Sunday, January 1, 2023

 Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

(Numbers 6:22-27, Galatians 4,4-7; Luke 2:16-21)

There is only one passage about Mary that the three evangelists -- Mark, Matthew, and Luke -- report. It is worth comparing how each evangelist treats the situation. In it Jesus is teaching at his house in Capernaum. People are crowding the door to listen when his mother and other relatives arrive. According to Mark, when Jesus finds out that his relatives are looking for him, he almost disowns them. With a gesture of his arm he looks at his disciples inside the house and says that they are his mother and his siblings. He adds, "'Whoever does the will of God is my brother, my sister, and my mother"'.

According to Matthew, Jesus does about the same when Mary comes to his house in Capernaum. However, Matthew reports early in his gospel that Mary conceives by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it should be said that Matthew views Mary with more reverence than Mark, who reports nothing of the birth of Jesus.

Luke emphasizes the importance of Mary. In the episode at the house in Capernaum, Jesus does not indicate that only his disciples are his relatives. On the contrary, he says that anyone who attends to the word of God belongs to his family. From the beginning of his gospel, Luke shows Mary doing that. When the angel tells her that Elizabeth is pregnant with her, Mary goes "in haste" to visit her. In today's gospel, although he does not tell of an action, Luke says that Mary meditates in her heart the report of the shepherds.

St. Luke also highlights both the humility and the dauntlessness of the virgin mother. When the angel tells her of God's plan for her to be the mother of His son, she responds with the famous "fiat": "'Here is the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word'". And when she meets Elizabeth, Mary begins to preach how God raises up the poor while he brings down the mighty.

The Gospel of John is also favorable towards Mary although it mentions her only twice. The first time occurs when Mary solicits her son on behalf of the diners at the wedding in Cana. The second time is even more striking. Mary is at the cross of Jesus along with two of Jesus’ closest disciples. She is his faithful disciple to the end.

From this summary of gospel passages dealing with Mary, we can make some resolutions for the new year. First, like Mary we want to be more attentive to the word of God and more ready to put it into practice. We hear the word of God at Sunday Mass, but it would be helpful to read a Bible passage daily. Second, we should pray to Mary to ask her son for our needs. We do this every time we pray "Hail, Mary…" although we can be more focused about our requests. Third, it is increasingly important that we be humble before others. Pride often prevents cooperation and friendship between people. Finally, we want to remain faithful to the Lord, come what may. We know that he will never leave us. Many Ukrainians continue to ask for God's help, even though they have suffered enormous injustice. How is it that some people no longer attend mass because the priest does not preach well? As the mother of Jesus undoubtedly taught her son in her childhood, she has much to teach us today.

Friday, December 30, 2022

 Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

(Ecclesiasticus 3:3-7.14-17; Colossians 3:12-21; Matthew 2:13-15.19-23)

Families are vital for the flourishing of people.  For this reason they have been termed the basic unit of society.  Perhaps also because of their importance, the term “family” has been extended to include other kinds of arrangements.  Parishes often label themselves as “family.”  A number of years ago a prominent politician called the Democratic Party a “family.”  Despite the importance of families, the nuclear family – mother, father, and children – is struggling to maintain itself today.

The Holy Family – Jesus, Mary, and Joseph – present an ideal for nuclear families today to emulate.  Like Joseph, the father must take responsibility for the welfare of all.  In the gospel Joseph listens to the Lord’s directive and acts on it.  Mary may be docile, but she is also wise.  She will follow her husband’s lead, but will no doubt tell him if he heads in the wrong direction.  Wives and mothers are almost always the heart of the modern family.  They support everyone, make needed sacrifices, and are ready to take over leadership if required.

A delicate question today is how to consider alternative families.  If the homosexual couple adopts or uses artificial methods to produce a child, how should the resultant family be considered?  Derivative families have always existed.  They are not ideal, but they can accomplish the goal of raising children to be responsible, caring members of society.

Thursday, December 29, 2022

The Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord

(I John 2:3-11; Luke 2:22-35)

A biblical scholar once ignited a holy man’s ire by calling John’s letters, “New Testament baby-talk.”  The scholar meant that John’s letters possess simplicity and directness as if they were written for children.  We see this in today’s first reading.  “Whoever loves his brother remains in the light...,” John writes, “Whoever hates his brother remains in darkness...”

John does not have enemy-love in mind here as if he were challenging Ukrainians to Russian soldiers.  Nor does he mean exactly that Christians have affection for blood brothers and sisters.  He is simply reiterating Jesus’ commandment to his community of disciples at the Last Supper.  He tells them that that they are to love one another.  It may sound easy, but hard feelings can sprout like weeds in a cow pasture when humans get together.  Disputes have originated among Guadalupanas and among Knights of Columbus as if these associations were composed of bands of pirates.  Most everyone feels frustration, envy, and even enmity with his or her associates at times.  John is saying that we must let go of these passions and always treat one another with care.

John would be oversimplifying if he meant that we may limit our love to those with whom we go to church.  Certainly such love for brothers and sisters in the religious or parish community teaches toleration, respect, and compassion so that we in turn may love even those who hate us. 

 

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs

(I John 1:5-2:2; Matthew 2:13-18)

If Rachel lived in our generation, she may not be crying for her children.  The reason for her lack of tears would not, for the most part, be insensitivity.  Rather Rachel would not be weeping because it is quite possible that she, like many women today, would not have any children.  The birthrate throughout most of the world has steadily declined over the last generation, much below what is required for replacement.  African and some Muslim countries are generally exceptions to this rule.

The situation is as tragic as it is dire.  The dearth of children jeopardizes families, faith traditions, and cultures.  When couples have children, they make sacrifices which serve as a binding force keeping families together.  Also, pursuing material success and enjoyment rather than raising a family, people are less likely to turn to God regularly.  Not only religion but other aspects of culture like national customs will erode as populations shift.

At Christmas we celebrate the birth of a child.  Jesus was as special a child as one can be.  Among so much else, he embodies God’s affirmation of humanity as well human hope for the future.  His birth relays a message of joy and love that should resound in the births of many children to committed couples.

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

 Feast of Saint John, apostle and evangelist

(I John 1:1-4; John 20:1a.2-8)

How shall we define “love”?  Let’s say it is more than the classical definition of desiring the good of another.  It seems to be more like a willingness to sacrifice oneself for the good of others. Such love is seen in parents who give up copious amounts of time and energy to care for a child with Downes Syndrome.  It is also found in a spouse who waits faithfully for years for her imprisoned husband (or his imprisoned wife).

Love propels “the disciple whom Jesus loved” to reach his tomb first ready to believe that he has risen from the dead.  Love also moves the disciple, whom tradition names “John” and who is often and probably wrongly equated with John, the son of Zebedee, to reject common sense that says death is final.  He doesn’t care that people will think him crazy.  He looks at the scant evidence of an empty tomb and a rolled up burial head covering and believes Jesus risen.

Christmas engenders such love.  it tells us of God’s infinite love for the world that He sent His Son to redeem it.  It also speaks of the Son’s love so great that he gave his life to fulfill the Father’s will.  The first reading tells of the wonder of knowing the one whom the writer knew in an intimate way but whom we may know only in a spiritual way.  Nonetheless, he graces us with the power to make sacrifices for the good of others.

Monday, December 26, 2022

Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr

(Acts 6:8-10.7:54-59; Matthew10:17-22)

Celebrating Christmas, we walk in the light of Christ.  Today’s Feast of St. Stephen reminds us that those who walk in light are bound to cast shadows.  In these shadows lurk evil spirits who would kill before being exposed to the light, especially the brilliant light of Christ.

The reading from Acts relates Stephen’s martyrdom but skips over his speech which provoked the wrath of his assassins.  In that discourse Stephen revisits the sins of Israel from the selling of Joseph, the favorite son of Jacob, to the crucifixion of Christ.  The people who hear Stephen, not wanting to be enlightened about the sins of their ancestors and even less of their own sins, stone Stephen.  He dies begging forgiveness for his persecutors.

In proclaiming the whole truth of Jesus, we will find opposition.  Those who oppose us will not kill us, but they may criticize us unjustly.  Because we follow Christ, we are to respond to the criticisms like St. Stephen.  That is, we are not to condemn but to pray for our persecutors.

Monday, January 2, 2022

Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, bishops and Doctors of the Church

(I John 2:22-28; John 1:19-280

The Church celebrates the Incarnation -- Christ becoming human – on Christmas.  It is, despite Santa Claus and snowmen, a holy and glorious day.  But there is little time to reflect on how the Incarnation might happen during Christmas week.  On January 2, the day following the Christmas octave, such reflection is indicated with the Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen.

The two bishops and theologians were best of friends when they studied together in Athens.  They lived during the fourth century when people literally fought over different interpretations of the Incarnation.  Basil defended the Church’s Nicene teaching against Arianism, a widespread and deeply rooted heresy.  To protect divine majesty, Arianism claimed that Jesus was not fully God.  Gregory engaged in the controversy against the more sophisticated heresy of Apollinarianism.  Apollinaris, the bishop who formulated the heresy, taught that Jesus was a divine spirit inhabiting a foreign body.  Gregory claimed the contrary when he taught that “what is not assumed is not redeemed.”  In other words, if the Son did not have a human body, no human body can be redeemed.

We believe that Jesus is our redeemer because of the testimony of writers like John in today’s first reading.  He tells us of how people experienced Jesus’ saving power.  We also accept the Church’s teaching on the Incarnation because it follows quite logically from the teachings of thinkers like Basil and Gregory.

Sunday, December 25, 2022

 The Nativity of the Lord, Midnight Mass

(Isaiah 9:1-3.5-6; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14)

The birth of Jesus in the Gospel of Saint Luke begins by mentioning the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus. He is not the typical emperor but the one who credited with ensuring world peace. Saint Luke is suggesting a comparison between this emperor of peace and Jesus Christ, the Prince of peace. Augustus has his armies to pacify uprisings across the world. Jesus gives the Holy Spirit to calm the human heart. Instead of desiring gold, the heart that gives admission to the Spirit longs for the joy of love.

However, the world today needs a peacemaker like Caesar Augustus. Two weeks ago. Pope Francis was seen crying in public over the war in Ukraine. There millions of people suffer not only the cold of winter without electricity but also the anxiety of not having an end to the war in sight. Who can bring peace to today's world? Are they not the men and women whose hearts have been opened to sacrifice by the grace of the Spirit?

Mary also draws our attention in this portrait of the birth of Jesus. She has the courage to accompany Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem while she is about to give birth. It seems that she doesn't care that there is no place for her family in the inn. Instead of worrying about it, she focuses on the well-being of her son. She has prepared strips of cloth to keep him warm in loving anticipation. When he is born, she lays him in a manger. She and Joseph give him something more substantial than a crib for support. They adore him.

Today's world often lacks this kind of personal commitment. Because they look for careers, luxuries, and the independence to do what they like, many young people do not want children. Or if they want them, they plan on one or, at most, two. It is worrisome because who knows what will happen in forty or fifty years? Many of them will experience loneliness. They are also likely to be disconcerted to see their communities fall apart and be replaced by people from other cultures.

The angels and their message form one last thing to consider here. An angel announces the good news of the birth of the Savior. Then he is joined by a multitude of heavenly creatures to proclaim glory to God and "peace to men of good will." For centuries people have wondered who these men and women "of good will" are. Are they all the women and men in the world? Or can they be a special group chosen by God?

The best answer to the question is associated with what Saint Luke writes in his narrative of the baptism of Jesus. There the voice of God says from heaven: “You are my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased.” Men and women “of good will” are those who please God like Jesus Christ. Therefore, we have reason to be at peace when we strive to do the will of God the Father.

Luke's story ends with the angels in heaven singing: “Glory to God…” How could God not have glory when his creatures on earth are seen opening their hearts to the Holy Spirit? How could He not have glory when women and men give their families priority over their own independence? And how could He not have glory when we try with all our might to please Him? However, the glory belongs to God not because of our efforts but because of his love for us. He has sent us his own Son so that we may know his love.

Friday of the fourth Week of Advent – December 23, 2022

(Malachi 3:1-4.23-24; Luke 1:57-66)

Unlike Jesus’ name, the gospel writers place no significance in the name “John.”  But there are two significant details in today’s gospel story of Jesus’ forerunner’s name.  First, John’s father Zechariah shows obeisance to the Lord here.  Before, he doubted the angel’s word that he and Isabel would conceive.  Now he names the child “John” as Gabriel instructed.  Second, Zechariah and Isabel independently agree that their child be called “John.” Since no one in their family has that name, the prompt agreement indicates the Lord’s collusion.

The prophecy from Malachi, today’s first reading, tells the role John is to play within the gospel.  He will go before the Lord Jesus, preparing the people for his message.  Malachi names the forerunner “Elijah,” the prophet who called down fire from heaven.  Likewise, John preached fire and brimstone.  Although, like Jesus, he spoke of the coming of the kingdom, his message was colored with threats.  Jesus largely preached the kingdom as the experience of God’s mercy.

Some fret over names.  They don’t want to be called anything like obese or dull.  Most want to be labeled intelligent, attractive, and cool.  Let us dare to be different here and strive to be named, like John, “forerunners of the Lord.”  Let us prepare the world for his coming by acts of mercy and kindness.  

Thursday, December 22, 2022

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent

(I Samuel 1:24-28; Luke 1:46-56)

As everyone knows, today many if not most people get their news online.  That is, as much as the reports may be called “news,” people find them on the Internet.  What they see is a blend of events that call attention to themselves along with multiple tidbits about the rich and famous.  The latter group consists of entertainers, athletes, and billionaires.  It is what holds the attention of most people for months, years, even decades.  The whole world now has been nurtured on this stream of vanity.

In today’s gospel Mary gives a news report one hundred and eighty degrees opposite to the dominant interests of our times.  She tells of God giving preference to herself, a humble young woman who tries to please Him.  From there she tells of how God plans to spurn the rich, proud, and powerful in favor of the lowly who do His will.  She speaks of these things boldly because she will soon give birth to the one who will bring about this new social order.

Christmas challenges us to side with Mary.  It has become so filled with material superabundance that its spiritual offering is often forgotten.  We take Mary’s side by different concrete actions.  We should go out of our way to include the poor in our Christmas giving.  We should also dedicate considerable time to prayer and reflection over the events of the Incarnation.  Finally, we should find opportunities to tell friends and family of our love and appreciation.   Making a custom of these practices, we will hear the good news about Christ, not the fake news about the high and mighty.

Wednesday, December 21, 2022

 Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent

(Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Luke 1: 39-45)

A woman calls the priests she knows “Priest,” not “Father.”  She does so because of the gospel injunction to “’call no one on earth your father…’” Of course, the Church has given another interpretation to this statement of Jesus.  But the woman tries, like Mary in today’s gospel, to act on the word of God.

The purpose of Mary’s prompt visit to the hill country is undoubtedly to see her kinswomen, Elizabeth.  Luke, the evangelist here, does not say what is commonly assumed – that Mary went to help Elizabeth during the latter days of her pregnancy.  Rather, his point is that Mary, as James will later write, is a “doer of the word of God,” and a swift doer at that.  She listens to God has to say to her, contemplates in her heart its meaning, and then acts accordingly and decidedly.  Because she proceeds in this way from the beginning of the gospel, she is often called Jesus’ first or model disciple.

These days can be rich with contemplation or busy with frenzied action.  In Puerto Rico traditional Catholics are arising to attend predawn masses.  There they will be nourished by the word of God and have the rest of the day to act on it.

Tuesday, December 20, 2022

 Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent

(Isaiah 7:10-14; Luke 1:36-48)

Why is Mary troubled by the angel’s greeting?  Is not “hail” a common salutation?  Perhaps it was in some sectors in the first century, but not in Palestine.  There a Jewish person was more likely to say “shalom,” meaning peace, when meeting another.  The Greek word for hail – the word used in today’s gospel passage – is chaїre.  It was used as a greeting, but it more properly meant rejoice.  Mary is troubled because she had no reason to rejoice at that precise moment.

The word chaїre is repeated by the angel who announced to the shepherds Jesus’ birth.  It is also said of the disciples when they see the risen Lord in John’s gospel.  Mary and the whole world can rejoice because God is fulfilling the promise to David of an eternal king.  This king will conquer the enemies of Israel and bring the world together in peace.

Jesus has brought peace to billions of people over the centuries.  Yet his peace is still not universal.  This past year, the greatest European war in over seventy-five years has broken out in the Ukraine.    Human beings, images of God, are being blown apart.  Many are suffering from cold, fear, and exhaustion.  No one should blame Christ for failing to establish peace.  He did all that is necessary by dying on the cross.  We must look at ourselves with the question, how do I contribute to injustice, hatred, and even violence?

Monday, December 19, 2022

 Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent

(Judges 13:2-7.24-25a; Luke 1:5-25)

Today’s readings sound definitively premodern.  Many couples today do not want to have any children, and most do not want more than one or two.  In these Scriptures Manoah’s wife and Elizabeth consider themselves disgraced for not having given birth.  Then they hear from God.

The two women will not only have children.  Their children will become outstanding in their respective times.  Manoah’s wife’s son Samson will wreak havoc on the Philistines, Israel’s archenemies in the period of the Judges.  John will prick the consciences of the entire nation of Israel to turn from sin.

Christmas celebrates human life.  It says, at its root, that human life is so wonderful that God assumed it to present Himself to the world.  We should embrace it not only for what it offers us as individuals but for what we might offer others.  Christ taught us as much.  His life testifies superlatively to the truth that life is not a commodity to be exploited but a gift to be shared.

Sunday, December 18, 2022

 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, December 18, 2022

(Isaiah 7:10-14; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-24)

We all know that actions speak louder than words. No one in history exemplifies this adage more than Saint Joseph. In the gospels he does not say a single word. However, his actions have facilitated the coming of the Savior to the world.

The Gospel according to Saint Matthew presents Saint Joseph as a "righteous man". He is righteous because he not only knows God's law but also its purpose and because he lives it. He knows that the law is to form the person in the ways of God. The Pharisees also know the law, but they manipulate it for their own benefit. Saint Oscar Romero once said: “The law is like a snake; it only stings those with bare feet.”  In the gospels the Pharisees use the law to exploit the poor.

Joseph is living the law even when he thinks of divorcing María. The two have contracted marriage but have not lived together. So when Joseph finds out that Maria is pregnant, he knows that he did not father the baby. Because it is possible that there was adultery, Joseph wants to take advantage of the part of the law that allows divorce. In this way he would show respect for the institution of marriage. But he would do it "in secret," that is, without a trial. Once again, Joseph shows himself to be righteous.  If a trial discovered that it was not adultery but rape, Maria would be unnecessarily subjected to public disapproval.

When the angel appears to him, Joseph continues to show himself as righteous. He does not delay for a moment to fulfill God’s will. He takes Mary to her house, and when her baby is born, he names it "Jesus." To understand the significance of these acts, we need to know something of the customs of first century Judaism. At that time the man who names the child was considered the legal father of the child. It is important that Joseph of David's lineage named the son of Mary so that he too is a descendant of David, Israel's greatest king. In the Old Testament God promised David that he would have a descendant whose kingdom would last forever. Now Jesus can assume this office.

The name "Jesus" also has transcendent meaning. It means, "The Lord saves." It is appropriate for Jesus because he is going to save not only his people but also the whole world from sin. Matthew gives us an indication of this universal salvation when the wise men come from afar to adore the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. At the end of the gospel, Jesus will send his apostles throughout the earth to announce salvation in Christ Jesus.

But another, even more important name is given to Jesus, and it also has to do with his lineage. In the first reading Isaiah tells the king of Judah: “Listen, O house of David! ... the virgin shall conceive bear a son and shall name him Emmanuel, that is, “God with us ”. This prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus in two ways. First, Mary conceives and gives birth to Jesus as a virgin. Jesus is also conceived by the action of the Holy Spirit who will always remain with him.

Meditating on the story of Jesus’ origins, we may wonder why we preoccupy ourselves with gifts and parties during this Advent season. Saint Matthew shows God's love for us not only by sending his son to us, but by something else almost as wonderful. Through Jesus Christ himself, God makes it possible for us to be even more righteous than Saint Joseph. We have the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount to guide us. Even more important, Jesus has shared the Holy Spirit with us so that we always live his goodness and love.

Friday, December 16, 2022

 Friday of the Third Week of Advent

(Isaiah 56-3a.6-8; John 5:33-36)

In John’s Gospel Jesus seems to be continually on trial before the Jews.  This explains the lack of a trial in the Passion account.  Jesus is presented today as calling a witness to defend himself.  He tells the Jews that they heard John the Baptist testify in his favor and that they had believed him before.   However, he adds that now they won’t accept John’s testimony. 

Next Jesus will admit evidence in his defense.  He says that the works – the healings and miraculous deeds like changing water into wine – testify to his being God’s emissary.  Unfortunately, the Jews will not be satisfied with this proof either.

Hopefully, we are.  Every year we have to decide to keep accepting Jesus at his word or to forget about his coming in glory.  Fortunately, we are boosted by the good we see in other Christians and by other experiences of grace.  We must continue to wait patiently for Jesus.  Maybe it will be soon.  But it will probably not be in our lifetime.  In any case, there is comfort in waiting with so many fine people.

Thursday of the Third Week of Advent

Thursday of the Third Week of Advent

(Isaiah 54:1-10; Luke 7:24-30)

When John’s disciples came looking for Jesus in Luke’s gospel, they asked if he was “the one who is to come.”  They wanted to know if he was the one to bring about God’s kingdom.  Jesus told the disciples to report to John the cures he was performing, the dead he was raising, and the poor whose hopes were being uplifted by his preaching.  With the report, John must decide if he will accept Jesus as the Messiah for his works.

Today’s gospel announces that those who repented of their sins and were baptized by John accepted Jesus as God’s righteousness.  This appears to be another way of calling him the “anointed one” or Messiah. It also sees these people standing in God’s favor.  The Pharisees do not repent of their sins, nor are baptized, and much less acknowledge Jesus as Messiah.  They, of course, stand outside God’s favor.

The passage calls us to do two things.  First, we must repent of our sins – constantly.  All of us have faults that need correction with the help of God.  Second, like Jesus, our leader, we must work to cure others, perhaps not of physical hurts but of emotional ones.  Likewise, we must raise people from the dead; that is, we must work to bring people back from the spiritual death of serious sin. And we must preach to the poor words and deeds that uplift their spirits. 

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, priest and Doctor of the Church

(Isaiah 45:6c-8.18.21c-25; Luke 7:18b-23)

Today the Church celebrates St. John of the Cross as it moves toward Christmas.  John was a sixteenth century mystic and theologian.  He is famous for describing the “dark night of the soul.”  This experience of purification brings a soul in union with God through successive purification.  In the end everything about the contemplative – desires, abilities, works, and feelings -- conforms to God’s will.

Although Jesus habitually went off to pray, he was not known for his contemplation.  John the Baptist evidently thought that he would be a fiery mystic who would blast people out of complacency.  Jesus had a better way of showing holiness.  He healed and preached more and better than anyone before.  These works should have been enough for one to recognize him as the Messiah. 

Today many Christians seem to think that one can arrive at holiness without having suffered.  Both John of the Cross and Jesus would deny that idea.  The human ego is so great that it wants to dominate everything.  Only God can do that.  By suffering we can tame the ego so that it too conforms to God’s will.

 

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

 Memorial of Saint Lucy, virgin and martyr

(Zephaniah 3:1-2.9-13; Matthew 21:28-32)

Today’s first reading may sound like a denunciation of lax morals typical of the prophet Isaiah.  However, it is from the prophet Zephaniah, who lived a generation afterwards.  Echoes of both Isaiah and Zephaniah reverberate today as many pay scant attention to morals in the pursuit of pleasure.  The prophets assure us that this lamentable condition will change with a remnant attentive to God’s word.

Christ has cleansed his disciples of sin with his blood.  His followers have followed his light of truth and love.  One member of this cohort is St. Lucy, the fourth century Sicilian virgin. Although the data of her life are not known with any certainty, her name expresses what is most significant.  As “Lucy” is derived from the Latin word for light, Lucy reflected the light of Christ in her time and down through the centuries.  She loved Christ more than her own life which she forfeited for him

We too are to reflect the light of Christ.  We might do this in various ways like caring for the poor or teaching children.  We should take care never to let the good that we do be obstructed by bad habits or sins.  In this way more people will be attracted to Christ, the world’s light, whose coming we will celebrate shortly.

Monday, December 1`2, 2022

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

(Zechariah 2:14-17; Luke 1:26-38)

Humans do not initiate Christian repentance.  It is a divine undertaking.  For this reason, both John the Baptist and Jesus preached, "The Kingdom of God is near," before calling people to repent. They urged people to seize the opportunity to meet God on good terms.  This dynamic was also at play at Tepeyac with the Virgin of Guadalupe.

When the Virgen met the indigenous Juan Diego, she introduced herself as the “mother of God.” She represented God to Mexico’s native people.  After Juan Diego carried out her orders, his tilma showed her image, and the Spanish bishop of Mexico recognized the Virgin’s glory.  More significantly, the event resulted in the massive conversion of the Mexican people.

We have heard John the Baptist’s call on the Second Sunday of Advent.  Now is the time to repent.  We may be reluctant to accept the invitation.  When the world goes to celebrate, should we go to confession?  Yes, we should.  The whole point of Jesus’ coming was to save us from sin and death.  The process will be completed with the Easter events.  Let us repent and believe, the sooner the better.

Sunday, December 11, 2022

 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT, December 11, 2023

(Isaiah 35:1-6.10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11)

We should take advantage of this opportunity during both the World Cup competition and the Advent season to ask ourselves a question. It will be the same question that the disciples of John the Baptist propose to Jesus in the gospel today: "Are you the one who is to come or do we have to wait for another?" That is, is Jesus the one we are waiting for or should we look to the other to fulfill our deepest desires?

Of course, the answer has to do with what we seek in life. Some yearn for little more than the excitement that comes when their nation's team wins the championship. Jesus may have been a gifted athlete, but nowhere in the gospels does it say that he beat anyone in sports. Those of us who want the World Cup will have to wait for another.

In the first century many Jews awaited the coming of a political messiah who could deliver their people from Roman hegemony. It is possible that Juan thought so. Still, many today want a political leader who can reshape society in the way that suits them. The liberal types would like a mandate that defends the so-called “procreative rights” and immigration rights. Likewise, conservatives would have a leader who keeps the traditional culture intact. However, people with this kind of hope will be disappointed in Jesus. He sternly rejected the idea that he was a political messiah.

Still others see salvation in the person who can meet all of their intimate needs. They want a rich man or woman with good looks and fine sensibilities. Jesus will not fulfill this scheme either because his mission is for the whole world.

Jesus does not fulfill any of these desires. He has come, as he declares to the disciples of John, so that the blind may see and the lame walk, so that the dead may be raised and the poor receive the good news. So, he doesn't come for the middle class or the healthy, people like most of us, it that not right?  No, it isn't. There is a statistic, certainly true, given by a famous psychologist: "One of each of us is suffering." One of each of us has felt abandoned, exhausted, or hurt, at one time or another with repercussions that persist to the present moment. Truly Jesus has come to care for all of us.

Are we not spiritually blind when we think that if God exists, He will forgive my sins whether I confess them or not? One look at the gospel will open our eyes. In it Jesus shows us not only that God exists but also that he has so much love for us that we always want to please him. Are we not spiritually deaf when we do not want to hear the sorrows and sorrows of other people? Again, the gospel presents Jesus welcoming everyone into his company and asking us to do the same. Are we not spiritually dead when we always seek our own pleasure and not the good, the true and the eternal? A man spent many fall weekends hunting. He liked to sit in a hide waiting for a deer. One Saturday the man was in the field with his rifle. It occurred to him that his life was missing something necessary: ​​a relationship with the One who created the earth and all that it holds. The hunter got up and returned to his parish to confess. He now lives happily as a committed layman.

This man along with all of us awaits the return of the Lord Jesus. Let us not doubt that he will arrive because he has promised it. As James says in the second reading, we need to wait with the patience of farmers expecting the harvest. In the meantime, it is up to us to prepare the earth for the Kingdom of God. We break up the clods with prayer and sow the seeds of kindness and love. Among all we sow seeds of kindness and love.

Friday, December 9, 2022

 Friday of the Second Week of Advent

(Isaiah 48:17-19; Matthew 11:16-19)

In today’s gospel Jesus shares with the crowds his disappointment with their response to the call to repentance.  When John made it, he says, the people thought he was crazy.  When he makes it, Jesus continues, they ask whether one who hangs around sinners can be trusted.  Matthew, the evangelist, has Jesus leveling this criticism of the Jews perhaps fifty years before he wrote.  But he was aware that Christians too might reject the call to ongoing conversion with similar excuses.

We have seen in our day increasing rejection of Christ as the path to holiness.  Secularization has accelerated within the past three generations to the extent that in many places mostly grey hairs go to church.  The vast majority neither fear punishment nor try to please God by living impeccably.

Nevertheless, the Church continues to wave a stick and a carrot to move people to reform.  Especially during Advent, we await the return of Christ at the end of time to judge the world.  We also joyfully anticipate celebrating on Christmas his first coming.  Although it may seem like a losing strategy, we know that it can work.  At different times either the soft or the hard approach has gotten through to people’s hearts.

Thursday, December 8, 2022

 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgen Mary

(Genesis 3:9-15.20; Ephesians 1:3-5.11-12; Luke 1:26-38)

Today’s feast day provides an opportunity to reflect not only on Mary, the mother of Jesus, but also on Jesus, the savior of the world.  The first reading describes the trial scene where God interrogates Adam and Eve and then passes judgment on the serpent.  The couple admit to having disobeyed God’s commandment.  Their guilt will be passed on to all humans except for Jesus and Mary.  The serpent, traditionally recognized as the devil, is destined to be crushed by a human being who has been identified with Christ.

In the gospel’s conversation between God’s angel and the Virgen Mary, Mary is told that her son will be called “Jesus,” a name which means “The Lord saves.” Jesus will save human beings from sin precisely by defeating the serpent-devil.  He will have the power to do so because he is the Son of God conceived by the Holy Spirit as well as the son of Mary.

The second reading further explains the reason for our celebration.  Because God chose us to believe in Christ, we have been purged of the guilt incurred by Adam and Eve’s sin.  Now we exist not for ourselves and not for a limited time.  We exist to give praise to God forever.  Some may question the desirability of giving such praise to another.  We might think of it as the glory of having a brother or sister declared sovereign of the greatest empire on earth.

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Memorial of Saint Ambrose, bishop and doctor of the church

(Isaiah 40:25-31; Matthew 11:28-30)

In the movie “Chariots of Fire” a Christian sprinter from Scotland refuses to race on Sunday and thus apparently has lost his opportunity to win an Olympic medal.  Then one of his teammates gives the athlete his slot in a longer race.  The sprinter is supposed to peter out by the end of the race.  However, he wins it for the gold medal.  An American rival of the sprinter’s team sends him a note with a verse from today’s first reading: “They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings.  They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.”

An event in the life of St. Ambrose illustrates his own hope in the Lord.  Ambrose was the governor of a large portion of northern Italy.  Because of his virtue, the people elected him Bishop of Milan at a contentious time in Church affairs.  He quickly gave his family wealth to the poor and lived ascetically during his long episcopacy.  As Isaiah promises, Ambrose soared as a churchman.  He is considered one of the four great Latin Church fathers.

The reading from Isaiah is meant to complement the gospel passage in which Jesus says that he will renew the strength of those who come to him.  We should not doubt that.  When life becomes especially challenging, we can turn to him with prayer and confidence.  We will set our spirits soaring and our hearts relieved.

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent

(Isaiah 40:1-11; Matthew 18:12-14)

There is a story from the Cold War days that might help us understand God's Word today. A Russian woman came to visit the United States. At first she only saw the social problems.  She criticized the decayed neighborhoods, the litter in the streets, and the selling of drugs on street corners.  Then she entered a supermarket and was stunned by the great quantities of all the different products.  She began to cry saying, “You mean all this is available to me?”

In a similar way the reading from Isaiah testifies to the bounty of God’s goodness to the exiled people of Jerusalem.  They can return home now.  They have suffered enough for their sins.  God is giving them back double for their suffering.  Like a shepherd cares for his lambs, God is looking after all the needs of His people. 

Jesus fulfills this vision of Isaiah.  He is like the shepherd of his own parable who risks the loss of more sheep to save the one who has gone astray.  He calls us from our sins.  Yes, we all have them – our laziness and habitual errors that we have grown accustomed to.  He beckons us to learn from him.

Monday, December 5, 2022

Monday of the Second Week in Advent

(Isaiah 35:1-10; Luke 5:17-26)

For most of us it is easier to say to a crippled person, “Your sins are forgiven,” than to say, “Stand up and walk.”  This is so because most of us say things to win the approval of others.  No one will know whether the crippled person’s sins are really forgiven.  But if the person does not stand up, people will think us foolish for telling the person to do so. 

Jesus shows himself to be a prophet because he cares about the truth of his words.  He will not say to a person that her sins are forgiven unless he has the authority from God to forgive.  In today’s gospel he shows that authority by healing the cripple.  He also shows himself to be the fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy.  He has come to make firm the knees of the weak and to make the lame leap.  He has come to save us from lies and deceit.  He has come to give us love in truth.

As that paralyzed man in the gospel cannot walk, we are paralyzed by our social environment to say what is “politically correct,” that is, what pleases people.  In doing so, we forsake what we truthfully believe.  Jesus heals us of this paralysis so that we not just tell the truth but do so in love.  In this way those around us will give more than a nod of approval.  They will thank God for our presence to them.

Sunday, December 4, 2022

 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT, December 4, 2022

(Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-9; Matthew 3:1-12)

This year’s new TV shows are said to feature ever more powerful characters. According to one writer, people don't care whether these characters are morally good or bad. What they are interested in are their displays of power. The writer laments the deterioration of morality in Western culture. Like John the Baptist in the gospel today, he criticizes the growing lack of virtue.

John does not hesitate to denounce the Pharisees and Sadducees for their duplicity. They come as pious as Carmelite nuns to see him, the holy man of the desert. But beneath their sanitized exterior lies arrogance and disdain. These people are the same people who will harass Jesus for his outreach to sinners. No wonder John calls them a "breed of vipers."

If he were alive today, John would not remain silent before the irresponsible sectors of our society. They are the ones who want to make abortion available on demand. The irresponsible also include those who reject any form of sacrifice to control climate change. Newspapers often take John's critical stance by warning of the damage that global warming is causing. They rightly say that if a concerted effort to control the burning of fossil fuels is not put into effect soon, future generations will suffer from ever more destructive hurricanes and ever more unbearable temperatures. With even more vigor the Church has condemned abortion as the taking of human life. She has said that those who knowingly have or promote abortion are excommunicated. The newspapers and the Church, like John himself, serve as prophets of destruction that are necessary to capture the attention of the people.

However, John's message mentions the coming of a prophet more powerful than himself. According to John, this prophet is going to mercilessly punish the unjust with fire. He does not name who he is, but we know that he has Jesus in mind. Certainly, Jesus will show power over unclean spirits. Also, he will show anger when he purifies the Temple of the merchants. However, his mission will have a very different character than that of John and the prophets of destruction.

Jesus will not act like the great retaliator that John expects. He will not go scolding drunkards, nor scolding prostitutes. On the contrary, Jesus will eat with sinners and talk with women of ill repute. In this way he will try to transform sinners by acts that touch their hearts. He will know that every human heart has the capacity to turn to God when it feels his love. Like the wolf living with the lamb in the first reading, Jesus will instruct all humans to live together in peace with God as their Father.

We have to respond to God's love now. Our response should include behaviors that alleviate global warming destruction as well as abortion. We could turn the thermostat down a few degrees in the winter and a couple up in the summer. In the second reading Saint Paul tells the Christians in Rome to serve one another as Christ served all. By resisting climate change, we would be serving not so much our contemporaries as future generations. The effect will be the same. We would be treating other people with the love of brothers and sisters.

Friday, December 2, 2022

 Friday of the Frist Week of Advent

(Isaiah 29:17-24; Matthew 9:27-31)

Blind people often play on their ability to see.  They will likely tell you when they understand something you are trying to explain, “I see, I see.”  The two blind men in today’s gospel are making a comparable point.

The blind men already see when they recognize Jesus as their “Lord.”  They know that he has power over the darkness of sin and its consequences.  Jesus’ bestowing physical sight confirms this more critical spiritual insight that the men have made.  By giving them physical sight, Jesus also fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah in the first reading, “…the eyes of the blind shall see.”

During Advent we want to see the Lord more clearly.  We already know him teacher and savior.  We hope to trust more completely in his friendship.  Confident of his love for us, we can live more happily and caringly, at peace with all.