Many people begin the New Year with resolutions, many of which are never followed through for long. I prefer to suggest six month short-term goals. Personally, what do you want to achieve in the next six months? Spiritually, what do you want to achieve? As a member of a family, what do you want to achieve? Do one for each area. Each month check to see how you are doing. Even though you may not reach your goal, are you closer to your expectation? Life is movement forward on our journey to the Lord. Happy New Year!

 As we come to the close of 2023, it is good to look back and identify the many blessings we have received. How often it is easier for us to remember the bad things that happen to us rather than the blessings.  Sometimes we take for granted these blessings, as if we deserve them. In reality, we deserve nothing, for we are sinners. But when we give thanks to God for his blessings we are doing what is right, just and due. A grateful heart before the Lord opens us up to more of his blessings. Count your blessings and learn from your difficulties.

As we wind down this year of the Lord, it is good for us to look back over this year and ask some questions. Am I a better person now than I was at the beginning of the year? Have I grown in my relationship with God? What progress have I made in my spiritual life? What resolution did I make that I have fulfilled? What resolution was not fulfilled? What could I have done differently? Reflecting on my prayer time, is there a consistent message God has been speaking to me? If so, what have I done with it?  We take this inventory to learn from the past and to prepare for the future. For if we are not growing spiritually, we are declining.

 A Child is born; a Son is given us. Not any child, but the Son of God become Man. The gift of the Father's love to us. How can we respond to such a great gift? Continue the celebration of his birth by staying in the spirit of his birth. As much as possible stay in the spirit of the Church, which celebrates the birth of our Savior for a whole week. Christmas is not just one day to be thrown away with the wrappings of the presents. The spirit of Christmas is to be manifested by our true love for one another. That should never end. Jesus continues to come where love exists. Even though there was no room in the inn, there was room in the heart of Mary and Joseph and the Shepherds. Love enabled them to recognize him when he came.

 Last minute shopping and preparation? Don't forget the number one person on your list: Jesus! What can you give Jesus, who is the beginning and end of all? Yourself! The one thing he desires the most from you is the gift of your time and focus, even in the midst of all the business of life. He made time for you. He became Man for your sake. He gave his life for your sake, all out of infinite love. The gift of ourselves is the least we can do in response. Then, when you give this personal gift, you open your heart to the greater gift he has for you, himself. What an exchange!

 Ever thought about what life would be like if the Word did not become Man? We would still be alienated from God, living in the darkness of our sins. We would not know the Father's love and mercy. We would not share in the gift of the Holy Spirit. Death would be the end of our life, for after death there would be eternal darkness and nothingness. We would try to create our own god to no end. In the words of St. Paul, "For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh. The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not. For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want. Now if [I] do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me." (Romans 7: 18-20) But thanks be to God The Word became Flesh, sent by the Father to save us and restore us to our God-given relationship. We are blessed! Thank you God!

 Like Mary and Joseph we are on a journey. They were heading towards Bethlehem, where Emmanuel would be born and a new grace moment began. We are heading to the celebration of his birth, so that we can be open to a new grace moment in our lives. When he came, those who received him were filled with joy, their lives were changed. He comes in the present moment to fill us with his joy, which can change our lives. The shepherds left their encounter with the infant Savior sharing with others. Will we do the same?

 It is countdown. We are all probably very busy with the last minute preparations for Christmas. We have made our list and checking it twice to make sure we haven't forgotten someone or something. Wait a minute. Have we forgotten someone? It is Jesus' birth that we are celebrating. What are we doing for Jesus on his birthday, besides going to Mass? How conscious will we be of him during the day? How much time will we give him? What gift  have we prepared for him? As the slogan goes: Jesus is the reason for the season. Let's not forget about him and make it special for him.  Besides being Martha, try to be Mary also.

 

"Rivers do not drink their own water; trees do not eat their own fruit; the sun does not shine on itself, and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature. We are all born to help each other. No matter how difficult it is, life is good when you’re happy; but much better when others are happy because of you." Pope Francis.

The Son of God could have easily remained enjoying the love of the Father and the Holy Spirit. But the very nature of God's love involved only the internal love of the Persons for each other, but "ad extra" love to human beings. The Word became flesh to show us the love of God by giving his life on the cross for our salvation. He emptied himself for our sake. As we prepare for his coming, he has stressed the need for us to follow his example. We are called not to be focused on self love, but to be more focused on love of the other. God pours out his love upon us, so that we can pour our love upon others. If we keep his love only for ourselves, we will wither up in the sin of selfishness. If we share his love, we will grow in life and love.

 

Homily: Third Sunday of Advent Year B

 

Reading 1: The call of the first Sunday of Advent was: Be watchful!  Be alert! For the Lord is coming in the present moment in preparation for his final coming in glory. Last Sunday we were urged to prepare the way for his coming by conducting ourselves in holiness and devotion, namely by removing sin from our lives. This Sunday, we are encouraged to rejoice and have an attitude of joy. True joy is a sign of the Lord’s presence. As the first reading proclaimed: “I rejoice heartily in the Lord; in my god is the joy of my soul.”

 

In the first part of the first reading, Isaiah prophesies that the spirit of the Lord will anoint the promised Messiah and empower him with the mission of preaching the good news of God: love, to heal the sick and to set free those captive in the bonds of sin. All will be done as an external manifestation of God’s favor and mercy.

 

Jesus experienced the fulfillment of this prophetic promise at the moment of his baptism in the Jordan. Both he and John rejoiced. Later, Jesus shared his awareness of God’s favor upon him, when he proclaimed this same passage in the synagogue in Nazareth. But instead of rejoicing the people turned against him, refusing to accept that he was the promised One. Regardless, Jesus went about preaching, healing and setting captives free from the power of Satan. Those who accept him, rejoiced. Those who did not remained in their darkness.

 

Gospel: John, even in his austere life and mission, rejoice to prepare the way and to testify to the light of the world that was already among the people, but as yet had not been recognized. John rejoiced to be able to call people to repent as a way of preparing their hearts to recognizing and accepting the Messiah.

 

John acknowledged that he himself was not the Messiah. He said that his baptism was only a preparation sign of the saving baptism the Messiah will offer. Later, john sent some of his disciples to Jesus to confirm that John was right in pointing Jesus as the Lamb of God, the One to come.  Jesus again used signs and wonders he was doing—preaching, healing, setting captives free—as his response. John dis what God had sent him to do, namely, prepare the way, point the Messiah out, be faithful even in death

 

Reading 2: Paul picks up and continues the theme of rejoicing in the Lord. What he states sounds impossible. “Rejoice always.” As difficult as we may think this is, it is not impossible, not if the Lord is the source and end of our joy. But Paul is practical. Joy is also a result of a life being lived in Christ. He says, “Pray without ceasing—again this seems impractical. Not so, if we realize that prayer is a reflection of one’s relationship with God. Prayer is being aware of God’s presence and being in his presence and seeking to live the present moment in and for the Lord. Not impossible is our prayer is one of gratitude for God’s leading us in the present moment. Not impossible if we are attentive to the grace moment of the Holy Spirit in different situati0ons of our daily life, helping us to refrain from what is sinful.  Not impossible if we realize that it is God who is helping us to grow in holiness as we prepare to receive Christ now in the present moment as well as when he comes in glory.

 

Are we a joyful person for the most part or we a disgruntled, sad, angry person? When we are a joyful person in the Lord, what is different in our life and when we are not? What happens within us?

 

As we are watchful and preparing our hearts to welcome the present coming of Christ into our live, be joyful in anticipation and in celebration. Mary and Joseph anticipated the birth of Jesus and rejoiced. The shepherds on hearing the message of the angels hastened to find the new born Messiah and rejoiced. The Magi rejoiced. Simon and Anna rejoiced. Jesus brings joy to those who are ready to receive and respond to him in a fresh new way into their lives. His joy is contagious and so should our joy be. Someone has said: “The joy of God is man fully alive.”

 Jesus came, but nobody noticed him. John the Baptist proclaimed that the Messiah was in the midst of the people, but they were oblivious of him. If we are sharing in the Divine life of God, God is within us. How conscious are we of his presence? We could be like the people of Jesus' day and not recognize his presence. Or we can be like Mary and Joseph, living in his presence, while pondering the implications. Advent is a time for us to become more aware of his inner presence, bringing into the light the areas of darkness still within us. He is the light that dispels the darkness, if we but open the door for him. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

 Third Sunday of Advent: Gospel B

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. 

· John the Baptist was sent from God to give witness about Jesus, the Light of the world. In John’s case, this testimony was not only by words. He gave his life as well.

· To what extent are we the reflection of Jesus to others, testifying to the Light?

And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites (to him) to ask him, "Who are you?" he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, "I am not the Messiah." 

· The people for centuries had been waiting for the Messiah. When John begins to preach and attract people to himself, some of them began to speak of him as the Messiah.

· John knew who he was and who he was not. He embraced his true identity

So they asked him, "What are you then? Are you Elijah?"  

· There was some speculation that Elijah would come back before the Messiah. Even though he denies this, Jesus later on will affirm that John came in the spirit of Elijah.

· Jesus also was compared to Elijah in Matt 16.

And he said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No." 

· This refers to the prophet promised by Moses in Deut 18:15, 18.

· Jesus also was compared to the prophet in Matt 16.

So they said to him, "Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?" He said: "I am 'the voice of one crying out in the desert, "Make straight the way of the Lord,"' as Isaiah the prophet said." 

· John sees himself as the forerunner or precursor of the Messiah.  His self-identity was clear.

· Is our self-identity in Christ likewise clear?

Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet?" John answered them, "I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie." This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. 

· How often do you give witness about Jesus to others?

· What concrete actions do you feel that this gospel is asking you to do in your life?

 

"God walks into your soul with silent step. God comes to you more than you go to Him. Never will his coming be what you expect, and yet never will it disappoint. The more you respond to his gentle pressure, the greater will be your freedom.” – Ven. Fulton Sheen

As God comes to us in silence, we will only be able to perceive him in moments of silence as well. We should never think ourselves too busy for these moments of silence. If so, then we need to ask God what do we need to do to prioritize our day, so that we have those moments of silence. For if we are not attentive to the silent voice of God within, whose voice are we listening to? Time of silence with God is not wasted time. Our hearing is not as important as being present and focused on God. It is a statement of the importance and necessity of God in our lives.

 

"There are two births of Christ, one unto the world in Bethlehem; the other in the soul, when it is spiritually reborn. Men think of the former much more than the later, and celebrate it every year; but the spiritual Bethlehem is equally momentous. . . . It was the second birth that Saint Paul insisted on when he wrote from prison to his beloved people, the Ephesians, asking that Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith and that they be rooted and grounded in love. This is the second Bethlehem, or the personal relationship of the individual heart to the Lord Christ.” – Ven. Fulton Sheen

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus in the world for our sake, we need to celebrate his rebirth in us in Baptism. Hopefully, he is still within us, as we continue to share in his own divine life. He came in time in Bethlehem to give his life for us on the cross, so that we can share his life eternally. If he had not come, we would not share in his divine life now and eternally. As we prepare to celebrate his birth in time, we need also to prepare to celebrate his birth on a specific date in my life. With gratitude in our hearts we acknowledge his birth in Bethlehem and his birth in me in baptism. Both days are momentous for us. In a sense, just as his birth was necessary, so our rebirth in baptism is more important than our human birth.

 "Let's approach Christmas with an expectant hush, rather than a last-minute rush." Anonymous

Sometimes we get caught up with the commercial aspect of Christmas that we missed the fruit of the spiritual side.  There was much bustling in Bethlehem that night, so much so that there was no room in the inns. He came in the stillness of the night, in the solitude of a stable. People were so busy that they didn't notice the great event promised by God. Away from the city were Shepherds, caring for their sheep. The hush of the night was broken by the choirs of Angels, proclaiming the Good News of our salvation. For us to receive the gift of Jesus in a fresh new way this Christmas, we need, in the midst of our rush, to take some quality time for the solitude and hush of prayer.  It is there we will find the Messiah.

 

“Look up, you whose gaze is fixed on this earth, who are spellbound by the little events and changes on the face of the earth. Look up to these words, you who have turned away from heaven disappointed. Look up, you whose eyes are heavy with tears and who are heavy and who are crying over the fact that the earth has gracelessly torn us away. Look up, you who, burdened with guilt, cannot lift your eyes. Look up, your redemption is drawing near. something different from what you see daily will happen. Just be aware, be watchful, wait just another short moment. Wait and something quite new will break over you: God will come.” Dietrich von Bonhoeffer

Sometimes we can become distracted by our surroundings, that we miss the grace that God desires to give us in the present moment. Sometimes we allow the burdens of the day to weigh us down, so that all we see is the dirt of the world rather then the beautiful blue sky. Even though God saved us once through the death and resurrection of Jesus, he knows we need to remember that our salvation in an ongoing process and will not be complete until we die in Christ. We are always in need of a Savior, because we fall short so many times. He comes in his word to teach us. He comes in the Eucharist to feed and strengthen us. He comes in the Sacrament of Reconciliation to perfect us. He comes in the person of another to allow us to love and serve him. Be attentive to those moments of his coming.

 

Homily Second Sunday of Advent Year B

Reading 1: The prophetic words of Isaiah are spoken to the Jewish exiles in Babylon and to the remnant left in Jerusalem. To the former, Isaiah says that the seventy years of their exile from Jerusalem is about to end. Just as God delivered his people from their bondage in Egypt, so God will again deliver those in exile. But there will be a difference between the two manifestations of God’s power and mercy.

 Because of their ancestors’ hardness of heart and rebellion against God, it took them 40 years wandering in the desert, before they could enter into the Promised Land.  However, the return of the Babylonian exiles will be swift. God will lead them directly, because their time in exile had been a time of great cleansing. Just as the exiles from Egypt saw the glory of God but still rebelled, the exiles from Babylon will see the glory of God and rejoice.

Then the prophet speaks to the remnant left in Jerusalem. They are to be prepared to welcome the returning exiles and to proclaim the power of God to save and redeem.

Like the Shepherd guiding his sheep back home, so God will bring back his people. They were to prepare the way of the Lord in their hearts. So too must we do the same during these days of preparation for the celebration of the first coming of Jesus.

Last Sunday, we heard: Be watchful and alert. Today, we are to make ready in our lives for the new coming of Jesus in the present moment in our lives. St. John Paul II stated that Advent was a time of watchfulness, prayer and deeper conversion.

Gospel: Matthew picks up the theme from Isaiah: Prepare the way of the Lord. John the Baptist was the one who used this theme in his proclamation, calling the people of his day to expect the coming of the promised Messiah. First, he declares that the Lord is near. Secondly, he shows the people how they are to prepare: by repentance of sin. Thirdly, they are to demonstrate their decision to repent through the external sign of baptism. Fourthly, he pointed out that the one to come is greater than he. John was only the voice. Fifthly, while John was baptizing with water, the one to come will baptize with the Holy Spirit.

The message of John is just as relevant today as it was then. We are called to prepare the way as the Lord comes to us in a fresh, new way at this time. How are we to prepare? Repentance of sin through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This call for repentance was the same inaugural message of Jesus when he began preaching. “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand. This was the message of Peter to the crowds on Pentecost. Repent and turn away from your sins. While baptism was the external sign proclaimed by John, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is the external sign of the new interior reality for us.

We were baptized with water and the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of regeneration: Baptism. We were anointed with the fire of the Holy Spirit in Confirmation. During this season of Advent, we pray that Jesus will come in the present moment to stir into flame the life of the Holy Spirit.  First of all that we may have a greater desire for a deeper union with God by growing in holiness. Secondly, that a greater desire to witness to others in the power of the Holy Spirit the good news of God’s love in and for us. We are to take up the prophetic mantle of Isaiah, John, Jesus and Peter, continuing the work of God by first preparing the way of the Lord in our own hearts and then preparing the way of the Lord in the hearts of others.

Reading 2: Peter reminds us of the preparation needed for the final coming of Jesus in glory.  He answers a question raised in his day about the timing of this coming.  He says that just as repentance was necessary to prepare for his first coming in fact and in our own personal lives, so repentance is needed as we prepare for his final coming. This is a time of mercy.

While repentance is an ongoing response, we should also “conduct yourselves in holiness and devotion.” Holiness is not doing extraordinary things, but in doing all things in love, obedient to the will of God.  It is a choice to respond to the grace of God in the present moment.  During this Advent season, God desires to come to us anew.  Do we desire to receive him anew? What in our lives block his coming? Prepare the way of the Lord.

 "Optimism and hope are radically different attitudes. Optimism is the expectation that things--the weather, human relationship, the economy, the political situation, and so on--will get better. Hope is trust that God will fulfill God's promises to us in a way that leads us to true freedom. The optimist speaks about concrete changes in the future. The person of hope lives in the moment with the knowledge and trust that all of life is in good hands." Henri Nouwen

During this Advent season we live in the hope of receiving the coming of Christ in a new way that will deepen our union with him, who is our Lord and Savior. But this hope is based on our relationship with God in the present moment. For if we are conscious of our union with God in the present moment by his grace, then each moment is the coming of Jesus to renew us in his love and life. We can be optimistic that we will stay open to the Lord. But we hope for his grace to be given to us to remain in him. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

 Second Sunday of Advent: Gospel B

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God.  

· From the beginning Mark summarizes his whole gospel with these titles: Jesus is the  “Christ” (Messiah) and the Son of God.  The fact of this faith revelation is what he will attempt to show.

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:  "Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way.  A voice of one crying out in the desert: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.'"

· To emphasize the first title, Messiah, Mark begins with the prophetic message of Isaiah about the one who would come before the Messiah.

 John (the) Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 

· Notice that unlike Matthew and Luke, Mark does not begin with the early life of Jesus, but with the public ministry of John the Baptist which leads to Jesus’ public ministry.

· John is seen as the bridge between the Old and New Testaments.

· He invites the people to prepare for the coming of the Messiah by repentance for their sins, showing a change of heart and a readiness to receive the Messiah. Through this act they will be renewing the Covenant.

· As you prepare to celebrate the memorial of Jesus’ birth, how are you preparing to receive him in a new way?

· What are you doing to renew your covenant relationship with God?

People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. 

· At first, people looked to John as the “Messiah.” This John rejects.

· When was the last time we received the Sacrament of Reconciliation to acknowledge our sins?

John was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. 

· John’s dress and diet links him to another prophet, Elijah. Jesus will remind people of this connection later on in his own ministry.

He fed on locusts and wild honey. And this is what he proclaimed: "One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the holy Spirit." 

· John’s baptism was a penitential rite that reflected the person’s decision to repent of sin and expect the Messiah.

· Jesus’ baptism brings about a radical transformation by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Sin is forgiven and the person is a new creation as a child of God.

· What does it mean to you personally that Jesus, the Son of God, came into this world? How has your life been changed within the past year because of Jesus?

· What areas of repentance of sins are needed in your life now?

· What does it mean to be baptized in the Holy Spirit? When were you? How conscious of the lead of the Holy Spirit are  you?

 " At this Christmas when Christ comes, will he find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God's own love and concern." "St. Theresa of Calcutta

Christmas is not about us. It is about Jesus and why he came among us a little child. He came to show the Father's infinite love for us and to teach us about the need to love others.  Our focus should not be about what we are gong to receive, but on what we are going to do and give. Even this will be empty unless we do all in love.  To the extent that love is our motivation then we will be more open to the love Jesus wants to fill us with to the fullest. He came in love. He can only be receive in love. He came to serve by laying down his life for us. He can only be seen in our service of others. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

"The Lord is coming, always coming. When you have ears to hear and eyes to see, you will recognize him at any moment of your life. Life is Advent; life is recognizing the coming of the Lord." Henri Nouwen

As we begin this Advent season of expectation, are we expecting Jesus to come in a fresh new way in our lives in the present moment? If not, we will be oblivious of his coming, as were the people of his own day. If we are, we will experience his coming as the Shepherds did. Jesus came, comes and will come again. His first coming in time was to prepare us for his continual coming in each age, as we await his final coming in glory. It is awaiting and being attentive to his coming in the present moment that enables us to be ready for that final coming. As Jesus said: "Be watchful! Be alert! Stay awake." Come, Lord Jesus. Let me be attentive to your coming.

 FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Advent Wreath)

The First Candle is purple...it is the candle of prophesy: it symbolizes hope and expectation.

It reminds us of the 400 years of silence that Israel endured while awaiting all that the prophets proclaimed...and we wait also.

As our nights grow longer and our days grow shorter, we look on these earthly signs–light and green branches–we remember God’s promises to our world: Christ, our light and our hope will come!

Hear the words of the prophet Isaiah:

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest.” Is 9:1-2

(Light the Candle)

Let us pray: Oh God, rejoicing, we remember the promises of your Son! Shine your blessings upon us. May Christ shine one us and brighten our way by guiding us in his truth. Amen.

As we begin this Advent season, we remember the hope we have in Jesus. The prophets of Israel all spoke of the coming of the Christ...of how a Savior would be born...that he would be king of the line of David. They spoke of how he would rule the world wisely and bless all nations. As the followers of Jesus we await his return. We light this candle to remember that as he came to us humbly in a manger at Bethlehem and gave light to the world...so he is coming again in power to deliver his people. We light this candle to remind us to be alert and watch for his return.

Let us pray: Lord, thank you for coming. As we wait for you...as we celebrate this Holy Season, let us not lose our focus. Help us to keep our eyes on you. Help us to see you in your present coming. Amen.

 "I plead with you never, ever give up on hope, never doubt, never tire, and never become discouraged. Be not afraid. Pope St. John Paul II

With all that is going on in our world, it would be easy for us to become discouraged and become hopelessly pessimistic. We have to remind ourselves that this present world is passing away as we await a new reality. We are only pilgrims on a journey and the road is not always straight or pleasant. What sustains us is the Word of God. Our inheritance is with the Lord, sharing his eternal glory. This is not fantasy but revealed truth, which in faith we adhere too. The Lord is our strength and deliver, our Savior and God.