IV Sunday OT/Presentation:[A]:Mal 3:1-4; Heb 2:14-18; Lk 2:22-40

IV Sunday OT/Presentation:[A]:Mal 3:1-4; Heb 2:14-18; Lk 2:22-40

Introduction:   Today we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.  This feast returns us to the Christmas season focusing in on the person of the Lord.  Jesus is seen as a child, presented to the priests according to the law of Moses. You may remember that the final plague upon the Egyptians to force them to let the children of Israel go was the killing of the first born.  The Angel of Death came into Egypt, but passed over the children of Israel.  Since the first born of the children of Israel were spared the plague, they were seen as belonging to the Lord.  The Book of Exodus refined this in chapter 13 vs 2 to the first born male.  By Jesus’ day, parents whose first child was a boy would go to the Temple with the appropriate offering to present their child to the Lord.  That is what Mary and Joseph were doing in Temple.  This would be an occasion for celebration.  Every child is loved and celebrated, but the first child transforms the couple, husband and wife, into a family.

Scriptural Lessons:   There are many different layers to this wonderful feast besides it being a sort of second Epiphany; there is, for instance, the whole symbolism of the Temple.  The first “act” of the Child Jesus is to come to the Temple. The Temple is the place of God and at the heart of the Temple is the Holy of Holies which symbolizes the living presence of God among his people. What we celebrate today is an extraordinary meeting of God with God. The Temple, his dwelling place on Earth is visited by the Holy One himself. Jesus’ first action is to come to the privileged place of encounter between God and Man. And of course where does God meet man most wonderfully of all but in the very person of Jesus Christ—true God and true man.

Jesus does not actually enter the Holy of Holies; but then he does not need to, for his coming to the Temple precincts is in itself a wonderfully symbolic act. He shows himself there and he is recognized by Simeon and Anna. On seeing the Christ observe the prescriptions of the Judaic law Simeon makes that great prophecy which is at the same time a most wonderful prayer: my eyes have seen your salvation.

Another interesting sidelight is that here you have a meeting between the young and the old. The old have been faithful and persevered in their faith and are, late in life, rewarded and their hope is fulfilled. In their old age they meet the eternally youthful Son of God.   At a time when we hear so much justification of euthanasia, and when it is presumed that a person of advanced years is worthless unless they are fulfilling some useful function, it is heartening to see the old so much valued in the pages of the scriptures. Human life is sacred and it is not what we do but what we are that gives us value.  In their old age, Simeon and Anna may not be able to do much but they can pray and despite their weakening eyesight they see what no one else can see. The priests certainly don’t come running to welcome Christ into his own Temple; but these weak and frail elderly people who have over many years devoted themselves to the service of God who recognize Christ even though he is but a tiny baby.

Anecdote:  Julia Duin in the Washington Times Sunday, February 1, 2009 told this story. Just after midnight on Feb. 3, 1943, an act of extraordinary unselfishness by a group of men became a legend of martyrdom and sacrifice. When the Army ship Dorchester was torpedoed by the Germans just south of Greenland that night, its passengers and crew had 25 minutes to get off the boat. As 902 people went for the life jackets, it quickly was discovered there weren’t near enough. Of the 13 lifeboats, only two functioned. In the ship’s final minutes, Methodist senior chaplain George Lansing Fox, Rabbi Alexander Goode, Dutch Reformed minister Clark V. Poling and John P. Washington, a Roman Catholic priest, were helping passengers leave the vessel. Then four men appeared all of them without life jackets. The chaplains quickly gave up their own vests and went down with the ship, perishing in the freezing water. Survivors saw them, locked arm in arm, praying and singing the Navy hymn, “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” just before the ship dove beneath the waves. It was a night as dramatic as the sinking of the Titanic but without a blockbuster movie to record the drama. “The Four Immortal Chaplains,” as they are now known, have been honored many times, including on a stamp issued in their honor by the U.S. Postal Service. The first Sunday in February is known as “Four Chaplains Sunday.” They presented and offered themselves completely for the well being of others.

Joke: 1) There's this old priest who got sick of all the people in his parish who kept confessing to adultery. One Sunday, in the pulpit, he said, "If I hear one more person confess to adultery, I'll quit!" Well, everyone liked him, so they came up with a code word. Someone who had committed adultery would say they had "fallen." This seemed to satisfy the old priest and things went well, until the priest died at a ripe old age. About a week after the new priest arrived, he visited the mayor of the town and seemed very concerned. The priest said, "You have to do something about the sidewalks in town. When people come into the confessional, they keep talking about having fallen." The mayor started to laugh, realizing that no one had told the new priest about the code word. Before the mayor could explain, the priest shook an accusing finger at the mayor and said, "I don't know what you're laughing about, your wife fell three times this week."

Practical Applications:  1) Anything new in your life is an occasion to visit the Lord in the church, to thank and praise.  It can be a birthday, a new baby, new choice of friend, new job opportunities, new house, new certificates etc.

2) Meeting with very young and old age is a humanitarian way, showing their humanness. Such people are more good hearted people. As you all know such people are always needed helping hands.

      

Introduction: Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Presentation of the Lord

Message: Jesus, the King of glory, yet like us in all things, comes to his temple to be a light for all the nations.

Saints and Events in this week: 3-Third-Monday-Saint Blaise, bishop, martyr; and Saint Ansgar, Bishop; 5-Fifth-Wednesday-Saint Agatha, virgin, martyr; 6-Sixth-Thiursday-Saint Paul Miki and companions, martyrs; 8-Eighth-Saint Jerome Emiliani and Saint Josephine Bakhita, virgin; 

III Sunday OT:[A]: Is 8: 23--9:3; I Cor 1: 10-13, 17; Mt 4: 12-23

III Sunday OT:[A]: Is 8: 23--9:3; I Cor 1: 10-13, 17; Mt 4: 12-23

Introduction:   Describing the humble beginning of the public ministry of Jesus, today’s Scripture readings teach us that Christ has brought us from darkness of sin into the Light (4:16), by calling us to repentance (4:17), and the acceptance of God’s rule.       

Scriptural Lessons:   In our Gospel reading today we hear how Jesus began his ministry in Galilee at Capernaum. St Matthew is keen to point out how Jesus only begins his ministry once he hears that John the Baptist has been arrested; this is to make it clear that there is no sort of competition between John the Baptist and Jesus. John is his forerunner and Jesus only begins his ministry once John is off the scene.

Jesus then proceeds to call Peter, Andrew, James and his brother John to follow him as disciples. Through Jesus, what has been spoken through the prophet Isaiah is at last fulfilled: ". . . the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, and on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has risen."

Matthew graphically portrays the unredeemed human condition: John, victim of the injustice of arrest and subsequent execution; people sitting in darkness and the shadow of death. Hearers of Matthew's gospel already know that Jesus and many who became his disciples soon would meet the same kind of injustice and violent death as John.  Through Jesus anguish has taken wing.  The darkness is dispelled.  And the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.  And Jesus preaches to us, and teaches us and tells us the reason for our joy, “The Kingdom of God is at hand.” 

Anecdote:  Those of you who saw the remarkable film Amazing Grace remember the story of William Wilberforce. Wilberforce was a British politician who, after his conversion to Christianity, became England ’s greatest anti-slavery advocate. It was through his tireless efforts that England eventually outlawed slavery, paving the way for the end of the slave-trade in the Western world. But William Wilberforce almost missed his calling. After his conversion, Wilberforce considered leaving politics for the ministry. He wasn’t sure how a Christian could live out his faith in “the world.” Fortunately, Wilberforce turned to a man named John Newton for guidance. Newton, of course, was the author of the much-loved hymn, “Amazing Grace.” Newton was a former slave trader who had renounced the trade after his conversion. Newton convinced Wilberforce that God had called him to remain in politics to exert a Christian influence there. It was John Newton who gave William Wilberforce the wake-up call that kept him championing the cause of freedom for Britain’s slaves. Four men, fishermen by trade, were toiling at the nets beside the Sea of Galilee when they received a wake-up call from Jesus. And their whole world was turned upside down.

Joke:  Three men were pacing nervously outside the delivery room at a hospital when the head nurse came out beaming.  To the first she said, "Congratulations, sir, you are the father of twins." "Terrific!" said the man, "I just signed a contract with the Minnesota Twins and this'll be great press." To the second man the nurse said, "Congratulations to you too.  You are the father of healthy triplets!" "Fantastic!" he said.  "I'm the vice-president of 3-M Company. This'll be great P.R.!" At that point the third man turned ashen and ran for the door. "What's wrong, sir?  Where are you going?" called the nurse. As he jumped into his car, the man shouted, "I'm dashing to my office to resign.  I'm the president of 7-UP!"         

Practical Applications:  1) Our Call is not to compete, not to boast, but to appreciate and practice. We need to appreciate our call to be Christ’s disciples. Every one of us is called by God, both individually and collectively. The call is both a privilege and responsibility. The mission of preaching, teaching and healing which Jesus began in Galilee is now the responsibility of the Church and of each individual Christian. 

2) "Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people." [Mt. 4:23] Equally today, the Word of God, the promoting of the Good News of the Kingdom of Heaven, heals all kinds of ills. The Word of God transforms hearts so that victims may forgive those who have harmed them. When we receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, we are sent forth to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom and to defend the Catholic faith.

3) This call challenges us to rebuild our lives, homes and communities in the justice and peace that Jesus proclaims. As we continue with the celebration of the Holy Mass, let us ask the Lord Jesus to give us the strength and perseverance to answer His calling, so that we may faithfully serve the Lord, doing His Divine will as best as we can by cooperating with his grace.

      

Introduction: Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Message: We have seen a great light; Jesus, the Messiah, who heals us of our sin and who is our unity and peace.

Saints and Events in this week: 27-Twenty Seventh-Monday-Saint Angela Merici, Virgin; 28-Twenty eighth-Tuesday-Saint Thomas Aquinas, priest, doctor of the Church; 31-Thirty First-Friday-Saint John Bosco, priest; 

II Sunday in OT:[A]: Is 49. 3: 5-6; I Cor 1: 1-3; Jn 1: 29-34

II Sunday in OT:[A]: Is 49. 3: 5-6; I Cor 1: 1-3; Jn 1: 29-34

Introduction: In this ordinary time we move on with the very beginning of Jesus’ public life, usually referred to as his ministry.  We come upon John the Baptist seeing Jesus and pointing to him, he says, “This is the Lamb of God”.

Explanation: “Lamb of God.”  We use that term so often that it is easy for us to overlook the deep theology and the tremendous love of our God contained in his sending his Son to be the Lamb.

1)The first place we come upon the concept of the Lamb of God is in the 53rd chapter of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.  Although this was written six hundred years before Jesus, it describes the feelings of God’s people as they look at Jesus on the cross.  “Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured, While we thought of him as stricken, as one smitten by God and afflicted.  But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins, Upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed.”

Mankind’s sin was that he was so wrapped up in himself that he had no room for God. He forced the good things of the world to be an end for his selfishness rather than a means of glorifying God.   This is how man perverted God’s purpose for creation.  As long as man lived like this, true love could not exist in the world.  People could not give themselves to others or to another because their only concept of life was to take, not to give.  Life, therefore, was meaningless and frustrating.

Jesus came to live as the Father wants us all to live.  He sacrificed himself completely for others so that we could experience sacrificial love.  He called us to use creation as the Father meant creation to be used.  God’s plan for mankind could once more be put into effect since the Son of God became a man.  Still entrusted with creation, a man restores the world. 

2) And John the Baptist saw Jesus and proclaimed, “Look, there is the Lamb of God. He is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.”  Jesus’ disciples would be given the power of God to transform the world.  They would be given the power to create a new world, a world with a new way of living, the way of sacrificial love.

Anecdote:1) An artist was working on a church roof in Werden, Germany. His safety belt snapped and he fell. The area below was filled with sharp rocks. As fate would have it, a lamb chose that moment to have its lunch of grass. He fell on the lamb. The beast was destroyed, but the artist survived. He did the decent thing. He sculptured a lamb and placed it on the roof in gratitude. It stands there to this day. 
Today we come together at this Liturgy to remember and salute another Lamb. Each of us likewise owes Him much. He too gave His life for us, but with one substantial difference. Jesus voluntarily surrendered His life to save ours. 

Joke: The rich business man Raymond goes to meet his new son-in-law to be, Ben. He says to Ben, "So, tell me Ben my boy, what you do?" "I study the Theology," he replies. "But Ben, you are going to marry my daughter, how are going to feed and house her?" "No problem," says Ben, "I study Theology, and it says God will provide." "But you will have children, how will you educate them?" asks Raymond. "No problem," says Ben, "I study Theology, and it says God will provide." When Raymond returns home, his wife anxiously asks him what Ben is like. "Well," says Raymond, "he's a lovely boy. I only just met him and he already thinks I'm God."

Practical Applications: 1)When we say or sing, “Lamb of God” we are remembering what Jesus did for us and what he has empowered us to do for others. We are remembering his sacrifice to make God’s love real on earth.  We are reminding ourselves that joining Jesus in sacrificial love is the only way we can be his followers. 2) Live like a lamb by leading pure, innocent, humble, selfless lives obeying the Christ’s commandment of love and eating the Body and drinking the Blood of the Good Shepherd and deriving spiritual strength from his Holy Spirit through the Sacraments and prayers.  3) Die like a sacrificial lamb by sharing our blessings of health, wealth and talents with others in the family, parish and community.  And thus we can rebuild broken lives.  And our faithful response to God is to rebuild broken lives, reconciling them with God's love and justice through Christ Jesus our Lamb and Lord. 

Introduction: Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Message: Jesus, the Lamb of God, is the light of the nations who came to do the Father’s will.  In Christ we have been called to be a holy people.

Saints and Events in this Week:  20-Twentieth-Monday-Saint Fabian, pope, martyr; Saint Sebastian, martyr; The birth day of Martin Luther King Jr. ; 21-Twenty First-Tuesday-Saint Agnes, Virgin, martyr; 22-Twenty Second-Wednesday-A day of prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children; 23-Tweny Third-Friday-Saint Francis de Sales, bishop, doctor of the Church; 25-Tweny Fifth-Saturday-The Conversion of St. Paul, the Apostle;   

Baptism of Our Lord:[A]: Is 42:1-4, 6-7; Acts 10:34-38; Mt 3:13-17

Baptism of Our Lord:[A]: Is 42:1-4, 6-7; Acts 10:34-38; Mt 3:13-17

Introduction: Today is the celebration of the Lord’s Baptism and equally marks the end of Christmas season, Year A. The Lord’s Baptism is providentially situated at the beginning of the year in order to remind us of our own baptism and God’s gratuitous call of us to belong to his fold and flock. It is situated thus as a way of re-awakening in us at the beginning of a new year, of who we are, and ought to be. It is a reminder that we share in the Great and One Baptism of Jesus Christ who “was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man” like us.

Baptism cleans and releases us from the bondage of Original Sin, and makes us children of God. It configures us as adopted children of God and confirms that we are members of God’s Great house hold with its embassy on earth and its administrative head quarters in Heaven where the Trinitarian God reigns supreme. On this day therefore, of utmost importance is the need for us to reflect on how far we have kept our baptismal vows. How faithful have we been to God in terms of keeping these promises.

Anecdote: 1)A certain Bostonian was seeking employment in a Chicago bank. The bank asked him to get a letter of recommendation from the Boston investment house. The Boston investment house could not praise the young man enough. His father was a knighted gentleman; his mother was a distinguished lady. His grandparents and great-grandparents were a blend of Boston’s first families. The recommendation was given without hesitation. A few days later, the Chicago bank sent a note saying the information supplied was altogether inadequate. It read: “We are not contemplating using the young man for breeding purposes. Just for work!” Neither is God a respecter of persons but accepts anyone from any family, nation, and race who fears God and does what is right (Acts 10:35). Our baptism may show the traditionalism but that proud should reflect in our daily life.

2) The 13th century king of France, St. Louis IX (1226-70), insisted that the grand celebration of his birthday should be held on the day of his Baptism, and not on his birthday proper.  His argument was that Baptism was the beginning of a life that would continue for eternity in the everlasting glory of Heaven. 

Joke: 1) A preacher in the South preached constantly on water baptism. The people were tired of it. The deacons suggested that he may preach on something else. He said, “Okay, give the text and I’ll preach on it.” They gave him Genesis 1:1. The next Sunday he said, “By request the text today is Genesis 1:1.” He read it and then said, “When the Lord created the earth, He made it one-fourth land and three-fourths water, and that brings me back to the subject of water baptism.”

Practical Applications: 1) The baptism of Jesus reminds us of our identity: who we are and Whose we are.  By Baptism we become sons and daughters of God, brothers and sisters of Jesus, members of his Church, heirs of Heaven and temples of the Holy Spirit.  Most of us dipped the fingers of our right hands into the holy water font and blessed ourselves when we came into church today.  Why?  This blessing is supposed to remind us of our Baptism.  And so when I bless myself with Holy Water, I should be thinking of the fact that I am a child of God; that I have been redeemed by the Cross of Christ; that I have been made a member of God’s family and that I have been washed, forgiven, cleansed and purified by the Blood of the Lamb. 

2) Jesus’ baptism also reminds us of our mission to experience the presence of God within us, and in others and to live as the children of God in thought, word and action.

3) Let us renew our Baptismal promises, consecrating ourselves to the Holy Trinity and “rejecting Satan and all his empty promises,"

Introduction:  Baptism of the Lord

Message: The Lord is the beloved Son of the Father.  He is the light of the nations and Lord of all creation.  To him be all glory and praise. After the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Ordinary Time begins.

Saints and Events of this week: 13-Thirteenth-Monday-Saint Hilary, Bishop, doctor of the Church; 17-Seventeenth-Saint Anthony, abbot; 18-Eighteenth-The week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins.

The Epiphany of the Lord

The Epiphany of the Lord

Epiphany – which means “manifestation” or revelation celebrates the fact that when Jesus was born as a man in Bethlehem he came not for just one but for all peoples, all races – of all times and places. This would be something that the Jewish people would find difficult to accept. They knew themselves to be God’s Chosen People – and indeed they were, and they still are.  But in choosing the Jews, God in no way meant to disparage or belittle those who the Jews still call the “goyim” – or the nations. Indeed, the election of the Jews was not a put down for those who were not Jews – for in choosing Israel as a people peculiarly his own, God wanted them to be “a light to the nations”, a light that would lead the nations to the knowledge of the true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The Jews were elected by God not to be against the world but to be, in a special way, for the world.

And so, soon after Jesus’ birth, wise men from the East come to worship him. Their arrival on the scene shows, as it were, that the Savior born in Bethlehem comes to save not just the Jews but the entire world. The Magi represent the non-Jewish world – they represent us: Jesus comes to save us.

While Jesus’ mission was first to the lost sheep of Israel, it was not to be exclusively for them. Jesus would tell his Apostles: Go out into all the world and preach the good news. The good news of salvation is “catholic” – a word that comes from the Greek language and means universal. If Salvation is “catholic”, then the Church which Jesus founded to preach the good news of salvation must necessarily be Catholic as well. If the Church is the Father’s House, then all those who are God’s children through baptism should feel at home in their Father’s House.

Our diversity of languages, cultures, and races gives witness to the “catholicity” of the gospel message of salvation. This diversity does not divide the Body of Christ – it enriches it. Our unity is not founded on race or language or nation of origin – rather it is founded on Christ. We acknowledge one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism.

The original purpose of the Feast of Epiphany, which had its beginning in the Eastern Church during the 3 rd century, was to commemorate how the glory of Christ was revealed to the Gentiles. Such took place in four ways:   (1) in the person of the Magi;   (2) in the Baptism of Jesus;   (3) in the first miracle at Cana; and (4) When reviewing the early history of this celebration, it comes to our attention that the Birth of Christ was also included in the Feast of Epiphany.

Of these four, the Baptism of Jesus was predominantly commemorated.  Based on the writings of the early Church Fathers, it has been made known to us that the Birth of Christ and His first miracle at Cana both took place on January 6th. Now some of you may wonder, if the Birth of Jesus took place on January 6th, why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25th? This is a very interesting question!

During the early days of the Church, it was the custom of the pagans to celebrate the birthday of the sun on December 25th. During that celebration, the non-believers lit lights on account of the feast. As sad as it is to say, some of the members of the Christian community also participated in this unholy feast.

To remedy the situation, after consulting with one another, the Fathers of the Church determined that it was in the best interest of the Christians community to move the Feast of the Birth of Jesus to December 25th and to leave the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th. During that period of twelve days, the Christians would enjoy the burning of lights. The burning of the lights was to symbolize the spiritual illumination that comes from the Sacrament of Baptism.

Joke: A farmer named Muldoon lived alone in the Irish countryside except for a pet dog he for a long time. The dog finally died and Muldoon went to the parish priest, saying "Father, the dog is dead. Could you possibly be saying a Mass for the poor creature?" Father Patrick told the farmer "No, we can't have services for an animal in the church, but I'll tell you what, there's a new denomination down the road apiece, and no telling what they believe in, but maybe they'll do something for the animal." Muldoon said "I'll go right now. By the way, do you think $50,000 is enough to donate for the service?" Father Patrick replied "Why didn't you tell me the dog was Catholic."

Practical Applications: 1) It’s interesting how often we follow the star of self. Even when we think we’re not, in things like church service, outreach to the poor and needy and many other things. 2) Let us strive to be pure and holy like our Heavenly Mother. All mothers want their children to inherit or acquire their good qualities. Hence, let us honor Mary, our Heavenly Mother, by practicing her virtues of faith, obedience, purity and humble service.  3) Let us have a daily resolution for the New Year: Let us resolve to start every morning asking our heavenly Father for a special anointing of His Holy Spirit so that we may do God’s holy will and avoid everything evil.

Introduction: The Epiphany of the Lord

Message:  All nations are invited to sing the Lord’s praises for they have been called to hear the good news and worship the long awaited Messiah and King with the gift of their lives.

Saints and Events in this Week: 6-Sixth-Monday-Saint Andre Bessette, religious; 7-Seventh-Tuesday-Saint Raymond of Penyafort, priest; 

Epiphany – which means “manifestation” or revelation celebrates the fact that when Jesus was born as a man in Bethlehem he came not for just one but for all peoples, all races – of all times and places. This would be something that the Jewish people would find difficult to accept. They knew themselves to be God’s Chosen People – and indeed they were, and they still are.  But in choosing the Jews, God in no way meant to disparage or belittle those who the Jews still call the “goyim” – or the nations. Indeed, the election of the Jews was not a put down for those who were not Jews – for in choosing Israel as a people peculiarly his own, God wanted them to be “a light to the nations”, a light that would lead the nations to the knowledge of the true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The Jews were elected by God not to be against the world but to be, in a special way, for the world.

And so, soon after Jesus’ birth, wise men from the East come to worship him. Their arrival on the scene shows, as it were, that the Savior born in Bethlehem comes to save not just the Jews but the entire world. The Magi represent the non-Jewish world – they represent us: Jesus comes to save us.

While Jesus’ mission was first to the lost sheep of Israel, it was not to be exclusively for them. Jesus would tell his Apostles: Go out into all the world and preach the good news. The good news of salvation is “catholic” – a word that comes from the Greek language and means universal. If Salvation is “catholic”, then the Church which Jesus founded to preach the good news of salvation must necessarily be Catholic as well. If the Church is the Father’s House, then all those who are God’s children through baptism should feel at home in their Father’s House.

Our diversity of languages, cultures, and races gives witness to the “catholicity” of the gospel message of salvation. This diversity does not divide the Body of Christ – it enriches it. Our unity is not founded on race or language or nation of origin – rather it is founded on Christ. We acknowledge one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism.

The original purpose of the Feast of Epiphany, which had its beginning in the Eastern Church during the 3 rd century, was to commemorate how the glory of Christ was revealed to the Gentiles. Such took place in four ways:   (1) in the person of the Magi;   (2) in the Baptism of Jesus;   (3) in the first miracle at Cana; and (4) When reviewing the early history of this celebration, it comes to our attention that the Birth of Christ was also included in the Feast of Epiphany.

Of these four, the Baptism of Jesus was predominantly commemorated.  Based on the writings of the early Church Fathers, it has been made known to us that the Birth of Christ and His first miracle at Cana both took place on January 6th. Now some of you may wonder, if the Birth of Jesus took place on January 6th, why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25th? This is a very interesting question!

During the early days of the Church, it was the custom of the pagans to celebrate the birthday of the sun on December 25th. During that celebration, the non-believers lit lights on account of the feast. As sad as it is to say, some of the members of the Christian community also participated in this unholy feast.

To remedy the situation, after consulting with one another, the Fathers of the Church determined that it was in the best interest of the Christians community to move the Feast of the Birth of Jesus to December 25th and to leave the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th. During that period of twelve days, the Christians would enjoy the burning of lights. The burning of the lights was to symbolize the spiritual illumination that comes from the Sacrament of Baptism.

Joke: A farmer named Muldoon lived alone in the Irish countryside except for a pet dog he for a long time. The dog finally died and Muldoon went to the parish priest, saying "Father, the dog is dead. Could you possibly be saying a Mass for the poor creature?" Father Patrick told the farmer "No, we can't have services for an animal in the church, but I'll tell you what, there's a new denomination down the road apiece, and no telling what they believe in, but maybe they'll do something for the animal." Muldoon said "I'll go right now. By the way, do you think $50,000 is enough to donate for the service?" Father Patrick replied "Why didn't you tell me the dog was Catholic."

Practical Applications: 1) It’s interesting how often we follow the star of self. Even when we think we’re not, in things like church service, outreach to the poor and needy and many other things. 2) Let us strive to be pure and holy like our Heavenly Mother. All mothers want their children to inherit or acquire their good qualities. Hence, let us honor Mary, our Heavenly Mother, by practicing her virtues of faith, obedience, purity and humble service.  3) Let us have a daily resolution for the New Year: Let us resolve to start every morning asking our heavenly Father for a special anointing of His Holy Spirit so that we may do God’s holy will and avoid everything evil.

Introduction: The Epiphany of the Lord

Message:  All nations are invited to sing the Lord’s praises for they have been called to hear the good news and worship the long awaited Messiah and King with the gift of their lives.

Saints and Events in this Week: 6-Sixth-Monday-Saint Andre Bessette, religious; 7-Seventh-Tuesday-Saint Raymond of Penyafort, priest; 

The Holy Family:[A]:Sir 3:2-6,12-14, Col 3:12-21, Mt 2:13-15,19-23

THE HOLY FAMILY:[A]:Sir3:2-6,12-14, Col3:12-21, Mt2:13-15,19-23

Introduction:On the last Sunday of the year, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. We are here to offer all the members of our own families on the altar for God’s blessing. Today’s Gospel describes the holy family, how Joseph and Mary protected the Child Jesus from the sword of King Herod by escaping with him to Egypt

Anecdote: We have heard of the story about the Luck of Roaring Camp, and was written in 1868 by Bret Harte.  The story takes place in Roaring Camp, a camp of gruff, hard drinking, fierce, gold diggers.  The men would kill someone sooner than they would ask a person his name.  One day a pregnant and sick Indian lady stumbled into the camp.  When she went into labor, two of the men were decent enough to try to help her.  She died during the birth, but miraculously, the child, a boy, survived.  Now, deaths were common in Roaring Camp, but a birth was something completely new.  The men of the camp took responsibility for the baby.  They began taking turns taking care of him.  They decided to build him a clean cabin and even put in windows with lace curtains.  He was their baby and they were determined to give him a proper home.  The men took turns taking care of the baby.  To hold him and sing to him was considered a privilege.  They demanded from each other previously unheard of things such as decent language, quiet, cleanliness and moral order.  The men began to shed their roughness, their anger and their selfishness.  The little child transformed this outpost of rough, crude miners into a community of generosity, tenderness and compassion.  The baby called forth from these reckless characters and criminals a dignity, worth and sense of beauty, wonder and joy.

Explanation: Children will do that to you and for you. Many young couples refine their lifestyles when a baby comes.  They want the baby to be brought up with the best they have, by being the best people they can be.  Many people who had been away from church return to Church on a regular basis. They want their baby to grow up with a real loving relationship to God and as a part of a worshiping community.  Children can bring out the best in their parents. And this is what God has done for us through the birth of His son.  With Jesus' birth, our humanity is made sacred.  He has called us from living self centered lives to lives of compassion, peace and joy.  Jesus Christ has transformed humanity, making humanity sacred, just as He is sacred.

Holy Family-Our Model: To celebrate Jesus’ coming of age he attends the Temple Bible class without informing his parents. When his parents catch up with him after two days of searching for him everywhere, all he tells them is, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” (Luke 2:49). Even holy families do have their occasional tensions and misunderstandings.

The narration of this incident ends with this: “Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them” (v.51). The twelve-year old adult, Jesus, already knows that his mission is to be in his Father’s house and be about his Father’s business. From the test-run he did in Jerusalem earlier that day, it was clear that he was already capable of doing it very well, because “all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers” (v. 47). The puzzle then is this: If Jesus, already at the age of twelve, was ready to begin his public mission, and was evidently well prepared for it, why would he go down with his parents and spend the next eighteen years in the obscurity of a carpenter’s shed only to begin his public ministry at the age of thirty? Were those eighteen years wasted? Certainly not! In a way that is hard for us to understand, Jesus’ hidden life in Nazareth was as much a part of his earthly mission as his public life. We are reminded that it was at this time that “Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favour” (v.52). And we reflect on the fact that for every one year of his public life Jesus spent ten years in family life. So we understand the importance and priority he gave to family life.

Joke:   A wife was making a breakfast of fried eggs for her husband. Suddenly, her husband burst into the kitchen. 'Careful,' he said, 'CAREFUL! Put in some more butter! Oh my gosh! You're cooking too many at once. TOO MANY! Turn them! TURN THEM NOW! We need more butter. Oh my gosh! WHERE are we going to get MORE BUTTER? They're going to STICK! Careful. CAREFUL! I said be CAREFUL! You NEVER listen to me when you're cooking! Never! Turn them! Hurry up! Are you CRAZY? Have you LOST your mind? Don't forget to salt them. You know you always forget to salt them. Use the! Salt. USE THE SALT! THE SALT!' The wife stared at him. 'What in the world is wrong with you?You think I don't know how to fry a couple of eggs?' The husband calmly replied, 'I just wanted to show you what it feels like when I'm driving.'

Life messages: 1) We need to learn lessons from the Holy Family: The Church encourages us to look to the Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph for inspiration, example and encouragement.   They were a model family in which both parents worked hard, helped each other, understood and accepted each other, and took good care of their Child so that He might grow up not only in human knowledge but also as a Child of God.

2) We need to make the family a confessional rather than a courtroom.  A senior Judge of the Supreme Court congratulated the bride and groom in a marriage with a pertinent piece of advice: “See that you never convert your family into a courtroom; instead let it be a confessional. If the husband and wife start arguing like attorneys in an attempt to justify their behavior, their family becomes a court of law and nobody wins.  On the other hand, if the husband and the wife -- as in a confessional -- are ready to admit their faults and try to correct them, the family becomes a heavenly one.”

3) Marriage is a sacrament of holiness. Each family is called to holiness. By the sacrament of marriage, Jesus sanctifies not only the spouses but also the entire family. The husband and wife attain holiness when they discharge their duties faithfully, trusting in God, and drawing on the power of God by prayer.

Introduction: Holy Family

Message: Family life is rooted in the unconditional love of God as witnessed by the Holy Family.

Saints and events in this week: 31-Thirty First-Tuesday-Saint Sylvester I, Pope; January 1-First-Wednesday-Holy Day of Obligation; 2-Second-Thursday-Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, bishops, doctor of the Church; 3-Third-Friday-The Most Holy Name of Jesus; 4-Fourth-Saturday-Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious.

Christmas - 2013

Christmas

Merry Christmas!

Anecdote: A king fell in love with a poor maid. The king wanted to marry her. When asked, "How shall I declare my love?" his counselors answered, "Your majesty has only to appear in all the glory of your royal raiment before the maid's humble dwelling, and she will instantly fall at your feet and be yours." But it was precisely that which troubled the king. He wanted her glorification, not his. In return for his love, he wanted hers, freely given. Finally, the king realized love's truth, that freedom for the beloved demanded equality with the beloved. So late one night, after all the counselors of the palace had retired, he slipped out a side door and appeared before the maid's cottage dressed as a servant to confess his love for her. Clearly, the fable is a Christmas story. God chose to express His love for us humans by becoming one like us. We are called to obey, not God's power, but God's love. God wants not submission to His power, but in return for His love, our own.

Lessons: We celebrate Christmas with great rejoicing for three reasons. 1) It is the birthday of our God who became man and Savior to save us from our sins. 2) It is the birthday of a God who came to share His love with us and 3) It is the anniversary of the day when Almighty God came to live with us as Emmanuel.

Savior : God undertook the Incarnation of Jesus as God-Man to save us from the bondage of sin. The Hindu Scriptures describe ten incarnations of God, “to restore righteousness in the world whenever there is a large-scale erosion of moral values.” But the Christian Scriptures teach only one Incarnation and its purpose is given in John 3: 16: “God so loved the world that He sent His only Son so that every one who believes in Him may not die, but have eternal life.” 

Sharer :  Jesus, as our Savior, brought the “good news” that our God is a loving,   forgiving, merciful and rewarding God and not a judgmental, cruel and punishing God. Jesus demonstrated by his life and teaching how God, our heavenly Father, loves us, forgives us, provides for us and rewards us. All his miracles were signs of this Divine Love. Jesus’ final demonstration of God’s love for us was his death on the cross to atone for our sins and to make us children of God. Each Christmas reminds us that sharing love with others is our Christian duty, and every time we do that, Jesus is reborn in our lives.

Emmanuel : Christmas is the feast of the Emmanuel because God in the New Testament is a God who continues to live with us in all the events of our lives as the “Emmanuel” announced by the angel to Mary. As Emmanuel, Jesus lives in the Sacraments (especially in the Holy Eucharist), in the Bible, in the praying community and in each believer as the Holy Spirit transforms us into “Temples of the Holy Spirit.” Christmas reminds us that we are bearers of God with the missionary duty of conveying Jesus to those around us by loving them as Jesus did, through sacrificial, humble and committed service. Sharing with others Jesus, the Emmanuel living within us, is the best Christmas gift we can give, or receive, today.

Joke: On Christmas night the local minister’s wife collapsed on the couch and said to her husband “I am really exhausted.”  He said “You’re exhausted! How about me?  I had two Christmas Eve services and three services this morning to do; that’s five sermons.  Why are you so tired?”  She replied: “I had to listen to all of them, dear!”

Introduction: Nativity of the Lord

Message: God’s covenant gloriously shines forth in the birth of Jesus, son of David.  Out of love for us, God became flesh, for our Savior has appeared, Light dawns for us all.