Saturday, December 30, 2006

Gospel for December 30th

Gospel
Lk 2:36-40

There was a prophetess, Anna,
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was advanced in years,
having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the temple,
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
And coming forward at that very time,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee,
to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.

Comments:
An old widow named Anna who lived at the temple worshiping God and fasting was allowed to see the Christ before she died. God blesses those who truly seek him. We are reminded of this promise over and over in the Holy Scriptures. How few people take this promise to heart. Out of the thousands of people in Israel only a few people were allowed to see the King in his infancy. A few humble shepherds and an Old man Simeon and an Old lady Anna. I'm sure many others saw the infant Jesus but only a few recognized him as Lord and King.

The Scripture specifically mentions that Anna remained a widow after the death of her husband. This shows how God gives a special grace and honor to those who choose to renounce everything in this world to devote their lives completely to Him.

Anna spoke to all the people who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. I wonder how many people really listened to this old woman? How often do we pass by God's messengers in our lives? God uses strange means to speak to us sometimes. The people of Israel were longing for their redemption. God sent the redeemer but it wasn't in the way they were expecting.

Joseph and Mary obeyed the commands of the Lord. With what little they had they obeyed. Despite the difficulty they faced they still obeyed. Obedience to God is so important. We should fulfill the commandments of God in spirit and to the letter. How easy it is to cut corners when things are inconvenient to us. Joseph and Mary are our examples to fulfill all the prescriptions of the law in our lives no matter how difficult it may seem. Here's something I read the other day - "Religion without devotion is a burden".

Unless we are devoted to God with our heart our obedience to Him may just become a burden. If we are in love with God the obedience is so much easier.


The Holy family returned to Nazareth - The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.

This verse speaks of the humanity of Jesus. It is important to never forget that Jesus was True God and True Man. Most of the heresies of the Church has resulted in seeing Jesus as only Spirit or only Man. The Church has been guided through the centuries by the Holy Spirit and led to the truth of seeing Jesus as the incarnate Son of God. True God and True Man. We are safe to stay with the Church.

Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ

Friday, December 29, 2006

Gospel for December 29th

Gospel
Lk 2:22-35

When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Lord, now let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you prepared in the sight of every people,
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
(and you yourself a sword will pierce)
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Comments:
Jesus submitted himself fully to the Law of God. He kept the law perfectly. There was never and never will be any accusation of sin that men or angels can bring against the Lord Jesus Christ. How fitting that the parents of our Lord kept the law also. Our Catholic faith teaches us that Mary never sinned. To be in such close proximity of the Lord God - Jesus Christ - True God and True Man - It seems so much clearer now of how Mary was preserved from sin by being so near to Christ.

Simeon - An old man - righteous and devout - awaiting the consolation of Israel - The Holy Spirit was upon him. Simeon was given the grace to see the Messiah. Its wonderful to think of an old holy man waiting for God. This is repeated so many times in the Holy Scriptures. God always fulfills his promises. When it seems that time is running out and things are the darkest in situations that face God's people. He shows up in the most unlikely and surprising way.

The old man Simeon blesses them and then speaks to Mary. This child is destined for the rise and fall of many in Israel. How was this prophecy fulfilled? How many leaders fell and how many poor and humble arose to serve in the Kingdom that was established by Jesus the Christ?

A sign of contradiction - A sign spoken against - a sign that is opposed. Jesus Christ always brings controversy because He is so Holy and unlike us in so many ways. We are sinful fallen creatures. Jesus is miraculous and supernatural. Jesus says things that seem impossible and contradictory. Only those who are humble and given faith are able to accept the teachings of Christ.

And you yourself a sword will pierce. Mary's soul was pierced by the sword of pain and suffering that began so early in her life. She accepted the will of God when she said to the angel messenger "may it be done unto me according to you word; Behold the handmaid of the Lord" Mary probably had no idea of the journey that she had embarked on when she gave the first - Yes - to God. Mary watched as God worked his salvation plan before her very eyes. God used Mary from the beginning to the very end. She suffered with Christ and still suffers with Christ as the Kingdom of God marches forward in time.

So that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. God knows the thoughts and intents of the heart of every person. What an astounding thing to ponder - What a scary thing to ponder. The greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart and the second is like it - to love your neighbor as yourself. We can only keep this command by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Come Holy Spirit. Ignite our hearts with the fire of your love.

Thursday, December 28, 2006

Gospel for December 28th

Gospel
Mt 2:13-18

When the magi had departed, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,
“Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,
and stay there until I tell you.
Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night
and departed for Egypt.
He stayed there until the death of Herod,
that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled,
Out of Egypt I called my son.

When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi,
he became furious.
He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity
two years old and under,
in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi.
Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:

A voice was heard in Ramah,
sobbing and loud lamentation;
Rachel weeping for her children,
and she would not be consoled,
since they were no more.

Commentary:
Today is the feast of the holy martyred Innocents. What can I say about this day? I've just begun to consider how this day fits into the Christian's life. How much time do we dedicate in our lives to considering the events that took place around the birth of our Savior. This episode in human history will never be forgotten. How could I have been a Christian for 19 years and given this event such little thought? How terrible this must have been for the people of Bethlehem! I think that being a Father of a two year old son this strikes me much harder that it ever has before.

Joseph is warned in a dream to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus. The Angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in dreams. These dreams are only mentioned in Matthew in chapters 1 and 2. The Angel tells Joseph to not fear to take Mary as his wife. Then the Angel tells him to take the Child and his Mother to Egypt. After Herod dies the Angel tells him to return to Isreal. When he gets to Isreal he finds out that Herod's Son is reigning in his place and the Angel warns him in another dream and so he goes to Nazarath. What kind of man Joseph must have been! Did he ever doubt that he was being fooled by these dreams? How did he know for sure that this Angel of the Lord wasn't his imagination. Dreams are not a very reliable source for guiding your life. Joseph follows in the footsteps of all the other heros of Salvation history. Abraham, Moses, Joseph (son of Jacob), Job etc...



I happened to find a writing by St. Ephraim the Syriac, a Deacon in the 4th century. I think this applies to commenting on any scripture. I really needed to read this.

St. Ephraim the Syriac, 4th century:
Lord, who can grasp all the wealth of just one of your words. What we understand is much less than what we leave behind. Like thirsty people who drink from a fountain, for your word, Lord, has many shades of meaning, just as those who study it have many points of view. The Lord has colored his word with many hues, so that each person who studies it can see in it what he loves. He has hidden many treasures in his word, so that each of us is enriched as we meditate on it. The word of God is a tree of life that from all its parts offers you fruit that is blessed. It is like that rock that is open in the desert, which from all its parts gave forth a spiritual drink. He, who comes into contact with some share of its treasure, should not think that the only thing contained in the word is what he himself has found. He should realize that he has only been able to find that one thing from among many others. Nor, because only that one part has become his should he say that the word is void, empty, and look down on it. Because he could not exhaust it, he should give thanks for its riches. Be glad that you are overcome and do not be sad that it overcame you. The thirsty man rejoices when he drinks, he is not downcast because he cannot empty the fountain. Rather let the fountain quench your thirst, than have your thirst quench the fountain. Because if your thirst is quenched and the fountain is not exhausted, you can drink from it again whenever you are thirsty. But if, when your thirst is quenched, the fountain also is dried up, your victory will bode evil for you. So be grateful for what you have recieved and don't grumble about the abundance left behind. What you have received and what you have reached is your share. What remains is your heritage. What at one time you are unable to receive, because of your weakness, you will be able to receive at other times, if you persevere. Do not have the presumption to try to take in one draft what cannot be taken in one draft. And do not abandon out of laziness what you may only consume little by little.

[St. Ephraim, cited by Dr. Scott Hahn, The End: A Study of the Book of Revelation, (St. Joseph Communications, audio series)]





Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Gospel for December 27th

Gospel
Jn 20:1a and 2-8

On the first day of the week,
Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
“They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we do not know where they put him.”
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first;
he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
When Simon Peter arrived after him,
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,
and the cloth that had covered his head,
not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in,
the one who had arrived at the tomb first,
and he saw and believed.

Comments:
John is recalling the events of the day of resurrection. This happened on Sunday the first day of the week. The old has passed away behold all things have become new. John refers to himself as "the disciple who Jesus loved". John recalls how Mary Magdalene runs to tell them "they have taken the Lord from the tomb and we do not know where they have put him".

All four gospels mention that Mary Magdalene and the other Women ran to tell the others. John mentions that he ran faster than Peter. He made it to the tomb first but out of respect to Peter he doesn't go in to the tomb until Peter has entered. He saw the cloths but didn't go in.

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Gospel for December 26th

Gospel
Mt 10:17-22

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts
and scourge you in their synagogues,
and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake
as a witness before them and the pagans.
When they hand you over,
do not worry about how you are to speak
or what you are to say.
You will be given at that moment what you are to say.
For it will not be you who speak
but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Brother will hand over brother to death,
and the father his child;
children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”

Comments:
Jesus is speaking to his disciples about the persecution that will come when they follow him. These promises came true in their lives and they will come to our lives as well if we closely follow Jesus.

There is no way to avoid suffering in this world. It is so great to be able to offer our sufferings to the building of the Kingdom of God instead of wasting our sufferings on our selves.

Some disciples of Christ will face persecution in the courts, some in religious institutions and some will face persecution among family members. When we face persecution we can trust in Jesus to speak through us in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus promises that his followers will be hated by all. I believe this means that always in every place there will be unbelievers who hate the message of Jesus Christ.

"He who endures to the end will be saved" is a message that is repeated over and over in the Holy scriptures. This promise is a warning that will always cause us to repent of our sins when we fall. This promise causes us to look back to Peter and see how he fell but Jesus was forgiving and welcomed him back in tears.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Gospel Reading for the day

I think I will post the Gospel reading for the day and give my thoughts and comments.

Gospel
Lk 1:26-38

In the sixth month,
the angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”

But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.

This is the first event we are to meditate on while saying the rosary. The Annunciation. This is a focal point in human history. This is God coming to man to save him from his sins. This is the beginning of the prophecied event spoken of in the book of Genisis. I'll work on this some more tomorrow.

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Eucharist

I'm thinking about the Eucharist. I just read an article from the Fr. John Hardon archives about Christmas and the Eucharist. As I was reading the article I was thinking about how the Eucharist really puts our faith to the test. Imagine yourself being faced with mocking ridicule from the people who are closest to you for worshipping what you think is God being in a piece of bread. Imagine them saying to you "how can you possibly believe this?" "you have been lied to by these people - Why can't you see that?". Now imagine your self on some kind of trial where you are faced with prison unless you renounce your belief about the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Will you still believe? What if you are faced with death? Do you still believe in this ridiculous claim? That God has become a piece of bread just because a Catholic Priest pronounces some words over it? Would you stand the test? Or would you say with the disciples that left Jesus "this is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" - and then leave him. The Eucharist really puts us between a rock and a hard place to say the least. This is a very hard thing to believe. Am I willing to give my life for it?

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

update

I think I need to update this blog. There have been some significant news lately. We found out in November that our new baby will be a boy. We haven't decided on a name yet although I'm heavily leaning toward John Paul. I'm leaning toward John Paul because we'll he was a great man and I finally decided to stop sitting on the fence and become Catholic. We started attending RCIA classes at the end of November. Kristi is as excited about this as I am, but we both still have fears. The Catholic Church is a big change and its going to take awhile for things to become comfortable.