December 25, 2010
The Nativity of the Lord Christmas
Mass at Midnight
The Nativity of the Lord Christmas
Mass at Midnight
Reading 1
2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. They lived in a land of shadows, but now light is shining on them. 3 You have given them great joy, Lord; you have made them happy. They rejoice in what you have done, as people rejoice when they harvest grain or when they divide captured wealth. 4 For you have broken the yoke that burdened them and the rod that beat their shoulders. You have defeated the nation that oppressed and exploited your people, just as you defeated the army of Midian long ago. 5 The boots of the invading army and all their bloodstained clothing will be destroyed by fire. 6 A child is born to us! A son is given to us! And he will be our ruler. He will be called, "Wonderful Counselor," "Mighty God," "Eternal Father," "Prince of Peace."
Whatever the original intention of the author, we see this passage fulfilled in Jesus whose birth we celebrate today. This is the inspirited Word and God, even without the human author’s knowing it has his own plan in mind. Jesus is the light, the cause of joy, the one who breaks the yoke of misery, and the rod of oppression, has put down the mighty and raised the lowly, filled the empty with good things and sent the rich away empty. He is the Son born to us. He is our ruler and Mighty God who has humbled himself ‘to pitch his tent among us’ But what is the use unless you too experience him through prayer, meet him in other people and serve him in the poor, oppressed and suffering?
Responsorial Psalm
R. (Lk 2:11) Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
Reading 2
Beloved:
The grace of God has appeared, saving all
and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires
and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age,
as we await the blessed hope,
the appearance of the glory of our great God
and savior Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness
and to cleanse for himself a people as his own,
eager to do what is good.
The grace of God has appeared, saving all
and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires
and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age,
as we await the blessed hope,
the appearance of the glory of our great God
and savior Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness
and to cleanse for himself a people as his own,
eager to do what is good.
‘Godless ways and worldly desires’ may look attractive at first. But our experience is that they all turn to dust. Happiness can only be found in a right relationship with Jesus. He alone is the source of joy. Sin and lack of faith lead us nowhere except into darkness. Would that we can have an experience of Jesus. In him God’s goodness has appeared today.
Gospel
At that time Emperor Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 When this first census took place, Quirinius was the governor of Syria. 3 Everyone, then, went to register himself, each to his own hometown. 4 Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to the town of Bethlehem in Judea, the birthplace of King David. Joseph went there because he was a descendant of David. 5 He went to register with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him. She was pregnant, 6 and while they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have her baby. 7 She gave birth to her first son, wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger - there was no room for them to stay in the inn. 8 There were some shepherds in that part of the country who were spending the night in the fields, taking care of their flocks. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone over them. They were terribly afraid, 10 but the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. 11 This very day in David's town your Savior was born - Christ the Lord! 12 And this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13 Suddenly a great army of heaven's angels appeared with the angel, singing praises to God: 14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased!"
Jesus is good news. He is the Lord – God himself. He is our Saviour. He will not use force to make us turn to him As a Lover he longs for each one. He longs for you. He humbles himself coming as a baby, born to poor parents in a remote and isolated place. He will not wield influence over our choice. He wants our love but without the adulteration of selfish gain. He wants our love but given in absolute freedom. Today let us break through the formality of religious practice and enter into a personal relationship with Jesus. He looks for those who come to him in spirit and in truth. In the darkness of faith but also in truth we can meet the One who came for us. I must be aware that he came for me. Are you? Will Christmas make a difference to you?
December 25, 2010
The Nativity of the Lord Christmas
Mass at Dawn
The Nativity of the Lord Christmas
Mass at Dawn
Reading 1
The Lord is announcing to all the earth: "Tell the people of Jerusalem That the Lord is coming to save you, Bringing with him the people he has rescued." 12 You will be called "God's Holy People," "The People the Lord Has Saved." Jerusalem will be called "The City That God Loves," "The City That God Did Not Forsake."
Isaiah was writing in a political setting. The Israelites were in exile. Their Temple was destroyed. Some did return and did build a Temple which could not be compared with the previous one. But his word is the inspired Word and we see this fulfilled in Christ. We too must still live by faith. This Word is being fulfilled for everyone who accepts the Lord Jesus but its glorious fulfillment is still in the future. But for those who open themselves to him, Jesus will save them now. This is the meaning of his name. He will save us from our sins.
Responsorial Psalm
R. A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many isles be glad.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
Ti 3:4-7
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many isles be glad.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
Ti 3:4-7
Reading 2
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior was revealed, 5 he saved us. It was not because of any good deeds that we ourselves had done, but because of his own mercy that he saved us, through the Holy Spirit, who gives us new birth and new life by washing us. 6 God poured out the Holy Spirit abundantly on us through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that by his grace we might be put right with God and come into possession of the eternal life we hope for.
Jesus is the kindness and love of God in human form. Look at Jesus and you see the kindness and the love of God for you. Jesus saves everyone who surrenders himself to him. He is the Savour. We do not save ourselves by obeying his commandments. We cannot save our souls, only he can do that through the outpouring of the Spirit who cleanses us of sin and gives us the life of God through rebirth..
Gospel
When the angels went away from them to heaven,
the shepherds said to one another,
“Let us go, then, to Bethlehem
to see this thing that has taken place,
which the Lord has made known to us.”
So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to them.
the shepherds said to one another,
“Let us go, then, to Bethlehem
to see this thing that has taken place,
which the Lord has made known to us.”
So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to them.
God’s ways are not our ways. He is born in the secrecy and humiliation of a stable. Mighty God, he appears in the weakness of a new born baby. The first to be invited to meet him are the marginalized and outcasts of society. The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem and in the darkness they found Mary, Joseph and the child. By the Word spoken to them by the angel they could penetrate the darkness of the stable and see the glory of God. Mary ponders the inner meaning of it all. Today it is the same. God comes in the simplicity of the bread and wine. He remains with us in the hidden mystery of the Eucharist in our churches. We can see nothing as in the crib. Do you follow Mary and ponder the meaning and so meet Jesus in the Real Presence and become his friend.
No comments:
Post a Comment