Time out

December 29, 2015 11:09 am

Dear Friends,

Please keep me in Your prayers. I’m just about to start my individual annual retreat in my hermitage.

I’ll keep you in my prayers very much.

God bless and see You in two weeks.

Fr. Jay

Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him

December 28, 2015 6:00 am

“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.’” (MT 2: 13)

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Innocents. Herod’s plan was “to search for the child to destroy him” because he was afraid of Him. Joseph took Jesus away and saved Him, so Herod “became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under.” The only reason they were killed was likeness to Jesus by age. Today we pray for all innocents, especially the unborn, who are in danger for similar reasons—parents are afraid of them. St. Joseph will show us how to “take the child and his mother” and protect them.

“We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord; the white robed army of martyrs praise you.” (Gospel Acclamation)

The children of God

December 27, 2015 6:00 am

“Beloved: See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. And so we are.” (1 JN 3: 2)

Not only are we “called the children of God,” but “so we are.” There is no problem for Our Father in Heaven to claim us as His children, even if our own parents, from time to time, are not happy with us as their children. God is proud and happy. Today’s Feast of The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph reminds us again that we have a home, where we are unconditionally loved, protected and supported. We can always come to the Holy Family, at least for a short visit, and take from Them the atmosphere of the Holy Home.

“Let the peace of Christ control your hearts; let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” (Gospel Acclamation)

They could not withstand the wisdom

December 26, 2015 6:00 am

“…but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.” (ACTS 6: 10)

From our beginning, where we were invited to this world by God and our parents, we are incessantly protected by God’s love. It is His gift—wisdom, it is His gift—spirit “with which we speak.” All His gifts protect not only us but also the dignity of our opponents or enemies; these gifts reveal truth, but always with love.

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD: the LORD is God and has given us light.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Because of His mercy

December 25, 2015 6:00 am

“Beloved: When the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, He saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.” (TL 3: 4-7)

“Not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy” reminds us today of God’s Wordin the history of our salvation. At the beginning was Adam and Eva, the first couple, now Joseph and Mary, chosen to receive the true appearance of “the kindness and generous love of God our savior”—Jesus Christ, “our savior” and Redeemer. God’s merciful love came first to the Family and to the poor and spread to the whole world. “But whereas Adam and Eve were the source of evil which was unleashed on the world, Joseph and Mary are the summit from which holiness spreads all over the earth. The Savior began the work of salvation by this virginal and holy union, wherein is manifested his all-powerful will to purify and sanctify the family – that sanctuary of love and cradle of life.” (Redemptoris custos, 7)

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Gospel Acclamation)

For He has come to His people and set them free

December 24, 2015 6:00 am

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David.” (LK 1: 68-69)

What is more important than the message that God is coming to us because we are His people, because we are important to Him and because He knows everything about our wounds and slavery and is coming “to set us free.” He knows because He came as a man, “born of the house of his servant David,” and “has raised up for us a mighty Savior.”

“O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.” (Gospel Acclamation)

To turn the hearts

December 23, 2015 6:00 am

“To turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.” (MAL 3: 24)

Especially in this relationship, it is so important because we pray daily “Our Father.” And God, the Father, wants to assure us that we are safe, we are protected, His heart is always open for us, and we are always in His heart.

“O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!” (Gospel Acclamation)

 

Mary remained with Elizabeth

December 22, 2015 6:00 am

“Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home.” (LK 1: 56)

One of the most important signs of love is to be with somebody. These three months were full of different actions, but we are informed about the most important element: “Mary remained with Elizabeth.” Among many different ways we can say something important to another person is to give him/her time together.

“O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!” (Gospel Acclamation)

Renew in his love

December 21, 2015 6:00 am

“The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; He will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, He will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals.” (ZEP 3: 17-18)

If we can imagine the impossible—God “will sing joyfully because of us”; “He will rejoice over us with gladness” and “renew us in his love.” But this is true—“God is in our midst,” “a mighty savior” chose us as His beloved children. And there is no other reason than His love.

“O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God!” (Gospel Acclamation)