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WE BELIEVE IN THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS

A GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES ON EARTH AND IN HEAVEN

HEBREW 12:1

OPENING PRAYER (WELCOME GOD INTO OUR STUDY)

Heavenly Father, you sent us your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to found a Church, a Communion of saints. Grant us, your Pilgrim church, perseverance in our journey that we may join the saints in heaven in praising you, forever and ever. In Jesus’ name we pray.

CATECHESIS (STUDY THE FAITH)

REFERENCES FROM CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH 2ND EDITION

CCC 946 – 953 How are we a Communion of Saints

CCC 954 – 962The Communion of the Church of Heaven and Earth

CCC 968 – 972 Mary the mother of Christ-Church

The “Communion of Saints,” is also called the Mystical Body of Christ or the Church, We are the pilgrim Church on earth still making our way back home. We fight hard to overcome the World, the flesh, and the Devil. We are sometimes called the “Church Militant.”

Another part of the Communion of Saints are souls purgatory, not yet purified and perfected but will one day enter heaven. They are members of the Church who have died and have not yet entered into the glory of God’s presence because of some unrepentant sin or effects of sin still remaining at the time of their death.

We believe that God in his mercy purifies Souls in Purgatory and purges them of their sins and effects so they may worthily enter into the presence of the all Holy God, “before whom nothing unclean shall enter.” Revelation 21:27

We call the souls in Purgatory, the Church Suffering. It is painful in Purgatory just as it is here on earth when God breaks us from our addictions and willfulness. The souls in Purgatory also suffer because they are separated from full communion with God.

We can pray for these loved ones in purgatory that they soon may be purified and perfected. Souls in purgatory cannot pray for themselves but can pray for us. They can pray for us that we may have fortitude and perseverance in our journey home. They pray for us now and will intercede for us when they get to heaven.

The final group of saints is already in heaven, already experiencing the Beatific Vision. We call these saints, the “Church Triumphant.” We, the pilgrim church, celebrate in liturgy the “Communion of Saints” here on earth on back to back Feast Days of All Saints and All Souls.

The communion of saints, the Church, is truly God’s family. This should give us great encouragement. We are vast in numbers, too many to comprehend.

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely and let us run the race, before us, with perseverance, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of faith who for the joy, set before Him, endured the cross, and is seated at the right hand of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

CLOSING PRAYER (PRAY THE FAITH)

Lord God, you are glorified in your saints. In their lives on earth, you give us an example. In our communion with them, you give us their friendship. Around your throne, the saints, our brothers and sisters, sing your praises forever. With their great company and all the angels in heaven, we, too, praise your glory, now and forever. Amen.

LIFE APPLICATION (LIVE THE FAITH)

1.Who are my favorite saints?

What is there about them that appeal to me?

2. How often do I pray for the souls in purgatory? My deceased family members? Those who have no one to pray for them?

3. Jesus is the one mediator and our Savior. Do we still pray to saints to intercede for us?

COME FOLLOW ME

JESUS IS THE WAY THE TRUTH THE LIFE

FEAST OF EPIPHANY

CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS

IN UNITED STATES CELEBRATED ON SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS JANUARY 2-8

RISE UP IN SPLENDOR, JERUSALEM YOUR LIGHT HAS COME
THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHINES UPON YOU.
ISAIAH 60:1

Star of wonder, star of light Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding Guide us to Thy perfect light
Guide us to Thy perfect light

BACKGROUND

The Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ is one of the oldest Christian feasts. Throughout the centuries, it has celebrated a variety of things. The Greek word Epiphany (επιφάνεια), means appearance or manifestation. It describes Jesus’ first appearance to the Gentiles. Like many of the ancient Christian feasts, Epiphany was first celebrated in the East.

The feast of the Epiphany in the East celebrated four different events, the Nativity of Christ; the visitation of the Wise Men, the Baptism of the Lord; and Christ’s first miracle, at the wedding in Cana. Each of these events are a theophany or revelation of God to man.

At the Nativity, the angels bear witness to Christ. At the visitation of the Magi, Christ’s divinity is revealed to the Gentiles—the other nations of the earth. At Christ’s Baptism, the Holy Spirit descends and the voice of God the Father is heard, declaring that Jesus is His Son. At the wedding in Cana, the miracle reveals Christ’s divinity;

Eventually, the celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany was separated out in the West, into separate feasts of Christmas, Epiphany, Baptism of Jesus, and Marriage feast at Cana.

In 1991 the United States Bishops reduced the number of non-Sunday Holy Days to six. One of those Holy Days, the Epiphany, was transferred to the Sunday between January 2 and January 8.

COMMENTARY

“Arise! Shine, for your light has come, the glory of the LORD has dawned upon you. Though darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds, the peoples. upon you the LORD will dawn, and over you his glory will be seen. Isaiah 60:1-6

Today’s Old Testament reading in the liturgy of the Mass, Isaiah 60:1-6, is chosen partly because it mentions non-Jews bringing gifts in homage to the God of Israel. The passage also celebrates the Divine Light emanating from Jerusalem and foresees all the nations acknowledging and enjoying that Light and walking by it.

The Magi were most likely a caste of Persian priests who served Kings using their skills in interpreting dreams and watching movements of stars. Stars were believed to be signs from God, announcing important events. .

“…and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage… they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” Matthew 2:11

COME LET US ADORE HIM, CHRIST THE LORD!

Gold was a gift for Kings; frankincense was offered to God in Temple worship. Myrrh was used by the High Priest as an anointing oil. Exodus 30:23. It was also the Jewish custom of anointing, preparing a dead body for burial, a foreshadowing Jesus’ death and burial.

REFLECTION

What Mary and Joseph must have thought with all this attention! Some came in worship, some hunted their son in hatred and some like today, were indifferent.

There are those who seek God, find God, and serve Him, (Mary and Joseph), and those who seek God but haven’t found Him yet (the Magi). Which am I? Or am I indifferent?

“Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; Isaiah 9:2Do I seek the Light? Do I radiate that light to the rest of the world?

Are my eyes open to the many Epiphanies in my own life? Do I look each day for His manifestation? How does God manifest Himself to me today?

I think about the guidance of the Holy Spirit, leading the wise man back another route. Do I call on the Holy Spirit for GPS assistance as I make my way home to the Father?

Let us walk in the LIGHT, radiating Jesus’ love by selfless service, unconditional forgiveness and compassionate care

SOLEMNITY OF MARY MOTHER OF GOD JANUARY 1

CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS, MARY MOTHER OF GOD

MARY MOTHER OF GOD

Solemnities are the highest rank of liturgical celebration. By celebrating a solemnity dedicated to Mary’s motherhood, the Church highlights the significance of her part in the life of Jesus.

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel, God with us.

Isaiah 7:14

It is fitting to honor Mary, as Mother of God, following the birth of Jesus. We are not only honoring Mary, who was chosen among all women throughout history to bear God incarnate, but we are also honoring our Lord, Jesus Christ, who is fully God and fully human.

Just as Christmas honors Jesus as the “Prince of Peace,” the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God honors Mary as the “Queen of Peace” Every year on January 1 the Holy Father marks the World Day of Peace, inviting all people to reflect on the important work of building peace.

Some may wonder why we refer to Mary as Queen. From the moment Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would conceive and bear a great son, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,,, Luke 1:26, Mary becomes future Queen..

In the Hebrew tradition, Mary is Queen Mother. Unlike modern-day kingdoms, the Queen of Israel was not the king’s wife but his mother. The king often had many wives but only one Mother.

From antiquity, Mary has been called “Theotokos, “God-Bearer.” The term was used as part of the popular piety of the early first millennium church. It lies at the heart of the Latin Rite’s deep Marian piety and devotion.

This is seen dramatically in Mary’s visitation to her cousin, Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. LUKE 1:41-42

BLESSED ART THOU AMONG WOMEN
LUKE 1:42-43

Although Mary is the Mother of God, she is not the source of her Son’s divinity. Women give birth to persons. Mary carried and gave birth to the person, Jesus Christ, and the person she gave birth to is God. Jesus is one Divine Person, consubstantial with the Father and the Spirit.

Mary is the Mother of God because she carried Jesus in her womb and contributed the genetic material for His human nature. Jesus is God; Mary is the Mother of God.

In the 4th and 5th centuries there was much debate about Jesus’ human nature and divine nature. The debate was about Christ’ divine nature. At the center of this debate was the particular title of Mary Mother of God.

Referring to Mary this way was popular in Christian devotion, but the patriarch of Constantinople from 428-431, Nestorius, objected on theological grounds.

Nestorius suggested that Mary was only the mother of Jesus’ human nature, but not his divine nature. Nestorius’ ideas were condemned at the Council of Ephesus in AD 431, and again at the Council of Chalcedon in AD 451.

The Council’s insistence on the use of the title Mary Mother of God reflected an effort to preserve the teaching of the Church that Jesus was both Divine and human, that the two natures were united in His One Person.

This wonderful title, Mary, the Mother of God, “Theotokos”, reveals a profound truth not only about Mary, but about each one of us. We too are invited to become “God-bearers,

THEOTOKOS–GOD-BEARER

WHAT A GREAT INTERCESSOR WE HAVE IN MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD!
WHO CAN REFUSE A MOTHER’S REQUEST???

JESUS CERTAINLY COULDN’T AT CANA!

FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

ADVENT REFLECTIONS

WHAT DO WE CELEBRATE THIS CHRISTMAS DAY

At Christmas, the God-man, Jesus, enters into human history, humbling himself taking on human nature that we might share in His divine nature now through grace, and forever in heaven face to face with God for all eternity.

We live two parallel lives whether we realize it or not, one temporary in this world and an eternal life in the next.

Seek and you shall find! Do I make an effort to find God in prayer, in scripture, and in my daily experiences or do I push God aside and fill my heart with other things?

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. John 1:1-3

In time the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.

And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you… Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God… Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High Luke 1:26-27

THE GREATEST EXCHANGE OF GIFTS

At Bethlehem, humanity sees not only God-Made flesh but also receives an invitation to become God-like. God offers to make men and women by grace what Jesus Christ is by nature,

In exchange for the humanity Jesus takes, the Incarnate Word gives us a share in his divinity. God is born in time so we can be reborn in eternity. The Son of God becomes the Son of Man so men and women can become children of the one same Father in heaven.

BEHOLD A GREAT LIGHT SHATTERS THE DARKNESS!

A great light has shattered the darkness of this earth shackled to sin. Jesus leads us in a new Exodus from sin. Jesus is that great light! Jesus is the way, the truth, the life. “Jesus spoke to them saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

REFLECTION

Jesus is the Word made flesh…the Light of the World. Darkness cannot keep out the Light….Are there things hidden in my own life that need the light of Christ….

The night the Christ Child was born, there was no room in the Inn….Is there room in my heart for the Christ Child…

Shepherds came and saw, then worshiped and spread the Good News…do I spread the Good News… or Do I hide my light under a bushel

Mary pondered all these mysteries in her heart…do I ponder the birth of Jesus in my heart…

What other mysteries do I ponder…

PRAYER

God of love, Father of all, the darkness that covered the earth has given way to the bright dawn of your Word made flesh. Make us a people of this light. Make us faithful to your Word, that we may bring your life to the waiting world. Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

PEACE OF CHRIST BE WITH YOU

SILENT NIGHT , HOLY NIGHT ALL IS CALM, ALL IS BRIGHT

KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

CATECHESIS

CATECHESIS HANDING ON THE FAITH

Jesus empowered the Church to continue His mission when He said, Full authority has been given to me both in heaven and on earth; go, therefore and make disciples of all the nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you. And know that I am with you always, until the end of time. Matthew 28:18-20

This great commission has been handed on to women and men, whom God has called, to proclaim the Good News. This ministry of teaching and forming has traditionally been referred to as catechesis. Catechesis is the effort within the Church to make disciples, to help people to believe that Jesus is the Son of God…and to educate and instruct them in this life and thus build up the Body of Christ. (Catechesi Tradendae #1)

Knowledge of God

OPENING PRAYER (WELCOME GOD INTO OUR STUDY)

Almighty and Great God you created us out of love. Jesus, your Son has taught us to call you Abba, Father. You sustain us, Father and nourish us in your revealed Word. Father lead us into a deeper knowledge of you who is love itself. In Jesus’ name, we pray.

CATECHESIS (STUDY THE FAITH)

REFERENCES FROM CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH 2ND EDITION

CCC 27 -30 Man’s desire for God

CCC 31 – 35 Ways of coming to know God

CCC 36 -38 Knowledge of God according to the Church

CCC 39 – 43 How we can speak about God

The first Roman Catechism was commissioned in 1546 by the Council of Trent. It prevailed for four centuries and was still highly recommended by Pope John XXIII in 1960. On June 25, 1992 Pope John Paul II officially approved The Catechism of the Catholic Church now in its second edition. The Roman Catechism of Trent and the recently published Catechism of the Catholic Church are the only official Catechisms published by the Catholic Church.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1992 is broken into four parts like the Roman Catechism of Trent: The Creed (Faith Professed) Sacraments (Faith Celebrated) Commandments (Faith Lived) and Our Father (Faith Prayed.)

Our Creed begin with the words “I believe.” To believe does not mean to think, to suppose, or to be of the opinion of but rather it is an expression of a person with the deepest conviction and of unhesitating assent to all God has revealed and taught through his Son, Jesus Christ.

The knowledge derived from faith is NOT to be considered less certain than knowledge derived from physical objects and sense experience. Our Faith is given to us by a God who can neither deceive nor be deceived and testified to by Jesus Christ and his disciples.

The desire for God is written in the human heart because man is created by God, for God. God never ceases to draw us to Himself. God loved me into existence. We can forget God or reject God, but God never ceases to call everyone to seek Him and to find eternal life.

There are many ways to know or approach God. Beginning with Creation, its beauty, and order, we can come to the knowledge of an intelligent First Cause. There is a first cause that exists outside of ourselves that most people call God. Nothing in Creation is necessary. All is contingent. Something exists in creation because God loved and willed it into existence.

Our holy Mother, the Church, holds and teaches us that God is the first principle and last end of all things and can be known with certainty from the created world and by the natural light of human reason. When we speak about God it is always limited because God is infinite and we are not.

It is easier to say what God is not. God is always more than we can know or say about Him. We may speak about God, even if our knowledge is limited and our human words always fall short of the full mystery of God

CLOSING PRAYER: (PRAY THE FAITH)

Loving God, I praise you for the gift of divine Revelation which helps my reason discover you in creation and in my conscience. Thank you for giving me a capacity for your presence within the depths of my heart. Cleanse my heart of any obstacles to your loving presence. In Jesus’ name we pray.

LIFE APPLICATION: (LIVE THE FAITH)

1. Is my curiosity about God and the world still alive and well or am I too grown up to be amazed in awe and wonder?

2. Do I sense a spiritual restlessness in my soul? What have I done to satisfy this restlessness that makes me feel a deepening need of God’s presence in me?

3. What am I most passionate about in life? Where do I place my enthusiasm and energy?

4. We make plans and God laughs! What is God’s plan for me?

GOD’S REVELATION TO MAN

CATECHESIS, CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING

GOD REVEALS HIMSELF TO THE PROPHETS

Through the prophets, God forms his people in the hope of salvation, in the expectation of a new and everlasting Covenant intended for all, to be written on their hearts. The prophets proclaim a radical redemption of the People of God, purification from all their infidelities, a salvation which will include all the nations. CCC 64

OPENING PRAYER (WELCOME GOD INTO OUR STUDY)

Heavenly Father, you desire us in relationship. Your Divine Revelation in Scriptures, especially in the Word Incarnate, Jesus Christ, demonstrates your desire to be found. Let our desire for you be as strong as your desire for us, in Jesus’ name we pray.

CATECHESIS (STUDY THE FAITH)

REFERENCES FROM CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH 2ND EDITION

CCC 51-53 God reveals His plan of Love and Goodness

CCC 54-58 Covenant with Noah

CCC 59-64 God chooses Abraham and forms His people

CCC 65-67 Jesus, the Word made Flesh

Divine Revelation to man begins in the Garden of Eden. God revealed himself to our first parents, Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve’s fall from grace, original sin did not stop God from reaching out to them and their descendants. After the fall, God gave our first parents hope by promising a Redeemer who will once and for all make salvation, accessible to all human kind.

GENESIS 9:12-13

After the great flood, Noah became our new ancestor. In the covenant with Noah, God promised never to destroy all mortal beings again by a flood. God placed a rainbow in the sky as a sign of His covenant with His people. “I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.” Genesis. 9:12-13

God began to form His people in Abraham. God begins to gather scattered humanity. “In you all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 22:18

Abraham and his descendants Isaac and Jacob will be caretakers of God’s people until God gathers all his people through Jesus Christ into the universal Church.

The people descended from Abraham would be the trustee of the promise made to the patriarchs, the chosen people, called to prepare for that day when God would gather all his children into the unity of the Church. They would be the root on to which the Gentiles would be grafted, once they came to believe. CCC 60

EXODUS 20:1-3

Then God spoke all these words: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall not have other gods beside me.

God frees His people from the Egyptians and establishes a covenant on Mount Sinai through his prophet, Moses. The first commandment Moses receives on Sinai is to love and serve this one, only, living and true God. Through other prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, God continues to form his people in expectation of a new and everlasting covenant.

The word covenant means “coming together.” God wants to come together with us. God promises to love and care for us and we are expected to accept and live this goodness. A covenant results in blessings if kept and curses if violated.

By His covenants, the Creator is fathering a family. He is saying to His people, “I will be their God and they shall be my people…I will be a Father to you and you shall be sons and daughters to Me” 2 COR, 6:16

In the New Testament God revealed to us His greatest covenant and everlasting covenant in the person of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, consubstantial with the Father.

Jesus Christ frees us from the enslavement of our sins that separate us from God and restores our inheritance, a share in the Divine Life of the Blessed Trinity. Jesus Christ is the end of public revelation.

Throughout the ages, there have been “private revelations” to individuals, some which have been recognized by the authority of the Church. It is not, however, the role of these ‘private revelations” to improve or complete Christ’s definitive revelation but to assist one to live more fully by the faith revealed by Christ. We do not have to believe in private revelations.

THE FULLNESS OF DIVINE REVELATION IS TO BE FOUND IN CHRIST ALONE.

CLOSING PRAYER (PRAY THE FAITH)

Father, with grateful hearts, we thank you for your gift of revelation. Thank you for the gift of your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the most perfect expression of divine revelation, Thank you for seeking us wherever we are, loving us as we are, and offering us a share in your divine life, In Jesus’ name, we pray.

LIFE APPLICATION (LIVE THE FAITH)

1. Since God gave me reason and intellect that can prove God’s existence why is Divine Revelation still needed?

2. The fullness of divine revelation is to be found in Christ alone. What does that mean to me?

3. Are there private revelations since the time of Christ that have assisted in my faith?

FAITH: A DIALOGUE OF LOVE

CATECHESIS, CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING

FAITH: A DIALOGUE OF LOVE

GOD AND MAN IN RELATIONSHIP

OPENING PRAYER (WELCOME GOD INTO OUR STUDY)

Most Loving Father, you have revealed yourself through the prophets Abraham and Moses. You gave us the fullness of your Word in your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Your overwhelming love for us is clear. All you ask in return is our Faith and our Trust. Help us to Trust in you. Replace our disbelief with belief, in Jesus’ name we pray.

CATECHESIS (STUDY THE FAITH)

REFERENCES FROM CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH 2ND EDITION

CCC 142-143 Man’s response to God

CCC 153-162 Characteristics of Faith

FAITH IS A GIFT FROM GOD, ANIMATED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO CREATES IN OUR HEARTS A DESIRE FOR GOD.

When we are young, God gives us the gift of Faith through our family, friends, and Church. When we become adults, Jesus asks us not to just talk about Him but to really get to know Him in a personal way in relationship.

Faith is a dialogue of love with God. In His revelation, God says, “I love you.” In Faith we say, “We gratefully accept your love and return it to you, Father.”

It is not so much about our love for God that is so very crucial in the beginning but an acknowledgement and an acceptance of God’s love for us. In Faith we say, “Yes, God loves me, through no merit of my own but because God is good.

In Faith, man completely submits his intellect and will to God. With his whole being, man gives his assent to God. That response is called the “obedience of faith.” This “obedience of faith” can most perfectly be seen in Blessed Virgin Mary’s reply to Angel Gabriel at the Annunciation, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.” Luke 1:38

In the letter to the Hebrews we find this definition of faith given by St. Paul, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

JESUS CHRIST SON OF GOD,

CONSUBSTANTIAL WITH THE FATHER

Belief in God cannot be separated from believing in the One He sent. “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, listen to Him.” And one cannot believe in Jesus Christ without believing in the Holy Spirit who is sent by Jesus Christ.

It is the Holy Spirit who animates our minds and hearts so that we may recognize Jesus for who He is. “For no one can say Jesus is Lord except the Holy Spirit and who He has revealed him.” I Corithians. 12:13

Faith is a priceless gift, a pearl of great price. We must pray never to lose it and ask the Holy Spirit for His guidance and protection against onslaughts and attacks by a faithless world. “By rejecting conscience, certain persons have made a shipwreck of their Faith.” I Tim.1:18-19

To love, grow, and persevere in our Faith, we must nourish it with the Word of God and practice it through works of charity. Faith makes us taste in advance the light of the beatific vision. “Then we shall see God, face to face, as He is.” I Corinthians. 13:12 The Theological virtue of Faith is the beginning of eternal life.

CLOSING PRAYER (PRAY THE FAITH)

Heavenly Father, you have in your wisdom given us your precious gift of Faith. May the inner secrets of your word be opened to us in our hearts. This. we beg of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in whom is hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

LIFE APPLICATION (LIVE THE FAITH)

Has my approach to faith changed from childhood, through adolescence, into adulthood?
Is my faith deeper now than when I was younger? How?
How important are regular religious practices of devotions and prayer for my faith development? What might I do to improve my prayer life?
Do I make faith the mover of my moral behavior? How?

COME LORD JESUS, LIGHT OF THE WORLD!

ADVENT REFLECTIONS

“the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light,

on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen”

Matthew 4:16

COMMENTARY.

As We approach the fourth week of Advent, the birth of Jesus which changed the world forever is ever closer.

One of my favorite metaphors for Jesus is comparing him to LIGHT. Jesus is the light of the world. A world so dark with its burdens of sin and disease awaits the one who will lighten our load…

Come to me all you who labor and are burdened…and I will give you rest… Matthew 11:28.

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who lived in a land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing” Isaiah 9:1-2

The first chapter of John’s Gospel describes the role of Jesus, “What came to be through him was life,and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:2-4

“A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light…He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world” John 1:4-9

Later in John’s Gospel, Jesus affirms He is that light. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”John 8:12

REFLECTION

Those who choose Light….become children of the Light….and testify to the Light…

Do I hide my light under a bushel or do I let it shine everywhere, even where inconvenient, in the public square?

Are there things hidden in my own life that need the light of Christ…

O come, O come, Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel

that mourns in lonely exile here Until the son of God appear

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Let us be people of the Light who walk in the Light and give witness to the Light everywhere we go! AMEN!

WHO IS GOD?

CATECHESIS

WHO IS GOD?

OPENING PRAYER (WELCOME GOD INTO OUR STUDY)

God of Truth, help us to know your revealed Word. Merciful and loving Father, help us to love you in the same abundance as you have loved us. Let us care for our neighbor as you have cared for us, in Jesus’ name we pray.

CATECHESIS (STUDY THE FAITH)

CCC 189-195 Different Creeds

Nicene Creed I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

Apostles Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty the Creator of Heaven and Earth

CCC 201-202 One God

CCC 203-206 God’s Name

CCC 210-211 Merciful

CCC 215-217 Truth

CCC 219-226 Love

“I believe in God,” is the first affirmation in the Apostles Creed and the most fundamental of all beliefs. Nine out of ten Americans believe in the existence of God.

But do they believe what God teaches in Scripture and in His son, Jesus Christ. Not everyone who says Lord, Lord will be saved but those who do the will of my Father. Matthew 7:21

The Apostles Creed is considered a summary of the Faith of the Apostles. It is the ancient baptismal creed of the Church of early Rome. The Apostles Creed is broken into three parts in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

The first part speaks of the 1^st divine person and His wondrous works of Creation. The second part speaks of the 2nd Divine Person, Jesus, our Redeemer. The 3rd part speaks of the 3rd Divine Person, the Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, Lord and giver of Life.

“We firmly believe and confess without reservations that there is only One True God, eternal, infinite, unchangeable, incomprehensible, almighty, and ineffable, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three persons indeed but one essence and substance.” Lateran Council IV DS 800

God revealed Himself progressively under different names to His people but the revelation that is fundamental for both the Old and New Testament was the revelation to Moses in the burning bush, “I AM WHO AM.” Exodus 3:4-14

God had no beginning and has no end. No one made God. He always was and always will be. God is always present, faithfully caring for His people. God is just as present in the world today as He was in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:8

After the Israelites turned away from God and worshipped the “golden calf,” God reveals Himself as a God of Mercy, “Yahweh, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” Exodus 34:1-9

…Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God, For he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relenting in punishment Joel 2:12-13

God is also the God of Truth. The sum of your word is Truth as the Psalmist sings, “Your every word is enduring;“ Psalm. 119:160

God is Love. “Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. I John 4:8 “God’s love is everlasting.” Isaiah. 54:8 Remain in my love.” John 15:9

CLOSING PRAYER (PRAY THE FAITH)

I believe in you, my God. You are a God of Truth and Love. O my God, you know my poverty and weakness, and that I am unable to do anything good without Thee; I give you thanks for caring for me. In return, I ask only that you give me your grace to never to refuse you anything. All Glory and praise be to you Almighty God, in Jesus’ name we pray!

LIFE APPLICATION (LIVE THE FAITH)

1.Why is belief in God important in my life?

2. Generally what do I know about God? What don’t I know about God?

3. Does it bother me that God is beyond all understanding… incomprehensible and ineffable a mystery in so many aspects?

4. How does the Church help me with my faith? How do my family and friends help me with my faith in God?

WHY DO WE CALL GOD OUR FATHER?

CATECHESIS, CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good and merciful For His loving kindness is everlasting. Psalm 118:29

OPENING PRAYER (WELCOME GOD INTO OUR STUDY)

Our Father, Creator of Heaven and Earth, look with kindness on your people. Help us to be good stewards of your creation until that day when we make an account of our stewardship, face to face, to you Father of us all. In Jesus’ name we pray.

CATECHESIS (STUDY THE FAITH)

REFERENCES FROM CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH 2ND EDITION

CCC 238 – 242 God as Father

CCC 441 – 445 Jesus as Son of the Father

Jesus taught his disciples to call God “Our Father ” Matthew 6:5 The Son passed this relationship with the Father on to us through the Spirit. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, “Abba,^* Father!” Romans 8:15

We live in a time of absent fatherhood due to frequent divorces and walk away dads. Some may find it hard to address God as Father. If there is a problem with Fathers in your life, pray for the healing that will allow you to call God your Father because that is what He is. He is your Heavenly Father, you are his child.

Jesus told His disciples by getting to know Him they would get to know the Father also. Since Jesus and the Father are one. We can see the love of the Father in the actions of the Son.

Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by me. If you know me you know the Father.”

“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; John 14:6

We are made male and female in God’s image. To call God our Father in no way diminishes womanhood or motherhood. The most revered human person that ever lived is our Mother, Mary. The greatest choice ever made by a human being was made by a virgin woman to accept the call to be the Mother of our Savior through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Supported by the Old Testament Scripture, we call God our Father and declare that God is the first origin of everything and is transcendent authority over all.

God is separate from His creation. God is essence itself (being) God creates out of nothing. As Father he generates and brings into being all things that are.

God our Father wants to share His divine life and love with us. We become His adopted sons and daughters through the merits of Jesus Christ when we are born again in faith and Baptism.

Let us pray to the Father to increase our Faith that we may know the Son. Let us pray to the Son that we may know and see the Father in Him.

CLOSING PRAYER (PRAY THE FAITH)

Most merciful and loving Father, in loving gratitude, we pray for the fullness of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, that we may praise you as we ought. To You, Father, be all honor and glory now and forever, Amen. In Jesus’ name, we pray.

LIFE APPLICATION (LIVE THE FAITH)

The absence of fatherhood due to death, divorce or neglect deprives children of an important nurturing influence. What can be done to supplement the missing Father?

2 How does it make you feel to have a Heavenly Father? Is it the best yet or are you still struggling to accept your adoption?

3. Many feminine virtues are ascribed to God in Scriptures. “Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you Isaiah 49:15 But God is never addressed as Mother. Can you guess why?