EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
“We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” The explanation that the magi gave for their journey seems so simple and straightforward. But, like so much of our Salvation History, there is more to the story. These wise men came from afar bringing gifts to an infant. In return, they receive a gift much greater than the distance and effort they spent. After depositing their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, they, in turn, receive a gift: they are redirected.
That is what we all […]
SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
“See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the Lord shines, and over you appears his glory.” (Isaiah 60:2). As we continue our celebration of the Christmas season with the celebration of the Epiphany of the Lord, we all need to hear these words of encouragement and assurance of God’s presence. With the ongoing unrest worldwide and even in our own country, we all feel – in some way – to be covered in darkness with thick clouds covering us. But, Jesus Christ, the […]
THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, with time to celebrate with family and friends. This is a very sacred time of the year as we reflect on the great mystery of the incarnation: God coming to live among us, in fact, as one of us. And, he came into a family, the new family of Mary and Joseph. As we contemplate his birth during this Christmas Octave, we are encouraged on this, the Feast of the Holy Family, to reflect on our lives as part of our families. […]
MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD
“And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” This is the second time in a week that we heard about Mary keeping all these things and reflecting on them in her heart. You’ll recall that we heard this same phrase in Sunday’s gospel passage after Mary and Joseph found Jesus in the temple. You will remember that Jesus was surprised by his parents’ concern and explained that he must be in his Father’s house. Both on that occasion and the occasion we hear about this morning […]
CHRISTMAS
Once again, let me wish all of you a Merry Christmas. That’s exactly what we’re doing right now: celebrating a Merry Christmas. Have you ever wondered what the word “Christmas” means? Originating from the Old English phrase, “Cristes Maesse,” a phrase that can be traced back to at least the year 1038, it means “Christ’s Mass.” Yes, we are celebrating Christ’s Mass with great merriment as we recall the great work God has done for us from the very beginning of time and especially through sending his son – Jesus, […]
CHRISTMAS VIGIL
Let me wish all of you, once again, a very blessed Christmas! We gather this evening to celebrate the most blessed event of all time: the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We hear, once again in today’s Gospel, the story of his birth. It is the story of Joseph and Mary putting their trust in God and cooperating in his plan of salvation for all of us.
In the minds of all of you children, I’m sure Christmas has taken forever to get here. Soon, you’ll be opening […]
SOLEMNITY OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH
“As long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the Lord.” (1 Samuel 1:28).
As we continue our celebration of the Christmas Octave on this feast of The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, this Sunday we hear readings at Mass that are about just that: family. They are accented by dedication to the Lord, and faith and trust in God with an openness to His will. In our first reading from 1 Samuel, we hear Hannah, the mother of Samuel, dedicate her only son – whom […]