By this “will”

December 20, 2015 6:00 am

“Then he says, ‘Behold, I come to do your will.’ He takes away the first to establish the second. By this ‘will,’ we have been consecrated through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (HEB 10: 9-10)

“By this ‘will’ we have been consecrated,” redeemed and loved unconditionally forever. When Our Lord came to us, He had only one plan: “Behold, I come to do God’s will.” All His life, from conception to death on the cross, was just a revelation of God’s love for us.

“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Because you did not believe my words

December 19, 2015 6:00 am

“I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.” (LK 1: 19-20)

It was too much for Zechariah to accept. From his knowledge about fertility, their age put them outside the possibility of being parents. But God’s “good news” announced by Gabriel was bigger and stronger than Zechariah’s lack of faith. God’s promises “will be fulfilled at their proper time” even if he “did not believe [the] Angel’s words.”

“O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay!” (Gospel Acclamation)

He did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him

December 18, 2015 6:00 am

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’ When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.” (MT 1: 23-24)

God’s will and our response go together. The more we are connected with God, the more we listen to Him, and the more we respect Him, the better we answer. God invited the most holy people to the most blessed mission —Our Lady and St. Joseph fulfilled His plan to “rescue us with His mighty power.” The answer of St. Joseph was so simple—“he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him.”

“O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power!” (Gospel Acclamation) 

Fourteen generations

December 17, 2015 6:00 am

“Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Christ, fourteen generations.” (MT 1: 17)

This is how Mathew wanted to show us God’s presence in history. Even when we see history as a mess, fortuity and uncertainty, God is always present with His love, wisdom and salvation. Nothing is accidental, everything is providential. Like my Colombian friends used to say: no coincidencia pero Dioscidencia.

“O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge!” (Gospel Acclamation).

What you have seen and heard

December 16, 2015 6:00 am

“Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offence at me.” (LK 7: 22-23)

The Good News is very detailed. God came with answers for all our needs: all kinds of blindness, diseases, deafness, fortunes of life and despair. And this Good News is priceless—“the poor have the good news proclaimed to them”—because Our Lord gives unconditionally. We are sent to be witnesses of this—“go and tell what you have seen and heard.”

“Raise your voice and tell the Good News: Behold, the Lord GOD comes with power.” (Gospel Acclamation)

To serve Him with one accord

December 15, 2015 6:00 am

“For then I will change and purify the lips of the peoples, that they all may call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one accord.” (ZEP 3: 9)

The ability “to serve God with one accord” is based on unity in prayer: “they all may call upon the name of the LORD.” And God Himself takes care of this “changing and purifying the lips of the peoples.” When we are united in worship and when we are together adoring God, we are able to also do something together—“to serve him with one accord.”

“Come, o Lord, do not delay; forgive the sins of your people.” (Gospel Acclamation)

If we say…

December 14, 2015 11:31 am

“‘The baptism of John, whence was it? From heaven or from men?’ And they argued with one another, ‘If we say, `From heaven,’ he will say to us, `Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, `From men,’ we are afraid of the multitude; for all hold that John was a prophet.’ So they answered Jesus, ‘We do not know.’ And he said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.’” (MT 21: 25-27)

They seemed to themselves smart, but their “cleverness” didn’t help them recognize the truth about Our Lord. Jesus came with one very simple message: we are loved, we are important, we are God’s children. He has all authority to “do these things” and “grant us salvation.”

“Show us, LORD, your love, and grant us your salvation.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Rejoice in the Lord always

December 13, 2015 6:00 am

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (PHL 4: 4-7)

Today Our Lord recommends to us: “Rejoice always; again I will say, rejoice.” Why? Because “the Lord is at hand,” and with Him comes the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,” and “will keep our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.” The first fruit of this in our lives is gentleness and kindness (or forbearance). When we are truly united with God, we are truly united with others.

“The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Today is my official, liturgical Anniversary of Priesthood–I was ordained priest 30 years ago on Gaudete Sunday!

Fr. Jay

30 lat EN

[Photo by Paweł Sobczyk, added by the blog editors]

The Mother of my Lord should come to me?

December 12, 2015 6:00 am

“Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (LK 1: 42-43)

Not only to Elizabeth, not only in Advent, and not only to the very special people, but also to everyone: to you, to me, to our neighbors and friends, without any exceptions,she carries Our Lord, wants to share her love for Him with us, and bring Him closer to us.

“Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise; from you rose the sun of justice, Christ our Lord.” (Gospel Acclamation)

I, the LORD, your God

December 11, 2015 6:00 am

“I, the LORD, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go.” (IS 48: 17)

God says: “I am your God”; we say: “Our Father,” and we express the same thing—we are in relationship; He is ours, and we are His. He created us with love, and He knows “what is good for us,” so He leads us “on the way we should go.” It is so simple, like God’s love for us.

“The Lord will come; go out to meet him! He is the prince of peace.” (Gospel Acclamation)