A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation

 

Scripture readings for today's reflection can be found at Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs | USCCB

Today we commemorate the Feast of Holy Innocents, those innocent children who were killed because of the insecurity and jealously of King Herod. Herrod hears about the newborn King of the Jews and feels threatened. 

We can only imagine the fear and grief of the parents of these innocent children as they watched helplessly as their children were slaughtered. On one hand, it’s shocking to know that God permitted this.  On the other hand, on a level of deep faith, we must strive to understand the witness that these innocent children gave.

In effect, Herod was the first person to reject Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Herod felt threatened by someone who, because He's God, could have brought him peace and happiness. Instead, Herod lashes out and goes on to try to eliminate what he considers a threat to him being King. Herod responds with violence!!

As we reflect on King Herod's reaction to Jesus being born, let us remember that we too are called to embrace and accept Jesus as our Newborn King. Jesus is Lord and Savior. Jesus came into the world to bring us salvation and forgiveness of our sins. We should not fear Jesus coming into our lives but rather invite Him into our hearts and lives to lead us towards heaven.

Let us also pray for those children who die as a result of abortion or suffer as a result of child abuse. These are the Holy Innocents of today. We need to pray for those most innocent and vulnerable of people in our society: the unborn and those children suffering at the hands of abusive adults. We need to be proactive in finding ways of protecting these Holy Innocents. 

Let us this day pray the following prayer: "Lord, I surrender all hurt, pain and confusion to You.  I unite myself, this day, with the sorrow of those who lost these little children and I trust that their lives, as they reign now in Heaven with You, are a sign for me of things to come.  Your birth into our world was the greatest sign that You are our Savior and that You can turn all things into good.  Jesus, I entrust my life to You and know that You will right every wrong.  Jesus, I trust in You."

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 Friday of the Third Week of Advent | USCCB

As we get closer to the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, we hear the gospel narrative of the angel Gabriel approaching Mary with the good news of her being the mother of the Messiah. She was confused at first. Mary was looking at the natural way in which a woman would conceive a child. In today’s gospel we hear her say, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" (Luke 1:34) Once the angel explains that it will be through the power of the Holy Spirit, Mary understood and gives her consent, her “yes”, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38)

Mary has a strong faith and trust that God will be with her through what she knows will be a very difficult situation. She’s not yet living with Joseph, so she’s concerned about what people will think. But, instead of worrying about what people will think, she places her trust in God. I’m sure she was scared about what will happen, but her faith and trust in God allowed her to come to terms with being the mother of the Messiah. God’s presence in her life brought peace and tranquility, knowing that God is with her.

Mary and Joseph are two examples of how we are to live our lives in service to God. They both were very devout people devoted to God, and when God comes to them to bring the Messiah into the world, they placed their fears into the loving hands of God and trusted that God will be with them in all the circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus.

Mary was called to bring Jesus into the world in a physical sense by being His mother. We, too, are called to bring Jesus into the world that needs to know that He is Lord and Savior. We are to pray daily, read scripture often, and, as often as possible, receive our Lord in Holy Communion. Once we receive the Lord in Holy Communion, we, too, are called to bring Jesus into the world, to our family, and to our friends. It is in this way that we can bring His love and peace into a world that needs to know His presence among us.

As we approach Holy Communion, let us, like Mary, say, “I am the servant of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word.”

When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

 

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

In our gospel for today we hear of St. Joseph, a man of no words but quick to action. At first, when he hears of Mary being pregnant, he was all set to divorce her quietly since he knew the child she was carrying was not his. He loved Mary, but he was also trying to do the right thing according to his conscience and the Jewish Law. I'm sure he was confused upon hearing that Mary was pregnant. How can this woman that he loved be unfaithful to him? I'm sure he had turned to God in prayer and meditation asking God for clarification and help in this difficult situation.  He was always open to the will of God, so when the angel came to him in a dream and helped him understand that it was through the Holy Spirit that Mary conceived, he got up and said "yes" to being the foster father of the child Jesus. 

Joseph is an example of how we are to live out our faith in God. There are times when things happen in our lives that we may not understand. It is through prayer and reflection on scripture that we can know God's Will for us. God will always help us to understand what He is calling us to do. Further, in all our difficult situations in our lives, we are to always say "yes" to God in whatever he may be calling us to do, even in difficult situations. 

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent | USCCB

The gospel assigned for today's Mass, Matthew 11:28-30 is one of my favorites. I find it most comforting knowing that in whatever situation or problem that I find myself in, the Lord will give me comfort and rest.

Throughout my life, and especially when I started formation as a deacon those many years ago, there were many times I would face struggles, whether it's in the studies for the diaconate, problems in my secular job, or concerns for my wife and children. Then, as I was dealing with these issues, this reading from Matthew would somehow find its way before me, whether at Mass (like today), or just in my spiritual reading. It is the Lord's way of telling me that he's there for me. All I have to do is place my cares and concerns into his loving hands. The problems or concerns don't go away immediately, but knowing the Lord is there supporting me and giving me comfort helped give me the peace I need to respond to the issues I was facing.

This passage from Matthew reminds me of the poem, "Footprints in the Sand" where a person speaks with the Lord and expresses concern as to why the Lord appeared to not always be with him in his journey walking along the sand. It concludes, "When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you." The Lord is reminding us in this passage from Matthew that he's always there for us and carries us, even when we may not feel his presence.

During this Advent, as we prepare for the birth of the Lord, let us pray that we may always be open to the Lord's presence and always turn to Him in our cares and needs. Come Lord Jesus, come. 

The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church | USCCB

In the gospel for today we hear of Jesus going to all the towns and villages proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom. Further, he commissioned and sent out his disciples to continue his work brining the good news of the Gospel, and to bring healing to all they encounter. 

With this gospel in mind, let us pray for all bishops, priests and deacons who are called, like the apostles, to bring the good news of the Gospel to a world that needs to hear of the love and forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ. Let us also pray for those discerning a call to the priesthood that they may have the courage to answer that call to serve the people of God. 

The church commemorates today, St. Ambrose, bishop and doctor. He was elected bishop in 374.In his writings he reminds those called to be bishops, "You have entered upon the office of bishop. Sitting at the helm of the Church, you pilot the ship against the waves. Take firm hold of the rudder of faith so that the severe storms of this world cannot disturb you." St. Ambrose took seriously the call to follow Christ and to lead others into the Church to bring salvation to all.

As we journey through Advent towards the celebration of the birth of Christ on Christmas day pray for all our bishops, priests and deacons to be faithful to their call in following Jesus Christ.

Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

 

The scripture for this reflection can be found at Thursday of the First Week of Advent | USCCB

In our gospel for today the Lord is pointing out the importance of always keeping him in the center of who we are. Living out our lives as Christ-centered people will always keep us on that rock foundation of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

We need to live out our lives as Christ instructs us: by loving God with our whole mind, heart and soul, and our neighbors as ourselves. Regular time for prayer and reflection on scripture is an important way to keep God in the center of who we are. Further, in whatever situations or problem we face, we need to turn to the Lord in prayer to help us to resolve our problems. We all have problems that concern us, whether its family concerns about elderly parents or with children that may be causing us worry, or with financial issues. We can't and shouldn't face these issues alone. We need to turn to the Lord to ask for guidance in these situations.

By turning to the Lord, we will be like the wise man who built his house on a rock. The Lord will be there to support, guide and sustain us.