December 28, 2014: Feast of the Holy Family

Like last Sunday, the readings for this Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph speak of God's covenantal promises, manifested in the family relationships of Abraham.  Even as he and Sarah advanced greatly in age, God promised that Abraham would bear a son, who would inherit the blessings of His promises, which included innumerable descendants.

It was this covenant that bore the Mosaic Law, which Mary, Joseph, Simeon, and Anna were faithful to by their presence in the Temple in the Gospel reading.  Yet while fulfilling their duties, a new Light shone that Simeon and Anna clearly recognized:  God was establishing a New Covenant through this Holy Child, the Savior of all peoples.  And it would be a covenantal promise that would be manifest in the relationships of the Holy Family, as they expressed their love for one another, showing us an example of how we live love for each other in our relationships, love made possible by God's act of salvation.

God is truly taking care of us by fulfilling His promises.  It doesn't seem like there's more could we do than keep faithful to God day by day, living for Him, especially in our relationships.  He desires to be a part of family relationships when He was born on Earth, in a human family.  By such a holy birth, He brings us together to be part of God's family, made of people who share a common faith in Him.

December 25, 2014: The Feast of the Nativity of the Lord

From time to time in life, people save the best for last.

The 2nd reading from Hebrews in the lectionary for Christmas Mass During the Day tells about how God spoke through prophets throughout the centuries, but now, in these last days, has spoken to us by the Son.

God saved the best expression and revelation of Himself for these last days, namely, Jesus Christ.  He came from outside our world and outside of time to make God present to us in a very real way.  It is one of the great Mysteries of our Faith that God became Flesh in Jesus Christ, born human to reveal God to us.

God must have really wanted to make sure that people knew He was now on Earth.  And so He sent angels to announce this Good News to the shepherds in the fields outside Bethlehem--the Good News that God came for us to bring us salvation, which speaks to what we celebrate in the Paschal Triduum, for you certainly can't have one without the other.  Once the shepherds saw the Christ Child, they went everywhere telling the News--their feet became the feet that carried the glad tidings, as mentioned in the reading from Isaiah.

Indeed, what great joy touches our hearts as we behold God born in the manger so long ago, and born today in our hearts.

December 21, 2014: Fourth Sunday of Advent

The Old Testament contains a series of promises God makes in the form of convenants.  Today's first reading features the Covenant with King David.  God promises to establish David's house forever, by placing from his line One to sit on his throne for all time.

We see the fulfillment of that promise, a mystery from ages past now manifested by the command of God--in the spirit of St. Paul's words in the 2nd reading--when the angel Gabriel comes to Mary and tells her she will bear the Son of God.  Surely frightened and overwhelmed, Mary gradually realizes through the course of the conversation with Gabriel that God's power will fully come upon her to make this baby possible.  God truly takes care of everything, and all that remains is her obedient "Yes".

Imagine the marvelous things God continues to accomplish in His unfolding plan of salvation as we entrust ourselves to Him with our obedient "Yes".

December 14, 2014: Third Sunday of Advent/Gaudete Sunday

In this weekend's readings, at the midpoint of Advent, God speaks to us reasons for rejoicing.

God is doing a marvelous work in the world, which is happening in our hearts.  He brings forth justice to the world through the lowly and humble like us.  We praise Him for looking upon us, and turn to live in righteousness before Him, praying always as we engage in relationship with Him, which is how He brings life to the Earth.  We become the ones who announce the One among us, whom others may not recognize, but whom we do.  Yes, God's great gift of salvation is coming alive in us.  That is great reason for rejoicing.

I also rejoice as I come upon the one-year anniversary of the launch of this blog.  A year ago, Gaudete Sunday's readings, with reasons for rejoicing, inspired me to share a message of joy.  And I have continued in that spirit of joy sharing what God speaks through His Holy Word.

P.S. I apologize for the delay.  In the midst of everything going on in the past week--read: being at Church Monday-Thursday nights--I neglected to realize I hadn't published this.

December 8, 2014: Feast of the Immaculate Conception

God began a new era in world history when He intervened to reverse the effects of original sin, brought upon humanity by the disobedience of Adam and Eve.

He sent His angel to Mary, who through her obedience to God's word, brought forth Christ, who became our salvation.  Within us, He imparts His righteousness so we die to sin and live Holy before God.  What a wondrous work that began with the first disciple, Mary.

As an aside:  This is the Patronal Feast Day of the United States.  It seems fitting, as the founding of the US is regarded as a new era of liberty, for people came to this land in a "new world" to live in greater freedom.  On this feast, we celebrate how a new measure of freedom came to humanity.

December 7, 2014: Second Sunday of Advent

In a world of troubles and difficulties, God speaks words of comfort to us.  He sends a Savior to make all things right, even in our own hearts.  He calls us to take leave of sin and embrace ways of righteousness, especially as the Day of the Lord nears when the Earth and Heavens are destroyed and replaced by new Heavens and Earth.

We take comfort in God's patience with us.  He wants us to live in righteousness, and calls us during this time before the End to repent, just as did John the Baptist.  We turn toward God, and make ready the way for Him to enter our hearts, even through the Holy Spirit, the baptism by fire.