Let's follow them!

 

        If we follow the news we will hear about corruption, injustice, violence and wars, too many of these all the world over. We hear about people risking their lives, many of them dying in their effort to cross the Mediterranean in search of a better life. We can then agree that the past years were dominated by extreme darkness not because of lack of electricity, but of genuine light in people’s minds and hearts. However, there is a desire for better days expressed by greetings for a ‘Happy New Year’.

Today the Church invites us to celebrate the feast of Epiphany and to remember the journey of the Wise Men coming from the East in the hope of finding the new-born king. Theirs is an example we should follow, if we want to help bring about a change of lifestyle that favours love, that brings peace, justice, solidarity and happiness to all peoples.

We normally centre our attention on the three Wise Men and we stress the fact that through them Jesus is presented to the non-Jewish peoples. However, I would like to include other manifestations of Jesus, starting from His birth, the visit of the shepherds, the visit of the Wise Men, and including Jesus’ baptism.

My first thoughts go to Joseph and Mary who were unable to find a decent place where Mary could give birth to her firstborn son, so she laid him in a manger. Surely they had hoped for a better place where to welcome their Son, who “will be called Son of God” (Lk 1, 35), as Gabriel the angel told Mary.

Then I think about the shepherds who were “keeping watch over their flock by night when an angel of the Lord stood before them … and they were terrified. “Do not be afraid” the angel told them, “for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:” (Lk 2, 8-10).

And then I think of the Magi, wise men they were, who studied the stars by night and who had some knowledge of Jewish messianic expectations. When they saw a different star in the sky they knew that they had to go to Jerusalem, where kings lived.

So there were these three groups to whom the Saviour’s birth was announced. All of them were somehow surrounded by darkness: there was no place for Joseph and Mary in the inn, the shepherds were keeping watch over their flock by night, the Magi studied the skies by night.

In truth there was another group of people who received the news of a new-born king of the Jews. It was King Herod who when he received the news, was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him (Mt 2, 8).

What did the first three groups do, when they received the news of the birth of the Child? Each one of them started on a journey to meet Him. Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem and they had to search for a humble place where Mary could give birth to her son. There they welcomed the Son of God into our human history. The shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place which the Lord has made known to us”, and there they spoke about what had been told them about this Child. Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart, and the shepherds glorified and praised God for all they had heard and seen. The Wise Men went to Jerusalem asking King Herod about the Child king of the Jews, “For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage”. Then they followed the star that led them to the house where the child was. They saw the Child with his mother. They knelt down and paid Him homage, and they offered Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh”.

What did Herod do? He heard the news about the birth of the Child king and remained in his palace thinking of a way to get rid of the Child, who, he thought would threaten his power. When Herod saw that the wise men had returned to their own country by another road, he was infuriated and he ordered the killing of all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or younger.

What does all this teach us?

We know that we are living a dark night of wars, violence, corruption and egotism. We wished one another a New Year as it started. This means that we have to do our part and search for a light that can guide us and answer our questions. Isaiah brings us the words of the Lord, “I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Is 43, 19).

We have to ask ourselves, are we ready to learn about and accept the new way of life offered us by Jesus, our Redeemer, like Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds and the Wise Men did, and set out on our journey to meet Him and love Him, or do we prefer Herod’s ways and somehow  support our modern-day Herods? Our answer will make all the difference if we want to find true newness in our lives and in that of all those who inhabit our small and troubled world.

Finally I remember Jesus’ manifestation at His baptism, when the voice from heaven said: “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased”. Jesus is the Son of God and the Son of Man. He is the true light, for “in Him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness” (Jn 1, 4-5).

Let us ask Him to teach us how to love Him. He said: “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them” (Jn 14, 23). Are we ready to open our heart and let Him in when He knocks on our door?

 

THE NARROW DOOR

 A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 13, 22-30)

Jesus went on his way through towns and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the householder has risen up and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us.’ He will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!’ There you will weep and gnash your teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves thrust out. And men will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

 Once Jesus asked the crowd: “Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!” (Lk 12, 51). Christ’s answer may shock us for we believe he is the one who, Isaiah tells us, is “a son given to us”, the Son of God and the Son of Man at the same time. This is our Christian faith. Isaiah goes on to tell us that “authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Is 9, 6).

FIRE ON EARTH

 A reading from the holy gospel according to Luke (Lk 12,49-53).

Jesus said to his disciples: “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! 51 Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 52 From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53 they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” The Word of the Lord.

 Today’s Gospel selection reminded me of a short dialogue I had with a very young girl many years ago. She asked me: “Is it true that God sends fire on the earth?” “Why do you ask me?”, I answered. “Because mother told me that God will send fire to burn me if I don’t obey my parents”. That was the way we were frightened into obeying, not out of love or truth, but out of fear of severe punishment. This is not God’s way of doing things! When Jesus and his group were refused hospitality by the Samaritans, James and John told Jesus: “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” (Lk 9, 54). Jesus rebuked them and they continued on their journey to Jerusalem.

With this in mind, I answered the young girl: “Yes, God sends fire on earth”. “But why, father?” she asked me with fear in her eyes. Smiling I told her: “Yes, God sends fire on earth, for us to get warm during cold winter days, for us to have light during dark nights, and for us to cook our meals, among other things.” “Oh, Father, that’s OK”, she told me with a nice bright smile on her face.

TO BE WHERE I AM!

A reading from the holy gospel according to Luke. (Lk 24, 46-53)

Jesus said to his disciples: “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high.” Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God”. The Word of the Lord.

 During the Paschal season, from Easter Sunday to Pentecost, we are invited to say or sing the Regina Caeli antiphon, which says “Queen of heaven, rejoice. The Son you merited to bear, has risen as he said. Pray to God for us”. This is one of the antiphons offered as a prayer from which to choose at the end of each day to honour Our Holy Mother in heaven. In it we remember with joy that she accepted to be the human Mother to the Son of God, true God. In the Angelus prayer, we are reminded of Mary’s response to the angel’s message saying: “Be it done unto me according to Your Word” (Lk 1, 38) which resulted in the fact that “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (Jn 1, 14).

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PEACE and JUSTICE IGNORED

 

David Farrugia

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PEACE and JUSTICE IGNORED .

" Soviet Military Operation in Ukraine ." !

This sad event, made me think about so many countries where Peace and Justice are not appreciated and how innocent people get caught in the midst of it all.

Some pessimistic historians say, that the human situation runs in cycles and that strife and war are inevitable , cannot be avoided.

Optimists say that war is impossible. A committed Christian will say that war is inevitable unless we make it impossible.

Jesus asks us to abide by God's commandments , so that we can appreciate a peaceful life . So , in the midst of bleakness of life and danger of war , he urges us to put love into action.

Jesus does not ask for a cease fire , or for a temporary or phony peace but he is asking for a life style which arises out of a sense of being loved by God , who claims us all as his children.

" Blessed are the peace makers , for they are called children of God."

Note here , Jesus does not say 'peace lovers' but peace makers.

The peace maker is the one who is prepared to face unpopularity in order to prosper peace. These people are blessed indeed , for it is the great purpose of God to bring peace and justice to his people.!

God bless you and yours. **************** Fr. David , O.P.

Pray for Ukraine !

Copied from Fr David's facebook's post

Two Kinds of Wisdom

 Who is wise and understanding among you?

By his good life let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 

This wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity. 

And the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Letter of St. James 3, 13-18

A LIGHT WILL SHINE ON US THIS DAY

A reading from the holy gospel according to Luke 

(Lk 2:15-20)

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”  And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. This is the Word of the Lord.

 

“A light will shine on us this day”. Psalm  97 today makes us repeat the good news, “A light will shine on us this day”. Meditating on this verse, I asked myself if this was just a repetition of words written by the Psalmist, a promise made many centuries ago? Or is it good news being promised to us in our days, today? As Christmas is not just a commemoration of something glorious and important that belongs to history, our celebration ‘this day’ makes it very real, and we are invited to pay attention. “A light will shine on us this day” the Psalmist says, and we ask: “What light is this?”. The Psalmist answers us: “It is the Lord, born for us”. So we ask again: “Who is this light?” It is Christ the Lord.

The angels who gave the good news to the shepherds who were keeping watch over their flock by night said to them if you go to Bethlehem to see this thing that has happened “You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger”. This is good news of a great joy which will come to all the people. Indeed, this is “Good News” wrapped in a human body, in human history, and it is good news that comes to us today.

This good news comes through the celebration of the Holy Eucharist during which Our Lord comes to us every day through his Words and in the outer signs of bread and wine, small things that hide from our sight the immense beauty of Christ’s glory, that our heart and our mind and our whole being are unable to experience while still alive on earth. “This is the mystery of faith” we are reminded in every Mass we celebrate. It is the same mystery of faith that Mary and Joseph and the shepherds faced when holding the child Jesus in their arms. It is the same mystery we face when we look at the crucified Jesus, the risen Lord, now in his Father’s glorious embrace. Small things in God’s hands bring to us splendid mysteries: a new born Child, consecrated Bread and Wine, a crucified and resurrected Man.

Who is the light that will shine on us today? It is the Man/God in the mystery of the Incarnation, the Eucharistic mystery, and the mystery of our redemption.

But today he will also shine on us in this threefold mystery through the Good News we read in today’s gospel selection. In it we meet with two main personages: the shepherds and the Child’s mother, Mary.

Luke tells us that the shepherds went to Bethlehem and they made known to Mary, Joseph and others who could hear them, the message which had been told them concerning this child. In this, the humble shepherds became preachers of the Word, through whom God wanted to share his message of endless love that knows no limits. In a way the angels sent them on mission to announce the Good News, to bring Joy to all mankind, a message Jesus himself would repeat later, as reported by John: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (Jn 10, 10). It is the same mission the Risen Lord gave to his disciples: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations … teaching them … everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always…” (cfr Mt 28, 19-20).

Luke tells us that: “Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart” and this is contemplation of the mystery in order to be able to play her part in it, for she is the first and foremost disciple. Her share in the wedding feast at Cana at the beginning of her Son’s ministry, was to tell the servers: “Do whatever my son tells you” (Jn 2, 5). This is the preaching Mary is repeating in these and other words from that day in Cana up to our days.

All this brings to my mind the motto Dominicans treasure so much and which is the leading light of their religious life: “To contemplate and to give to others the fruit of their contemplation”. This Mary did with words and deeds. This the shepherds did in their share in the Christmas Story. This the apostles and other disciples did in a way that, notwithstanding their limitations, but filled with the Holy Spirit, Christ’s message was spread among all nations.

We are called to do the same thing and accept the light that shines on us today in order to become disciples who contemplate God’s mysteries and share the fruits of our own contemplation to the world around us.

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