Christmas Mass for the Day (B)

(Edited) Reflections: Christmas Mass for the Day (B), December 25, 2011

Liturgical readings

Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 98
Hebrews 1:1-6
John 1:1-18

"The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us."

In a sermon for Christmas, St. Bernard (a Cistercian abbot of the monastery of Clairvaux in the beginning of the 2nd millenium), describes the mystery of Christmas as follows:

"A little child has been given to us, but in Him dwells all the fullness of a divine nature...the smaller He became through His human nature, the greater was His goodness; the more He lowered Himself for us, the dearer He is to us."

What may humble all human pride, is the challenge to have faith in this little child, who has the fullness of divinity, the Wisdom of God - a Wisdom not only for the known universe, but also for what is unknown. In a little child, the hope of humanity is borne in the lowliness of a baby, born of a simple maiden from Nazareth.

Looking at the traditional Christmas crèche, and taking time to contemplate how God-became-flesh-in-Jesus, can fill any soul with an inner hope not like any other liturgical season of the Catholic faith. Even when present external circumstances appear to be heading towards a downward trend, the mystery of hope and joy which the Christ-Child can present to the whole world, is enough to dispel any form of negativity encountered in life this year. It gives to all those in need a source of hope for the future. And when one reflects on the meaning of the Christmas spirit in the Mass for the day, that hope and joy anticipated in Advent is now magnified to its fullness by the knowledge that all Christendom rejoices.

It has been two millenia since the mystery of the Word-became-flesh quietly entered human history in Bethlehem. But the Spirit of God-became-flesh was poured out to all humanity through the zeal of the apostles and their followers. It continues to be poured out to all at present through the Church and its staunch missionaries. Though there are still others who may not as yet see the light of truth in the mystery of the Incarnation, all Christians know by heart that as long as the light of hope which the Bethlehem event brings is alive in the lives of the missionaries of the Church, it will continue to inspire a world in need of this Christmas spirit.

Memorial of Saints (December 25)

St. Peter Nolasco inherited a fortune at 15 years of age when his father passed away. He used this wealth to ransom Christian prisoners from the Moors in southern Spain. From this missionary activity, together with St. Raymond of Peñafort, Peter decided to found the Order of Our Lady of Ransom (the Mercedarians). Papal approval for the Order came from Pope Gregory IX in 1235 A.D. The Mercedarians took a fourth religious vow - that of giving themselves, if necessary, in exchange for a slave (died ca. 1258 A.D.).

St. Anastasia of Sirmium was the daughter of a noble Roman and married a pagan. On the death of her husband, she went to Aquileia to minister to the Christians suffering from Diocletian's persecution of the Christians. She was eventually arrested for her Christian faith and was burned to death on the island of Palmaria. Anastasia has been venerated in Rome since the fifth century (died ca. 304 A.D.).

St. Eugenia was the daughter of a nobleman of Alexandria during the reign of Emperor Valerian. Because of the persecution of Christians during Valerian's reign, Eugenia dressed in male attire and fled to Heliopolis where she entered an abbey. She had trouble when she was accused and charged with adultery. Brought to court, she was exonerated of the charge by the magistrate, who fortunately was her father. When she took off her male attire and revealed herself to her father, Eugenia was able to convert her father to the Christian faith. She converted many others including her mother. Eugenia suffered martyrdom by sword for her faith in Christ (died ca. 257 A.D.).

4th Sunday of Advent (B)

(Edited) Reflections for 4th Sunday of Advent (B), December 18, 2011

Liturgical readings

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-11, 16
Psalm 89
Romans 16:25-27
Luke 1:26-38

"For nothing will be impossible for God."

Faith and obedience to God is a virtue that is needed more in the present times. Even with all advancements in science and technology, the human heart has basically remained the same (still in need of redemption from God). All humanity inherited a heart from Adam and Eve - one that disobeyed God and chose to do what is against His will. But God did not give up on this disobedience. He chose Mary (conceived without sin - the Immaculate Conception), to bring back into the world the virtues of obedience, purity, faith and confidence in God. This simple maiden, this humble virgin from Nazareth, became the instrument by which God will place back in the heart of humanity His Word - a Word that speaks the golden rule, to lead us back to a life in union with God.

God's ways are above our own. And nothing is impossible with Him. From the human point of view, Mary's conceiving the Word as a virgin is both a miracle and a mystery (as with the conception of Elizabeth in her old age). If learned systems of logic are suspended, and a direction to trust in God is followed, (as exemplified by Mary), all can gradually practice the same virtues she practiced. To trust God in His Word, to trust God in His Church, and to trust God in the very ordinary circumstances all live and work in, is the mustard seed of faith that will eventually bear a fruitful harvest for each - the presence of Christ in our hearts and in our lives.

In Catholic devotion, Mary has a special role in the history of salvation. Her role was unique that Christians in both the Eastern and Western traditions naturally turn to her and devote their lives and their projects to God through her intercession. After Jesus, she is the most loved in prayer and spirituality. It was her who, "undid" the disobedience of Eve's heart (by her obedience). By Mary's faith in God's will, she bore Jesus, who also, "undid" the disobedience of Adam's heart (by His obedience unto death upon a Cross), and provided a path for all to follow - a path that can make humanity see the wisdom of following the golden rule in this life, so as to share in the eternal life Jesus promises.