that I will never see finished.
The reason why I am doing what I am doing isn’t because I stood back and analyzed the whole thing and decided to become a disciple of Jesus. It’s not because of any reason other than the fact that in some strange way, God has called me.
And when God calls, one responds. I don’t always have to make sense out of everything, but when God called, like the disciples, I said yes.
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
November 29, 2021
Thanksgiving football
The first national radio broadcast of a professional football game took place on this day in 1934.
The Thanksgiving Day game pitted the Detroit Lions against the Chicago bears. Ninety-four radio stations carried the game, which the Bears won 19-16.
Earlier that year, a Detroit radio executive had purchased the Portsmouth, Ohio, Spartans football team, and moved it to Detroit. He renamed it the Lions. Since the Detroit Lions didn't have their own playing field yet, their games were played on the field of the University of Detroit their first few years. In 1935, the Lions won the national football league championship before 12,000 fans at UD's stadium.
Except for a brief period during World War II (1939 through 1944), a Lions football game has been a thanksgiving tradition.
***
The University of Detroit was founded in 1877 by the Society of Jesus. Originally called Detroit Collage, the school later expanded to include a law school and a dental school. In 1990, the University of Detroit merged with Mercy college of Detroit to create University of Detroit Mercy.
WHEN JESUS ENTERED CAPERNAUM, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed suffering dreadfully." Jesus said to him, "I will come and cure him." The centurion said in reply "Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will healed." (Mt 8:5-11)
As the above passage continues, Jesus will marvel at the faith of this Gentile centurion. He will then send the centurion home with reassurance that his servant is healed. Matthew will note: "And the servant was healed that very moment."
The centurion had no doubt that Jesus could heal from a distance. It was only a question of whether Jesus would choose to heal the servant at all. When Jesus says to him "Go home. It shall be done because you trusted," the centurion fully believes that the servant is indeed healed.
Let me take a minute to think about the level of my faith and trust in God. When I pray and ask God to do something, and it doesn't happen, what kind of thoughts cross my mind?
Talk to the Lord about it .
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
The Thanksgiving Day game pitted the Detroit Lions against the Chicago bears. Ninety-four radio stations carried the game, which the Bears won 19-16.
Earlier that year, a Detroit radio executive had purchased the Portsmouth, Ohio, Spartans football team, and moved it to Detroit. He renamed it the Lions. Since the Detroit Lions didn't have their own playing field yet, their games were played on the field of the University of Detroit their first few years. In 1935, the Lions won the national football league championship before 12,000 fans at UD's stadium.
Except for a brief period during World War II (1939 through 1944), a Lions football game has been a thanksgiving tradition.
***
The University of Detroit was founded in 1877 by the Society of Jesus. Originally called Detroit Collage, the school later expanded to include a law school and a dental school. In 1990, the University of Detroit merged with Mercy college of Detroit to create University of Detroit Mercy.
WHEN JESUS ENTERED CAPERNAUM, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed suffering dreadfully." Jesus said to him, "I will come and cure him." The centurion said in reply "Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will healed." (Mt 8:5-11)
As the above passage continues, Jesus will marvel at the faith of this Gentile centurion. He will then send the centurion home with reassurance that his servant is healed. Matthew will note: "And the servant was healed that very moment."
The centurion had no doubt that Jesus could heal from a distance. It was only a question of whether Jesus would choose to heal the servant at all. When Jesus says to him "Go home. It shall be done because you trusted," the centurion fully believes that the servant is indeed healed.
Let me take a minute to think about the level of my faith and trust in God. When I pray and ask God to do something, and it doesn't happen, what kind of thoughts cross my mind?
- Do I wonder if God could really do it?
- Do I believe that God could, and wonder why God wouldn't, and decide that its more or less because of my own sinfulness?
- Do I believe that God could, and trust that God didn't because there's more to my request than I can see?
Talk to the Lord about it .
*Spend some quiet time with the Lord. ✝
November 28, 2021
Advent/Christmas Plans
Spend today's six minutes with the lord sketching below some ideas on how you can spend these 27 days of advent well. Your plans can include items that are spiritual (deciding where and when you will pray each day) ... practical; (your gift list) ... personal (sending a Christmas card to someone with whom you've not been on good terms) ... Charitable (doing something for the poor) ...
[Before you write anything, spend a few quiet moments with the Lord and ask for help]
WHAT DO I HOLD DEAR?
Jesus said to his disciples: "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth's nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken." (Lk 21:25-28, 34-36)
Scripture is full of the end of the world passages that tell of earthquakes and great signs- the sun will darken, the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky.
Physicists say that (in terms of what they know) the end of our solar system (the sun and planets) will happen long before the end of the universe. The universe (at least as it now exists) will ultimately end, but our solar system will break up long before then.
Here's an imaginary scenario that could happen- maybe it will, maybe it won't- but thinking it can help give some perspective. Just suppose I was one of those future citizens, but transported to safety on a distant planet that is far from our solar system.
Then it happens. Today's Gospel passage starts to come true and I'm able to see all the places and things that were part of my life on earth go up in flames or fall into the sea. As I watch, I begin to realize what is really important to me, what I treasure.
And, what do I truly hold dear in my life right now?
Think about it.
What do I hold dear?
*The eight-day Jewish feast of Hanukkah begins today.
[Before you write anything, spend a few quiet moments with the Lord and ask for help]
WHAT DO I HOLD DEAR?
Jesus said to his disciples: "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth's nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken." (Lk 21:25-28, 34-36)
Scripture is full of the end of the world passages that tell of earthquakes and great signs- the sun will darken, the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky.
Physicists say that (in terms of what they know) the end of our solar system (the sun and planets) will happen long before the end of the universe. The universe (at least as it now exists) will ultimately end, but our solar system will break up long before then.
Here's an imaginary scenario that could happen- maybe it will, maybe it won't- but thinking it can help give some perspective. Just suppose I was one of those future citizens, but transported to safety on a distant planet that is far from our solar system.
Then it happens. Today's Gospel passage starts to come true and I'm able to see all the places and things that were part of my life on earth go up in flames or fall into the sea. As I watch, I begin to realize what is really important to me, what I treasure.
And, what do I truly hold dear in my life right now?
Think about it.
What do I hold dear?
*The eight-day Jewish feast of Hanukkah begins today.
Focal Points ~ Worship Forming Us
CLICK IMAGES TO READ
|
|
