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CARE FOR THE DYING PALLATIVE CARE VS EUTHANASIA

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING, CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

“God’s love requires that we give our best

to each and every one of our brothers and sisters,

even those who are in the final stage of their life. “

Pope Francis REGINA CAELI address May 6, 2018 Vatican City

EUTHANASIA

Euthanasia, called by the secular state euphemistically “Death with Dignity” is always immoral.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church 2277 states it this way, Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable.

HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVES

DEATH WITH DIGNITY (STATE OF OREGON)

I, __________ am an adult of sound mind. I am suffering from_________________ which my attending/prescribing physician has determined is a terminal disease and which has been medically confirmed by a consulting physician. I have been fully informed of: my diagnosis; prognosis…. I request that my attending/prescribing physician prescribe medication that will end my life in a humane and dignified manner

EXAMPLE OF CATHOLIC DIRECTIVE REGARDING MY HEALTH CARE

My Catholic faith teaches that all human life is a precious gift from God from the first moment of conception to the moment of natural death, therefore, I oppose any action or inaction that is intended to cause my death.

I always wish to receive basic care, which will allow me to be most comfortable including food, water, and pain control. I wish to receive medical care and treatment appropriate to my condition as long as it is useful and offers a reasonable hope of benefit and is not excessively burdensome to me,

If my death from a terminal illness is imminent, I wish to refuse treatment that would only secure a precarious and burdensome prolongation of my life. I wish to be attended by a Catholic priest, receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick and Viaticum.

PALLIATIVE CARE

Effective palliative care allows patients to devote their attention to the unfinished business of their lives, to arrive at a sense of peace with God, with loved ones, and with themselves.

“Suffering is part of human existence from birth until death, and every human person suffers in a variety of ways: physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually. Suffering in one form or another accompanies each of us every day. It is an inescapable feature of human existence”…The suffering of Christ leads to his glory; so, too, does the suffering of Christians”. SAINT JOHN PAUL

Physical pain can cause depression, anxiety, and may negatively affect relationships. Catholic moral teaching accepts that although pain management can relieve physical suffering, it can also result in the patient’s loss of consciousness. If unconsciousness or a shortened life is not the intention of the pain medication, administering high doses is morally permissible.

When death is imminent, food and water are unnecessary and may even add to the person’s suffering. “nutrition and hydration should be considered, in principle, ordinary and proportionate, and as such morally obligatory, insofar as and until it is seen to have attained its proper finality, providing nutrition and hydration is not always prudent.” SAINT JOHN PAUL

If a medical treatment is physically painful, unlikely to be successful, is experimental, has severe side effects, causes a financial burden, or is psychologically difficult, it is deemed extraordinary and there is no moral obligation to accept it. Patients and their families are not obligated to undergo extraordinary means… treatments where the burden outweighs the benefit.

Our hope and prayer is that when we grow old or sick that we be surrounded by people who care and respect each and every human life.

JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH

PRAY FOR ME AT THE HOUR OF MY DEATH!

CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE FEAST DAY JANUARY 25

CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS

SAUL, SAUL, WHY DO YOU PERSECUTE ME

SAUL’S CONVERSION

Now Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that, if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains.

On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him.He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Paul said, “Who are you, sir?”

The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, for they heard the voice but could see no one. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing;^* so they led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus. ACTS 9:1-8

COMMENTARY

Paul had acquired a zealot’s hatred of all Jesus stood for, as he began to harass the Church: “…entering house after house and dragging out men and women, he handed them over for imprisonment” Acts 8:3.

When Jesus said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” Acts 9:5 A great light illumined Paul. Jesus was mysteriously identifying Himself with the people that Saul was persecuting.

At that moment Paul experienced a mysterious transcendent relationship between the eternal and living Christ and His followers. Jesus lives and is present in them and they live in him.

Conversion by faith in Christ is a turning away from sin and turning to the obedience of Christ. St. Paul has captured the eternal struggle that we all go through. Paul laments in Romans 7:15 – “For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing that I hate.” Paul then cries out, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Like St. Paul we know the answer to that question.

CONCLUSION

Conversion is a life-long operation, turning from sin back to Jesus Christ. St. Paul continually reminds us of the moral imperative – Stop sinning! I Corinthians 15:34. Remember the day will come, at the hour of our death, when we will face judgment. Romans 2:5

Paul says, “I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain” 1 Cor. 15:9-10

Paul acknowledges that he saved by the grace of God. God alone can save us! Good works are necessary but those are the result of saying yes to God’s grace. Life-long conversion requires repentance. Repentance conveys a sense of regret, sorrow, grief, or remorse for one’s sins, that leads someone to conversion.

St Paul responds“A great light from the sky suddenly shone around me.” Acts 22:6. This light of the risen Christ transformed Paul and impelled him to illumine the world by the light of the Gospel.

This Scripture quote reminds me of a trip my wife and I took to Rome in the Jubilee Year 2000. I was looking to avail myself of the Sacrament of Reconciliation at Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls

On leaving the confessional, I heard the most beautiful singing and organ playing but sight showed me no one was singing or playing any music. I smiled to myself, gave thanks, and prayed my penance. I will remember that “illumination” at the Basilica of St. Paul forever. “Only by the Grace of God,” 1 Corinthians 15:10

BASILICA OF ST. PAUL OUTSIDE THE WALLS ROME, ITALY

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God and my Savior. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I ask you to come into my life and heart. I want to serve you always with my whole mind, my whole heart, and my whole strength.

REPENT AND BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL

MARK 1:15

MARRIAGE FEAST AT CANA JESUS’ FIRST MIRACLE

MIRACLES OF JESUS, MIRACLES OF JESUS, SCRIPTURE

JOHN 2:1-11 THE WEDDING AT CANA

There was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons.

Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew).

The headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.

COMMENTARY

at Cana, at some period of the entertainment the wine suddenly ran out. This was very embarrassing because of the passionate devotion of the Eastern people to hospitality.

It is very likely that the host laid in an abundant supply. The explanation for the deficiency is probably the fact that Our Blessed Lord did not come alone. He brought with Him His disciples, and this apparently threw a heavy burden upon the store of wine. Wine was a symbol of mirth and health to the people, it was important that their need be filled in the spirit of hospitality and charity.

REFLECTION:

When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.”

Jesus told his Mother “His hour was not yet come…. If Jesus revealed His Divinity now, He would begin the royal road to the cross. Mary may not have understood the full extant of what she was asking but she did know enough to tell the servants, Do whatever He tells you.

Mary knows Jesus will attend to our needs when the time is right…Mary’s faith is remarkable as it was from her first fiat at the Annunciation, “Be it done to me according to your word!”…

Mary is the model of faith…pray to Mary to keep our Faith strong..…As Our Lord mediates between us and the Heavenly Father, so the Blessed Mother mediates between us and Our Divine Lord

Jesus performed this first of His signs… and the disciples began to believe in Him…what are the signs of Jesus’ intervention in my life…look closely…

What was my life like while drinking the “inferior wine” of this world before Jesus served up the “superior wine,” …. How has the “superior wine changed my life?

.POSTSCRIPT

THE GOODS OF MARRIAGE

“Have you not read that in the beginning God ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Matthew 19:3-12

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1643), there are three goods of marriage. They are: unity, fidelity, and openness to children

This unity is beyond mere unity of the flesh; it demands permanence (indissolubility) for the entire life of the married couple. The union is so profound and total that only death can dissolve it.

The very nature of conjugal love, total union for life of a married couple, demands fidelity and prohibits any disorder such as adultery.

The good of “openness to children” is the fruit of total self-giving love. Accepting children and nurturing them leads the married couple to a deeper union and exclusive commitment to one another.

The Church does not demand married couples have enough children to field a baseball team. The Church simply says that parents should exhibit generosity appropriate to responsible parenthood and not use any immoral means such as contraception or abortion as a means to demean their intimacy and frustrate God’s plan.

Using Natural Family Planning a couple can use fertility tracking technology so if a couple wants another baby, they can choose to be intimate on a woman’s identifiable fertile days. On the other hand, if they don’t feel ready for another baby, they would simply choose to be intimate on an infertile day instead.

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her^t

Ephesians 5:25

Marriage is not merely a legal contract. A Catholic marriage is a covenant, or a sacred pledge of loyalty with God as our witness between persons, a man and woman. This covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.

THE GOOD SHEPHERD

SCRIPTURE

What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it?

And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’

I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

REJOICE WITH ME

FOR I HAVE FOUND MY LOST SHEEP

LUKE 15:4-10

REFLECTION

Jesus is a master story teller. In this parable Jesus tells the unbelievable story of a shepherd leaving most of his flock to the wolves to search for one missing sheep. That shepherd would soon be fired.

But the point of God’s love for each and every one of us is unmistakable…. there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance. Praise God!

God knocks until we open the door…no matter how far away or how long…God never stops calling us home…Hear Him…Listen to Him…

Repent and be saved…the kingdom of heaven is at hand…Come home…

PARABLE OF THE TALENTS

MATTHEW 25:14-30

“a man who was going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one—to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two.

But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money.

After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five.^*

He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’

His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’

Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.’

His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’

Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.’

His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant!^* So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?

Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.

REFLECTION

God gives each one of us special gifts ready made to fit us. We must pray to discover them, cherish them, and use them as God intended.

God gives gifts to us according to our ability/personality…

What are my gifts…how am I sharing them…do I bury some….do I reject some…

Do I gift others…This little light will shine, Let it shine, Let it shine

Will we hear one day, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter my kingdom

THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD

SCRIPTURE

INTRODUCTION

The baptism of Jesus is not just another story of Jesus told in all four gospels but the story that says all we need to know about who Jesus is and our relationship to him. Jesus is our savior and we are the ones he came to save. Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21, and John 1:29-34

JOHN THE BAPTIST’S TESTIMONY TO HIMSELF.

SCRIPTURE

And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites [to him] to ask him, “Who are you?” he admitted “I am not the Messiah.” So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?”^* And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”

So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” He said: “I am ‘the voice of one crying out in the desert, “Make straight the way of the Lord, as Isaiah the prophet said.”

….^*“I baptize with water;^* but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” ^*JOHN 1:19-28

VOICE CRYING OUT IN DESERT

REFLECTION

John the Baptist asserts he is not the Messiah, the expected one. John could have out of pride taken their adulation and sycophancy, but no, he told the truth. There was no deceit in John the Baptist. John was all about truth.

Repent, the kingdom is coming, be ready, prepare yourselves, your salvation is at hand. John knew his place in the Divine Plan. Do we know ours?

BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD

JOHN THE BAPTIST’S TESTIMONY TO JESUS.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God,^* who takes away the sin of the world He is the one of whom I said, A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ I did not know him,^* but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.” John 1:29-34

Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Matthew 3:13-15

REFLECTION

John protests that he should be the one baptized by Jesus but Jesus says let it be done for now for sake of righteousness. What is righteousness?

“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “When I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; And He will reign as king and act wisely And do justice and righteousness in the land. Jeremiah 23:5

In the New Testament Joseph foster father of Jesus is described as righteous. Joseph, since he was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. Matthew 1:19

Righteousness may be described as oneness with God….Jesus is telling John the Baptist it is the Father’s will, Let it be for now!

When Jesus was immersed in the waters of John’s baptism He took on all the sins of the world, and carried them to redemption on the cross. After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened…the Spirit of God descended like a dove… And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” JOHN 1:26-32

THIS IS MY BELOVED SON

WITH WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED

REFLECTION

John testified further, saying, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove^* from the sky and remain upon him…. Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.” John 1:32-34

John the Baptist witnessed the Holy Spirit affirming Jesus as the one sent by God. John testified to the others gathered, this man is the Son of God. How are we in testifying to others that Jesus is the Son of God…there is no other to follow. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Jesus is that sacrificial lamb who sacrifices himself for us that our sins may be forgiven… sin has no more dominion over mankind…Blessed be God!

The Father affirms the Son’s mission…”This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased…Here is your Savior!

CLOSING

At our Baptisms we become adopted sons and daughters and heirs to heaven. At our Baptisms we reject Satan and all his works and empty promises. At our Baptisms we are made righteous, cleansed of our sins, infused with sanctifying grace, and configured to Christ…an initiation that sets us on our journey back home to the Father.

THINGS TO PONDER

HE MUST INCREASE, I MUST DECREASE! JOHN 3:30

FEAST OF EPIPHANY

CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS

CELEBRATED SUNDAYS JANUARY 2-8

RISE UP IN SPLENDOR, JERUSALEM YOUR LIGHT HAS COME .

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 Greek word Epiphany (επιφάνεια), means appearance or manifestation). God appears to his people. (theophany) 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 feast of the Epiphany in the East celebrated four different theophanies, 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.

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

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!

The gifts the Magi (Wise Men) brought were gold, frankincense and myrrh. 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 a dead body for burial, a foreshadowing of Jesus’ death and burial.

REFLECTION

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 9:2 Do 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? How does God manifest Himself to me today?

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

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 not only honor Mary, but we are also honoring our Lord, Jesus Christ, who is fully God and fully human.

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.

On 1 January 2025 the theme of World Day of Peace is “Forgive us our trespasses: grant us your peace As Pope Francis proclaimed: At the dawn of this New Year given to us by our heavenly Father, a year of Jubilee, I offer heartfelt good wishes of peace to every man and woman, especially those who feel downtrodden, burdened by their past mistakes, oppressed by the judgment of others and incapable of perceiving even a glimmer of hope for their own lives.

The “jubilee” recalls an ancient Jewish practice, when, every forty-ninth year, the sound of a ram’s horn proclaimed a year of forgiveness and freedom for the entire people Lev 25:10.

The blowing of the horn reminded the entire people, rich and poor alike, that no one comes into this world doomed to oppression: all of us are brothers and sisters, sons and daughters of the same Father, born to live in freedom, in accordance with the Lord’s will.

Christmas honors Jesus as the “Prince of Peace,” the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God honors Mary as the “Queen of 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, the Lord Giver of life, who will inherit the throne of his father David. Mary becomes future Queen. Luke 1:26

First century Jews would have known, under the reign of David the kingdom was ruled by both a King and a Queen. Unlike modern-day kingdoms, however, the queen of Israel was not the king’s wife but his mother. (the king often had many wives but only one mother) In the Hebrew tradition, Mary is Queen Mother.

From antiquity, Mary has been called “Theotokos“, or “God-Bearer” (Mother of God). The term was used as part of the popular piety of the early first millennium church.

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

Mary is the Mother of God because she carried Jesus in her womb and contributed the genetic material for His human nature. If Mary is the mother of Jesus, and if Jesus is God, then Mary is the Mother of God.

In the 4th and 5th centuries there was much debate about Jesus’ 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. Women give birth to PERSONS.

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

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.

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.

REFLECTION

PEACE OF CHRIST BE WITH YOU

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…

Do I ponder other mysteries…

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

SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT

O Holy night! The stars are brightly shining

It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees; O hear the Angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night, O Holy night, O night divine!

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. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” Isaiah 9:1

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 Lord Jesus!

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

Come to me all you who labor and are burdened

…and I will give you rest… Matthew 11:28.

Do I need that rest in order to heal and reconcile?

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

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?

… 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!

PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD

ADVENT REFLECTIONS

PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD MAKE STRAIGHT HIS PATHS

“Behold, I send my messenger before your face, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins MARK 1:2-5

INTRODUCTION

As we prepare our homes for Christmas, guests, decorations, clean carpets etc, what about our Spiritual House? What do we do with the messiness that resides there…anger, resentments, grudges, habits of sin that stain our souls and cloud our wills.

Let’s brighten up His dwelling place within us. We need to be reconciled to God and neighbor. What is the best Spiritual House cleaning tool for this?

The Sacrament of Reconciliation!

The evening of His Resurrection, Jesus appeared to his Apostles, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” JOHN 20:21-23

WHOSE SINS YOU FORGIVE ARE FORGIVEN THEM

Remember the priest, when hearing your confession, is in persona Christi (person of Christ). It is Christ you are confessing your sins It doesn’t matter to the priest how long ago your last confession was. You can’t shock the priest either. The priest has heard it all.

When the priest receives the penitent, he is fulfilling the ministry of the Good Shepherd who seek the lost sheep and the Good Samaritan who binds up the wounds. The priest is the sign and instrument of God’s mercy.

We know how merciful God is from the many stories from Scripture…the Prodigal Son…The woman at the well…the woman caught in adultery…. And the Good Thief…. This day you will be with me in Paradise…

…When you give Me your sins, you give Me the joy of being your Savior. There is nothing I cannot forgive and heal…Come to Me with your misery and your sins. I stand at the door of your heart and knock… I am seeking you every moment of the day….

JESUS SEEKS US OUT; WON’T YOU LET HIM IN!