December 27, 2010
Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist
Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist
Reading 1
Beloved:
What was from the beginning,
what we have heard,
what we have seen with our eyes,
what we looked upon
and touched with our hands
concerns the Word of life
for the life was made visible;
we have seen it and testify to it
and proclaim to you the eternal life
that was with the Father and was made visible to us
what we have seen and heard
we proclaim now to you,
so that you too may have fellowship with us;
for our fellowship is with the Father
and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
We are writing this so that our joy may be complete.
What was from the beginning,
what we have heard,
what we have seen with our eyes,
what we looked upon
and touched with our hands
concerns the Word of life
for the life was made visible;
we have seen it and testify to it
and proclaim to you the eternal life
that was with the Father and was made visible to us
what we have seen and heard
we proclaim now to you,
so that you too may have fellowship with us;
for our fellowship is with the Father
and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
We are writing this so that our joy may be complete.
We have called ‘the Beloved Disciple” John, the Evangelist. His message is that Jesus is real, a real human being and at the same time truly Son of God. God’s great gift to us is the call to fellowship. It is a fellowship by which we receive every blessing in the heavenly places. As the Son became man, so we his brothers and sisters will become God. What Jesus is by nature we are called to be by God’s free gift, his grace. This is worked out in those who surrender by the Holy Spirit.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (12) Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many isles be glad.
Clouds and darkness are around him,
justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many isles be glad.
Clouds and darkness are around him,
justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
Gospel
On the first day of the week,
Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
“They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we do not know where they put him.”
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first;
he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
When Simon Peter arrived after him,
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,
and the cloth that had covered his head,
not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in,
the one who had arrived at the tomb first,
and he saw and believed.
Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
“They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we do not know where they put him.”
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first;
he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
When Simon Peter arrived after him,
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,
and the cloth that had covered his head,
not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in,
the one who had arrived at the tomb first,
and he saw and believed.
Peter represents the appointed leaders of the Church community. The “disciple whom Jesus loved” represents the unknown and so insignificant member of the community who has no public office but who loves Jesus. It is love burning within one, whether leader or simple member, that brings a person to the tomb first. It is love for Jesus which gives a member a precious position, because it brings her or him into the heart of Jesus. We should strive to love Jesus not to have some position in the Church. Love for Jesus will compel us to work for him. The more love the more work. Love will enliven our faith and we will experience the risen Lord in our lives. Without love we may know theology, we may ‘see’ the burial cloths and the neatly arranged tomb but will it touch our heart? Has it touched yours? Has Jesus risen for you?
December 28, 2010
Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs
Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs
Reading 1
Beloved:
This is the message that we have heard from Jesus Christ
and proclaim to you:
God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.
If we say, “We have fellowship with him,”
while we continue to walk in darkness,
we lie and do not act in truth.
But if we walk in the light as he is in the light,
then we have fellowship with one another,
and the Blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin.
If we say, “We are without sin,”
we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just
and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.
If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar,
and his word is not in us.
This is the message that we have heard from Jesus Christ
and proclaim to you:
God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.
If we say, “We have fellowship with him,”
while we continue to walk in darkness,
we lie and do not act in truth.
But if we walk in the light as he is in the light,
then we have fellowship with one another,
and the Blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin.
If we say, “We are without sin,”
we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just
and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.
If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar,
and his word is not in us.
My children, I am writing this to you
so that you may not commit sin.
But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous one.
He is expiation for our sins,
and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.
so that you may not commit sin.
But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous one.
He is expiation for our sins,
and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.
To walk in darkness is to walk without love. Love is to be the Christian’s life. The Commandments give us the border beyond which we cannot pass if we have any love in us. To commit the sins forbidden is to show we are bereft of love for God and our neighbour. But we are called to have limitless love: as I have loved you, so you must love one another. We are always imperfect. Jesus is our advocate with the Father pleading for the Holy Spirit through whom we can alone become perfect. We come to Jesus as did so many in the Gospels: lepers, the blind, the lame, the deaf, the sinful, the repentant. In some way we are all of these.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (7) Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.
Had not the LORD been with us—
When men rose up against us,
then would they have swallowed us alive,
When their fury was inflamed against us.
Had not the LORD been with us—
When men rose up against us,
then would they have swallowed us alive,
When their fury was inflamed against us.
Gospel
When the magi had departed, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,
“Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,
and stay there until I tell you.
Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night
and departed for Egypt.
He stayed there until the death of Herod,
that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled,
Out of Egypt I called my son .
the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,
“Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,
and stay there until I tell you.
Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night
and departed for Egypt.
He stayed there until the death of Herod,
that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled,
Out of Egypt I called my son .
When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi,
he became furious.
He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity
two years old and under,
in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi.
Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:
he became furious.
He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity
two years old and under,
in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi.
Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:
A voice was heard in Ramah,
sobbing and loud lamentation;
Rachel weeping for her children,
and she would not be consoled,
since they were no more.
sobbing and loud lamentation;
Rachel weeping for her children,
and she would not be consoled,
since they were no more.
Jesus is a member of the Chosen People and their head. Like his ancestors he too must go down into Egypt as a refugee. They went to be saved from death and so does Jesus. Like his namesake, Joseph son of Jacob, God speaks to this Joseph through dreams. Like the Israelites Jesus too faces a wicked king who seeks to kill him as Pharaoh Moses. As in the time of the destruction of Jerusalem and the massacre of its people so again the people of Judah cry out in distress. Anyone associated with Jesus will have to suffer. The Cross faces all who are with Christ. Those who endure it for his sake will receive the crown of glory. Jesus is the Saviour of all who give their lives for him. He brings the Chosen People to their final glory. Do you belong to the suffering and faithful Messiah?
Reading 1
Reading 1
Reading 1
Reading 1
December 29, 2010
The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Reading 1
Beloved:
The way we may be sure that we know Jesus
is to keep his commandments.
Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments
is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoever keeps his word,
the love of God is truly perfected in him.
This is the way we may know that we are in union with him:
whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked.
The way we may be sure that we know Jesus
is to keep his commandments.
Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments
is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoever keeps his word,
the love of God is truly perfected in him.
This is the way we may know that we are in union with him:
whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked.
Beloved, I am writing no new commandment to you
but an old commandment that you had from the beginning.
The old commandment is the word that you have heard.
And yet I do write a new commandment to you,
which holds true in him and among you,
for the darkness is passing away,
and the true light is already shining.
Whoever says he is in the light,
yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness.
Whoever loves his brother remains in the light,
and there is nothing in him to cause a fall.
Whoever hates his brother is in darkness;
he walks in darkness
and does not know where he is going
because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
but an old commandment that you had from the beginning.
The old commandment is the word that you have heard.
And yet I do write a new commandment to you,
which holds true in him and among you,
for the darkness is passing away,
and the true light is already shining.
Whoever says he is in the light,
yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness.
Whoever loves his brother remains in the light,
and there is nothing in him to cause a fall.
Whoever hates his brother is in darkness;
he walks in darkness
and does not know where he is going
because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
The religion taught by Jesus can be summed up in the one word ‘love’ but to love is not an easy thing to do. It is very easy to love the whole world, very difficult to love one individual. Love begins with realising that each person is precious to God and for whom he is willing to become a human being and suffer their rejection and even a torturous death at their hands in order to appeal to them, without pressurizing them, to leave the life of darkness and enter into the light of love which he offers now in faith and later in glory. If precious to God then each person should be precious to me. We are to imitate God.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (11a) Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Gospel
When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
according to the law of Moses,
the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
“Lord, now let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you prepared in the sight of every people,
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.”
your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you prepared in the sight of every people,
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
(and you yourself a sword will pierce)
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
The infancy stories are not just stories of a mother and her child. They are proclamations of the Gospel that Jesus is the Christ, Saviour of the world. Here the Messiah comes to the Temple. In the Temple the angel announced the birth of his forerunner. Jesus will teach in the Temple. He will become the new Temple for all nations. Simeon represents the Israel which longs for the Messiah. He prophecies that Jesus will be a sign to be rejected by many in Israel. Matthew in his infancy story had proclaimed the same by his account of Herod and all Jerusalem being disturbed at the birth of the ‘child born to be king’. The shadow of the Cross falls on Mother and Child. It is through the Cross that he will become the ‘light to the nations’. Do you live your life in his light?and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
(and you yourself a sword will pierce)
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
December 30, 2010
The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas
The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Reading 1
I write to you, my children, because your sins are forgiven for the sake of Christ. 13 I write to you, fathers, because you know him who has existed from the beginning. I write to you, young people, because you have defeated the Evil One. 14 I write to you, my children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who has existed from the beginning. I write to you, young people, because you are strong; the word of God lives in you, and you have defeated the Evil One. 15 Do not love the world or anything that belongs to the world. If you love the world, you do not love the Father. 16 Everything that belongs to the world - what the sinful self desires, what people see and want, and everything in this world that people are so proud of - none of this comes from the Father; it all comes from the world. 17 The world and everything in it that people desire is passing away; but those who do the will of God live forever.
The Evil One is everywhere infiltrating everything. The story of the Garden of Eden goes on endlessly and so many listen to the promptings of the Evil One and sin against God. This is the world we must not love. It crucified Jesus. We have to overcome the Evil One. He encourages us to control our selfish inclinations - what the sinful self desires, what people see and want, and everything in this world that people are so proud of. This leads us nowhere and leaves us feeling empty. Only the friendship of Jesus gives us satisfaction. We need to pray for this gift.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (11a) Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Give to the LORD, you families of nations,
give to the LORD glory and praise;
give to the LORD the glory due his name!
Give to the LORD, you families of nations,
give to the LORD glory and praise;
give to the LORD the glory due his name!
Gospel
There was a prophetess, Anna,
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was advanced in years,
having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the temple,
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
And coming forward at that very time,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was advanced in years,
having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the temple,
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
And coming forward at that very time,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee,
to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.
In Israel as in the Church those closest to God are often those insignificant in the eyes of the institution. Anna was such. She is a symbol of true Israel. She is a widow and spends her time in the Temple praying night and day as she longs to see the One whom God will send. He is the Bridegroom. Like Anna we too are to have our minds and hearts focused on Jesus alone as we look forward to his coming. Jesus tells us to pray constantly as we long for him to come and establish his Kingdom. While living in this world we should also be ‘the poor of Yahweh’, desiring only that which is needed for our life and sharing the rest with those who need it more than we. Full of love for him, we too will speak to others of him. Do you mirror Anna?of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee,
to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.
December 31, 2010
The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas
The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas
Reading 1
Children, it is the last hour;
and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming,
so now many antichrists have appeared.
Thus we know this is the last hour.
They went out from us, but they were not really of our number;
if they had been, they would have remained with us.
Their desertion shows that none of them was of our number.
But you have the anointing that comes from the Holy One,
and you all have knowledge.
I write to you not because you do not know the truth
but because you do, and because every lie is alien to the truth.
The first hour was the hour of darkness, the fruit of Adam’s sin. Then with the birth of Christ Jesus the light dawned in the darkness and we were saved from sin and the wounds of sin. We now long for the complete salvation that will be ours with the coming of Christ in glory. Meanwhile we are surrounded by ‘antichrists’. However we need not fear if we are daily anointed by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth and the power and energy of God and he is forever with those who call on him.and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming,
so now many antichrists have appeared.
Thus we know this is the last hour.
They went out from us, but they were not really of our number;
if they had been, they would have remained with us.
Their desertion shows that none of them was of our number.
But you have the anointing that comes from the Holy One,
and you all have knowledge.
I write to you not because you do not know the truth
but because you do, and because every lie is alien to the truth.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (11a) Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name;
announce his salvation, day after day.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name;
announce his salvation, day after day.
Gospel
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
A man named John was sent from God.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world,
and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own,
but his own people did not accept him.
and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own,
but his own people did not accept him.
But to those who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to those who believe in his name,
who were born not by natural generation
nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision
but of God.
he gave power to become children of God,
to those who believe in his name,
who were born not by natural generation
nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision
but of God.
And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son,
full of grace and truth.
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son,
full of grace and truth.
John testified to him and cried out, saying,
“This was he of whom I said,
‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.’”
From his fullness we have all received,
grace in place of grace,
because while the law was given through Moses,
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God.
The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side,
has revealed him.
In the other Gospels we come to know who Jesus at the end. The gentile centurion proclaims, ‘Surely he was the Son of God’. In John we come to know Jesus in the first sentence. He is God’s Word and is God himself. This Word has become a human being and reveals the Father to us. It is only through Jesus that we can understand our life, for he is the source of the life we experience. The world has no meaning without him. The world we know, the life we live, the situation in which we are only find meaning in him. To have the fullness of life we must get to know him, become intimate with him. This is an ongoing effort throughout life as we live in the darkness of faith. But persistent prayer brings his light into our lives. Has the light dawned in your life?“This was he of whom I said,
‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.’”
From his fullness we have all received,
grace in place of grace,
because while the law was given through Moses,
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God.
The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side,
has revealed him.
January 1, 2011
The Octave Day of Christmas
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
The Octave Day of Christmas
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
Reading 1
The Lord commanded Moses 23 to tell Aaron and his sons to use the following words in blessing the people of Israel: 24 May the Lord bless you and take care of you; 25 May the Lord be kind and gracious to you; 26 May the Lord look on you with favor and give you peace. 27 And the Lord said, "If they pronounce my name as a blessing upon the people of Israel, I will bless them."
Our life is so fragile. Anything can happen to us. This blessing gives us confidence. Let us invoke it on ourselves and our loved ones everyday of the year.Responsorial Psalm
R. (2a) May God bless us in his mercy.
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
Reading 2
But when the right time finally came, God sent his own Son. He came as the son of a human mother and lived under the Jewish Law, 5 to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we might become God's children. 6 To show that you are his children, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who cries out, "Father, my Father." 7 So then, you are no longer a slave but a child. And since you are his child, God will give you all that he has for his children.
God the Son became man that we might become as he is in the glory of God. Through the Holy Spirit we are already the children of God and can call God “Daddy’ as the word “Abba” means. Our relationship with God gives us intimacy and confidence and a genuine hope for the future. If we live in his hands we have nothing to fear and everything to expect “when the right time” finally comes.
Gospel
The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem 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.
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.
When eight days were completed for his circumcision,
he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel
before he was conceived in the womb.
he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel
before he was conceived in the womb.
A New Year has dawned. What will it hold for you, for me? It’s in the hands of God but can we see God, touch him, and hear his voice? Does he live ‘out there’ or right ‘in here’? Make it your aim this year to reach out and hold him. How can I do this? God is one of us. He is a human being, a man with flesh and blood, with feelings and emotions. We can see him and touch him in Jesus. In each Mass you receive him and take him with you. He makes his home with you. Do you make yours with him? The Spirit is his gift to you and he can make Jesus ‘real’. Pray to him. He is with you. Decide to spend some time each day alone with Jesus who lives in your heart. Can you do it for your peace?
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