Tag: Christianity

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Christmas

modern artwork of the nativity

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Nativity of the Lord Mass Readings

Christmas Vigil Mass
Christmas Mass During the Night
Christmas Mass at Dawn
Christmas Mass During the Day

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122520.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Merry Christmas! There are different sets of readings for each of the different masses any of us might attend at Christmas. I’ve included links to the USCCB website which will give you the specific readings for the specific mass you select. In the notes to this podcast where I normally provide a bibliography, I’ve included all the New Testament scripture commentaries which cover all the options for the Christmas readings. Of course, you will always find a link to the catechism and topics from the catechism which give some insight into the Mass readings. I do not always incorporate information from the commentaries or the catechism in my homily, but I want to make these resources available in case you would like to dig a little deeper into the readings.

The year 2020 has been a most interesting year – definitely one we’ll be talking about for years to come! Whether you can get to Mass or watch it online, we join our brother and sister Christians around the world who pause to gaze on the nativity today. The question is, what do you see when you gaze upon the nativity?

Do we only see the presents and the food and family and friends, either in-person or via some face-to-face communication technology? Unfortunately, some of our families and friends can’t see past the niceties. It’s important for us to be aware of our families and friends who are not true believers. A recent Pew report suggests that the “nones” or unaffiliated may be the fastest-growing denomination in the United States. <1>

Indeed, Sherry Weddell, the co-founder of the Catherine of Siena Institute, offers a disturbing observation based on informal surveys of pastors at Making Disciples seminars. Parish leaders told Weddell that they believe as few as five percent of all parishioners are intentional disciples. <2>

For some of these people, the darkness of isolation and the uncertainty around employment are a huge concern. Christmas for them represents a brief respite from their hectic lives. These people like so many of us confront the big existential questions like “why am I here?” or “what’s my purpose?”.

We also know from past experience that this time of year presents serious mental health challenges for some people even before COVID. Perhaps this year compounds the stress some people feel. How can we help them?

You see, Christians know that our faith provides us answers to the “big questions.” We know that God’s greatest gift to us, Jesus Christ, redeemed the whole world! The Holy Spirit continues to make everything new in Christ. <3>

When we gaze on the nativity, we strive to see how the shepherds saw – awe and wonder. Or maybe we gaze on the image of the baby Jesus and try to feel what Mary and Joseph felt – pure love. My brothers and sisters, when we gaze on the nativity, I encourage you to see hope instead of despair; peace instead of conflict; light instead of darkness.

The pandemic provided so many of us a disturbing silence from self-isolation to the lockdown. But we Christians know that we can enter into that silence like we would a swimming pool and pray and meditate with the Church – especially during the Mass either in-person or online. <4> Jesus offers us the strength of God’s grace through the Sacraments so that we can go into the darkness of night and bring the light of Christmas to our families and friends and to all those who may be struggling, especially during this time of year. We can invite people to see the hope foretold by Isaiah and so beautifully described by our Gospel today.

Homework! I just have one simple thing to ask. At some point today, please sit down with family or friends, either in-person or online, and just be present to them. Don’t worry about the ham or the mess the children left when they unwrapped their gifts. Just be with family or friends. That’s one of the best ways we can share the love of Christ – the light of Christmas with the people we encounter.

Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Image Credit: Nativity. Dr. He Q. JPG file. License: Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial ShareAlike 3.0 License. Source: http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=46095.

Notes:
<1> “Decline of Christianity Continues at Rapid Pace: An update on America’s changing religious landscape,” Religion & Public Life, Pew Research Center, October 17, 2019, https://www.pewforum.org/2019/10/17/in-u-s-decline-of-christianity-continues-at-rapid-pace/.
<2> Sherry A. Weddell, Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus (Huntington, Indiana: Our Sunday Visitor, 2012), 28.
<3> See Merton, Thomas and Hạnh Nhất. Contemplative Prayer. 1969. Reprint, New York: Image, 2014. chap. Introduction, Kindle: From death, life. From the abyss there comes, unaccountably, the mysterious gift of the Spirit sent by God to make all things new, to transform the created and redeemed world, and to re-establish all things in Christ.
<4> Ibid.

Bibliography/Further Reading:
1. Gadenz, Pablo T. The Gospel of Luke. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2018. Kindle.
2. Healy, Mary. Hebrews. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2016. Kindle.
3. Kurz, William S. SJ. Acts of the Apostles. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2013. Kindle.
4. Martin, Francis and William M. Wright IV. The Gospel of John. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015. Kindle.
5. Merton, Thomas, and Hạnh Nhất. Contemplative Prayer. 1969. Reprint, New York: Image, 2014. Kindle.
6. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010. Kindle.
7. Montague, George T. SM. First and Second Timothy, Titus. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2008. Kindle.
8. Pew Research Center. “Decline of Christianity Continues at Rapid Pace: An update on America’s changing religious landscape.” Religion & Public Life. October 17, 2019. https://www.pewforum.org/2019/10/17/in-u-s-decline-of-christianity-continues-at-rapid-pace/.
9. Weddell, Sherry A. Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus. Huntington, Indiana: Our Sunday Visitor, 2012.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. God has said everything in his Word: 65, 102
2. The incarnate Christ worshipped by the angels: 333
3. The Christmas mystery: 437, 525-26
4. Jesus is the Son of David: 439, 496, 559, 2616
5. “Why did the Word become flesh?” 456-60, 566
6. The Incarnation: 461-63, 470-78
7. The Incarnation and images of Christ: 1159-62, 2131, 2502

The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122520.cfm
Lectionary: 13,14,15,16

The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) – At the Vigil Mass
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) – Mass During the Night
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) – Mass at Dawn
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) – Mass During the Day

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Fourth Sunday of Advent

Picture of Advent wreath with all 5 candles lit and the words advent hope love joy peace above wreath

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Mass Readings

Reading1: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16
Responsorial: Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29
Reading 2: Romans 16:25-27
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122020.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Oh, my goodness! This Fourth Sunday of Advent means that Christmas is just five days away! I’m excited! How about you! It’s always such a joy to see the children and our families and friends with big smiles and a twinkle in their eyes as they tear open their gifts. On this last Sunday before Christmas, we pause to remember that what we celebrate is the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. And given this very odd year 2020, I think we are in great need of Jesus Christ!

You know, these days, we hear about all sorts of things like fake news, election fraud, suspicion about pandemic lockdowns, and the vaccine. It’s so confusing and frankly so disappointing that we can’t trust any one news source for the news. Instead, many of us need to consume a variety of news sources just to see a glimmer of the truth.

There’s also been so much division this year. I think we all yearn for peace, for justice, for security. It doesn’t matter whose right or wrong. We all yearn for the truth, whatever that looks like! My brothers and sisters, Jesus is the fulfillment of our yearnings! <1> And it all begins with Mary’s yes.

You see, in today’s Gospel, Mary isn’t told that she will give birth, but rather, the angel waits for her consent. Why? God never forces himself on anyone. Mary consents, and in doing so, she lets go of her all her plans. She sets aside any fear of becoming pregnant before her marriage. None of these are deal-breakers for her because her love for God is so deep. Her fiat – her yes – is an example for us all.

Sometimes we cling to the things we accumulate or the ideas we develop that we can’t see past the edge of our noses. Like our first reading says, we have a fixed place in this land of ours. How blessed we are! But sometimes, our blessings – the stuff of our lives can get in our way.

As the elections point out, sometimes it seems impossible to agree. Maybe it’s our pride or our hubris, but we can’t seem to reconcile with one another. Oh sure – going to confession is easy. But forgiving someone who has a different opinion than us – forget about it!

But Mary gives us a clue. Mary’s yes acknowledges the truth that “Jesus offers reconciliation and the chance to live once more in peace with God and our neighbor.” <2>

Jesus saves the day! He is our salvation! And so, we hear from Paul’s letter to the Romans a statement of praise to God! Right? It’s the response to our psalm today: Forever will I sing the goodness of the Lord! We can’t save ourselves, and nothing we build can save us. No! Only the Word made flesh whose birthday we celebrate on Christmas can save us, and Jesus is worthy of our praise!

Believing in Jesus means believing in something beyond us and much, much bigger than us! Are we willing to put our trust in Jesus and find common ground with our neighbors? That’s an important question for us to consider. You see, following Mary’s example, our job as disciples is to bring other people to Jesus Christ. It’s not enough for us to be reconciled with God. We need to be reconciled with our neighbors and lead them to Jesus.

As we consider Mary’s example in these days before Christmas, we consider a great challenge. That leads us to homework! Nourished by the Word and the Sacraments, I ask you to reflect on the following questions.

First, what attachments or stuff or ideas get in our way of embracing Jesus?
Second, what are some ways I can help bring people to Jesus?

Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Image Credit: Artist unknown. JPG file.

Notes: <1> “Mass Reading & Meditation for December 20, 2020,” Word Among Us (Advent 2020) https://wau.org/meditations/2020/12/20/177608/ (accessed 7 December 2020). <2> Ibid.

Bibliography:
1. Gadenz, Pablo T. The Gospel of Luke. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2018. Kindle.
2. Hahn, Scott W. and Curtis Mitch. Romans. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2017. Kindle.
3. “Mass Reading & Meditation for December 20, 2020.” Word Among Us. https://wau.org/meditations/2020/12/20/177608/ (accessed 7 December 2020).

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Mary and Old Testament women: 64, 489
2. Obedience of faith: 143-49, 494, 2087
3. Mary’s faith and fiat: 148, 494, 973, 2617, 2622, 2674
4. Nothing impossible with God: 269, 273
5. The name “Jesus:” 430, 2812
6. Jesus is the Son of David: 439, 496, 559, 2616
7. Ecumenical councils on the incarnation: 456, 464-67
8. Virginal conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit: 484-94, 496-97, 505, 510, 695, 697, 723
9. Immaculate Conception: 490-91, 722
10. Prayer of praise: 2639, 2649
11. Doxology: 2641
12. Hail Mary: 2676-77

Fourth Sunday of Advent https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122020.cfm
Lectionary: 11

Reading 1
2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16
When King David was settled in his palace,
and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every side,
he said to Nathan the prophet,
“Here I am living in a house of cedar,
while the ark of God dwells in a tent!”
Nathan answered the king,
“Go, do whatever you have in mind,
for the LORD is with you.”
But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said:
“Go, tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD:
Should you build me a house to dwell in?’“

“‘It was I who took you from the pasture
and from the care of the flock
to be commander of my people Israel.
I have been with you wherever you went,
and I have destroyed all your enemies before you.
And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth.
I will fix a place for my people Israel;
I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place
without further disturbance.
Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old,
since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel.
I will give you rest from all your enemies.
The LORD also reveals to you
that he will establish a house for you.
And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors,
I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins,
and I will make his kingdom firm.
I will be a father to him,
and he shall be a son to me.
Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me;
your throne shall stand firm forever.’”

Responsorial
Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29
R. (2a) For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
The promises of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”;
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
“I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant:
Forever will I confirm your posterity
and establish your throne for all generations.”
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
“He shall say of me, ‘You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.’
Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,
and my covenant with him stands firm.”
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

Reading 2
Romans 16:25-27
Brothers and sisters:
To him who can strengthen you,
according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ,
according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages
but now manifested through the prophetic writings and,
according to the command of the eternal God,
made known to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith,
to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ
be glory forever and ever.
Amen.

Alleluia
Luke 1:38
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Luke 1:26-38
The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.

“Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.

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Third Sunday of Advent

Picture of Advent wreath with all 5 candles lit and the words advent hope love joy peace above wreath

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Mass Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 61:1-2A, 10-11
Responsorial: Luke 1:46-50, 53-54
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121320.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

This Sunday, we celebrate Gaudete Sunday. Have you ever seen the movie The Polar Express? The main character referred to simply as “Hero Boy,” can’t hear the bell ring in the movie. He’s very much the “seeing is believing” sort of kid. But he is sad when he sees everyone celebrating when Santa arrives because he still can’t hear Santa’s bell.

How many of our friends and families come to church, but they can’t hear the bells – they don’t really believe? Why do they come to church? Maybe they come out of family obligation or habit or honoring their family traditions. But they don’t believe in God or believe that Jesus is present in the Eucharist.

Some people even make fun of Catholics – like our incense and bells, history, saints, and rosary. Some of these doubters are captives – they are prisoners to their fears or anger or sadness. Of course, people can also be trapped by their drive for material success and the pleasures this world can offer. Maybe some of these doubters might have believed at one point, but perhaps they suffered some tragedy, like the untimely death of someone they loved very much.

And this year, well consider the unprecedented events of 2020, from fires raging in California, Oregon, and Colorado to the eight named hurricanes or tropical storms that hit Louisiana to COVID-19 to the turmoil that gripped the United States in the wake of George Floyd’s murder and the drama surrounding the presidential election. And of course, COVID-19 adds to the confusion and which is financially ruining some families.

If there is a God, how can God allow so much pain and suffering? And today, so many nonbelievers who come to Mass with their families, perhaps not unlike Hero Boy from The Polar Express, might even feel a little sad this time of year as they see us praying without ceasing like St. Paul says (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Today is Gaudete Sunday, and they see us rejoice on this day because Jesus’ birthday is near!

You see, like Santa tells Hero Boy, “…the true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart.” We Christians know the Truth! And here’s part of that Truth. God created you and me to help spread the Great Story of Jesus! As missionary disciples, we know that our mission, like our first reading from Isaiah says, is “…to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release the prisoners…” (Isaiah 61:1). Like John the Baptist in today’s gospel, we believers are like a voice crying out in the desert! (John 16:23).

Who are we to act like John the Baptist? After all, we are not Elijah. And we are not prophets. We are just ordinary believers filled with the love of God. God gave us the greatest gift imaginable: his son, Jesus. But the best gifts in life are supposed to be shared! So, we share the gift of Jesus with everyone around us.

Sometimes the love we share can take the form of Christmas presents and Christmas trees, and all sorts of decorations. But you know, sometimes it can be as simple as sharing a cup of coffee or maybe a beer with a dear friend. Or perhaps it’s just sitting with someone who’s going through a challenging time.

The air is filled with so much excitement as Jesus’ birthday draws near. We’re all so busy buying presents and wrapping presents or perhaps ordering and shipping things online this year. But we can’t forget to invite people to keep holy Christmas day. Maybe we invite someone to Mass. Or maybe we share the link to the Mass with a friend and inviting them to watch the Mass with us online. However, we mark the occasion, we remember, and we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

At the end of The Polar Express, the adult Hero Boy says, “At one time, most of my friends could hear the bell, but as the years passed, it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I’ve grown old, the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe.”

This Christmas, may all of us celebrate with the faith of true belief. May our faith in Christ shine on those who hunger for something more. May our faith lead them to an encounter with Jesus Christ!

Homework! Blessed by the Sacraments, I encourage you to reflect on the following questions.

First, how are you planning to celebrate Christmas this year? Will you go to Mass or attend online?
Second, what is something you can do this season to spread the love of Christ with someone else?

I think our homework will help us keep Christ in Christmas. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Image Credit: Artist unknown. JPG file.

Bibliography:
1. Eubank, Nathan. First and Second Thessalonians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2019. Kindle.
2. Gadenz, Pablo T. The Gospel of Luke. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2018. Kindle.
3. Martin, Francis and William M. Wright IV. The Gospel of John. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Joy: 30, 163, 301, 736, 1829, 1832, 2015, 2362
2. Old Covenant: 121
3. God’s love for Israel: 218-19
4. Word in Israel: 707-16
5. Characteristics of the awaited Messiah: 713-14
6. John the Baptist: 523, 717-20
7. The Church as the Bride of Christ: 772, 796
8. Human reason and will: 1701-9
9. Magnificat and Hail Mary: 2097, 2619, 2622, 2675-77

Third Sunday of Advent https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121320.cfm
Lectionary: 8

Reading 1
Isaiah 61:1-2A, 10-11
The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor,
to heal the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives
and release to the prisoners,
to announce a year of favor from the LORD
and a day of vindication by our God.

I rejoice heartily in the LORD,
in my God is the joy of my soul;
for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation
and wrapped me in a mantle of justice,
like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem,
like a bride bedecked with her jewels.
As the earth brings forth its plants,
and a garden makes its growth spring up,
so will the Lord GOD make justice and praise
spring up before all the nations.

Responsorial
Luke 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54.
R. (Is 61:10b) My soul rejoices in my God.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked upon his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
R. My soul rejoices in my God.
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
R. My soul rejoices in my God.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
R. My soul rejoices in my God.

Reading 2
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing.
In all circumstances give thanks,
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not quench the Spirit.
Do not despise prophetic utterances.
Test everything; retain what is good.
Refrain from every kind of evil.

May the God of peace make you perfectly holy
and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body,
be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The one who calls you is faithful,
and he will also accomplish it.

Alleluia
Isaiah 61:1 (cited in LK 4:18)
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
John 1:6-8, 19-28
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.

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 Christ.”
So they asked him,
“What are you then? Are you Elijah?”
And he said, “I am not.”
“Are you the Prophet?”
He answered, “No.”
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.”
Some Pharisees were also sent.
They asked him,
“Why then do you baptize
if you are not the Christ 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.