Tag: God

Posted on

Christmas

modern artwork of the nativity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn | Google Play Music

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

Posted on

Fourth Sunday of Advent

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn | Google Play Music

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.

Posted on

Our Lady of Guadalupe

picture of our lady of guadalupe

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn | Google Play Music

Mass Readings

Reading 1: Zechariah 2:14-17 or Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab
Responsorial: Judith 13:18bcde, 19
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121220.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

On Saturday we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Back in 2018, I created a 3-part series called “Our Lady of Guadalupe.” In episode 1, I reflect on the religious dimension of this feast. In episode 2, I recounted the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In episode 3, I explored some of the cultural and political dimensions of Our Lady of Guadalupe. If you’d like to learn more about this great feast, go to the website https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/, and in the search bar on the right, type in “Our Lady of Guadalupe,” and the episodes will pop right up. I will include links to each episode in today’s notes: 06 Our Lady of Guadalupe Episode 1, 07 Our Lady of Guadalupe Episode 2, and 08 Our Lady of Guadalupe Episode 3.

One of the optional readings for today is from Revelation. And if you read this passage and compare it to the miraculous image of Our Lady that appeared inside of St. Juan Diego’s cloak, the similarities are remarkable. The reading says that “a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head, a crown of twelve stars. She was with child…” (Revelation 12:1-2).

Compare the miraculous image of Our Lady to the description in Revelation. By the way, I have an excellent rendering on the website for today’s episode that with some callouts that explain some of the elements we find. The image is of a woman clothed with the sun. She wears a mantel of stars. She stands on the moon. And the ribbon she wears is above her belly, which we believe means she’s pregnant. Our Lady chose to reveal herself to St. Juan Diego as the pregnant woman we find in Revelation. Amazing!

Her request of St. Juan Diego mimics God’s request of her. She said yes to God and followed God’s plan. Now, in so many of her apparitions like today’s feast, or at Fatima or Lourdes, she asks Jesus’ disciples to do something. Will they surrender to God’s will and do like Mary? She asked St. Juan Diego to tell the bishop to build a church right where the apparition occurred. What happens in church? We praise and worship God and celebrate the Eucharist! Mary always points to her son.

But today’s readings challenge all of us!

In today’s reading from Revelation, the dragon wanted to devour the child (Revelation 12:4). The child is Jesus, and the dragon is like Herod, who tried to kill Jesus while acting under Satan’s influence. And that dragon swept a third of the stars out of the sky (Revelation 12:4). What the heck does that mean?

Theologians tell us that one way to interpret this passage is that in the end, Satan will claim a third of all humans that have ever existed. A third!

My brothers and sisters, God wants all of us to be with him! As missionary disciples, we share the Good News of Jesus Christ with everyone we encounter! God pursues all of us, but he will not force himself on anyone. We try to bring as many as possible to salvation through Christ Jesus.

Why?

Well, frankly, because there is an end. We don’t know when it will happen, but all good things must come to an end. And on that day, God judges everyone. That’s the truth it. The birth of Jesus marks the beginning of a timer. Things have been set in motion. Now, I don’t say this to scare anyone, but to remind us that we have a purpose. We have no time to waste. Will we like St. Juan Diego say yes to Mary’s request? Will we bring people to Jesus Christ?

Homework! Showered in God’s grace, I ask you to reflect on the following questions.

What things or doubts get in the way of you saying yes to God?

I think reflecting on this question will help us be better disciples. 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. Gadenz, Pablo T. The Gospel of Luke. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2018. Kindle.
2. Williamson, Peter S. Revelation. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Mary and Old Testament women: 64, 489
2. Mary’s faith and fiat: 148, 494, 973, 2617, 2622, 2674
3. Nothing impossible with God: 269, 273
4. Ecumenical councils on the incarnation: 456, 464-67
5. Virginal conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit: 484-88, 496-97, 505, 510, 695, 697, 723
6. Mary, Daughter of Zion: 489
7. Immaculate Conception: 490-91, 722
8. Mary, Mother of the Church: 501, 963-75
9. Church as mother: 757
10. The kingdom in its fullness: 1042
11. Hail Mary: 2676-77

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121220.cfm
Lectionary: 690A

Reading 1
Zechariah 2:14-17
Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion!
See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the LORD.
Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD on that day,
and they shall be his people,
and he will dwell among you,
and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.
The LORD will possess Judah as his portion in the holy land,
and he will again choose Jerusalem.
Silence, all mankind, in the presence of the LORD!
For he stirs forth from his holy dwelling.

or

Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab
God’s temple in heaven was opened,
and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple.

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun,
with the moon under her feet,
and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth.
Then another sign appeared in the sky;
it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns,
and on its heads were seven diadems.
Its tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky
and hurled them down to the earth.
Then the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth,
to devour her child when she gave birth.
She gave birth to a son, a male child,
destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod.
Her child was caught up to God and his throne.
The woman herself fled into the desert
where she had a place prepared by God.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
“Now have salvation and power come,
and the Kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Anointed.”

Responsorial
Judith 13:18BCDE, 19
R. (15:9d) You are the highest honor of our race.
Blessed are you, daughter, by the Most High God,
above all the women on earth;
and blessed be the LORD God,
the creator of heaven and earth.
R. You are the highest honor of our race.
Your deed of hope will never be forgotten
by those who tell of the might of God.
R. You are the highest honor of our race.

Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise;
from you rose the sun of justice, Christ our God.
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.

or

Luke 1:39-47
Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
“Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled.”

And Mary said:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”