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?