Greetings on this the The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas Readings: 1 Jn 2:18-21; PS 96:1-2, 11-12, 13; Jn 1:1-18
Summary
Combining 1 John and Gospel of John: But you have the anointing that comes from the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us. To those who accepted him he gave power to become the children of God.
Reflection
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son, full of grace and truth.
The Word was from the beginning. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
In these few short sacred writings we can begin to understand divine love.
Love is from the beginning. It is our foundational attribute. It is our origin.
Love is present among us in a way that we can most relate to us – as like us.
Love gives of itself where we can say confidently: We are made in the image and called to the likeness of God.
This is the grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The response to all our hopes, dreams, and aspirations. The relief from our grief, sadness and miseries.
Love. Love is the Divine Response.
Personal Reflection
The Octave of Christmas draws to an end and the celebration of the Christmas season continues with Joy in the remembering the Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord. So we approach a sort of revelation. The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.
The Lord loves me. Exactly me and all the ‘you-mes’ there are! The Lord made us by Love, for Love and to live in Love.
Greetings on this the Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas Readings: 1 Jn 2:12-17; Ps 96:7-8a, 8b-9, 10; Lk 2:36-40
Summary
There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. 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.
Reflection
We have many Anna’s in the Church. Women who dedicate their lives to the Church. They prepare the altar, aid the priest prepare for Mass. They clean the sanctuary, cook special meals for the clergy and organize just about any parish festival except for occasional help from the men. These women, and in defiance of their own difficulties, find a way to make the temple a home for themselves and for all who come to worship.
Personal Reflection – Remembering Gloria
My friend Gloria. She was a saint. And she is the Anna of our day. She fasted, she prayed, she welcomed. She gave thanks to God and spoke about the child [Jesus] to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
Greetings on this the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Readings: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14; Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5.; Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17; Lk 2:41-52
Summary
The Boy Jesus in the Temple portion today is in the gospel of Luke and is also the 5th and final Joyful Mystery of the Holy Rosary. How this is a joyful mystery as the story of Mary and Joseph is one of anxiety and frustration?
After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”
Parents worry about their children and want the best for them. His father and mother had reasonable concerns for their son but not the fullness of their concerns. The parents of Jesus didn’t always get it right. Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?
No doubt Jesus’ response was both reassuring and disconcerting. Reassuring as he has found a home in the Church. Disconcerting because we though we are his only home. Yet, we have many homes. Our birth home. Our town home. Our Church home. And happily for many, Our marriage home.
Home, then, is where the heart is. The story is a joyful mystery as know the Lord cares for us and makes a home for us with him wherever we are.
The temple story brings another important point. It completely skips the ordinary needs of Jesus. I mean, where did he sleep? What did he eat? How was he able to bathe, where was the latrine, was he safe, was he cold at night, and the questions go on and on.
But they did not understand what he said to them.
Children are a wonder. Their thinking process is very different from fully mature persons. But they thrive nonetheless.
Jesus was ‘at home’ at home and in the temple.
At Home
He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced [in] wisdom and age and favor before God and man.
At Temple
In the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers.
Reflection
If home is safe and loving, then the world is too. Here is an old story illustrating the point.
Two Brothers On a Journey
There were twins on a journey
and they walked at different paces but were together throughout.
As the first twin approached a city he asked local man, “What are the people like in the city?” The man answered, “What are they like from the city you came from?” He replied, “They are mean, disrespectful and greedy.” The man answered, “I’m afraid that is what you’ll find the same there too.”
A short time later, the second twin approached the same city and asked the same local man, “What are the people like in the city?” The man answered, “What are they like from the city you came from?” He relied, “They are kind and generous.” The man answered, “I’m happy to say that is what you’ll find the same there too.”
Personal Reflection
The Feast of the Holy Family is full of behavioral advice, yes? This is good and worthy to be followed! How we behave is how we perceive things. That can be liberating if not a bit eye opening! Who am I more like: the first twin or the second?
Greetings on this the Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs Readings: 1 Jn 1:5—2:2; Ps 124:2-3, 4-5, 7cd-8; Mt 2:13-18
Summary
No reflection that focuses on mistakes should start without the promise of redemption. We face our errors with courage because we are encouraged to be in right relation with the Lord.
My children, I am writing this to you so that you may not commit sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one. He is expiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.
Franciscan Media Reflection
The Holy Innocents are few in comparison to the genocide and abortion of our day. But even if there had been only one, we recognize the greatest treasure God put on the earth—a human person, destined for eternity, and graced by Jesus’ death and resurrection (https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/holy-innocents/).
Reflection
The Feasts of the Holy Innocents and the Feast of the Holy Family this year are side-by-side in our liturgy. It is as deep of a contrast and comparison there can be. The lust of power overwhelms the families of the vicinity of Bethlehem.
Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.
He [Herod] ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under.
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod.
This wasn’t the first time. Moses was also forced into exile until the Pharaoh who sought to kill him was dead. And again, during the actual exile event of the Assyrian occupation, 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.
The fate of children at the bent of an aggressive person. But not just person, professions, industries and marketing. This is true of nations with territorial ambitions. Who cannot tremble at the prospect of World War III as Europe is living in the shadow of Russian ambitions.
All worldly affairs under their control ordered to their own benefit and enrichment of material wealth at the expense and at the cost of the lives of children, the holy innocent ones.
Personal Reflection
When I serve at the altar for Mass at the Chapel of the Holy Innocents, I pray for conversion of souls. For women courage and encouragement to face the future, for the babies an end to exile, for the practitioners an awakening to the truth and for the repentance of those who gain materially from the profit they seek.
Medical health and well-being cannot be fruitful with lies and misdirection. It must be founded on truth, even when the outcome is not what I prefer. It is the same for all those who aggressively seek their alliance, advantage and accumulation.
This day of holiness, let us weep with Rachel, and at the same time hold fast to the promise given by Jeremiah.
Thus says the LORD: Cease your cries of weeping, hold back your tears! There is compensation for your labor— oracle of the LORD—they shall return from the enemy’s land. There is hope for your future—oracle of the LORD— your children shall return to their own territory.
Greetings on this the Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist Readings: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1a and 2-8
Summary
Today we celebrate the Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist. Along with this gospel we will read from the First Letter of John for the next eleven of fifteen days. In other words, since Christmas the first reading is mostly from this letter with exceptions of the Stephen’s martyrdom, Solemnities of the Blessed Mother, the Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord.
First Letter of John
Our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ the righteous one. He is expiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.
I am writing to you, children, because your sins have been forgiven for his name’s sake.
You have the anointing that comes from the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.
Whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well.
See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God.
No one who fails to act in righteousness belongs to God, nor anyone who does not love his brother.
And his commandment is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us.
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.
Moreover, we have seen and testify that the Father sent his Son as savior of the world. Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him and he in God. This is the one who came through water and Blood, Jesus Christ, not by water alone, but by water and Blood.
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the Father loves also the one begotten by him.
The gospel readings if we include Christmas daytime would be read seven times.
The Gospel of John
Christmas Daytime – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist – 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.”
The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas – And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son, full of grace and truth.
Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church – John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.”
Christmas Weekday – John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious – He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah,” which is translated Christ. Then he brought him to Jesus.
Saturday after Epiphany – The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease.”
The gospel portions of John can be given a short theological theme to be retained. The selections from the First Letter of John were written to refute the development of a variety of heresies (misunderstandings) that developed. I picked out portions between 1 John and the gospel of John that correspond. If I spent more time I could refine this quite nicely to be near images of each other. But that isn’t necessary, nor desirable. For the foundation of the letter is to affirm the theology but the theology of Love first of all.
Theology of John
The Word (Jesus) was from the beginning (co-eternal, full revelation of Divinity).
Jesus died and was resurrected.
Jesus is the Incarnate (true man) Son of God (true God) – hypostatic union.
Baptism by John is superseded by the baptism of Jesus in water and spirit.
Jesus is the Lamb of God (the sacrificial portion, expiation).
Jesus is the Messiah (anointed).
Jesus is the Bridegroom. We are the bride. Marriage of Heaven and Earth.
Reflection
What is necessary? Love.
When we encounter the First Letter of John we would do well to reaffirm our Christian faith and the expression of our theology. The school of Johannine Christianity brings an elevated understanding of the divine presence and the foundational love that brings the divine logic to the center.
Consider then the encounter of Mary Magdalene and Simon Peter. Jesus is missing! But we know the story. He isn’t missing he is resurrected. The Incarnation and the Resurrection are the bookends of the story of Jesus. The promise and the fulfillment.
Personal Reflection
This week some of our readings are hard on the heart. Stephen was murdered. The Holy Innocents were murdered. Jesus went missing. But we can be sure the love that was from the beginning will overcome difficulty and death for us because you only need See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God.
Greetings on this the Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr Readings: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17; Mt 10:17-22
Summary
Merry Christmas! The “Gloria” is sung each day during Mass (usually weekday masses do not). Glory to God in the highest! We celebrate Jesus as infant and as Savior. But what does it mean to say Glory? Specifically, Glory to God in the Highest!
Here is a piece from a renowned Jewish theologian. From Dr. Eliyahu (Eli) Lizorkin on the word Glory, honor and heaviness.
So as we sing Glory to God in the Highest this week, let us recall the weightiness and heaviness of his instruction and power. God does not speak as if for a trivial purpose but for the salvation of souls.
Reflection
In our sacred readings today, Saint Stephen reveals to us how very deeply, heavily he accepts the Lord’s glory. The saving gospel message was an imperative for him worthy of all effort even in the face of opposition and mortal danger. It is helpful to note how Stephen’s ministry begins and ends.
Stephen’s Beginning
Stephen begins with doing ‘work’ of great wonders and signs for and among the people. We should not make light of this statement as if just parlor tricks.
Keeping in alignment of the Apostles authority: They…laid hands on them: the customary Jewish way of designating persons for a task and invoking upon them the divine blessing and power to perform it (NABRE Commentary), one must conclude healing and exorcism.
Stephen’s Ending
Stephen ends with forgiveness. Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them”.
Stephen’s Ministry – snapshot
Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people.
Stephen, the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke (Stephen’s Discourses).
Stephen, But he, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
Stephen, All those who sat in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them”.
Laying of hands, doing great healing and forgiving those who harm you. It begins with the empowerment. It ends with personal humility, and forgiveness even unto death.
Personal Reflection
I am reminded to take the Lord’s glory as a substantial reality. I am, we are, empowered to heal even as the sensory visuals appear as if to be division. If grounded in the glory of God, born of love and grown with forgiveness it becomes an everlasting blessing.
Greetings on this the The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Mass during the Day Readings: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6.; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18
Summary
Merry Christmas! The Savior is born!
and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.
Reflection
Today we memorialize and celebrate the birth of Jesus. During the octave of Christmas – an eight day celebration – we recall our universal need for the divine presence. Today we marvel of this innocent baby, his mother and Joseph, Pater Putativus (Step-Father).
Through the week
Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr
Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist
Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
The prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
John [the Baptist] testified to him and cried out.
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God The Octave Day of Christmas.
We celebrate as a family, united as adopted children of God.
Personal Reflection
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. Our journey of faith is to allow our mind of faith to flow into our heart of faith. Jesus has come and it is a wonder in our eyes.
A holy day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, and adore the Lord. For today a great light has come upon the earth.
