A birth and an announcement

First Reading: Mi 5:1-4a or Rom 8:28-30
Psalm: 13:6 -- With delight I rejoice in the Lord
Gospel: Mt 1:1-16, 18-23 or 1:18-23

Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Friends,

In reading the long version of the gospel today, I couldn't help but smile every time I read the words 'father' or 'mother'. The words seem to have new meaning today. I am blessed to announce today, on the birthday of our Blessed Mother, that my wife and I are expecting our first child!

I encourage everyone to read today's scriptures, but will not comment on them today. Instead, we offer this prayer:

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of death. Amen.

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.
To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Rejoice with us, as we celebrate the blessings our Lord has bestowed on us. Let us together sing of His goodness!

Heavenly Father, we thank you and praise you for this day, and all of its blessings. We ask that you guide us as we begin our new lives as parents. Let the example of your Blessed Mother and St. Joseph stand ever before us and shine in our lives. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord. Amen.

The Secret

First Reading: Col 1:24–2:3
Psalm: 62:6-7, 9 -- In God is my safety and my glory
Gospel: Lk 6:6-11

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church, of which I am a minister in accordance with God's stewardship given to me to bring to completion for you the word of God, the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past. But now it has been manifested to his holy ones, to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; it is Christ in you, the hope for glory. - Colossians 1:24-27

Friends,

In today's reading, Paul is speaking to the Colossians, a community of believers that he had never met. He is sharing with them what is necessary for them to understand the importance of the gospels and how the good news of Christ relates to them. In this small section, he is speaking of his role in ministering and revealing to them "the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past".

Christianity is very interesting when it comes to discussing this mystery of our relationship to God and His relationship with us. As a community, we are not called to keep this secret to ourselves until the initiates have passed through rituals or proven themselves worthy. Rather, we proclaim the mystery of the word of God from the rooftops and share our great secret with everyone who has ears to hear. Ours is an open secret, all are called to know it, but not all will understand or accept it.

And even though our gospel is veiled, it is veiled for those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that they may not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. - 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

Our secret is this: in Christ, we find all things. Through him, we understand the mysteries of God's love for us. With him, we discover the depths of that love. In him, we find our hope for a restored relationship with our Creator. Not only that, but also the knowledge that he is with us and in us, to build that relationship, that the riches of his glory are to be shared with us. Our secret is truly one to be treasured and shared.

For this reason, we are always thankful for the ministers of the gospel; those who, like Paul, speak to anyone and everyone about the secrets of the ages, revealed in Christ. Let us pray that they be strengthened as they spread the word about The Word of God made flesh.

Heavenly Father, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. We thank you for our priests and missionaries, who share your word with us and spread the gospel to the world. Lord, grant that we, also, might be ministers of your word; a living testament to the gospel. Prepare us, that we might be always ready to share the secret of Christ's love. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Familiarity

First Reading: 1 Thes 4:13-18
Psalm: 96:1, 3-5, 11-13 -- The Lord comes to judge the earth
Gospel: Lk 4:16-30

And he said, "Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place." - Luke 4:24

Friends,

In today's gospel, Jesus has returned to Nazareth to preach his message. He has done great works already, and word has reached his old friends and relations. They ask him to speak, and they are surprised by his words, but something still seems strange. They remember him growing up (imagine watching your savior grow up!), and it gets to be a block. They can't take him seriously. As the scene continues, they eventually despise him.

Whenever I am back at home, I find it very difficult to speak to old friends and relatives about the gospel. I know some of them do not believe in anything, let alone Jesus as savior, yet the small act of bringing up the topic of faith is very difficult. Later, it hurts terribly, realizing that I might not speak with that person again and they might not ever hear the message I could have given them.

Speaking with those who knew us before a spiritual awakening can oftentimes be very harsh. They know the mistakes that we've made and for some it is difficult to let those faults belong to our former selves. When I can speak to old friends about my beliefs and how they are founded in my faith, I am sometimes afraid that they will remind me that I had said very different things (often heretical or blasphemous) when I knew them. I fear being ostracized by family or rejected by friends.

Today's gospel gives us solace and courage. Our Lord was also rejected by those who knew him before his public ministry and we can find our own rejection in his. We must not be afraid to speak the word, especially to those we love most. However, we must also remember that it is only our job to be the messenger, not a pusher or an enforcer. We are called to spread the word, and those who hear it can choose to receive it, but it is Jesus who makes the love of God grow in the heart.

Heavenly Father, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Thank you for coming into our lives and blessing us. Lord, help us in our walk to be courageous when sharing the Word. Strengthen us and guide us when speaking, that we both speak timely and truly of your great love. Guide our steps, that we might meet those that most need to hear of you. We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Good Enough

First Reading: Jgs2:11-19
Psalm: Ps 106:34-37, 39-40, 43-44 -- Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people
Gospel: Mt 19:16-22

A young man approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” - Matthew 19:16

Friends,

A common thread comes up when discussing with people who are not Christian: "Well, I'm a good person, why shouldn't I get into whatever Heaven is?" Those who hold this belief will often confess that they are not perfect, but they are better than lots of people. Why should belief in some archaic man-in-the-sky be necessary?

In the gospel today, the wording of the young man struck me pretty hard. "What good must I do to gain eternal life?" and then, when told to follow the Commandments, he asks "which ones?" He seems to want to know either what is the bare minimum he can do to gain salvation, or what the magic formula is for attaining everlasting life.

Our faith, however, is not one of bare minimums. Not one of us can claim that we have followed the commandments completely. Not one of us can stand in the presence of the Lord and say that we did all that we could. There are no magic set of prayers or offerings that guarantee salvation, save one. The only way that we can be absolutely assured of eternal life is to lose all concept that we are "good enough." We must offer the only thing that we truly have: ourselves. We are saved through grace, granted us from the mercy of Jesus, when we choose to give ourselves to Him.

Unfortunately, the young man in the gospel goes away sad. He finds it too difficult to part with his possessions. Being "good enough" just got too hard. A lesson for us is that it is not in the possessing, but in the unwillingness to part with those possessions when necessary is the problem. It is built into us to attach to something, and so we can choose either passing things or eternal things. When one day this world ends, those who are attached to passing things will find that all they held is gone and bemoan their loss, but those who are attached to eternal things will find that they now hold all things and rejoice forever.

Heavenly Father, we thank you and praise you for this day. We are eternally grateful for the gift of your grace, which sustains us in this life and brings us everlasting joy in the next. Lord, heal us of our pride when we begin to think that we can gain salvation on our own. Teach us the peace that comes of giving ourselves to you. We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Holiday

First Reading: Lv 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34b-37
Psalm: Ps 81:3-6, 10-11ab -- Sing with joy to God our help
Gospel: Mt 13:54-58
Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola

The Lord said to Moses,
"These, then, are the festivals of the LORD which you shall celebrate at their proper time with a sacred assembly." - Leviticus 23:1,4

Friends,

In today's reading, God is telling, nay, commanding that we take a holiday. In fact, he has three of them in mind. Let's take a look at them briefly:

The Passover: Recalling the time of flight from Egypt, where God worked many wonders to help his people.

The Passover of the LORD falls on the fourteenth day of the first month, at the evening twilight. The fifteenth day of this month is the LORD'S feast of Unleavened Bread. For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. - Leviticus 23:5-6

Day of Atonement: Recognition by the people of Israel that they are in need of the great mercy of God.

"The tenth of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement, when you shall hold a sacred assembly and mortify yourselves and offer an oblation to the LORD." - Leviticus 23:27

Feast of Booths: Recalling the time spent in the desert, when the Lord led them. Also a celebration of the harvest.

The fifteenth day of this seventh month is the LORD'S feast of Booths, which shall continue for seven days. - Leviticus 23:34

Each of these holy days is accompanied with a list of things that the Israelites are to do in memory of the Exodus and as worship for the Lord. Among those things is the command that no work shall be done on certain days. Furthermore, each day has a period before or after where preparation and offerings are to be made.

In our own day (at least, here in the U.S.), we have lots of holidays throughout the year. Each holiday has a certain event associated with it: 4th of July - fireworks, Thanksgiving - turkey and feasting, St. Patrick's Day - green, etc. We also have certain behaviors that are expected (or at least encouraged) on these days also. Yet, it seems to me that we often begin to forget, in the midst of all the activities, why certain holidays are being celebrated. When we think of the fireworks on the 4th, we don't think much of the great moment in our history, or the great price paid to realize the dream declared that day. Likewise, we don't spend a lot of time afterward thinking about either the holiday, or the history behind it.

A sharp contrast are the Catholic celebrations of Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter. These are periods of the year specifically set aside to do as was originally intended: reflect up to the holiday on the greatness of what happened these two days that changed our entire world, and then to reflect after them on the many blessings that God has given to us.

One does not need to wait until December or spring to celebrate, however. We are given a chance every week to celebrate and commemorate the greatest event in all of human history. That is the importance of attending Mass on Sunday, to recall the wonders our God has done for us. Furthermore, we have a period of a few days (six, in fact) where we can reflect and continue to offer thanks.

"For six days work may be done; but the seventh day is the sabbath rest, a day for sacred assembly, on which you shall do no work. The sabbath shall belong to the LORD wherever you dwell." - Leviticus 23:3

Heavenly Father, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Thank you for giving us great days to celebrate and the tradition to remember why they are important to us and to you. Lord, help us to recognize and adore the wonderful celebration of the Mass. Grant that we might grow in love of this sacred event, where we are joined with your beloved Son. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Teachers

First Reading: Ex 40:16-21, 34-38
Psalm: Ps 84:3-6a, 8a, 11 -- How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, mighty God!
Gospel: Mt 13:47-53

And he replied, "Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old." - Matthew 13:52

Friends,

In today's gospel, we hear more parables on the kingdom and how we will be separated, the just from the unjust, at the time of judgment. But more than that, we we hear a statement from Jesus that seems almost out of place among the rest of the parables; the last one he speaks before departing (shown above). Jesus presents this after he seems to have finished and asks whether the disciples understand. It almost seems an afterthought.

In Jesus' time, the scribes are those lucky people that were educated. They would be like the college undergraduate today. After receiving the basic education (scribe) they would continue on for particular training in a high office, like a lawyer or a doctor does today. Some scribes were tasked with the copying and preserving of the Torah and the laws of Moses. It is also the task of these scribes to teach and interpret the law for the rest of the Jews.

In this light, Jesus meaning with his parting message becomes more clear, and it takes on a very personal meaning. He is instructing his disciples to be as scribes, to record what he is telling them and to interpret it properly for the people. Not everyone is to interpret, but those who have been instructed, given understanding. Furthermore, they are to use both the new (Jesus teaching) along with the old (the Old Testament and laws of Moses) to teach and instruct. Our salvation is in the New Testament, but its history, and therefore, understanding of it, are within the Old Testament.

In our own day, we should take note also. At the time Jesus was speaking, every person was expected to be familiar with the Torah, so the people to whom he was speaking already had a basic knowledge of the scripture. The more learned were the ones who read deep into meanings and interpreted, but they were also the ones who rejected Jesus when he came. They were so caught up in their own interpretations that they could not see the true one staring them in the face. Thus, we are given a directive and a warning. Those who have understanding are to instruct those whose understanding is not complete, as the master of the storehouse distributes to all. However, we must be very careful not to get caught up with interpreting and lose sight of the plain message.

At that time Jesus said in reply, "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike." - Matthew 11:25

Heavenly Father, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Thank you for sending us teachers to guide us truly in your word. Lord, grant that we who attempt to share your good news with others may be guided by the Holy Spirit. Lead us, Lord, that we might not lead others astray. We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.