CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS

“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you”

In the sixth month, 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, full of grace! The Lord is with you”

 But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “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,^* and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

 But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God

 And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. Luke 1:16-36

COMMENTARY

 The plan for our salvation originates with God. “….the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David.”

The angel Gabriel addresses Mary, Hail, full of grace, identifying her and unveiling her hidden most being.  Mary is not becoming full of grace; Mary is full of grace now!  Mary was preserved from Original Sin from her conception through the anticipated merits of Jesus’ Passion and death.

Mary questioned the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” Mary would not have asked such a question unless she had made a vow of perpetual virginity which Joseph was willing to accept as conditions of their marriage.

Immediately, the angel calms the Virgin, solving her dilemma, by revealing to her the virginal conception will be accomplished in her by the work of the Holy Spirit, “The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee”

Mary’s virginal conception by the power of the Holy Spirit assures us that our Savior will have both a Divine Nature and a Human nature, Only God can make adequate atonement for our offenses against God. And only a Human nature may atone on behalf of humanity.

REFLECTIONS

 The Angel Gabriel tries to calm Mary with the words Jesus used so often, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  Do I live my life in fear or do I trust Jesus?

God has a mission for me like He did for Mary. I may not understand God’s plan but do I accept it? If not, why not? God loved me into existence for a reason Do I say to God be it done according to your will as Mary did?

As encouragement to Mary, the Angel Gabriel, gave Mary a sign of God’s omnipotence by announcing Mary’s elderly cousin, Elizabeth, afflicted with sterility all her life is now six months pregnant.

“And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Nothing is impossible for God! How does that affect my relationship with God. How do I interact with God and my neighbor?

MARIAN PRAYER

MEMORARE

REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary,

 that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection,

implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.

Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother;

to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.

O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions,

 but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

INTRODUCTION

 This Feast day of St. Joseph can give us hope in this trying time of uncertainty, divisions in our own country and in our Church.

St. Joseph had to deal with a pregnant wife who was carrying someone else’s baby.  When it was time for his wife to give birth he could not find an inn but was forced into a shelter for animals.

When Herod threatened their infant son. Joseph and the Holy Family had to flee in total uncertainty to a foreign land.  Joseph had to trust in God that he and his family would be cared for.  After Herod’s death Joseph safely returned Mary and Jesus to Nazareth. Matthew 2:13-16

JOSEPH, FOSTER FATHER OF JESUS

 St. Joseph was a faithful practicing Jewish man from the line of David. He lived in the small village of Nazareth and served as the town carpenter. The Bible pays Joseph the highest compliment by calling him a “just man.”

By saying Joseph was “just,” the Bible means that he was one who was completely open to all that God wanted him to do. Joseph, betrothed to Mary, faced with Mary pregnant during engagement period and not by him had to hurt him severely.

Joseph didn’t want to take it out on Mary by subjecting her to charge of adultery.  Joseph planned to do this “quietly” because he was “a righteous man, unwilling to expose her to shame” Matthew 1:19. (Mercy vs Judgment)

 PATRON SAINT OF A HAPPY DEATH

 We do not know when Joseph died  but there is no mention of him during Jesus public ministry

Is it any wonder that the Church had declared Joseph the patron saint of a happy death? Joseph died in the arms of Jesus and Mary.  Jesus and His mother Mary were not only supporters and consolers who supported Joseph’s frail body, but also provided powerful, soothing graces that refreshed the heart and soul of the dying Saint. St. Joseph can help us at our time of death by reminding us not to fear death but to rest in the arms and support of the Holy Family!

 PRAYER TO ST JOSEPH

 O glorious St. Joseph, Saint of the workbench, skilled and trusted craftsman…Cheerfully toiling side by side with Jesus, Teach us to value lives of hidden splendor.

We implore thy powerful intercession in obtaining for us from your Divine son all spiritual blessings, particularly the grace of a happy death. 

 O Guardian of the Word Incarnate, we have confidence that thy prayers on our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. In Jesus’ name we pray! Amen.

SAINT JOSEPH PRAY FOR US

 

 

 

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

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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

CHRISTUS VINCIT, CHRISTUS REGNAT, CHRISTUS IMPERAT

CHRIST CONQUERS, CHRIST REIGNS, CHRIST RULES. 

YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW

 INTRODUCTION

 We have been on a journey the past twelve months as we traveled through the Christian Church Year. The Liturgical year begins on the First Sunday of Advent, and ends today with the Feast of Christ the King.

During the Liturgical year, we re-live the life of Christ. We follow in His footsteps as he walked the dusty trails of Galilee, gathered disciples, opened blind eyes, made the lame to walk, taught the multitudes, was crucified, rose again and ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father.

 The Feast of Christ the King was established by Pope Pius XI in 1925 to assert the sovereignty of Christ and His Church over all forms of government, to remind Christians of the fidelity and loyalty they owe to Christ, who by his Incarnation and sacrificial death on the cross makes us adopted children of God and future citizens and heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven

The title “Christ the King” has its roots both in the Old Testament and New Testament. In most of the Messianic prophecies given in the Old Testament books of Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Daniel, the Messiah is represented as a King.

 From the very beginning of the New Testament at the Annunciation, the Angel Gabriel says to Mary, “He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,^* and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:32-33

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to pray: “Thy Kingdom come . . .” immediately followed by “Thy will be done.” And so, the definition of the Kingdom is “a community of people who do God’s will on earth as perfectly as it is done in heaven.”

REFLECTION

 IS CHRIST THE KING, KING OF MY LIFE?

 The Kingdom of God is a space. It exists in every home where parents and children love each other. It exists in every region and country that cares for its weak and vulnerable. It exists in every parish that reaches out to the needy. It exists in every work place where one is kind and patient with their fellow workers.

The Kingdom of God is a time. It happens whenever someone feeds a hungry person, shelters a homeless person, or shows care to a neglected person. It happens whenever we overturn an unjust law, or make peace instead of war

Jesus Christ is king!  We belong to his Kingdom when we try to walk with him, when we try to live our lives fully in the spirit of the Gospel and when that Gospel spirit penetrates every facet of our living.

“The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve.” Matthew 20:28 We too are called to service We too are called to be a people of service who reach out to embrace the enemy and the stranger, a people who will endlessly forgive, a people who will reach out in compassion to the poor and to the marginalized….

 PRAYER

To Jesus Christ our Sovereign King

who is the world’s salvation,

All praise and homage do we bring

and thanks and adoration

 Your reign extend O King benign,

to every land and nation;

For in your kingdom Lord divine

Alone do we find salvation

 To you and to your Church, great King

We pledge our heart’s oblation;

Until before your throne we sing

In endless jubilation

 Christ Jesus, Victor!

Christ Jesus, Ruler!

Christ Jesus, Lord and Redeemer

COME FOLLOW ME, YOUR SOVEREIGN KING

 

 

 

 

 

FRANCIS OF ASSISI

SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI FEAST DAY OCTOBER 4

INTRODUCTION

Thursday October 4 is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi.  Most of us know in general about Francis love for God’s creation, the animals, BROTHER sun, SISTER moon, and all that God has made.  Many parishes will be blessing pets today.  Pets are gifts from God to lift our spirits on our journey. Thank God for our pets!

 

BACKGROUND

 

In 1182, Francis was born to a wealthy cloth merchant of Assisi, Pietro Bernardone, and his French wife, the Lady Pica.  Francis was a young man of charm and wit with a consuming desire to be a knight after the fashion of his heroes, the legendary knights’ errant of the court of King Arthur and the court of Charlemagne.

 

In his twentieth year, Francis rides off to battle against the neighboring city of Perugia.  Assisi is routed and Francis is taken prisoner.   While in prison, Francis becomes ill. Francis is ransomed by his Father and released from prison.

 

After imprisonment and ill health, the world had lost some of its splendor for Francis.  It is in this desperate desolation that Francis begins to hear new voices within his old voices of vain glory and legendary tales of courtly love.  God’s voice became louder and clearer.

 

One day Francis hears God’s voice, “Francis! if you wish to know my will…  all that now seems sweet and lovely to you will become intolerable and bitter… but all that you used to avoid will turn itself to great sweetness and exceeding joy.”

 

Another time while praying in the chapel of San Damiano, Francis hears, “Francis repair my house which is falling into ruin.”  Francis begins selling his Father’s goods to raise money for repairs then resorts to begging for stones of the townspeople. Enraged at his son’s begging, Pietro drags his son before the Bishop.

 

Francis strips himself of his clothes before the Bishop and lays them at his father’s feet and utters the most dramatic words of his life,

 

“Listen to me everybody!  Until now I have called Pietro Bernardone my father.  But now that I am determined to serve God, I return not only his money but all the clothes I have from him.  From now on, I can walk naked before the Lord, no longer saying “my father,” Pietro Bernardone, but, ‘our Father who art in heaven!‘

 

Thus begins the journey of Francis from his father’s house to the house of his heavenly Father.  For Francis the Heavenly Father is fully revealed in Jesus Christ and thus the journey home is in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. .

 

Francis began to understand better God’s call to “rebuild his Church”  was more specific vocation to rebuild the spiritual life of the Church by bearing witness in imitation of Christ to the saving power of the Gospel

FRANCIS EMBRACES LEPER

 

One day Francis was riding across the plains of Assisi, he perceived a leper coming straight towards him.  In Francis’ day a leper had to ring a bell and shout, “Unclean.”  Society had embedded in Francis an incomparable loathing for all persons afflicted with this illness.

 

As Francis saw the leper approach his first reaction was horror then he remembered the resolve he made to attain perfection and to be a soldier of Christ meant victory over one self.  Francis dismounted his horse, kissed the leper, and gave him alms.

 

In this decisive moment of illumination Francis suddenly perceived in this leper the embodiment of God’s beauty, a human being to be loved and cared for tenderly.

 

By embracing the leper, the Saint learned to embrace all people just as Jesus did. For Francis the meaning of Creation is found in the person of Jesus Christ.  It is in and through Jesus Christ that we discover the meaning of our own humanity and that of every other creature.

 

ST FRANCIS ASSISI PEACE PRAYER

 

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.