“You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb” Psalm 139:13

 

“You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb” Psalm 139:13

On this date, January 22^nd, we remember the tragic Supreme Court Decision from 1973, Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion throughout the United States. Because of this ruling, countless number of children have been killed through abortion.  Since that day the church has called each diocese in the United States to observe “a day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through the act of abortion.”

The church clearly teaches that abortion is evil and, as Catholics, we are to reject it and are to protect human life from conception to natural death. The Catholic Church clearly teaches the following:

 

• Life Begins at Conception: The Church believes a human being exists from conception, possessing inherent dignity and rights, including the fundamental right to life

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• Grave Moral Evil: Direct abortion, defined as intentionally ending a pregnancy, is considered a serious violation of God's law, contrary to the commandment "You shall not kill".
• Unchangeable Doctrine: The Catechism states this teaching has been consistent since the first century and remains unchangeable. 

With that in mind, we are all called to help defend innocent children from being killed by abortion, while at the same time showing compassion towards women who may feel trapped in a situation that they have unfortunately found themselves in. We are never to condemn a woman who may have chosen to have an abortion, but rather we are called to show her God’s compassion and forgiveness.

To help prevent abortions, we can start supporting such groups that not only seek to protect the child in the womb, but to offer help to woman in crises pregnancies. One such group is the Sisters of Life, founded by Cardinal O’Connor in 1991.

From their website we read, “Entrusting ourselves completely to the Lord of Life, we commit our lives to the protection of human life and to the promotion of new life in Christ, acknowledging the goodness of every person, and sharing the gift of God’s abundant mercy with all those we meet.” The Sisters of Life offer to women in crisis pregnancy help and protection during their difficult situation, protecting not only the baby, but helping the mother through whatever difficulties they are facing because of their pregnancy. They also offer retreats for those who may have had an abortion but are seeking God’s love, forgiveness and healing. Having an abortion can be very traumatic for the woman who had one done. The Sisters of Life offer healing and God’s forgiveness.

As we pray for an end to abortion, let us pray also for all those who may be in a situation where they feel they have no other choice but to get an abortion. And let us pray for those who may have had an abortion and are looking for healing and forgiveness from God.

If you wish, you can make me clean

 

Scripture readings for today's reflection can be found at Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB

In our gospel for today we hear of one of many healings of someone with leprosy. This person had a great deal of courage in approaching our Lord to be healed. Back during the time of the Lord, lepers were to separate themselves from society in order for others not to catch their disease. Anyone touching a leper would be considered unclean and have to separate themselves from society as well. So, being a leper was a lonely life away from family and friends. This leper was desperate to get some relief and be healed. He heard of all the stories of Jesus’ healing power and went to the Lord, “If you wish, you can make me clean.”

Then Jesus’, amazingly, touches the leper to heal him. The Lord could just spoken the words of healing. He could have just gave the command, “Be healed” and the leper would have been healed. But Jesus saw the need to touch the leper. He knew the leper was desperate for a human touch. So, the Lord reached out, touched him, and healed him.

Overjoyed, the leper, instead of going to the priests to prove he was healed, went and started sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. He was so overjoyed to be part of society and to be healed thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ.

In our own lives the Lord has answered many of our prayers, maybe not as dramatically as being cured from some horrible disease like leprosy. But the Lord is always present in our lives, answering our prayers in many smaller ways. As a result, we too are called to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Jeus is available for all of us, and we are called to share the good news that Jesus is Lord and Savior.

Further, if we are going through any sort of problem or issue that causes us worry, or if we have a health issue, like the man in the gospel, turn to Jesus in prayer and ask Jesus to enter into the situation to heal us of the worry or health issue we are facing. Jesus, in is own way, will answer your prayer in a way that’s best for you and your situation. Jesus will always answer our prayer and be present to us in all our needs.

Lord Jesus, please grant us the healing that we need so that we can proclaim to others that you are Lord and Messiah.

Whoever loves God must also love his brother

 

Scripture for this reflection can be found at  Thursday after Epiphany | USCCB

In our first reading from the first Letter of Saint John we hear the challenging words of love. Central to all of John’s writings is that we not only believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and keep his commandments, but John is teaching what the Lord Jesus Christ had taught throughout His ministry on earth: “Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” John makes it very clear when he says, “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.” (1John 4:20).  These are strong words. We all can say that we love God, but when it comes to loving our neighbor and doing good for them, that’s when things start getting tough and challenging.

The challenge is to try to live out this gospel of love in our day-to-day life. We will always encounter people, whether in our families or those we meet during the day, that we just simply do not like, no less love. Our own families could be the most challenging since they know us so well. They could be those family members that may be away from the regular practice of the faith and just get angry at us for being faithful to God and His commandments. It is in these situations that God is calling us to return that hatred and anger towards us with that of love that John speaks about. As the old saying goes, LOVE CONQUORS ALL.

In our gospel for today from St. Luke, we hear of Jesus returning to Nazareth and going to the synagogue. He then reads from the prophet Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.” The people were amazed when he says that this scripture is fulfilled in their hearing. Here’s this man who they knew from childhood proclaiming to be the fulfillment of this prophecy from Isaiah. The gospel goes on to say that they were amazed at the words that came from Jesus. As we know, eventually they have a problem accepting Him as the long-awaited Messiah and proceed to have him crucified.

Our scripture readings for today are teaching us two things: to always love God and neighbor with our whole being, and we are to accept Jesus Christ as our savior and keep his commandments in our daily lives. Jesus is always to be at the center of how we live our lives.

As we live out our faith daily, let us pray not only for ourselves that we may remain faithful to our love of God and his commandments, but let us pray for those people who reject God for whatever reason that they may come into relationship with God and to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Praise be Jesus Christ, now and forever!

"COME TO THE MANGER"

 

We have a contributor today from Arlene Muller, lector & Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at St. Pancras Parish, Singer in St. Margaret's Choir, Professed Secular Franciscan at St. Adalbert's Secular Franciscan fraternity, itinerant speech/language Therapist with Preschool Children with Delayed Language Development. Arlene likes to write spiritual reflections in words and song to promote the gospel & the gospel of life. Her song "Anthem of Praise" is song by the Adult & Youth Choirs at St. Margaret's Church. 

From Arlene: The following is a CHRISTMAS SONG I am working on.  These are the words.  The melody is in my head & I can sing it (unfortunately the video of myself singing it a capella that I made is too large for me to share), but I would need help in transcribing it.

Inspired by the example of Don Besig & Nancy Price, who have written songs around traditional hymns & several of whose choral pieces we frequently sing in St. Margaret's Choir, I am incorporating the third verse of "O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, which is very relevant to the rest of my song. The USCCB guidelines recommended writing new settings for traditional hymns.

I am hoping that we will be able to sing it in St. Margaret's Combined Adult & Youth Choirs at our 2026 CHRISTMAS CONCERT.

"COME TO THE MANGER"    By Arlene B. Muller

Verse#1:

Once upon à midnight clear/In a little town called BETHLEHEM,

In the stillness of that holy night,

To our cold and dark world came the LORD, our Everlasting Light.

Verse #2:

In the noise and crowds of every inn

There was not one room to let our coming LORD and Savior in.

Just a manger in a hidden cave

Was the only quiet place that could receive this holy Babe.

1st Chorus: very different melody- bright & joyful-change to 3/4 time:

COME TO THE MANGER AND SEE HIM--

GOD IN THE FLESH, PRINCE OF PEACE!

WITH MARY AND JOSEPH, ADORE HIM!

TAKE SOME TIME TO LET "BUSY-NESS"CEASE!

Verse 3 (back to original melody & rhythm/meter):

Not to ivory palaces/Did the message of the angels of the birth of JESUS come;

But to shepherds working in the fields--

To the lowly who would recognize our SAVIOR CHRIST, GOD'S ONLY SON!

Incorporate Verse #3 of O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM (Traditional Hymn):

"HOW SILENTLY, HOW SILENTLY 

THE WONDROUS GIFT IS GIVEN.

SO GOD IMPARTS TO HUMAN HEARTS

THE BLESSINGS OF HIS HEAVEN.

NO EAR MAY HEAR HIS COMING,

BUT IN THIS WORLD OF SIN,

WHERE MEEK SOULS WILL RECEIVE HIM STILL

THE DEAR CHRIST ENTERS IN."

Final Chorus - back to melody & 3/4 time of first chorus:

Let us humble our hearts to receive Him--

GOD IN THE FLESH, PRINCE OF PEACE!

Join with heaven and earth to adore HIM,

And find rest in His heavenly peace!

(C)Copyright 2025 by Arlene B. Muller

Christmas Reflection

 

In just a few days we will be celebrating the Birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ. During that first Christmas the shepherds were fortunate to experience the birth of someone who would go onto change the world: Jesus Christ.

As we approach the actual day of Christmas, the birth of the Lord provides us with knowledge that God is not afraid to share our struggles, in good times and bad times. He is always present to us in all our needs.

During this Christmas season let us always turn to God in all our needs. He may not answer in a way that we like but in a way we need. Further, let us pray for all those who may be lonely this time of year and have no one to spend time with.

 

Merry Christmas.

 

Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Thursday of the Third Week of Advent | USCCB

In our gospel for today we hear about Joseph and how he found out that Mary was pregnant with the Lord. Before finding out that Mary became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit, and the child in her womb was the Messiah, I could only imagine what Joseph was feeling! How could the woman that he loved be pregnant. He knew that he wasn’t responsible for the pregnancy. So, he assumed that Mary was unfaithful to him.

Being a righteous man, he didn’t want Mary’s reputation to be hurt, so he decided to divorce her quietly. But being a righteous man and open to God’s Will, he was able to hear what the Lord expected of him. It was through a dream that Joseph found out the truth about Mary and the child she was carrying. Being a God-fearing Man, Joseph took Mary into his home and was ready to protect her and the baby within her from all harm. It is through his silent strength that he was able to do the job God was asking him to do. Thus, the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph came into being.

Joseph’s quiet acceptance of God’s Will for his life is an example of how we are to live out our lives in attempting to do what God expects of us. You will notice that no words are attributed to Joseph in scripture. Scripture tells us of his concern over Mary being pregnant, then the angel appears to him in a dream clarifying what was happening and what was expected of Joseph. Joseph, upon getting out of bed, doesn’t say anything. He just goes and does what God is asking him to do to bring salvation through Jesus Christ coming into the world.

We are all called to different ways of bringing Jesus into the world. Joseph was to be the foster father of the Lord and to protect Jesus from all harm. That was his call. Our call is to bring Jesus into the world by sharing good news of Jesus with others, maybe not with words, but with how we live out our lives. People will see how we live out our lives as followers of Jesus Christ and may also be attracted to be followers of the Lord Christ. By our regular attendance at Mass, by our frequent prayers outside of Mass and by how we treat others with love and respect, we are bringing Jesus into the world. By living this way, we can hope people will know that “God is with us” and will consider living a life in relationship with God through Jesus Christ

As we approach Christmas Day, let us pray for all those we hold dear in our lives that may be away from the Church that they may turn to Jesus and embrace him as their savior.

Praise be Jesus Christ, now and forever.

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away

This reflection was written for the First Sunday of Advent, based on the readings for the Traditional Latin Mass. Scripture for this reflection can be found at Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122:1-9, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:37-4

Today we celebrate the first Sunday of Advent, and in less than a month we’ll be celebrating the birth of Our Savior, Jesus Christ, in Bethlehem. The streets of New York are all decorated for Christmas, Macy’s has their Christmas decorations in all their windows, the tree is up at Rockefeller Center, and all the commercials on TV and radio over the last few months have been pushing their products for you to be ready for Christmas Day! It’s all about pushing the commercial aspect of Christmas. We hear of Santa Claus and the Elves up in the North Pole preparing for Santa’s trip on Christmas Eve. Music on the radio is playing things like Rudoph the Red nosed Reindeer and Have a Holly Jolly Christmas. We see on TV the movie “Miracle on 34^th Street where it points to Santa as the reason for Christmas. Yet, there’s no mention of the real reason for the season: the birth of Jesus more than 2,000 years ago. Jesus has been taken out of the season and commercialism, and the sin of greed has replaced the Lord. The real miracle is not on 34^th Street, but here on 37^th Street at Holy Innocents and at all Catholic Churches where the real reason for Christmas is Celebrated on the Altar. At every Holy Mass the priest brings us the real reason for Christmas: Jesus Christ, body, blood, soul and divinity. Jesus Christ is at the heart and center of Christmas.

In our readings for today’s Holy Mass, we hear from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans, chapter 13, telling us that it’s time to rise from sleep. In this letter to the Romans, Paul is concerned about our salvation and is calling us to live a life worthy of our call as Catholic Christians: “Let us therefore cast off works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” Paul knew of all the things in the world that would take our attention away from serving God. Paul reminds us to live our lives as followers of Jesus Christ by not rioting or drunkenness, not in chambering and impurities…” We are called to turn away from all the distractions of this temporal world, and we are called to put on the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord, through His Holy Church, has given us ways of putting on the Lord Jesus Christ through the Sacraments. We have baptism, which washes away our sins, Holy Communion to be able to receive our Lord, body blood, soul and divinity, and the Sacrament of Confirmation where we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  It is through these sacraments that we can put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Also, we are called to make the regular use of the sacrament of confession to always remain pure and focused on our salvation. It is through these sacraments that we receive the strength to remain focused on the fact that Jesus came into the world for our salvation. We are not to focus so much on the commercial aspect of this season, but on the spiritual aspect that Jesus came into the world for our salvation.

In the gospel for today’s Holy Mass, we hear the Lord encouraging us to focus on the end times. The Lord talks about seeing the Son of man coming in a cloud with “great power and majesty.” During this time of preparation for Christmas Day we are to be reminded that we are to remain focused on the fact that this time on earth is brief, and that we are to focus on the fact that it will all come to an end. We do not know when, but we are to live out our daily lives in readiness. Our time before the Lord will happen when we least expect it. We are not to live in fear of the end, but to live a life in anticipation of the Lord’s coming by always remaining focused on following his commandments of Love of God and love of neighbor.

Throughout this period of preparation for the celebrations of the Birth of the Lord, we need to be as diligent in the preparation of our souls for the ultimate meeting of the Lord, whether it’s at the end of the world, or our own eventual meeting of the Lord at the end of our own lives. We know not when either will occur. So, as we prepare for Christmas gifts and Christmas parties, we need to prepare for our own ultimate meeting with the Lord.

Further, during this time of chaos in preparation for the Celebration of Christmas, we are to make quiet time for the study Scripture and do spiritual reading to be open to what the Lord is calling us to do in this life. We are always to be open to God’s Holy Will in our Day to Day lives.

We, as Christians, are instructed to be watchful and ready, living in anticipation of Jesus's return by sharing the good news and living lives of faithful anticipation. Throughout this month in preparation for Christmas, and for the rest of our lives, we are to be true examples of what it means to be followers of Jesus Christ. We, like John the Baptist, are called to always point everyone towards Jesus Christ and encourage people to repent and to embrace Jesus as the Messiah.

During this time of Advent, in preparation for the birth of Jesus, and for the eventual end times that Jeus talks about, let us always live our lives in joyful anticipation. Let us all be examples of what it means to be followers of Jesus Christ in a world busy with greed and selfishness. Let us always point towards Jesus Christ, our savior.