The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

 

Scripture readings for today's reflection can be found at Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph | USCCB

Today we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. With Christ as the center of who they were, Mary and Joseph were obedient to the Law of the Lord. They knew that God was the center of who they were as a family.

In the 2nd reading from the Office of Readings for today, we read a reflection from Pope St. Paul VI. He says, "Nazareth is a kind of school where we may begin to discover what Christ's life was like and even to understand his Gospel. Here we can observe and ponder the simple appeal of the way God's Son came to be known, profound yet full of hidden meaning. And gradually we may even learn to imitate him."

Pope St. Paul VI would go on to describe the difficulties the Holy Family faced during that time in history. He goes on to say, "Here we can learn the importance of spiritual discipline for all who wish to follow Christ and to live by the teachings of the Gospel."

The Holy Family lived out their lives in obedience to God's Holy Will, no matter what the challenges were. Importantly, they kept God's Laws in the center of who they were. This is an example of how we are to live out our lives: keeping God's Law (as we understand them through our Catholic Faith). By doing so, no matter the difficulties we face, we will have the peace of knowing that God is present to us in all our struggles. 

Another part of Pope St. Paul's reflection that touches me and helps me to remain focused on God's love for me and my family, is where he says, referring to the Holy Family in Nazareth, "First, we can learn from its silence. If only we could once again appreciate its great value. We need this wonderful state of mind, beset as we are by the cacophony of strident protests and conflicting claims characteristic of these turbulent times." It seems that the "turbulent times" are still with us. It is through the gift of Holy Silence that we can be open to the promptings to what God is attempting to tell us. Further, through silent prayer we can pray for peace in all the "hot spots" of the world.

During this time of transition from the old year to the new year, let's make time to be quiet and to be in the presence of God, meditating on His love for us and remembering that God is always present to us, no matter the struggles we may be facing.

Let us also pray for those suffering in the Holy Land that peace may come, and people of all faith backgrounds may have a greater understanding for each other and a mutual love and respect that God intends for all people, no matter their background.

Going from Gospel to life & life to Gospel

 

We have a guest blogger today. Arlene B. Muller (Arlene Clare Muller, OFS) is a lector and EM at St. Pancras Church in Glendale, NY, a singer in the choir at St. Margaret's Church in Middle Village, NY, a professed Secular Franciscan & Formation Director at St. Adalbert's Secular Franciscan fraternity in Elmhurst, NY & an itinerant speech/language therapist who works with preschool children with delayed language development. In addition to her ministries & work she seeks to promote the GOSPEL & the GOSPEL OF LIFE, especially in writing & frequently on FACEBOOK.

I am dealing with an unexpected spiral of medical issues. A little white spot on my gum below one of my lower teeth detected in July by the dental hygienist & dentist during a routine semiannual dental exam turns out to be squamous cell carcinoma in situ, one step before cancer, that requires removing teeth, scraping my gums & some bone underneath, a skin graft, temporary dentures & recovery time of several weeks. 

Heart symptoms related to stress about a mix-up concerning medical clearance led to a CAT SCAN with contrasts of my heart that shows some coronary artery disease that needs to be investigated via an angiogram in order to determine if it is safe for me to have the surgery which requires general anesthesia. One little thing leading to another & then another and... that requires my consent to a situation out of my control, which is scary. 

Of course, I need to remember that although this feels like it's spiraling out of my control (and I like to be in control), GOD is still in control & present with me & working this out for my good & His glory & to be grateful that problems are being detected early, hopefully to keep me alive & fruitful for years to come!

I am reflecting on how saying YES to becoming the Mother of Our LORD led Our Lady (& also St. Joseph) to some unexpected situations spiraling out of their control: how Joseph would react to her pregnancy (which GOD took care of through the Angel Gabriel in Joseph's dream), having to travel miles/kilometers on the rough & bumpy roads to Bethlehem during the last stage of her pregnancy, finding no room to stay except a cave or stable surrounded by animals that needed to be cleaned up before she could give birth, fleeing to Egypt (probably in the middle of the night. 

Being without sin from the moment of her conception probably helped Our Lady to trust GOD more than anyone else would, but she was still a human being who probably had some anxious moments that she dealt with as she pondered all these things in her heart. 

So having to choose to trust GOD over & over again when sometimes it feels as if life is unraveling is something I have to do & I can look to the example of Our Lady & follow my motto as a Secular Franciscan as "going from Gospel to life & life to Gospel".

Pax et Bonum,

Arlene

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior

 

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

In our gospel for today we hear the beautiful Magnificat that Mary proclaimed in response to Elizabeth saying to Mary, "Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled." (Luke 1:45) In this beautiful scene we can first see that John the Baptist, still in Elizabeth's womb, recognizing Jesus as the Messiah, then Elizabeth, through the power of the Holy Spirit acting through John in her womb, recognizes that Mary is carrying the Messiah in her womb. Further, Mary, in her humility glorifies God and proclaims the greatness of the Lord.

Both Elizabeth and Mary allowed God to work through them to bring salvation to the world. Elizabeth, learning from the infant in her womb, pointed towards the fact that Mary was carrying the Messiah in her womb. Elizabeth says to Mary, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." (Luke 1:42)

The examples of Elizabeth and Mary serves to remind us that we are always to be open to God in our lives, no matter how difficult the situation that we're facing seems. Mary, a teenage woman, engaged to be married, but not yet with her husband, gives her "fiat", her "yes", to be the mother of the Messiah, even though it would create potential problems for her. She trusted God to work through her, no matter what the cost may be.

Elizabeth, in her old age, was also open to God's will in her life and, as a result, was able to conceive John the Baptist, who, even in Elizabeth's womb, was able to point towards Jesus as Messiah.

In our lives we are, like Mary and Elizabeth, are called to be open to God's will. We are called, like Mary, to bring Christ into the world to other people in our lives. Mary, during her visit to Elizabeth, was a walking tabernacle: carrying Jesus in her womb. When we receive Jesus at Holy Communion, are walking tabernacles, carrying Jesus from the church to the people we meet during our day or week after going to Mass.

Elizabeth, along with John, was able to recognize that Mary was blessed among women, and the fact that fruit of her womb is the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ. We, as Catholic Christians, are called to love and cherish Mary as the Mother of God, Jesus, our savior. We are called to honor her for her "yes" in bringing salvation to the world through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Let us, like Mary, bring Jesus into the world that needs to know that He is savior, and, like Elizabeth, point to Mary as blessed among women.

For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord…

 

The following is a reflection I submitted to my Lay Carmelite Chapter for use in their December 2023 newsletter. I hope you enjoy it:

“For today in the city of David asavior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord…” Luke 2:11

As we approach that beautiful day of the Nativity of the Lord, I am meditating on the words that we hear at midnight mass: “For Today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.” (Luke 2:11) These words recall the often-quoted phrase: “He’s the reason for the season!” Jesus Christ, fully God as the second person of the Trinity, humbled himself to come into the world for our salvation and forgiveness of sins. Jesus, as we know and understand, is fully God and fully human. He’s like us in all things but sin.

As we go about the different things we do during this busy time of year, let us remember the true meaning of Christmas: Jesus Christ, born humbly in a stable in Bethlehem. The Advent and Christmas season is not about Christmas parties and exchanging gifts (as nice as that all is): it’s about looking towards the Christ-Child and our relationship with Him and with each other.

As Jesus matured in His manhood and started bringing the love and forgiveness of God during His earthly ministry, His focus was on teaching us that we are to love God with our whole mind, heart, and soul, and we are to love others as we love God. Keep that in mind during this busy and hectic time leading up to Christmas. Christ is the center of who we are as Christians, and we are to love all those that God has placed into our lives.

Merry Christmas.

But wisdom is vindicated by her works

 

Scripture readings for today's reflection can be found at Friday of the Second Week of Advent | USCCB

In our gospel for today Jesus is pointing out the negativity that people felt towards Him and John the Baptist. Both Jesus and John always seemed to be at odds with those in authority.

For John, with his austerity, just seemed extreme to those who saw him by the Jordon River baptizing people who wanted to turn from their sinfulness. John was calling the Pharisees hypocrites and “broods of vipers.” He saw their hypocrisy. Further, with his strange appearance of wearing camel’s hair clothes and strange diet of locust and wild honey, they just thought he was extreme. John was teaching about repentance from sin and to be ready for the coming of the messiah. John was reminding people that they needed to turn from their selfish way of living and turn back to love of God and love of neighbor. Further, as the forerunner of Jesus, John very clearly pointed to Jesus and said, “Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world.” John’s whole ministry was to bring people into relationship with God by pointing out that Jesus was their Messiah. This made people feel uncomfortable! No one liked being told they are living a sinful life and need to repent and turn away from sin to be obedient to God’s commandments.

Then Jesus comes along and, after being baptized by John in the Jordon, was going to the homes of public sinners like tax collectors and healing people with diseases by forgiving their sins, along many other public signs that caused those in authority to ask, “How can this be the Messiah? He’s eating and drinking with tax collectors and prostitutes?” and “He’s speaking blasphemy by forgiving their sins.” Jesus’ way of bringing people to repentance was to be with them and to show the love and forgiveness of God for everyone, whether they’re a great sinner or not. Jesus’ message of love and repentance was attractive to those who felt alienated from God by the Scribes and Pharisees. Further, by forgiving their sins, he was showing His authority as Son of God to be able to forgive the sins of those who came to him for forgiveness and to bring them into relationship with God. The Scribes and Pharisees saw only a Man. They were unable to see him for who he truly was: the Messiah: True God and True Man.

As we journey through Advent towards the birthday of the Lord on Christmas day, we are to imitate John the Baptist by pointing others in our lives to turn to Jesus. We, too, are to say to those in our lives that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Further, we, like Jesus, are to be loving with those who may be distant or away from God for whatever reason they may have. Jesus loves them regardless of their being away from Him and His Church.  We are to encourage them to come back into relationship with God by seeking forgiveness and healing in the Sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion. It is by our encouragement to all people to come back to relationship with God during this Advent and Christmas season that we can help them receive the love, peace and forgiveness that can only come from Jesus Christ.

Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary | USCCB

Today the church commemorates the immaculate conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, sinless from the very first moment of her conception in her mother’s womb. Many people mistakenly think that this feast commemorates Mary conceiving Jesus in her womb, but that’s not the case at all. It is the moment in her mother, Anna’s womb, that Mary is conceived. Counting forward to 9 months you will see that it’s September 8^th, the feast of the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Pope Pius IX on December 8^th, 1854 declared that, "The most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instant of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the saviour of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin." 

We see in our gospel for today that, due to these graces, Mary was willing to fulfill the call to be the Mother of God. We first hear the Angel Gabriel say, “Hail, Full of Grace, the Lord is with you.” Mary is startled at first by this visit from Gabriel. Then, Gabriel explained that she had been chosen to be the Mother of the saviour. She was at first unsure what that meant. But, as soon as Gabriel explained how it was to come about, Mary said very willingly, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Mary, because of the grace given to her by God at her conception, was willing and ready to do what was asked of her by the Angel Gabriel.

We, too, are called to be open to bringing Christ into the world today as Mary did more than 2,000 years ago. Mary had the privilege of being without sin due to the grace of her immaculate conception, but we, as Catholic Christians, are able to gain the graces needed to bring Christ into the world. First, through the gift of the sacrament of confession, we receive forgiveness of our sins and then we receive the graces necessary to bring us closer to God. Then, with each time we receive our Lord in Holy Communion, we leave the church to bring Christ into the world as Mary did those many years ago.

One name for Mary is Theotokos, which means Christ-bearer. We, too, once we receive Holy Communion, become Christ-bearers, called to bring Christ to all those we meet once we leave the church.

As we leave church, let us be grateful for the “yes” that Mary gave to be the Mother of God. And let us also say “yes” in bringing Christ into this world that needs to know the love, peace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Friday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB

In our gospel for today we hear Jesus pointing out the different ways we can see and experience the presence of God at work in the world. Pointing out the blossoming of the fig tree the Lord says, "...when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near." (Luke 21:30) Our Lord is reminding us that God is ever present around us and we need to take time to always live in the presence of God. 

There's an old saying that goes, "Take time to smell the roses." Very often we go through our lives worrying about the things we need to get done. We worry about getting to work on time, we worry about the bills that need to be paid, we worry about our spouses or our children, so on and so forth. Further, especially during the month of December, we are so worried about getting thing ready for Christmas. There are the Christmas parties throughout the month, there's the Christmas shopping we feel we need to get done. There's always something that needs to be done and as a result it takes our attention away from the real reason for our lives and why we celebrate Christmas: the presence of God in the form of Jesus Christ born into the world for our salvation. 

As we go through the busyness of our lives, whether it's preparing for Christmas celebrations or whatever else we worry about, take time out to be quiet and alone with the Lord. Take the scripture readings that are assigned for each day, find a quiet time and place to sit and read, and just make time for God, knowing that God is near to you as you read from scripture. That will help you to focus on the true reason for the season: Jesus Christ. This will give you the true peace that can come from remembering that God is not only near but living in your heart.