LOVE BEARS EVERYTHING 1 Sam 26:2, 7-9,12-13,22-23; 1 Cor 15:45-49; Lk 6:27-38 (7 C)

 

LOVE BEARS EVERYTHING

 

1 Sam 26:2, 7-9,12-13,22-23; 1 Cor 15:45-49; Lk 6:27-38 (7  C)

“Naked from his mother’s womb a man comes; as naked as he will depart again”

 

What makes Christians different from any other religion? It is grace - treating others, not as they deserve, but as God wishes them to be treated with loving-kindness and mercy. God is good to the unjust as well as the just. His love embraces saints and sinners alike. “God is Love” (1 Jn 4:8,16). God granted the people of Israel a king even though they were in outright rebellion with God that they wanted a king. And God blessed them with a king. God accommodated situations that were not his original ideal and even blessed people in non-ideal stations of life. David said to King Saul who was trying to kill him, “I have plenty of reason to kill you, and it would have been simple for me to do so, but it would have been the wrong thing for me to do since God has chosen you to be king” (1 Sam 24:3).

 

From the cross, Jesus forgave his persecutors, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they do” (Lk 23:34). Jesus exhorts us to “Be merciful, just as our Father is merciful” (Lk 6:36). The vicious cycle of hatred can only be stopped by people who are determined to love. Faith expresses it through love (Gal 5:6) and whoever loves others fulfills the law (Rom13:8). Love is the fulfillment of the law (Rom 13:10) and the entire law is fulfilled in keeping one command: love your neighbor as yourself (Gal 5:14). Paul wants us to let go of “rules” possessing the spirit of Christ (Rom 8:9).

 

All of us have our battle stories. Perhaps, some of us have let bad situations become worse by taking a shot back against those unjust aggressors in our lives. How important is that grudge we hold? When we die, we can only take with us our capacity to love. From cell, St. Thomas More forgave King Henry VIII for destroying his reputation and his life. The greatest gift to happiness is rejecting hatred. Those who are tied to God find peace. Only the cross of Christ can free us from the tyranny of malice, hatred, revenge, and resentment. And that gives us the courage to return evil with good. Such love and grace have the power to heal and save us from destruction. That is why Paul tells us to “bless and not curse nor take revenge and to overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:14,17,21).

 

Cardinal Newman wrote: “O Jesus! Help us to spread your fragrance everywhere we go. Flood our souls with your spirit and life. Penetrate and possess our whole being, so utterly, that our lives may only be a radiance of yours (...). That every soul we come in contact with may feel your presence in their soul. May the light, O Jesus, shine on others through us”. We can love, forgive, and accept others when our hearts magnify in the love of God. The love of Jesus does not count the degree or category rater loves without boundaries.

 

“We brought nothing into the world and can take nothing out of it”.

The Lord Watches Over the Way of the Righteous: Jer 17:5-8; 1 Cor 15:12,16-20; Lk 6:17,20-26 (6 C)

 

The Lord Watches Over the Way of the Righteous

Jer 17:5-8; 1 Cor 15:12,16-20; Lk 6:17,20-26 (6 C)

“We proclaim Christ on the cross, Christ who is the power of God” (Divine Office)

The beginning of the Sermon on the Plain in the Gospel of Luke is similar to Matthew 5:1-7,11 the Sermon on the Mount. These titles suggest differences and similarities between these Gospel readings. The Beatitudes in Luke’s Gospel sound more personal than those in Matthew’s Gospel. Luke uses the pronoun “you” whereas Matthew uses “they” or “those.” There is also a difference in number. Matthew describes eight beatitudes, and Luke presents just four presenting a parallel warning.

The form of the Beatitudes in the Gospels is not a unique teaching of Jesus. Beatitudes are also found in the Old Testament, such as in the Psalms and Wisdom literature. Today’s responsorial Psalm offers the idea of the “two ways” – Happy the man who follows the law of the Lord not of the wicked. The prophets warned about social justice and sharing: “Woe to those who add house to house and join field to field until everything belongs to them. Woe to those who from the early morning chase after strong drinks and stay up late at night inflamed with wine. Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil, who substitute darkness for light. Woe to those who for a bribe acquit the guilty and cheat the good man of his due” (Is 5:8-23).  All these are just as relevant today as when the prophets first proclaimed them.

The concept of “Two Ways” – “good and evil” deeply influenced the early Church. Jesus' way of happiness demands a transformation from within - a conversion of heart and mind through the working of the Holy Spirit. How can one find happiness in poverty, hunger, mourning, and persecution? If we want to be filled with the joy and happiness of heaven, then we must empty ourselves of all that would shut God out of our hearts. St. Ambrose an early church father (Milan) links the beatitudes with the four cardinal virtues which strengthen our moral excellence. They are temperance, justice, prudence, and fortitude. They are poor in spirit, submissive, and tranquil. They are just giving away their goods. They do not trap neighbors. These virtues are interwoven and interlinked. Thus, temperance has purity of heart and spirit, justice has compassion, patience has peace, and endurance has gentleness.

How often do we hear optimistic news about the progressive recovery of the economy of the poor? Economic growth in the developed world often masks the gulf between the better and the without work or future in this macroeconomic system! The provocative system of consumerism clashes with the misery and insecurity of so many. Such was denounced by St John Paul II who said, “…function almost automatically, making more rigid the situations of wealth for some and of poverty for others.” In his Gospel-based encyclical “Sollicitudo Rei Socialis” (The Social Concern), he called such a situation sinful. His teachings reflect still today as the AI that engulfs the existence of humanity. Bringing AI to consciousness by misuse of God-given intelligence calls to reflect God’s reaction to the Tower of Babel!

In his “Fides et Ratio” (Faith and Reason), St John Paul II said, “It is faith which stirs reason to move beyond all isolation and willingly to run risks so that it may attain whatever is beautiful, good and true for humanity.” Jesus’ message isn’t born out of the powerlessness of cast-aside and resentful people, but out of his intense vision of God’s justice that can’t allow the final triumph of injustice. Jesus’ word keeps being decisive for the rich and the poor. Word of denouncing and encouragement is alive and challenges us all.

 

The Beatitudes are the faithful and prayerful. They are like trees that stretch their roots to the underground waters (Ps 1:1) which is God. They are dependent upon God and feel serene. Dependence upon God is not a sign of weakness rather it keeps them in contact with a never-ending source of strength.

“...for what this world considers to be wisdom is nonsense in God’s sight” (Divine Office)

CALLED TO BE CAUGHT UP IN THE GOD’S NET : Is 6:1-2a,3-8; 1 Cor 15:1-11; Lk 5:1-11(5 C)

 

CALLED TO BE CAUGHT UP IN THE GOD’S NET

 

Is 6:1-2a,3-8; 1 Cor 15:1-11; Lk 5:1-11(5 C)

 

“Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!”

The miraculous catch of fish in the Sea of Galilee is told in the synoptic Gospels, but only Luke ends the story with Peter as both a believing disciple and a sinner. After the extraordinary catch of fish, in the Gospel of Luke, Peter was suddenly aware of his own weakness and unworthiness to be chosen to be a disciple of Jesus saying, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man” (Lk 5:8).  Jesus does not hesitate to have a sinful disciple in his company because the sinners understand his message of forgiveness and acceptance well.

 

St. Irenaeus of Lyons discovers a pedagogical aspect of sin. He says that those who are aware of their sinful nature and weakness can recognize their condition as creatures, and the Creator greater than the creature. God’s purpose is not dependent on virtue or worthiness. He does not wait for us to be worthy before calling us to share in his loving service to others. Indeed, our very sense of unworthiness creates an opening for Christ to work through us. If, like Peter, we are called to work with Jesus, we will do so as wounded healers, trying to practice what we preach amid the stormy waters of this world striving to swim against the currents seeking the good catch of a Gospel proclamation.

 

We also need to be caught up in God’s net where life with its faults, holds out a promise of acceptance and hope. The Gospel of Mathew and John (21) narrate that the net caught various fish. Today, various nets of consumerism can easily tangle us in a mesh of artificial needs than the net of Jesus. What about the net of success ethics, with an exclusive focus on financial growth and the outward self, to the detriment of human and spiritual values? Also, the net of drug and alcohol culture, and the net of depression, despair, and suicide for those for whom life loses its meaning! We are reminded of the mind of Jesus who came to seek out sinners and bring them safely home. If he had a hundred sheep, and one went astray, he would leave the ninety-nine to go after the one that is lost. This message is central to the Year of Jubilee proclaimed by the Holy Father!!!

Our strength is not enough to grip the sinner in the net. Trust in the Word of the one who will never leave us alone. Peter said, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command, I will lower the nets” (Lk 5:5). We can understand this response of Peter concerning the words of Mary at the wedding at Cana: “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5)! And it is in the confident fulfillment of the Lord’s will that he wants sinner to see the light of Christ in us in the way we live, speak, and witness the joy of the Gospel.

 

“The cross of the Lord is become the tree of life for us” (Divine Office)

My Eyes See Your Salvation : Mal 3:1–4; Heb 2:14–18; Lk 2:22–40 (4 C)

 

My Eyes See Your Salvation

 

Mal 3:1–4; Heb 2:14–18; Lk 2:22–40 (4  C)

“Consecrate all the first-born to me, the first issue of every womb, among the sons of Israel” (Ex 13:1)

 

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the temple. The events of this feast celebrated 40 days after Christmas, are only mentioned in the Gospel of Luke. He wrote this Gospel for Gentile Christians unfamiliar with the Jewish rite of presentation and purification. During the rebuilding of the temple, poverty highly discouraged builders. The prophet Haggai prophesied: “Greater will be the glory of this house, says the Lord of hosts, and in this place, I will give you peace. I will shake all the nations so that the treasures of all the nations will come in. And I will fill this house with glory” (Hag 2:7, 9). 

 

Parents of the Baby Jesus fulfilled the commandment of God, “Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The firstborn from every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, both of man and beast” (Ex 13:1). And, at the presentation of the Child Jesus in the temple, the prophecy of Haggai was fulfilled. And the temple was refilled with Divine glory. The Holy Spirit had assured Simeon “that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord” (Lk 2:26). Led by the Holy Spirit, Simeon went into the Temple. He was not a Levite, nor a scribe, nor a doctor of the law. He was just a “righteous and devout man, awaiting the consolation of Israel” (Lk 2:25). The Holy Spirit blows where it wills (Jn 3:8). He saw the glory of the house of Israel and the new Israel (all the nations) coming into the temple. When he saw the Baby Jesus in the hands of Mother Mary, he remembered the words of the Psalmist, “Lift up your heads, O gates; be lifted, your ancient portals, that the king of glory may enter” (Ps 24:7).

Simeon took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you dismiss your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel” (Lk 2:29-32). This prayer has become part of the night prayer (Nunc dimittis) of the Church. And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about Jesus. Then Simeon said to Mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed — and a sword will pierce your soul too” (Lk 2:35).

 

Rejoicing with Simeon, let us sing a hymn of thanksgiving to God who sent the true light to dispel the darkness and to give us all a share in his splendor. Saint Sophronius says, “Through Simeon’s eyes we too have seen the salvation of God which he prepared for all the nations, the new Israel”. As Simeon was released from the bonds of this life when he saw Jesus, we will also have the liberation of our burdens when we see the phase of God” because we suffer the thirst of our souls, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When will I come and see the face of God? (Ps 42:2). Let us also ask Mother to take us in her arms and offer to God as she did with Jesus, for we are all her children.

 

“Our lighted candles are a sign of the divine splendor of…our souls” (Divine Office)

 

 

The Liberator of the Captives : Neh 8:2-4a,5-6,8-10; 1 Cor 12:12-30; Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21 (3 C)

The Liberator of the Captives

Neh 8:2-4a,5-6,8-10; 1 Cor 12:12-30; Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21 (3  C)

“..every liturgical celebration, as an activity of Christ the priest and of his body, which is the Church” ( Divine Office)

 

In the opening verses, Luke establishes the purpose of his Gospel. His style is typical of polished Greek and Roman literature. We learn that Luke may have written to “Theophilus” (Lk 1:3). The Greek word “Theophilus” means “beloved of God”. This meaning could be you and me - “the lover of God”. Luke wants his readers to “know the truth” (Lk 1:4) about Jesus of Nazareth. He tells us that Jesus was about 30 years of age when he began his public ministry (Lk 3:23). Right after Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan (Lk 3:21-22), he was led by the Spirit into the wilderness (Lk 4:1) to be tempted by the Devil (Mt 4:1). At the end of the period of spiritual preparation and testing, Luke tells us that Jesus chose to begin his public ministry in Galilee in fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah (Is 9:1,2).

 

Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would preach “good news” and bring healing and freedom to all who are oppressed (Is 61:1-2). Accordingly, Jesus the Messiah sent by God awakened their hope in God’s promises fulfilled in his person. God’s Spirit is the impulse directing Jesus, sending him to the poor, directing his whole life toward those in need, oppressed, and humiliated. To say it in a single word of Hebrew, it is “anawim”. The word “gospel” literally means “good news”. It has the all-powerful, merciful, and life-giving power to transform and bring freedom to those who accept it today.

 

The Church understands that “when ‘the poor have the good news preached (Lk 4,18), it is the sign of Christ’s presence” (CCC 2443). The Church opts for the poor. The ‘option for the poor’ is not invented by Vatican II. It is the option of God. He breathes it through Jesus’ whole life. It’s not possible to live and announce Jesus Christ if we don’t do it in defense of the least and in solidarity with those who are excluded. What Gospel are we preaching? What Jesus are we following? What spirituality are we promoting, if Jesus isn’t understood as the liberator by those who suffer in various forms of discrimination and alienation?

 

St Paul says, “Just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body. Can any organ or member of the body say to another - I do not require you… If one member suffers, all suffer together. If one member is honored, all rejoice (1 Cor 12:20-23). The Lord Jesus speaks the same word to each of us today. He brings us healing, restoration, pardon, and freedom from the oppression of sin, despair, hopelessness, and destruction. The Lord will not refuse to pour out his Spirit on all of us who trust in him and try to become the channel of his grace. Let us ask the Lord Jesus to renew the joy of the Gospel and the freedom to live each day with trusting faith, joyful hope, and fervent love.

“Your kingdom, Lord, is an everlasting kingdom, alleluia” (Divine Office)

WEDDING AT CANA - A JOY OF SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY OF THE WORLD: Is 62:1-5; 1 Cor 12:4-11; Jn 2:1-11 (C 2)

 

 WEDDING AT CANA -  A JOY OF SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY OF THE WORLD

 

Is 62:1-5; 1 Cor 12:4-11; Jn 2:1-11 (C  2)

Blessed are your eyes, for they see (Divine Office)

 

There are signs and symbols in the Bible like miracles, feasts of weddings, and ‘vine and branches’ to describe God’s salvation. John the Evangelist understands signs as gestures pointing toward something beyond what our eyes cannot see. He presents Jesus as to re-interpret and fulfill Yahweh’s promise to Israel. The sign of ‘changing water into wine’ at Cana, brings us the saving transformation of Jesus. It happened at a wedding party as a symbol of love. This is the best image of the Biblical tradition to express the definitive communion of God with us. Jesus’ salvation must be lived and offered by his followers as a party when life seems emptied or weird. In the Old Testament ‘wine’ is seen as a gift and blessing of God (Dt 7:13; Prov 3:10, Ps 105). The salvation that Jesus brings us renews our faith in life.

 

Many people today do not find the Church’s ministry life-giving. Liturgical celebration seems to be boring to them. The Church invites us to see the signs and symbols that are more life-affirming to discover Jesus’ capacity to alleviate the suffering and cruelties of life. Who does want to listen to something that does not seem to be joyful news, especially if the Gospel is preached with a cautious tone? Jesus Christ came to provide a power to love, a reason to exist, a lifestyle to live sensitively and joyfully. If people today only know a theoretical religion and can’t cherish the beauty of the love of God many will continue to stay away.

 

At the wedding feast, the water could be tasted as wine, only when it was ‘drawn out’ the water used by the Jews for their purifications. The religion of the law written on stone tablets seems to be worn out for some, today! They feel it has no living water capable of purifying and satisfying human needs.  But the letter of the law is replaced by the spirit of the law (2 Cor 3:6). The religion needs to be freed by the love and the life that Jesus communicates. To communicate the transforming love of Jesus, just talking is not enough. Gestures of service and condemning evil are also needed.

 

We need to make Jesus’ joyful style our own. I am happy about our Church, a place of joy and celebration, where people can feel welcomed, as at the wedding in Cana. Striving to progressively know and love more deeply his human nature, let us draw closer to the humanity of Jesus by listening to his word, and growing in faith and trust guided by the Holy Spirit until we see in him the face of the Father. Let us enjoy the divine presence of the Triune God in his plan for the sacrament of the matrimony of the world.

 

Blessed are your ears, for they hear (Divine Office)

He Made Waters Holy for our Purification (Is 40:1-5,9-11; Tit 2:11-14; 3:4-7; Lk 3:15-16,21-22 (Baptism of the Lord – C)

 

He Made Waters Holy for our Purification

 

(Is 40:1-5,9-11; Tit 2:11-14; 3:4-7; Lk 3:15-16,21-22 (Baptism of the Lord – C)

 

“Behold the Lamb of God. Behold him who takes away the sins of the world” (Divine  Office)

 

Today we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The baptism of Jesus is reported in three Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The Baptism of Jesus is a manifestation of God in Jesus, another “epiphany.”  In Luke’s Gospel, all three members of the Trinity are manifested: God the Father in the voice, the Holy Spirit descending, and Jesus the Son in the river Jordan.

 

Why did the Son of God desire to be baptized in the rivers of Jordan? Does the water purify the holy people or does the most holy purify the waters to purify the others? John the Baptist tried to stop Jesus from being baptized by him saying, “I need to be baptized by You. Do You come to me? Jesus told him, “Let it be done now” (Mt 3:14-15). St Maximus of Turin understands it well. He says that Christ is baptized, not to be made holy by the waters of Jordan, but to make the water holy to purify the waters which he touched. When the Savior is washed, all water for our baptism is made clean, and purified at its source for dispensing baptismal grace to the people of future ages.

 

The column of fire went before the sons of Israel through the Red Sea so they could follow on their brave journey. In the same way, the column went first through the waters to prepare a path for those who follow Jesus through the waters of Baptism. At the time of the Exodus, the column provided light for the people. Now it gives light to the hearts of believers in  Baptism. We are children of Adam and Eve and once again made children of God through Baptism. Baptism is the beginning of a lifelong call.

 

The Baptized Jesus is ever ready to renew and refashion us in his likeness through the gift and working of the Holy Spirit - and he anoints us for a mission as missionaries of his kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy (Rom 14:17). We are called to be the “light and salt” of his kingdom that radiate the beauty and aroma of his mercy and goodness to those around us (Mt 5:13,15-16). The Lord Jesus wants his love and truth to shine through us so that many others may find new life, freedom, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Gregory of Nazianzus, an early church Father tells us: “Let us be buried with Christ by Baptism to rise with him; let us go down with him to be raised with him; and let us rise with him to be glorified with him.”

 

The committed Christian ascertains the effects of an action upon our sharing in the Life of Christ. We are spiritualized.  We are sons and daughters of God.  We have dignity, the dignity of the One about whom the voice from heaven said at his Baptism, “This is my son, my beloved, in whom I am well pleased.”

 

“This is God’s dwelling place among men. He shall live with them” (Divine Office)

We have Seen God: Is 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3a,5-6; Mt 2:1-12 (Epiphany C)

 

We Have Seen God

 

Is 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3a,5-6; Mt 2:1-12 (Epiphany C)

 

“let us go and seek him; let us offer him gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh’.

 

The Greek word “Epiphania” means “Epiphany” meaning “manifestation” or “showing forth Jesus as Messiah of Israel, Son of God and Savior of the world.” Historically several moments in Christ’s early life and ministry have been celebrated as “epiphanies,” including his birth in Bethlehem, the visit of the Magi, his baptism by John, and his first miracle at Cana in Galilee (CCC 528).

 

John Chrysostom explains the significance of the star of Bethlehem. He writes that the star at Bethlehem was to manifest and illumine the lowly place until the magi or wise men had reached their destination at the manger. In their thirst for knowledge of God, the wise men from the East willingly left everything to seek the source of true knowledge Jesus Christ, the Light and Wisdom of God. When they found the newborn King, they humbly worshiped him and gave him gifts fitting for a king the Prince of Peace (Is 9:6), King of Kings (Rev 19:16), and Savior. 

John the Evangelist states that when Jesus came into the world the world knew him not and his people received him not (Jn1:10-11). Apart from the Magi and some shepherds, the rest of the world remained in the dark. What happened to the elders of the Jews? But “We have seen God” (Judg. 13:22; Jn 14:9; Jn 1:14). Faith is an entire gift that God gives us. Through the help of the Holy Spirit, the heart opens the eyes of the mind to understand, accept, and believe the truth that God has revealed through his Son, Jesus Christ. In faith, the human will, and intellect cooperate with grace. Thomas Aquinas says, “Believing is an act of the intellect assenting to the divine truth by command of the will moved by God through grace”.

 

We believe the meaning of the gifts of the Magi to be Christological. Gold is presented as representative of Jesus’ kingship. Frankincense symbolizes divinity because priests burned the substance in the Temple. Myrrh, which was used to prepare the dead for burial, is offered in anticipation of Jesus’ death. What do we wish to offer him? To know and to encounter Jesus Christ is to know God personally. In the encounter of the wise men with Jesus, we see the plan of God to give his only Son as King and Savior, not just for the Jewish people but for all the nations as well. The Lord Jesus came that both Jew and Gentile might find true and lasting peace with God. Bethlehem is a Hebrew name consisting of two terms: Beth (house) and lehem (bread). Bethlehem means “House of Bread”. Jesus who is born at Bethlehem is the “bread of Life”. Let us pray that we and non-Christians might live in that “Bethlehem” towards union with God.

 

“We are in the true God, as we are in his Son, Jesus Christ” (Divine Office)

The Mother of God: Num 6:22-27; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21

 

The Mother of God

 

Num 6:22-27; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21

 “You gave birth to him who made you, and you remain a virgin forever” (divine Office)

 

At the Council of Ephesus (451), the mother of Jesus was solemnly proclaimed the Mother of God or Theotokos, acknowledging the Godhead of her Son, Jesus Christ. Under this noble title, she is still honored by most Christians worldwide. Today’s feast invites us to place our hopes and plans for the new-starting year under her motherly care. We can entrust to her our concerns and those of our era, the conflicts, the glaring injustices, and peace in our world.

 

Mother Mary was the handmaid of the Lord, trusting in Providence and sustained by the goodness of God. Indeed, she stands out among the Lord’s anawim, the humble hearts who confidently trust that God has everything in hand (Lumen Gentium 55). St Augustine says, “She conceived Jesus in her heart before conceiving him in her womb.” The gospel of John presents her at the beginning and the end of Christ’s public life. John is the only one to record Mary’s presence at Calvary, “Near the cross of Jesus” (Jn 19:25).

 

When all the miracles of Jesus seemed a delusion to many, his mother stood there faithful to him to his last breath believing in God’s power. Her faith did not need astounding miracles but rested on childlike trust in the mysterious ways of God our Father. Jesus said to John, “Behold your Mother.” The mother of Jesus henceforth is the mother of all his disciples, sharing her strong and simple faith. Mother Mary marveled and treasured the events of Jesus’ birth in her memory. She pondered them in her heart. She pondered what the Almighty had done for her and all people. She pondered in response to what the simple and humble shepherds said, “Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” It is this good news that she treasured in her heart.

 

The same gospel has come to us, and we are invited to treasure it, ponder it, and respond to it, as Mary did. Today, New Year’s Day is a day when many feel drawn to make good resolutions. What better New Year’s resolution could we make today than adopting Mary’s stance before the grace of God? Today’s feast invites us to share Mary’s sense of awe and wonder before God’s merciful love, made known to us in Christ, her son. As we look towards the new year, we ask Mary to help us to treasure the gospel as she did, so that Christ might come to others through us as he came to us through Mary. Amidst all the problems, we now enter this new year of 2025 with a sense of wonder and trust.

 

“Even when the Word takes a body from Mary, the Trinity remains a Trinity, with neither increase nor decrease. It is forever perfect” (Divine Office)

Holy Family : 1 Sam 1:20-22, 24-281; Jn 3:1-2, 21-24; Lk 2:41-52 (Holy Family C)

 

Holy Family

1 Sam 1:20-22, 24-281; Jn 3:1-2, 21-24; Lk 2:41-52 (Holy Family C)

Jesus went down with them to Nazareth and lived under their authority.

On the Sunday after the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, Christmas, we consider the family. Even though we call them the Holy Family that does not mean they never had problems. Just as each follower of Jesus has a cross to carry, the holy family also had to experience the cross in their shared life. Every family is made of unique individuals with positive qualities and negative quirks.

Sometimes, the negatives become opportunities for grace, leading the rest of the family to God.  This is what St. Paul is referring to when he tells the Colossians to “put on, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection” (Col 3:12-14). The compassion that we have for the weakest member of the family, whether that be physically weak, psychologically weak, or morally weak, becomes our means to grow in union with God. The efforts that we make to accept each other's quirks are themselves acts of virtue.

The book Jesus, Son of Sirach, reminds us, “For the Lord sets a father in honor over his children and confirms a mother’s authority over her sons” (Sir 3:2). Sometimes parents get down on themselves for not being the best parents possible. Being the best parent possible is an ideal you strive for, not a reality you will reach. Being the best priest possible is an ideal I strive for; it is not a reality I will ever reach out to. We all need to trust in God.

What sustained the family of Nazareth through all of these trials and crosses? What holds families together in times of difficulty is love and trust. Whenever families are happy, love and respect are highly prized among them. We pray for an outpouring of those qualities in our families today. A major threat to family life nowadays is our lack of time together. We are so busy working, socializing, using our electronic gadgets, or watching TV that we have no time to talk to each other.

Today, we must all look for Christ's wisdom to bring it to our families. Origin, an early Church Father, commenting on today's Gospel, said that whoever is looking for Christ, must not carelessly seek him, as those who fail in finding him. We must look for Him with “anxiety”, and with great solicitude, as Joseph and Mary did.

“As Jesus grew up, he advanced in wisdom and favour with God and men”

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is well pleased”. Saint Leo the Great, Pope

 

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is well pleased”.

 

Saint Leo the Great, Pope

Dearly beloved, today our Savior is born. Let us rejoice. Sadness should have no place on the birthday of life. The fear of death has been swallowed up. Life brings us joy with the promise of eternal happiness. No one is shut out from this joy. All share the same reason for rejoicing. Our Lord, victor over sin and death, finding no man free from sin, came to free us all. Let the saint rejoice as he sees the palm of victory at hand. Let the sinner be glad as he receives the offer of forgiveness. Let the pagan take courage as he is summoned to life.

 

In the fullness of time, chosen in the unfathomable depths of God’s wisdom, the Son of God took for himself our common humanity in order to reconcile it with its creator. He came to overthrow the devil, the origin of death, in that very nature by which he had overthrown mankind. And so at the birth of our Lord the angels sing in joy: Glory to God in the highest, and they proclaim peace to men of goodwill as they see the heavenly Jerusalem being built from all the nations of the world. When the angels on high are so exultant at this marvelous work of God’s gooess, what joy should it not bring to the lowly hearts of men?

 

  Beloved, let us give thanks to God the Father, through his Son, in the Holy Spirit, because in his great love for us he took pity on us, and when we were dead in our sins he brought us to life with Christ, so that in him we might be a new creation. Let us throw off our old nature and all its ways and, as we have come to birth in Christ, let us renounce the works of the flesh. Christian, remember your dignity, and now that you share in God’s own nature, do not return by sin to your former base condition. Bear in mind who is your head and whose body you are a member. Do not forget that you have been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into the light of God’s kingdom.

 

Through the sacrament of baptism, you have become a temple of the Holy Spirit. Do not drive away so great a guest by evil conduct and become again a slave to the devil, for your liberty was bought by the blood of Christ.

 

“Today the king of heaven has deigned to be born of a virgin for us, to recall fallen man to his heavenly kingdom”.