Mt 2:13-23 The Holy Family

Mt 2:13-23 The Holy Family

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This morning, the Holy Father reminded us that once again, “the earth is stained with blood.” Christmas day attacks on Christians left many dead, too many, and countless injured throughout the world, especially in the Philippines and Nigeria. May the birth of the Lord open our hearts to hear his sweet words, “Love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 13:34).

I think we can safely say that we have tried every conceivable way to be happy without God. We have tried and tried and we have come up miserably short. Worse still, we have tried to export our technology, our fancy gadgets and trends, our way of life to other cultures and peoples and they have wholeheartedly rejected it. There appears to be bitterness and resentment throughout the world for anything that is from the West, especially from the United States. Not too long ago, when the Holy Father John Paul II visited communist Poland, the million and plus crowd began to shout, “We want God! We want God! We want God!” A shiny star was shining over Poland.

It appears as though everything they had was not enough without God.

We can no longer contemplate the manger scene. The Holy Family is on the run. Evil men, angry men and powerful men are already out to destroy the child Jesus. They will stop at nothing to get him; resorting to the indiscriminate murder of “innocent” children. Joseph and Mary must run, and run as far away as possible. We can learn a lot from this family as they make their way away from Bethlehem and from Israel.

Saying “yes” to God means becoming a target. Christians are targets. We go against the culture; against the current. We are an eye sore to many. We don’t follow the crowd. We cannot be packaged and shipped away. We simply do not disappear. The Holy Family continues to live according to God’s plan, and in the end, to everyone’s surprise, they reappear as their enemies disappear.

Simple is Special. The world continues to mass produce its products for happiness. We have seen it all. We are told, “This will make you happier” or “This will make you live better.” Communism: Everyone will have a job. Free health care. No taxes. We will take care of you from birth to death! Sounds great! The results were horrible. Nazism: Everyone will have a job and we will gain the world’s respect! Sounds great, but the results were tragic. Many have come before us. Many have promised so much to us. But in the end, it was worse than before. The Holy Family had only each other, and they had everything. No special graces were given to them except some divine warnings through dreams. Joseph had to find a job and work. Mary had to save and make do with what they had. They had to pay taxes and they had to manage their budget. But the birth of a child is a blessing and helps a family stay united. The child Jesus did nothing practical to help. But help he did! He was present throughout Mary and Joseph’s life. A child helps to remind us of why we are here and what we are here for. It is a simple remedy to hardship, despair and depression. These are things we struggle with more than ever before.

Let us meditate on the Holy Family this Christmas Octave. Today, let the Lord remind you of the promise he made to his Disciples: “My grace (my presence) is sufficient for you."

Lk 2:1-14 Christmas Poem

Lk 2:1-14 Christmas Poem

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Just a little reminder from a sweet little angel:

It was on a cold night like this, a night unlike others,

the first of all miracles was truly born.

It cannot be forgotten that Emperors and Empires ruled throughout the earth.

Death and destruction filled so many with hurt.

Screams from the innocent, of sadness and loss,

were far too common throughout our earth.

Like so many nights before,

it appeared as if hope had gone to fear.

But it was during this night that hope reappeared

and awakened poor Shepherds who were out in the fields.

In the darkness of the sky, a bright star broke the night.

A child had been born, the true lamb had appeared.

The First and the Greatest,

The Last and the Lowliest was born on this day

and gave us true sight.

Emperors awakened with fear.

Empires all trembled in fear.

How right they were, for they would all disappear.

But the Wise of the world looked up and agreed,

this star in the Heavens would point them to their King.

In His Kingdom God chooses the humble to make them strong.

God chooses the poor to inherit it all.

God chooses a village as the City for all.

So we should always remember,

that the greatest of all,

are the tiniest of persons,

born in the remotest of places, and

found among the poorest of races.

Tonight, the Savior of the world is born!

So do not fear a single thing,

you are very much loved by our Savior and King.

Jn 1:1-18 In The Beginning

Jn 1:1-18 In The Beginning

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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Today, we celebrate the Word becoming flesh and living among us. Let us reflect for a moment the scene in Bethlehem. There is much to learn from that moment in time when Christ was born. St. Francis understood this well when he constructed the first manger in 1226.

He chose to be born a child. The Holy Father, Pope Benedict, recently mentioned in a Christmas BBC radio broadcast to the English people that “God is always faithful to his promises, but he often surprises us in the way he fulfils them. AMEN to that! He chose to be born as a child – and a poor child at that. He chose to live among a poor family, a poor nation, a nation under occupation. Someone recently told me that the largest minority in the world is children. Christ wished to live among us as a child. He wishes to be one with us in everything, even in the helpless state of a baby boy. This is the greatness of the Lord: that he would become small for us. Humility trumps all - all empires, all armies, and all forces.

Mary and Joseph put God first. They allowed God to change all their plans. They allowed themselves to put God first in their lives. They made a place for him. And we know what happens when we do that: God puts us first in his life. How do we know that God is real? Make room for him. Open a place in your heart for the child Jesus. Do not allow your plans to get in the way of the greatness of the Lord. There is a lot we will never understand. But with God, all things will come to good. “All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God” (Ps. 98:3). The Shepherds were hesitant to come. It was night. It was cold. It may have been raining. They may have been exhausted. But when they saw the star, they decided, by God’s grace, to set aside all the temptations they had not seeking the meaning of the star. They moved. They saw. They believed. Sometimes we have to take the first steps in order to see the Lord face to face. God exists. I need to open my eyes to see his face.

God’s Love for us. Why did God come to us? Why did he become one of us? I have mentioned this before. The only explanation I have is since God is Love, then he must be crazy! Love is crazy! We do crazy things when we are in love. We make a fool of ourselves to attract the one we love. Love does crazy things. God is love and God is crazy. He keeps his promises but be often surprises us in the way he fulfils them. Today, the Lord speaks to us loud and clear: I will do whatever it takes to win your love. We believe in a God that wants to be loved, wants to be my best friend, and is dying to be my hero! God’s love is crazy enough. We should imitate it and bring heaven to earth to all those who are around us.

Where is Heaven? Wherever the Lord is. Today, he is lying in a manger.

Heavenly Father, you gave us your heart on Christmas Day, your son, our Savior. Through Him, you taught us how to love, forgive and give. We beg you; give us a heart more like yours! We ask this in the one name that saves all mankind, Jesus the Lord. Amen.

P.S. Merry Christmas to all! Thank you for all your love and support. May the Lord continue to bless you now and forever. These meditations have been a blessing for me and I hope for you too.

Lk 1:67-79 The Face of God

Lk 1:67-79 The Face of God

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The birth of Jesus begs a great question that must be asked. What did Jesus bring to the world? What has he brought? This question, which is The Question, brings great fear to all of us for if we do not know the answer, then we should all be afraid. What has Jesus given the world? Peace? Harmony? An end to war, poverty, sickness and illness? A better world?

Take two minutes before reading the answer. Ready? Do you give up?

The answer is simple: God. He has brought God.

We know who God is because we know who Jesus is. Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict) writes,

“We ought not to judge the originality of Jesus merely by isolated sayings or deeds. The Cross is something new in the way he accepts it and suffers it. The Resurrection is new. Even the virgin birth is new. The message of loving God and loving one’s neighbor as fulfilling the whole of the law, or the Eucharist, through which he shares himself in his risen life, these are all enormous innovations that he brings into the world. All of these reflect what is absolutely new: that is to say, that God is no longer just in heaven; God is no longer Other, the incomprehensible One, but he is now also the One who is near us, who has become identified with us, who touches us and is touched by us, the one whom we can receive and who will receive us! In this sense, the entire originality of Jesus lies in himself – as a unity of God and man. (God and the World)

The Lord has truly set us free. He is the God of the living, the God who loves and wants to be loved, the God of mercy and compassion and the God who is and wants to be my best friend.

The Lord stands as a giant, though he came as a child.

He lives in his creation, as if he were just a man.

He knows how to cry. He knows how to laugh.

He knows how to live because he knows how to love.

The Creator is a child and Joseph, a creature, is his dad.

The roles have been reversed, the world has been turned upside down. The stimulus package has been revealed. In other words, I don’t have to be a CEO, or CFO, or UFO, or a billionaire, or the inventor of Facebook, or a Pop Artist to make a difference in the world. In fact, all I need to be is a child of faith, hope and love. This is what makes the world go around. All I need to be is a child at heart! That is, meek and humble of heart.

Why do we love the underdog? Why do we defend the weak and the innocent? Why do we grow angry and disgusted when we see an injustice carried out or a love betrayed? Because we were created in our Creator’s image and likeness. We were created to be small so that we could be great! Now as Christians we are set apart, called to be even smaller, yet giants in the eyes of Christ.

The Lord in his birth revealed the greatest qualities capable of man: Faith, hope and love. But above all, he shines in his meekness and humility of heart. The Lord loves the underdog for he is under God.

Lk 1:57-66 The Hand of The Lord

Lk 1:57-66 The Hand of The Lord

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In the final days leading up to the birth of Christ, let us ask the Lord Jesus to be close to him through Mary’s heart. O Come Divine Messiah!

There was great jubilation over the birth of John. I wonder how much of it was concentrated on the fact that Elizabeth could not conceive a child. The miracle that was truly taking place was the birth of the forerunner of the Messiah. John would point the way to the Lord. There must always be someone who points the way and to The Way. Have we not all learned our faith from another? Did they not learn their faith from one before them? Not too long ago I was speaking to a southern Baptist who told me that the Catholic Church is the rock of all Christian Communities. He said, “If the Catholics fall we all fall!” The Catholic Church is the Rock, and for this reason it is attacked from every single possible or conceivable angle! The Catholic faith if the Mother Faith, and for this reason it is and will be attacked from head to toe, limb to limb.

What will this child be? He will be stronger than ever! He will not allow weakness or nuisance to damper or tamper his sole purpose for living. The Lord sends each and every one of us for the same purpose – to proclaim, to all who will listen, the coming of the Lord.

We are the Lord’s prophets. We are the Lord’s messengers. We are the Lord’s Apostles! We are the Lord’s disciples! We have received far more than any of our ancestors received. We have received grace upon grace, mercy beyond all imagining, love beyond all comprehension, and understanding beyond all human reasoning. We know more than John the Baptist did. We know more than maybe even the Apostles fully comprehended. With all that we have received, we are now asked to give it back, to share it with others and to be fruitful and multiply. It started with one, it must end for all!

John is his name. Not a very common name back then. Today, it is very common name thanks to people like St. John the Baptist, St. John of the Cross, St. John the Evangelist! His name means so much more today than what it did back then. How many Saints have taken this name? How many men and women have lived by this name? Not only John but Peter, Paul, Matthew, Mark, Luke, etc… Let us never forget the strong tradition we have in naming our children after Saints – those who were after His heart.

What, then will this child be? Only the best, for “the hand of the Lord was with him.” John proved to be a true superhero because he was after only one thing: The Lord’s heart.

Take me by the hand O Lord; lead me along your path.

May I always find warmth and peace as you hold me by my hand.

I wish never to look back, or regret a single step.

Take me by the hand O Lord; lead me home at last.

Lk 1:46-56 Exultavit Humiles

Lk 1:46-56 Exultavit Humiles

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“The LORD raises the needy from the dust; from the dung heap he lifts up the poor, to seat them with nobles and make a glorious throne their heritage” (1 Sam 2:8).

My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior!

Heavenly Father, I am nothing without you. My heart can only exult in you, my Lord, my Savior! Where would I be without you? Forever Lost. Today is a big day. Today I must set my heart towards heaven. I must recommit myself to you, my God and my Lord.

Mary leads the way for she knows The Way! I shall proclaim the greatness of the Lord. Yes, proclaim his greatness. I will not allow the devil to ruin this day. I will not allow him to curse what is holy, to negate all that is good or to foil what must come. Mary proclaimed the greatness of the Lord. I shall do the same.

Mary’s yes turned into an eternal yes.

O Queen of Heaven and earth, all women look to you for virtue. They imitate you by placing all difficulties and trials into your heart, which is your Son’s heart. All men look upon you as their mother. You are radiant. You love. You show your tenderness upon your children by interceding for all humanity. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be worthy of the promises of your Son.

The Lord said to Mary, “You have nothing to fear.” Today, the Lord said this to me. I shall not fear. I shall not give into temptation. How can I? He has shown the strength of his arm. He raises the meek and humble of heart and crushes the pride of men. He lifts his finger for the poor, the sick, the lonely and the abandoned. He has mercy on those who fear him. All generations who have turned to the Lord have seen the strength, the power, the glory of the Lord. Turn to Him for He is our God and Savior. Turn to Him and fear no more!

O Mother, I turn to you today and ask you for your blessing. Mary, you saw your son, you saw his heavenly face. Allow all who are united in prayer to experience a glimpse, a flash of your Son’s face. How I wish to see his love, his mercy, his compassion. How I wish to experience his warmth, his breath, his hand upon my face. I need this Mary. I wish to know the Lord simply in my heart. I know why I must love him. Today, I wish to experience him; I wish to draw near to him.

Mary spent three months with her cousin Elizabeth. Mary, stay with me and bless my home, my family, my work, my prayer, my heart and my life with your presence. Carry your son into my heart for I need him there with me.

Lk 1:39-45 The Visit

Lk 1:39-45 The Visit

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Last night was a resounding success. We had many parishioners and non-parishioners attend our Advent penitential service. Over four hundred came to see, hear and feel the love, mercy and compassion of God our Father. Although it took forever to go through the line and to hear so many confessions, it was blessing upon blessing. Some had not been to Confession in a few months; many others had not gone in a few years. Some, a few, had not been to Confession in decades! Last night, I am sure the Lord blessed each and every one of them with his presence, patience and love.

Mary set out. Once Mary received the call from the angel, she immediately set out to see her cousin Elizabeth. She immediately set out to share the Good News. As I have mentioned before, the Lord wants us to evangelize all – even those who have been touched by a miracle. The Good News is not something that is reserved for a few. It is for all! We all need Good News. We all need it now! What did Mary share with her cousin if not but the beautiful, wonderful things that the Lord had done for her? Is this not the meaning of evangelization? To share with the world the wonderful things that God has done in our lives? Today is beautiful. Tomorrow may not be so beautiful. “Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song” (Ps 33: 1a,3a). Our lives are changed and transformed with tears of joy and tears of pain. Both are essential ingredients for bringing about an interior conversion of heart, soul and mind. We don’t see the pains of sorrow, but they will come. Mary knew this all too quickly. I have learned that a tremendous blessing from the Lord is usually followed by tremendous pain or vice versa. We only appreciate how far we have come when we look back and see how far we had fallen.

Nothing is hidden that will not be revealed. The wayward, the estranged, the rebellious, the fallen have a mansion awaiting them courtesy of the Lord. The Catholic Church is the only institution in the world that does not kick its fallen away members out, but rather invites them to come back home – even when they have broken all the rules or commandments! The Catholic Church is beautiful, in my opinion, because instead of asking you to get out, she prefers to help you out. The Confession is one way of helping out a soul to come back home.

Blessed are you who believed. God is very realistic. He knows each of us by name. His grace does not operate on fictional characters. No. His grace operates on real people – on you and me. What a difference between man and God! Man’s best friend is a dog only because it does what we tell it to do and does not often complain. Whereas God’s best friend is man, who does the complete opposite and complains all the time! We love to block the Holy Spirit’s action because we have a hard time accepting who we are. The miracles begin when we can finally accept, admit who we are and allow the Holy Spirit to change us for the better! Blessed are you who believed!

This Advent let us set out like Mary, who accepted the message of the angel, who set out to spread the Good News, and who accepted the lead role in the Lord’s incredible plan of salvation. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Mary’s life changed, our lives changed and world history changed forever.

Reflect on the power of the Holy Spirit. Ask yourself what changed in your life once you accepted the Lord into your life. I am sure a lot did!