Feast of the Nativity of the Lord

 In the magnificent First Reading from the Mass at night we hear the words: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light" (Is 9: 2) My question for all who attend Mass this Christmas is are you a person who walks in that light? Do you recognize the source of that light which overcomes suffering, tragedy and death in all its forms? If we can bathe in that light the reward will be joy: "... they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as when people exult when dividing plunder." (Is 9: 3) This joy is the true gift of Christmas. Let this joy fill not only our hearts but as we go through the world may it be contagious. So many people suffer from anxiety, depression and pessimism. We know that is not the end. We know that sin and death do not have the last word: "For a child has been born for us, a son given to us." (Is 9: 6) May God bless you richly this Christmastide as you walk in his wonderful light.

4th Sunday of Advent

 Today we hear about the annunciation to Joseph, which is not as celebrated as the Annunciation to Mary. There are some notable details that add poignancy to the situation. First: "before they lived together, she was found to be with child" (Mtt 1: 18). This means that knowledge of Our Lady's pregnancy was apparent to others in the community outside of Joseph. Second, Joseph was a "righteous man" which means that he had a public reputation as adhering to the Torah, which was a challenging thing to do especially if you were not a Pharisee. Nevertheless, despite the damage to his reputation he "... unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly." (Mtt 1: 19) This shows he had a merciful heart. Third, after the angel appears to him in a dream to explain the situation: "When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him." (Mtt 1: 24) In this way he was obedient to God just as Our Lady was when she consented to bear the Son of God even though she was a virgin. Joseph does this even though he knows that his reputation as a "righteous man" will suffer even more leaving him open to public scorn and mockery. That Jesus' parentage was questioned is indicated in the Gospel of John when in dispute with the Pharisees they say: " 'We are not illegitimate children; we have one father, God himself'." (Jn 8:41) In doing so they cast shade on Jesus' parentage which may be a slur that followed him all his life. As we hear of the Christmas story, therefore, we are reminded of the courage and sanctity of the parents of Jesus which lay the foundation for the Holy Family which we celebrate in a feast on the Sunday after the feast of the Nativity of Jesus.

3rd Sunday of Advent

 The name Gaudete Sunday, for this day in the liturgical year, comes from the entrance antiphon in the Roman Missal: "Rejoice in the Lord, always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near." (Phil 4: 4-5) It is the counterpart of Laetare Sunday, on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, The colour rose speaks of the dawning of salvation, just as the sky can appear at sunrise. Yet, John the Baptist, suffering in prison, does not sound joyful. He asks Jesus: " 'Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?' "  (Mtt 11: 3) It is comforting that even the greatest of prophets should have moments of darkness and doubt. Let us take the advice of James in our Second Reading: "You must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near." (Jm 5: 8) The joy we experience at Mass helps to sustain us as we journey in faith as Pilgrims of Hope, not just in this Jubilee Year, but for the whole of our lives. If we are obedient to our Lord and strive to please him in prayer and work, we will witness God's power in his lives and enjoy His blessing: "And blessed is anyone who takes not offense at me." (Mtt 11: 6)

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

 As we look at the prayers in the Roman Missal for the Immaculate Conception we find them to be full of doctrine that explains the significance of this mystery. We are told in the Collect that: "you (God) preserved her (Our Lady) from every stain by virtue of the Death of your Son, which you foresaw, so, through her intercession, we too, may be cleansed and admitted to your presence." In the Prayer over the Offerings we pray: "and grant that, as we profess her, on account of your prevenient grace, to be untouched by any stain of sin, so, through her intercession we may be freed from all our faults." The Preface teaches: "She, the most pure Virgin, was to bring forth a Son, the innocent Lamb who would wipe away our offences; you placed her above all others to be for your people an advocate of grace and a model for holiness." Lastly, in the Prayer after Communion, we ask: "May the Sacrament we have received, O Lord our God, heal in us the wounds of that fault from which in a singular way you preserved Blessed Mary in her Immaculate Conception." All of this teases out the implications of the angel's words to Mary in the Gospel: "Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you." (Lk 1: 28) and "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God." (Lk 1: 30) Clearly, the privilege granted to Our Lady was not merely for her benefit. It also serves to make more efficacious her intercession for the Church and mediates more effectively the mercy of God. Let us use this opportunity to renew our faith and trust in God's providential love and the prayers of Our Lady.

2nd Sunday of Advent

 John the Baptist tells his followers: "I baptize you with water for repentance" (Mtt 3: 11). Christian baptism is an adoption into Christ Jesus: "For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, 'Abba! Father! it is that very Spirit bearing witness without spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ - if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him." (Rm 8: 15-17) Advent is a season of preparation and repentance. We realize that left to our own devices we can fall back into attitudes of presumption and entitlement just like the Jewish people were in the time of John the Baptist: "Do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our ancestor'; for I tell you , God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham." (Mtt 5: 9) If we engage with the message of Advent, we will discover afresh not just the mystery of the Incarnation but also the dignity that we are called to as missionary disciples to follow Jesus and bring forth fruit for the Kingdom. In this way Advent can be for us a season of transformation and increased holiness that results in a harvest of joy.