The Catholic Calendar for Friday, December 31, 2004
Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas
St. Sylvester I, pope

Scripture from today’s Liturgy of the Word:
1 John 2:18-21
Psalm 96:1-2,11-13
John 1:1-18

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

And the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. (Jn 1:10)

This may be one of the saddest lines in the entire Bible. Jesus was in the world. Not only was He in it, but through Him the world came to be; and yet still, the world did not know Him.

The situation has not changed today. We celebrate Christmas even in our highly secularized culture, but we meekly greet people with 'Season’s Greetings,' or 'Happy Holidays.' The entire country largely stops on one day of the year, and yet we refuse to acknowledge that day for what it is.

Historians have started to use a dating system that dates everything B.C.E. (Before Common Era) and C.E. (Common Era) because the Latin phrase 'Anno Domini' or A.D., the Year of the Lord, is 'not sufficiently inclusive.' What could be more inclusive than salvation for all who believe in Him? What could possibly be more inclusive than honoring Him who created all.

And yet, as a society, as a world, we do not. Even individually, we sometimes have real difficulty seeing God for who He is. We sometimes have a distorted view of the God who loves us.

So let’s take a hint from St. John and do our best to turn this all around. We may not force the world to know Him, but we certainly can pray for the grace to see Him in everything around us. We can start to see Him in all that, and the blind world can lean upon us as we guide it toward the Light of salvation.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, December 30, 2004
The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 John 2:12-17
Psalm 96:7-10
Luke 2:36-40

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Anna gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem (see Luke 2:38)

John's first letter suggests that Christ's message can be heard and received by people of all ages; however, spiritual maturity is not achieved instantaneously, nor by everyone. God's living Word, Jesus Christ, through His Holy Spirit, weans us away from the things of this world, its sensual and visual enticements and pretentious living. Sincere desire for God and prayer gradually enable us to become imbued with the very virtues of God, His goodness and holiness revealed to us in Christ. We come to realize that all that we gain of this world is destined to pass away, but God's love and truth--that He plants within our souls--will bless others and us throughout eternity.

We see spiritual maturity at work in today's Gospel when the Holy Family presented the infant Jesus to God at the Temple in thanksgiving for gifting them with a son. While they knew He had been given to them in a highly unusual way for a purpose as yet unrealized, two righteous and devout people, Simeon and Anna, prophesied that Jesus was the “awaited“ one, the Messiah who would bring consolation and redemption to Israel; but this was to come amid suffering, for Him and His family.

Every age since Christ's coming has produced many faithless Christians, agnostics and outright atheists. Sadly these are victims of a self-imposed ignorance which deprives them of a peace, hope and joy that transcends anything this world can offer.

Glorious Savior,
may Your new and holy life that we welcomed at Christmas
flourish within us,
make us worthy to share Your resurrection on the last day.
Amen.

- Marie Bocko, OCDS
(mlbocko at earthlink dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, December 29, 2004
The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
St. Thomas Becket, bishop, martyr

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 John 2:3-11
Psalm 96:1-2a,2b-3,5b-6
Luke 2:22-35

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The gospel of today speaks of Mary and Joseph presenting Jesus in the temple. The lives of this holy couple and that of Christ, centered around the temple in accordance with their Jewish traditions.

One wonders what was on their minds as they humbly present this newborn King to Simeon. Any thoughts of a joyful day, full of consolations must have been dampened by Simeon's message to Mary as he predicted her future sufferings. What must she have thought? Already they had been through so much pain during the events surrounding the birth of Christ!

The event serves as a reminder to us that even when we are obedient to our responsibilities with church, family and our work, suffering can and will come into our lives. In the first reading we were reminded that if we are in union with Christ we need to walk as He did. Christ encountered much suffering. When that suffering comes to us we can follow the example of Mary and Joseph and persevere. That suffering, accepted graciously, will have its merits for others and for ourselves.

“Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.“

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

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The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 John 1:5--2:2
Psalm 124:2-5,7-8
Matthew 2:13-18

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In today's Gospel we hear how St Joseph was instructed to take Jesus and Mary and flee to Egypt. It is a story that proceeds to the sad tale of the slaughter of the Holy Innocents. When we consider that Joseph's obedience to the angel saved the newborn Savior from a similar fate we are reminded that obedience to what God asks of us is a critical factor in our salvation and indeed the salvation of the world.

Often we might not understand why it is always necessary to conform our actions and behavior to the teachings of the Church, preferring instead to sometimes blur the edges of what is commanded to fit our own selfish and sinful agendas. It is however in this blurring that truth is distorted, clear direction obscured, and the way to eternity compromised.

On this Feast of the Holy Innocents, let us make a pledge, that we, like Joseph who often didn't have all the details of God's plan laid out before him, but nevertheless faithfully obeyed the One who could be trusted, become for us a model of quick obedience and unwavering response to God. Let us, as if our actions depended upon it, shelter the life of Christ who like the newborn child, lies vulnerable to the wiles of the world. For it is so, we are the sanctuary of the living God. May He find in us a safe and holy resting place--a place from where His Kingdom can be launched, His Divine will accomplished.

- Donna Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Monday, December 27, 2004
Third Day in the Octave of Easter
St John, the Evangelist

Scripture from Today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 John 1:1-4
Psalm 97:1-2,5-6,11-12
Luke 20:2-8

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

“This is what we proclaim to you....
what we have seen with our own eyes....“

The church chooses this time of year to remind us of some wonderful and powerful facts about our faith. Today we celebrate St. John the Evangelist, the writer of the Gospel of St. John, and of three letters to the churches.

And St. John tells us that he saw this. With his own eyes he witnessed what he wrote about. This is powerful. We have a first hand account here of someone who not only saw, but ate with the risen Lord. We have the words of someone who spoke with God in the Flesh.

If ever doubts come upon you, if ever you are wondering about what you believe, turn here and listen to the words of one who saw Jesus Risen, spoke with Jesus, lived with Jesus, walked with Jesus, and preached Jesus and the Love of the tender heart of God.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, December 26, 2004
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Sirach 3:2-6,12-14
Psalm 128:1-5
Colossians 3:12-21
Matthew 2:13-15,19-23

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Hearing and Doing the Will of God

Faithful St. Joseph vigilantly listens to His beloved Lord, even while sleeping, and this most trustworthy soul is ever-ready to do what our Lord bids. The instructions to protect the life of the Son of God and His mother by arising in the middle of the night to take them to Egypt are carried out in quiet, sure, immediate obedience. St. Joseph's strength is revealed in his certain action that accomplishes God's will in all things. His humble cooperation with God facilitates His plan for salvation.

St. Joseph consistently protects and provides a safe stronghold for the conceived and growing Church of “God with us“, constructing the Holy Family by his humble obedience to God in all things. It's not the walls of a dwelling in Nazareth that best protect the infant Jesus and His mother Mary; it is the dwelling built by Joseph's sure faith, His hearing and doing the will of God in all things that preserves them. We learn from St. Joseph how to provide a fitting, soulful home for “God with us“ through faithful, prayerful, obedient lives.

Today's Gospel repeatedly reveals God speaking to St. Joseph 'asleep' pointing to this ever-vigilant protector of the Church, the incarnation of our Lord, his Son, the bride entrusted to his care, Mother Church, and each soul espoused as beloved to Christ as His Bride, the Church.

O Lord, may we strive to imitate St. Joseph's faithful obedience by vigilant prayer and service to You. Amen.

- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)

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The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, December 25, 2004
Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

Scripture from the Mass at Dawn:
Isaiah 62:11-12
Psalm 97:1,6,11-12
Titus 3:4-7
Luke 2:15-20

A reflection on today's sacred scripture:

At last the waiting is over, and light has broken through the darkness--the Son of Justice has come to expose the shady and corrupt. Into the oppression of imperial Rome upon a people called “chosen“, Christ who has Himself freely chosen through the action of Father and Holy Spirit to empty himself of glory and take on human flesh.

It was not abhorrent to Him, since He was Himself an agent of its creation. In the simplicity of the night in which only shepherds were alert, there came a heavenly song announcing the most profound event since the dawn of man--a Man who would set right the disobedience and pride of Adam by His humble obedience to the Father's wish. A Creator-God who would repair the damage of the first Miracle.

If kings and sages knelt in awe at the first event, what response can I stir up in my so very modern soul this day, calloused and insensitive as I am to the profoundly spiritual reality of another Christmas? What indeed except to eagerly bow my heart to His presence there, and struggle to the most intense act of faith possible, saying, “My Lord and my God.“ More than words, more than intentions, I must embrace the Child, making a new manger of my flesh, and a new throne of my soul.

Today is but the beginning of another step toward heaven, in which I allow His divine life to flow into mine, His love to melt my hardness of heart, His energy to enliven my lethargy, and His light to guide my confused steps. “What shall I do with this child, how can I ever return to mediocrity and inaction?“ Transform me, dear Holy Child, so that others may believe in Your presence through my devoted imitation of your every virtue and grace.

Be born in me this day, O Holy Infant God!

- Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore
(smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Friday, December 24, 2004
Friday of the Fourth Week of Advent

O Come,
Emmanuel,
God's presence among us, Our King, our Judge:
save us, Lord our God!


Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word (morning Mass):
2 Samuel 7:1-5,8-11,16
Psalm 89:2-5,27,29
Luke 1:67-79

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel“

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who this evening comes to us in the form of a baby laying in straw.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, sovereign, creator of all that is.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who gives us life, who gives us hope, who gives us love, who gives us Himself, small, unprotected, born in poverty, with only the love of his Earthly parents to His credit, and who yet grew to be the exemplar of love.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who is not distant, who is closer than our own hearts, who is the source of joy and of life, for whom all these lights burn, for whom the whole world sighs even unknowingly.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, the prince of Peace, the Lord of Love, the Wonderful Councilor, the Mighty God.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who loves me, personally, not distantly, who sits with me in time of trial and compassionately listens, who is the source of everything wonderful in my life in all that is.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel. Behold! He comes, not now on clouds of glory, but in the presence of a small child. May we all be made small children, may our stony hearts be bent to His will and His love, and may we be renewed in wonder at His advent.

O come Lord Jesus, as babe, as Lord, as God, as Master, as Brother, as Guide, as Shepherd, as servant, as King. O come Lord Jesus, too long we have waited.

Come Lord Jesus!

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, December 23, 2004
Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent
St. John Kanty, priest

O Come, Emmanuel,
God's presence among us, our King, our Judge:
Save us, Lord our God!

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Malachi 3:1-4,23-24
Psalm 25:4-5,8-10,4
Luke 1:57-66

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God. (Luke 1:64)

The words “humility“ and “obedience“ are fast vanishing from the modern vocabulary. We are taught that humility leads to career failure and within a marriage causes women to become underlings, mere servants. Parents no longer teach children obedience, fearing they will inspire their child's dislike or break their fragile spirit; hence they accept a youngster's disobediencce and erratic behavior.

These problems stem from our having lost the true meaning of “love,“ a word that requires a spirit of receiving and of giving, thus promoting unity between people. Without humility, not insisting on being number one, we cannot truly love but become selfish tyrants. Neither can we love if we refuse to listen to reason, accept another's ideas as superior to ours and worthy of being followed. Humility combined with obedience is man's only avenue to character growth and education. Humility allowed Christ, the very Son of God, to take on human flesh, and though innocent of any wrongdoing, die for our sins. Also, in His humanity He lived in perfect obedience to His heavenly Father; such is the nature of true love which He gave to His Father and to us. Disbelief in God is actually an insistence on living only by rules of our own making and the refusal of being accountable to a Being superior to ourselves.

Zechariah's lack of faith, doubting God's ability to fulfill His promise, showed a lack of humility, a highly inappropriate attitude in a priest. God rendered him mute until he humbly realized that his son was a gift from God given not only to him and his wife, but also to the world to perform a special task. In obedience and humility, Zechariah named his son John as God instructed rather than perpetrating his own name and lineage. Let us all see that our children belong first and foremost to God and that we owe them the best that He has given to us.

Loving Father,
help us to see that all things are possible to You.
Give us perfect faith and love,
that we may believe in and humbly live in Your Word, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

- Marie Bocko, OCDS
(mlbocko at earthlink dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 Samuel 1:24-28
1 Samuel 2:1,4-8
Luke 1:46-56

O come, King of all the nations,
source of your Church’s unity and faith:
save all mankind, your creation!


A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In today's first reading, Hannah offers her son Samuel back to God in gratitude for answering her prayers.

Today it is good to ask how often do we thank God in our daily lives for all the gifts and blessings he continually bestows on us. So often we can be distracted by the toils and troubles of living that we can forget to appreciate all that we have and all that we are.

Each one of us is unique, is a wonderful reflection of God's awesome power and grace. While it is good to strive and desire to improve our circumstances so that we can enjoy better physical and mental well-being, cultivating an attitude of Christian gratitude is fundamental to knowing God more dearly and being even more open to all the graces and experiences He wants to offer us.

So today regardless of what circumstance you find yourself in, try to accept where you are and what you are doing right now as being part of your personal journey, and find one thing (at least!) that you're grateful to God for -- then see what happens!

- Cliodhna Doyle
(clia at cliadoyle dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent
St. Peter Canisius, priest, doctor of the Church

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Zephaniah 3:14-18
Psalm 33:2-3,11-12,20-21
Luke 1:39-45

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

One of my favorite things about the Advent season are the “O“ antiphons. Used as the antiphons for the Magnificat in the Liturgy of the Hours, and as the Alleluia Verse at weekday masses (from December 17th to the 23th), they make these days before Christmas vibrate with the expectation we once had as children.

The antiphons have joyfully replaced the things I used to enjoy and formerly looked forward to in this season -- things like shopping, baking, decorating -- and have brought back the joy and expectation I once thought could never be recaptured again. Is it any wonder that these antiphons are so dear! I pray that they may become so for you.

Many new translations don't put the great big round “O“ at the beginning of each antiphon, something that is easy for us to do. It's an important exclamatory vowel to include because it makes our mouths go all round and makes us sound again like a little child that squeals with delight and says “O“ as it beholds what gives it joy.

What gives you joy today? Mine comes from ancient words and the promises they foretold; promises that were honored and kept and preserved to this very day like a favorite tree ornament, the best Christmas cookie, the most treasured Christmas memory -- but only better!

O Come,
Radiant Dawn,
splendor of eternal light,
sun of justice:
shine on those lost in the darkness of death!

- Donna Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Monday, December 20, 2004
Monday of Fourth Week of Advent

Scripture from Today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 7:10-14
Psalm 24:1-6
Luke 1:26-38

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The Throne of David

Jesus came into the world full of promise. His birth was a wondrous mystery. An angel of the Lord appeared to Mary to announce his birth and foretell his greatness. The angel appeared to Joseph too, to assure him that the child was conceived not in sin and infidelity, but by grace and the Spirit. All of this filled them with fear and hope. The child was destined for greatness. He was the Messiah! They would not have believed it had they not heard it from an angel.

Many years later he would appear as a teacher and wonder-worker, and he would raise the hopes of all who saw and heard him. Was this the one they were waiting for, the Messiah who would ascend the long-disgraced throne of David and restore this people to greatness? They had never seen anyone like him, so they were filled with hope.

In the end all the hopes and expectation that surrounded him led not to a triumphal return to David's throne, but to the cross. And Jesus on the cross looked in every way like a defeat.

But faith assures us that the wood of the cross is more precious than any worldly throne, and the ascent to the cross is not a defeat but a glorious victory. By dying on the cross, Jesus did in fact restore the fortunes of his people, though they did not see it that way. He ascended the throne, not of a worldly domain, but of the eternal domain of heaven.

Because we are called to follow Jesus on the way of the cross, our life of faith appears to the world to be a defeat, just as the cross was. When we give our pledge of allegiance to our eternal Lord and King, we no longer belong to this world. We no longer seek worldly things - possessions, prestige, power. Instead we set our hearts on the kingdom of heaven. We place our hope in the true Son of David, whose reign will be forever.

O Come,
Key of David,
Opening the gates of God's eternal kingdom,
Free the prisoners of darkness!

- John Gedbaw
(http://www.grainofwheat.net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, December 19, 2004
Fourth Sunday of Advent

O Come,
Flower of Jesse's stem,
sign of God's love for all his people:
save us without delay!

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 7:10-14
Psalm 72:1,12-13,18-19
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-24

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The Covenant of Marriage is an Adventure in God

The Lord confirmed to St. Joseph that Mary is entrusted to him as his wife. St. Joseph is trustworthy before God because, as a man of prayer, he listens and obeys what God asks of him. The ear of his soul is pressed to the very heart of God; the actions of his life are his constant knowing, loving and serving of the Lord.

The message to his betrothed, Mary comes in a different time and way. The Lord is clearly heard and obeyed in humble, quiet, faithfulness with corresponding action by each. Each is belovedly espoused to God who espouses them to one another.

Each is confirmed trustworthy by God before the other as they recognize the other faithfully knows, loves and serves God. A trustworthy spouse remains faithful to God, listens prayerfully to God in all things, and acts on His Word. That Word most surely leads to extraordinary demands that require faith to trust that all is in and of God. Spouses are able to readily trust each other in God with all; the most difficult and seemingly untimely journey that precedes a birth in unseemly surrounds, visits from angels, shepherds and kings, a middle of the night flight to unknown lands for an indefinite time to remain for safety.... these are only the beginning of the ever-growing, grace-full faith in God with each other. The covenant of marriage is an advent-ure that begins in God.

- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)

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The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, December 18, 2004
Saturday of the Third Week of Advent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 23:5-8
Psalm 72:1,12-13,18-19
Matthew 1:18-24

O Come,
Leader of ancient Israel,
giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
rescue us with your mighty power!


A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Advent is all about waiting. Waiting for Jesus to transform the ordinary into ecstasy. It's so easy to describe the routine in our lives, and so difficult to put into words what exactly it is that we're waiting for, something to change the drudgery of every day living.

It looks like a desire for escape. But to escape deadness and despair, hopelessness and evil, is surely a good sort of escape. It is escape into the freedom to be what we're supposed to be. And if we can't expect something wonderful to happen at Christmas, then we've lost our yearning for God. As we grow older, it's natural to tone down our expectations. We so desire to retreat from yet another experience of disappointment. And yet, if we lose our expectation that something wonderful will happen spiritually at the great feastdays of the Church, then we'll miss the special favors that God is prepared to give in His own time.

This year which has witnessed such shocking world events, such extraordinary horrors, might just be God's time for special graces at Christmas 2004. In these last Advent days of waiting, surely it is in order to beg God for special signs of his love, another Incarnation into our minds and hearts that will fill us with joy and courage,
holiness and hope.

Come, Lord Jesus, and set us on fire with love. Give us courage to live as your servants. Give us the grace of being transformed -- and in that joy, we promise to live as light-bearers and heralds of your promises,

Come, Lord Jesus, Do Not Delay!

- Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore
(smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Friday, December 17, 2004
Friday of the Third Week of Advent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Genesis 49:2,8-10
Psalm 73:3-4,7-8,17
Matthew 1:1-17


What are the "O Antiphons"

Starting on Friday, December 17 we begin the second part of Advent, an eight-day preparation for Christmas.

The Alleluia Verse before the Gospel from December 17 to 23, will be one of seven short prayers that have special richness and importance, known as the O Antiphons. According to the Vatican II Daily Missal, these prayers compress and express the Old Testament Messianic hope for Christ. These antiphons are also read each day at Morning and Evening Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours during thhis last week of Advent.

The unknown Old Testament author of the O Antiphons knew and loved the Bible, and saw Christ in His Old Testament background. Let us quietly reflect each day on the meaning of these "O Antiphons."

O Come,
Wisdom of our God Most High,
guiding creation with power and love:
teach us to walk in the paths of knowledge.


A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"The Book of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ"

What is there for us in this list of names? Are we to sit here in awe as an ancient tradition is enacted in which the claim to lineage is announced before all? What are we to make of this?

Well, Matthew has a very clear purpose for his Jewish audience in writing these words? But why has it been kept for us?

For one thing it remains to show us the kingship of the Lord. As Son of David, he is the rightful heir to the throne of Israel. He is truly the priest-king-messiah.

But there is another reason for this long list. Read it carefully as you meet your own family. That's correct. Through adoption we are the brothers and sisters of Jesus, therefore we read this list and we see our own family history. We can trace our own tendencies and traits in this list of figures. We can see our lust and our dedication to God in David. We can see our fidelity in Ruth. As part of the divine family, we trace our roots back through the same line as Jesus. We see in this, a miniature portrait of all that God has redeemed and all that he will redeem. Murderers, prostitutes, and dissolutes--still the Lord called them home and welcomed them.

So, as you read, rejoice, because though your sins are blacker than coal, nevertheless they shall be made white and you will join the royal pageant entering into heaven celebrating the King of Kings who is our Lord and Savior.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, December 16, 2004
Thursday of the Third Week of Advent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 54:1-10
Psalm 30:2,4-6,11-13
Luke 7:24-30

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Behold, I am sending a messenger ahead of you,
he will prepare your way before you. (Luke 7:27)

Today's readings reveal that God never ceases loving us and trying to redirect toward Himself all who have strayed from the path leading to union with Him. Our Creator doesn't force Himself on anyone; "free will" allows us to say "no" to His bidding. However, note that whenever the Israelites deviated from living in His holy word, their rejection of Him blocked His power and in consequence they suffered defeat by their attackers. Each time the Israelites faced danger, God mercifully sent prophets to lead His people back to Himself. Today our greatest danger is from false prophets believed by those ignorant of Christ.

Jesus tells us that John the Baptist is the "greatest" prophet, since he is the messenger sent by God to prepare His people to receive their Messiah. God would come in human flesh to absolve them of sin and reveal to them the means of gaining new life beginning on this earth and extending throughout eternity.

We see that while those baptized by John repented of their sin when faced with God's righteousness, the unbaptized scholars and Pharisees rejected God's plan for themselves. Recall Christ declaring that the truth will remain hidden from the "learned," while mere "children" could see and accept it. Pride, self-importance and self-will all hinder our receiving eternal life, God's gift given to us in Christ.

O Blessed Lord,
we thank You for this precious gift.
We pray that Your grace
may touch the hearts of unbelievers,
that they will be converted and saved.
Amen.

- Marie Bocko, OCDS
(mlbocko at earthlink dot net)

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©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 45:6c-8,18,21c-25
Psalm 85:9ab,10,11-12,13-14
Luke 7:18b-23

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The question John the Baptist poses to Jesus rings out throughout all time. "Are you the one ....or should we look for another?" (Luke 7:19) It is our question of faith. In childhood many of us assume the beliefs of our families; but in adulthood our beliefs become our own. It's when life crises occur -- deaths, accidents, lost jobs -- that we lean back on our faith as our firm foundation. That's the 'big picture'.

It's the 'small picture', the day to day faith-challenges that firm up that foundation. Though the world is basically good, we are challenged many times a day to serve other gods, the gods of fame, materialism, and dishonesty, just to name a few. Each time we say "yes" to living our Christian beliefs and "no" to other gods, we are strengthening our faith.

One can wonder why John the Baptist asked that question of Jesus after he had seen so much. Perhaps he asked the question for us!

St. John the Baptist, pray for us
that we may have a strong faith.
Amen

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

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The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent
St. John of the Cross, religious, priest, doctor of the Church

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Zephaniah 3:1-2,9-13
Psalm 34:2-3,6-7,17-19,23
Matthew 21:28-32

A reflection:

Today is the feast of St. John of the Cross, the mystical Discalced Carmelite, also named a Doctor of the Church. I have thought hard and long about what St. John would have us meditate on today. Of all the beautiful and memorable and sometimes difficult words he preached, it finally occurred to me, that the only appropriate thoughts would be those contained in sacred scripture. After all, the core message of St. John's life was the gospel message of Jesus; to love God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves. This is the "formula" of John, the "nada" which in reality is no more than the exhortation of Jesus which calls us to renounce everything and to take up our cross daily.

For those of us who fear our ability to bear crosses, the mention of them isn't something we embrace even if in our hearts we know they may be God's will and that He will help us bear them. How then, is St. John's way and that of Jesus supposed to be appealing, convincing?

For those of us who are still not so detached from the things of this earth, it would be well for us to remember that not only did St. John and Jesus preach that salvation is to be won by the cross, but also that all the created beauty we seek and love is a reflection of God (albeit poor) and that when we possess God, we possess everything.

Pouring out a thousand graces,
He passed these groves in haste;
and having looked at them,
with His image alone,
clothed them in beauty

(from The Spiritual Canticle by St. John of the Cross)

- Donna Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Monday, December 13, 2004
Monday of Third Week of Advent
St. Lucy, virgin, martyr

Scripture from Today's Liturgy of the Word:
Numbers 24:2-7,15-17
Psalm 25:4-9
Matthew 21:23-27

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Once when Jesus was in the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and demanded of him, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" (Matthew 21:23)

Ultimate Concern

The question posed to Jesus by the chief priests and the elders about the source of his authority was a legitimate one. Jesus was a very controversial figure. He challenged much of the conventional teaching and practice of his day. He also made some very bold claims about himself. He said that he and the Father were one. He claimed that he could forgive sins. He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." He predicted that those very chief priests and elders would have him killed, and that he would be raised from the dead in three days. It is understandable that they would question his authority.

The question of Jesus' authority was important not only to his adversaries but also to those who wished to believe in him. No one understood this better than the Apostle Paul when he wrote, "If Christ has not been raised from the dead, our faith is futile, we are still in our sins, and those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished."

For all believers - including us - the authority of Jesus is a matter of ultimate concern. If his authority is not from God, if his word is not God's word, if he is not God made man, who took on our human condition and laid down his life to reconcile us with God, our faith is in vain.

We cannot set out on the journey of faith until we profess wholeheartedly that Jesus Christ is Lord. Faith in Jesus is an all or nothing proposition. To believe in him dispassionately is not an option. He requires that we give him our all. He invites us to take up our personal cross and follow him. He asks us to die to ourselves and live for him. To make such a commitment, we must be absolutely sure - with the certitude of faith - that his authority is from God.

Lord Jesus Christ,
I profess that You are my Lord and my God.
Increase my faith by the power of Your Spirit,
that my every thought, word, and deed
may give You glory and draw me ever closer to You.

- John Gedbaw
(http://www.grainofwheat.net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, December 12, 2004
Third Sunday of Advent
(Gaudete Sunday)

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 35:1-6,10
Psalm 146:6-10
James 5:7-10
Matthew 11:2-11

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:


"in. . . ."

Jesus said that there has been none greater than John the Baptist. So Jesus characterizes this most virtuous soul born of a woman: 'Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, he will prepare your way before you -- the way of repentance and good deeds. Jesus continues: "...yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

"...in the kingdom of heaven...."


"...in. . . ."


The tremendous gift to behold, is to be "in" the kingdom of God.

Jesus distinguishes this amazing union at the beginning of His ministry and continues this in His last prayer before the passion. This is the same prayer He has from before all time, His very mission, "Father, I pray that as you are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us." (see John 17:20,21)

Advent reminds us of this perpetual Truth expressed in Eucharist: we are 'in' the 'communion' in the Triune One, in the kingdom, and it is in us as the "I Am" -- incarnate as Eucharist. We will to remain 'in' the kingdom of heaven, joined to, with and 'in' Him, in all we are, and are about -- and the kingdom of heaven remains "in" us. As St. Julian consoles, "He has taken up His dwelling within us and He will not leave..."

Lord, may we will to be one in One, when we will Your Will.
May we become what You are in us,
and like our Lady, hasten to present Him to all.
Amen

- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)

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The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, December 11, 2004
Saturday of the Second Week of Advent
St. Damasus I, pope

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Sirach 48:1-4,9-11
Psalm 80:2-3,15-16,18-19
Matthew 17:10-13

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Elijah the Prophet is praised in the first reading today from Sirach. And what a towering figure he is! He showed incredible courage in speaking to kings, such as Ahab; he a formidable foe of falsehood, as is seen in his victory over the prophets of Baal; he was a healer and miracle worker as seen in his kindness to the widow who had given him to eat of the last food she had in her house. Going to heaven in a fiery chariot started the rumor that he would come back down to earth before the Messiah would come. How remarkable that he did appear with Jesus and Moses at the Transfiguration! And he certainly was present in the preaching of John the Baptist.

As Elijah passed on his mantle to Elisha, so too Jesus passes on His mantle to us in the form of our baptismal commissioning. Do we recognize the seriousness of our office? We were anointed priest, prophet, and king with holy chrism. So we have the power. How do we use our gift? We are called in this critical time to be bolder with our use of the gift.

Jesus, forgive my negligence in opposing injustice. Inspire me with discernment to know when and how I am to act. There are more people waiting and listening for a Word than we realize. The mantle is on our shoulders.

- Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore
(smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Friday, December 10, 2004
Friday of the Second Week of Advent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 48:17-19
Psalm 1:1-4,6
Matthew 11:16-19

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"To what shall I compare this generation?"

We are still like the people of Israel. Jesus tells us that we're like children who sitting in the marketplace say, "We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn." That is to say, we are happy with nothing.

Like the people of Israel, our complete freedom from the tyranny of ourselves and our desire has been bought at enormous price. And like the Children of Israel we look upon the gift and say, "Send us back to the fleshpots of Egypt where we at least had enough to eat."

People are never satisfied with what they have. There is never enough, or it isn't the right color, or the right texture, or the right temperature. There is always something wrong with whatever is presented. If only we could recognize this restlessness for what it really is--an expression of desire for God. And then we could turn to Him more fully and invite Him in.

In the book of Revelation, Jesus tells us, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. Whosoever answers the door, I shall come into his dwelling and sup with him." The door of the heart has a handle only on the inside. Jesus can break down the door, but most often will not. So in this Advent season, we must make ready to hear His knock, and prepare our hearts to receive Him so that we are not always looking for something better. There is nothing better than Jesus, so any such search is in vain.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, December 9, 2004
Thursday of the Second Week of Advent
St. Juan Diego

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 41:13-20
Psalm 145:1,9-13
Matthew 11:11-15

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Whoever has ears ought to hear." (Matthew 11:15)

This Advent season should be a time to prepare our hearts to receive anew the infant Jesus, the little child God sent to lead us on the path to true life on earth and throughout eternity. Our greatest obstacle is complacency, being convinced that we can be pleasing to God without regular, sincere prayer seeking to learn what He expects of us. It is not "wonderful works" nor showy deeds of piety that He desires. We are to come before Him with the humility of an infant, naked and destitute, like Christ, totally dependent on both His earthly parents and His heavenly Father.

Though fully God, Jesus was also fully human; He came to us as the love and truth of God personified, but also, being in human flesh, He experienced hunger, thirst, pain, fear, anger, disappointment, affection, the full gamut of human needs and emotions. Though remaining sinless, He was compassionate toward us; for He was tempted in the same ways as we are. Yet in His humanity, He was also totally imbued by the virtues and power of the Godhead; and He was sent to us to lift us out of our sin and give us the grace enabling us to participate in the goodness of His Divine Life. If we consent to being reborn to His new life, then we must undergo the same transformation needed for an infant to achieve adulthood, a maturity reflecting the virtues He taught us.

John the Baptist's "greatness" was his recognition and proclamation of Jesus' identity as God's Messiah, the very Word of God Who brought us into being and in Whom we must live. False prophets will try to violently tear us away from God's kingdom, but through genuine faith, hope and love like that of the Baptist, we will be saved.

O Redeemer God,
pour out Your grace upon us
that we may become teachable children,
hungry to learn Your truths
and practice them in Your love.
Amen

- Marie Bocko, OCDS
(mlbocko at earthlink dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, December 8, 2004
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(Holyday of Obligation)

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Genesis 3:9-15,20
Psalm 98:1-4
Ephesians 1:3-6,11-12
Luke 1:26-38

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today is a wonderful feast day in the Church's calendar! It is where we honour the holiness and divine pre-selection of our Mother Mary. It is also a day of Hope and Faith as we look to Mary for example and guidance as we learn to reflect God's love in our daily lives.

Mary is our most loving and patient Mother who through Her unspoiled relationship with God shows us through example and guidance how we can grow to know God more intimately. She is the epitome of Christian Faith in her humble acceptance of God's will and her acceptance of the consequences of her 'Yes'.

We can look to Mary to understand the divine purpose in our lives and with her maternal love grow in strength and perseverance as we walk the path of discipleship.

Mary our most Immaculate Mother,
pray for us now
and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

- Cliodhna Doyle
(clia at cliadoyle dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, December 7, 2004
Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent
St. Ambrose, bishop, doctor of the Church

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalm 96:1-3,10-13
Matthew 18:12-14

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In today's First Reading Isaiah the prophet was told to, "Cry out' and when he asked what it was he was to say he was told to say that "all mankind is grass and all their glory like the flower of the field that withers and wilts." It's the typical message we expect to hear from prophets--that our lives are short and of seemingly little importance. However this prophet says more and it's as important as his warning about the shortness of our lives. Isaiah reminds us that though we will disappear like withered flowers and wilted grass, the Word of God will remain forever.

"Well, so what!" some might say. "What good will that do me?" It is not an inappropriate inquiry, but a natural one, and the prophet goes on to tell us that God's Word which is unchanging and lasts forever, has promised that those who belong to His flock will be gathered and "shephered" and cared for--not tossed aside like wilted flowers or blown away like withered grass.

That is the Good that the Word of God, which lasts forever, promises: it is the good news! When we deserve no more than grass, God instead reaches down from heaven and gathers us up in His arms like a lamb, draws us to Himself and promises us heaven! By nature, when we should be blown away and disappear, we instead, by grace, become eternal!

- Donna Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Monday, December 6, 2004
Monday of Second Week of Advent
St. Nicholas, bishop

Scripture from Today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 35:1-10
Psalm 85:9-14
Luke 5:17-26

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

That you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins, he said to the paralyzed man, 'Get up, take up your mat, and go home.'

He stood up at once, and picked up his mat, and went home glorifying God. Astonishment seized them all. Struck with awe, they gave praise to God, saying, 'We have seen incredible things today.' (Luke 5:24-26)

Incredible Things

We tend to pray most fervently when we are in need. In times of crisis we turn to God and ask him to come to our aid. And though it may be true that we pray at other times as well, it is usually with not nearly the same sense of urgency. In times of trouble we look to God to rescue us. We seek divine intervention, some extraordinary show of power, even a miracle.

It seems that God rarely answers such prayers. We know that everything is in God's power, but he never uses it when we ask him for it--or so it seems. But God actually does answer prayers. His power is always at work in our lives. We do not see it because we look for it at the wrong times and in the wrong places.

To look for God's power in time of need is to seek him at a time when we are thinking mostly about ourselves. And that is the one time when we are least likely to find him. To make contact with God we must turn our attention away from ourselves and everything else and focus on him.

We also miss the point when we look for God to act on our behalf in extraordinary ways. God rarely needs to intervene in our lives by extraordinary means because he is constantly at work in the ordinary. Everything that happens is moved by the hand of God. For those who have eyes to see, the entire universe is a vast unending wonder of God's creative power. When we look inward with the eyes of faith, we see that what God has done in creating us is every bit a miracle.

And when we reflect on how much God loves us and how little we love in return, how abundant his gifts and how little our gratitude, how rich his grace and how poor our response, we begin to see the greatest miracle of all. We see that long before we realize how much we need God's forgiveness, he forgives everything. Though we do not deserve it, God simply forgives. No miracle is greater than this. When we finally come to this realization, we can truly say, 'We have seen incredible things today!'

Lord God, you do not treat us as our sins deserve. Because of your love for us, you sent your Son, Jesus Christ, to free us from sin and lead us to eternal life. Heal us of all spiritual infirmity and give us a pure heart, that we may love you in this life and be united with you in heaven.

- John Gedbaw
(http://www.grainofwheat.net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, December 5, 2004
Second Sunday of Advent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 72:1-2,7-8,12-13,17
Romans 15:4-9
Matthew 3:1-12

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

I am baptizing you with water for repentance....
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

St. John the Baptist encourages souls to repent, to make straight the way for Christ's kingdom of Spirit and fire to be theirs. The repentant soul turns from the chaff of sin to hasten a straight path for the Lord to come to it. St. John the Baptist warns each of us in his chiding the Pharisees and Sadducees, that it is not his "baptism of repentance" that will achieve salvation, any more than heritage with Abraham. 'Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance' he advises, as '..every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.' We must be 'His wheat that He will gather into His barn," not "the chaff that He will burn with unquenchable fire."

We repent, leaving the chaff of life that is not of Christ. We become food for other souls as His wheat of truth, charity, love, healing, peace and good. The Eucharistic presence we become in Christ for others is the same incarnation He presented to the Father on the altar of the humble stable at Bethlehem, at the last supper and finally on the cross of sacrifice. As we prepare for the anniversary of His incarnation in time, Christ Mass, may we see His plan for us, as in the Virgin Mary, is to conceive Him, vigilantly ponder in prayer our union, and hasten to present Him to all in the loving service of our lives.

O come let us adore Him.

- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)

The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, December 4, 2004
Saturday of the First Week of Advent
St. John of Damascus, priest, doctor of the Church

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 30:19-21,23-26
Psalm 147:1-6
Matthew 9:35--10:1,6-8

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today's Gospel sees an exhausted Jesus enlisting the help of his disciples even before Pentecost. The harvest was abundant then, and it is equally so now. What is Jesus saying to us? Isn't He sending us to lost sheep and hungry lambs? Jesus did not wish to do it alone then, and He doesn't wish to do it alone now. We who are baptized in his blood are called to be witnesses to the Good News--some of us are even consecrated by a further sacrament. So what are we waiting for?

If we're to enjoy the peace, harmony, and abundance promised in the first reading, then we must first work to the best of our abilities, making use of the time and place in which God has placed us. Those in Holy Orders are indeed weary, yet we must set the example and help to enable those who are most used to seeing themselves as sheep rather than as shepherds.

It isn't yet time to bask in the quiet love of the small Baby as He lies in the manger; because first, doing violence to chronological time, we must work with the adult Christ in a mission of compassion and enlightenment. After Advent prayer & work, we can then rest in Christmas joy. How rich and rewarding it could be for us this Christmas! Consider it!

- Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore
(smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Friday, December 3, 2004
Friday of the First Week of Advent
St. Francis Xavier, priest

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 29:17-24
Psalm 27:1,4,13-14
Matthew 9:27-31

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

'Let it be done for you according to your faith.'

Jesus heals the blind every day. When I was wandering through the world of religions, thinking that all were pretty much the same and everything was pretty much a path to God, Jesus healed me of that delusion. The path of destruction is wide and that of salvation is, paradoxically even wider, though seemingly very narrow. Jesus is that path--broader, more extensive than anything in the universe, and at the same time narrow and straight.

Jesus heals the blindness heals the blind heart that refuses to see what it does to others. He opens the eyes of those who cannot see their brothers and sisters in the people who surround them.

We are all blind in one way or another. We are all lost and lame and hurting. Jesus is there, if we call on Him and believe in Him to heal us. He will help us to be well physically. But more importantly, He will teach us to love, generously, overwhelmingly, powerfully. Jesus loves us from blindness to blinding sight and then He love us into action.

But there is a catch: He does so only if we believe in Him and believe that He will do so. We must believe in Him unquestioningly and completely, trusting all that we have and all that we are to Him. And it is part of our blindness that we can't see the goodness of what He has in store for us.

So in this advent season, let us pray for sight that we may see and greet His coming, as Christ the Risen Lord, and as Christ the new-born babe.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, December 2, 2004
Thursday of the First Week of Advent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 26:1-6
Psalm 118:1,8-9,19-21,25-27
Matthew 7:21,24-27

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like the wise man who built his house upon rock. (Matthew 7:24)

Today's gospel is very relevant in our times. As our nation increasingly espouses secular values while rejecting the Judeo-Christian tenets upon which our Constitution was based, we're losing the ability to discern good from evil. 'Good' can be described as our living in a loving, self-giving, unselfish manner toward every individual. When we choose to ignore this moral compass set by a 'higher power' whose very essence is love, we sink toward lawlessness and societal disorder. This is presently most evident in those areas permeated by liberalism which acknowledges no boundaries to our freedoms and right to privacy, regardless of their consequences to others.

Our news media's daily reports of greed, dishonesty and violence attests to human sin. It's true that there's also much good in this world, but suffering is not caused by those practicing 'goodness.' The 'spoilers' are infecting us with amorality, a disease easily spread to those having no knowledge of God. These have undercut the most basic human right cited in our Constitution: the right to life. We now create embryos in the laboratory, kill them and harvest their cells for use to prolong the lives of those who are ill, relieve them of discomfort. 'Progress' has now led us to feed upon one another's flesh. A unique human life begins at conception, regardless of how or where it takes place.

Creator God,
make Your light of truth enlighten our minds
and the warmth of Your love permeate our hearts,
that we may live in Christ's new life. Amen.

- Marie Bocko, OCDS
(mlbocko at earthlink dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, December 1, 2004
Wednesday of the First Week of Advent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 25:6-10
Psalm 23:1-6
Matthew 15:29-37

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The Shadow of Death

The Lord of hosts will destroy
The veil that veils all peoples,
The web that is woven over all nations.
He will destroy death forever. (Isaiah 25:7-8)

Death hangs over every one of us like a veil. God is wise and merciful to hide the reality of death from us, because living constantly in its shadow would be unbearable. God endowed us with the ability to repress our awareness of death so we can carry on our lives. We go about life on the assumption that we will always be part of the world. We work and plan as though we have a permanent place here. If we could not push the reality of death out of our consciousness, all our efforts would be meaningless. Despair would be the only logical response to life.

But we cannot avoid the reality of death all the time. It is all around us, and at times it touches us. One after another it steals away our loved ones. And in times of sober reflection we acknowledge that it will eventually take us away too.

Nothing can save us from the utter despair of death but the hand of a loving God. We who dwell in the shadow of death look to God as our source of hope. He came into the world as man and accepted death to show us the way to eternal life. By his death he shed light on the deepest paradox of human life - that we must cherish our life as an inestimable gift of God, and then lay it down in death to become a new creation in eternal life.

Lord Jesus Christ, your light from on high breaks upon us, to shine on us who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Keep us watchful for your coming, that we may be ready and eager to enter eternal life with you.

- John Gedbaw
http://www.grainofwheat.net/

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