Welcome to the Word & Life Series. In this series, Fr. John Ludden will take the Sacred Scriptures offered at Mass each Sunday and apply them to our everyday lives. As you read Fr. John’s reflection, open your hearts and minds in new ways to God’s Holy Word. St. Paul says “The Word of God is living effective“. So as we journey together in the Word & Life, let us allow the wisdom of God to transform our relationship and our outlook on life, inspiring us to love one another as He has loved us. You are now invited to reflect on the Word of God which is the Way, the Truth, and the Life! Welcome again to the Word & Life!
December 25, 2011
Christmas: Year B
Vigil Mass
Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29
Acts 13:16-17, 22-25
Matthew 1:1-25
Mass at Night
Isaiah 9:1-6v
Psalm 96:1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14
Mass at Dawn
Isaiah 62:11-12
Psalm 97:1, 6, 11-12
Titus 3:4-7
Luke 2:15-20
Mass during the day
Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6
Hebrews 1:1-6
John 1:1-18
The Cradle of Hope & The Dawn of Salvation
Visions of angels, heavenly choirs, humble shepherds, the birth of God’s Son in a stable, a bright and shining star—all these elements of the Christmas story point to the divine drama that unfolded in Bethlehem. People all over the world celebrate the coming of Christ because it has changed human history forever. The day that Jesus was brought into this world was also the dawning of salvation. Jesus is the primordial sacrament from which all mercy flows. Jesus’ birth makes God’s wisdom tangible and transforms the state of humanity. When Jesus was placed into the cradle prepared by a mother’s love, God’s initiative to enter into deeper relationship with us was firmly established and placed before us. This infant king possessed the key to all wisdom which would open for us the way to the Father.
If we look deeper into the story of Christ’s birth, we realize that ordinary people were involved in this heavenly drama. The shepherds were about their work when the angel appeared to them. Mary and Joseph were simple town folk who were no strangers to the hard work of carpentry. Why would God send his messengers to such people? Should God not have chosen people in prominent positions to reveal his glory? God chooses the meek and the humble to tell the world that his plan is for all people of every time and place. The birth of Jesus in a stable is a statement to us that God is present in the midst of poverty. For those who are blessed by riches such conditions would seem too terrible and degrading. However, the birth of God’s only begotten Son in a stable and a working class environment is something to be hopeful about for those who have little. God touches the poor by simply being born poor.
Every Christian has something to be hopeful for. Christ’s birth was the beginning of humanity’s journey toward heaven. The events of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are the paving stones in the path of eternity. Whether we are rich or poor, God loves us equally and without conditions. Christmas reminds us that God is always with us. Jesus journeys with the Church as it moves forward through time. He is the foundation that makes us stand firm. If Jesus’ message motivates us to love and to forgive, then we have encountered the very tangible wisdom of God that was encountered in the sacred events of Christmas. Jesus’ message of peace continues to challenge the world today.
Prayer
We pray: Glory to God in the highest! Peace to His people on earth! Heavenly Father, bless us this Christmas. Make your wisdom tangible through the work of our hands and the words we speak. We give you thanks for the blessing of Your only begotten Son. May we always hold Jesus as the center of our lives. As Mary wrapped Jesus in swaddling clothes, enfold us in your loving mercy. Amen.
Reflection Questions
- What does Christmas mean to me?
- How does the coming of Christ gift my life?
- How does the world change with the coming of Christ?
- How can I become a gift to God?
- What can I do to offer such homage to this infant king?
- Do I allow God’s Word to become heaven’s treasure in my life?
- How do I permit Christ to enter into my heart?
Wisdom of the Fathers
“Dearly beloved, today our Savior is born; let us rejoice. Sadness should have no place on the birthday of life. The fear of death has been swallowed up; life brings us joy with the promise of eternal happiness.
No one is shut out from this joy; all share the same reason for rejoicing. Our Lord, victor over sin and death, finding no man free from sin, came to free us all. Let the saint rejoice as he sees the palm of victory at hand. Let the sinner be glad as he receives the offer of forgiveness. Let the pagan take courage as he is summoned to life.
In the fullness of time, chosen in the unfathomable depths of God’s wisdom, the Son of God took for himself our common humanity in order to reconcile it with its creator. He came to overthrow the devil, the origin of death, in that very nature by which he had overthrown mankind.
And so at the birth of our Lord the angels sing in joy: Glory to God in the highest, and they proclaim peace to men of good will as they see the heavenly Jerusalem being built from all the nations of the world. When the angels on high are so exultant at this marvelous work of God’s goodness, what joy should it not bring to the lowly hearts of men?
Beloved, let us give thanks to God the Father, through his Son, in the Holy Spirit, because in his great love for us he took pity on us, and when we were dead in our sins he brought us to life with Christ, so that in him we might be a new creation. Let us throw off our old nature and all its ways and, as we have come to birth in Christ, let us renounce the works of the flesh.
Christian, remember your dignity, and now that you share in God’s own nature….”
— A Sermon by Saint Leo the Great, Pope of the 5th Century
December 18, 2011
Fourth Sunday of Advent: Year B
2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16
Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29
Romans 16:25-27
Luke 1:26-28
Humble Servant Says “Yes” to God
It is the tradition of the Church to focus on the person of Mary for the last Sunday of Advent. Over the last 2000 years of Christian history, the Church never worshipped Mary but gave her a place of honor. Mary has a central place in our Church and hearts because she bore the Son of God in her womb and gave birth to the promise of salvation. Have you ever wondered what Mary was doing the day that the angel Gabriel came to her? Was she about her household chores or out taking a walk, pondering life? That we will never know! However, what we do know is that this young virgin, who seemed to be like any other girl of her day, received an extraordinary call and task to which she said yes. Mary’s “Yes” was a response of total abandonment and trust. She did not know how she could conceive without engaging in intimacy. Asking this simple question and listening to the angel’s answer gave her the confidence to truly believe that anything is possible for God: “May it be done to me according to your word.” The day the angel left Mary was the beginning of her journey, which would lead her deeper into the heart of God.
Mary of Nazareth is a model of discipleship for us. She is the greatest of the Saints. Mary is the Mother of God and the Mother of the Church. Mary totally surrenders to the will of God and is selfless. Mary is a constant reminder of what a true disciple is. Through her example she encourages us to abandon ourselves to what is nonessential and embrace God’s will. Throughout the Scriptures, we see that Mary always contemplates the events taking place around her, holding them sacred to her heart. Likewise, we are asked to prayerfully consider where God is in our lives and acknowledge the sacred gifts that he has set before us. In the midst of the suffering of Jesus who was put to death as a result of Roman capital punishment, she stands by her Son’s executioners and supports him as the life drains from his veins. She returns to the upper room of fears to await his return. All the time she ponders these things in her heart, trusting in God’s mercy.
As we approach Christmas Day, we reflect on our human experiences that make up our individual stories. For many there is a lot to celebrate — memories of the past and joyful events in family life over the last year. For others, sadness comes upon them because loved ones have passed away or because of a family or work problem. Regardless, in all of these human events, God is with us. Each of us stands on the holy ground of our experiences. No matter how joyful or sorrowful our lives are, each one of our lives is sacred. Like Mary, we are invited to ponder the great gifts that God puts in our path.
Prayer
We pray: Mary, we ask you to pray for us. You give witness to us of the joys, trials and tribulations of life. Pray to our heavenly Father for each one of us. Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of your Mother and the Mother of the Church — may we be led by her example, so that we can be brought close to your heart. Amen.
Reflection Questions
- What are the gifts that God has granted you?
- What is unique to you?
- How can you use your individual gifts in building up your family?
- How do you use your time?
- How much time to dedicate to God each week?
- Do you use your talents to help build the ministry of the Church?
- What is your purpose in life?
- How can God use your gifts to make this world a better place?
- Since everything you have has been made possible by God, what will be your greatest gift offered back to God?
Wisdom of the Fathers
“The Virgin Mary, who at the message of the angel, received the Word of God in her heart and in her body and gave Life to the world, is acknowledged and honored as being truly the Mother of God and Mother of the Redeemer. Redeemed by reason of the merits of her Son and united to Him by a close and indissoluble tie, she is endowed with the high office and dignity of being the Mother of the Son of God, by which account she is also the beloved daughter of the Father and the temple of the Holy Spirit. Because of this gift of sublime grace she far surpasses all creatures, both in heaven and on earth. At the same time, however, because she belongs to the offspring of Adam, she is one with all those who are to be saved. She is “the mother of the members of Christ…having cooperated by charity that faithful might be born in the Church, who are members of that Head.” Wherefore, she is hailed as a pre-eminent and singular member of the Church and as its type and excellent exemplar in faith and charity. The Catholic Church, taught by the Holy Spirit, honors her with filial affection and piety as a most beloved mother.”
— Second Vatican Council. Lumen Gentium, paragraph 53
December 11, 2011
Third Sunday of Advent: Year B
Isaiah 61:1-2A, 10-11
Responsorial: Luke 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28
The Christ of Promise
It would seem that today’s gospel is a repeat of last Sunday’s gospel. We hear John’s gospel echo the message of Mark’s gospel last week. Once again we focus on the character of John the Baptist. The fourth gospel account emphasizes the role of the Baptist. He is not Elijah or one of the prophets from of old, neither is he the Christ. John describes himself as the fulfillment of the Prophet of Isaiah — he is the voice crying out to the world of his time to make straight the way of the Lord. He was no stranger to the dark realities of people’s lives. Indeed, he called them to conversion and repentance. John the Baptist’s mission is to prepare the world for the coming of Christ and to testify to the light.
Little did John know how powerful the coming of Christ would be. In today’s reading from Isaiah, we hear of the anointed one who was sent to bring glad tidings to the poor, healing to the broken, liberty to the captives, release to prisoners and to announce the year of the Lord. This anointing blessed the world when Jesus began his public ministry and all these things came to pass. The coming of Jesus as the Christ (Anointed One) brings with it the healing and comfort of heaven. Jesus’ presence brought transformation for those who encountered him during his ministry on earth. The life and ministry of Jesus Christ enabled the world to be touched directly by the hand of God. Jesus situated himself in the midst of the poor, the vulnerable, the sinner, the outcast, the broken, the unwanted and the unwelcomed. In all of these experiences, he was ultimately teaching us how to love and live our lives. Jesus is indeed the Anointed One who empowers us to be anointed and continue his saving work by virtue of our baptism. We are all anointed in baptism to be priest, prophet and heirs to the kingdom of heaven. In concrete that means as the priesthood of all believers, that we become people of charity who are able to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of the kingdom. In our works of charity we become signs of hope for those who are poor. In the prophetic nature of our baptism, we are constantly challenged to discern God’s will in regard to the problems that exist in our society and our world. We are called to speak out with the courage of a prophet if we know that something is wrong and goes against what God intended when he created the world. We have to live everyday knowing that our journey’s end will bring us to a kingdom where right relationship is restored and we are reconciled with God.
As we enter the third week of our advent season, we rejoice in the Lord’s initiative to save us. Preparing for Christmas does not only bring beautiful memories of childhoods gone by; it reminds us of why Christ came in the first place. The advent season calls to mind our salvation in Christ. It reminds us of the promise given in our baptism. It recalls all the hopes and expectations of those who waited in faith for the coming of the Messiah. As Christians, we know that Jesus has already come to the world and departed it to be seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven. However, we await the second coming of Christ with hope and faith-filled expectation. The dream of the Christian is to look upon the face of Jesus one day and gaze into his heart. In the meantime, we experience his presence veiled in the Eucharist and are called to recognize him in the needs around us. During this time of preparation, we are asked to reach out to those who will have nothing this Christmas or know one to care for them. This is our calling and challenge as we wait for Christ to come to each one of us.
Prayer
We pray: Heavenly Father, help us to prepare ourselves for the second coming of your Son. Thank you for the generosity that you have shown us by sending your Son into the world to save us from sin. Let us remember with great joy the event of the Incarnation and the revelation of your Word made flesh. May we be challenged by the word and example Jesus shared through the proclamation of the good news. Find us ready to experience the fullness of your presence this Christmas. Amen.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean to testify to the light?
- What are the areas of darkness in your life/relationships that need to be illuminated by Christ’s presence?
- How is Jesus the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, i.e. sent to bring glad tidings to the poor, healing to the broken hearted, liberty to captives?
- In what ways will you bring glad tidings to the poor?
- Is there anyone in your life that you know is broken-hearted?
- If so, how will you help in the healing process?
- What holds you or others you know captive?
- How will you use the grace of Christ to transform that situation(s)?
Wisdom of the Fathers
“In Advent, the liturgy often repeats and assures us, as though seeking to defeat our mistrust, that God “is coming”: He comes to be with us, in each one of our situations; he comes to live among us, to live with and in us; he comes to fill the distances that divide and separate us; he comes to reconcile us with himself and with one another. He comes in the history of humanity to knock on the door of every man and woman of good will to offer individuals, families and peoples the gift of fraternity, concord and peace.”
Therefore, Advent is par excellence the time of hope, in which believers in Christ are invited to remain in vigilant and active expectation, nourished by prayer and by a concrete commitment of love. May Christ’s approaching nativity fill the hearts of all Christians with joy, serenity and peace!”
And that is why we believe what Jesus has said, “I was hungry, I was naked, I was homeless, I was unwanted, unloved, uncared for, and you did it to me.”
— Pope Benedict XVI, Advent 2011
December 04, 2011
Second Sunday of Advent: Year B
Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11
Psalm 85:9-10,11-12, 13-14
2 Peter 3:8-14
Mark 1:1-8
A Time of Promise
If you were to ask how best to prepare for Christmas during the season of Advent, you would find the answer deep in the heart of today’s readings. If we are to encounter the comfort and the tender compassion of our God, we must listen to the voice of those who lead us and show the way. In today’s first reading, Isaiah prophesies the coming of the shepherd who will gently carry his lambs in his bosom. The words of Isaiah bring comfort and assurance to the people of Israel who were living in captivity of Babylon. Such an image of a caring shepherd who securely holds on to his lambs whilst taking them home must have spoken loudly to those who were yearning for the time they would be taken home in order to worship their God in Jerusalem. God, through the prophecy of Isaiah, wants his people to prepare themselves for this time of promise.
In the gospel reading, we are reminded that John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus and the promise that he will bring. John the Baptist proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. John sees the need for the world to be purified in order to receive perfection itself – Jesus Christ. The Baptist is seen to be preparing a way for the one who is mightier than he; the one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit. As we continue to journey through the new liturgical year, through the proclamation of Mark’s gospel, it becomes apparent that Jesus is that promise! Through the wisdom of the adult Christ, we are shown ways forward that will free us and lead us into the presence of God. When we are baptized, we enter into a profound relationship with God, and, regardless of where we are located in the world, we become kingdom people. Our lives lived in the freedom of God’s Word, allows God’s dwelling place to be rooted in our hearts the expression of our lives.
The reign of God that Jesus announced was the appointed time of promise. As we approach Christmas time, we are asked to remember the promise that continued after the manger in Bethlehem. From the moment of the annunciation, to the Incarnation, to the public life of Jesus, the promise of God unfolds. In this holy Season of Advent, we are invited to prayerfully contemplate what the coming of Jesus means to us. Jesus clearly showed us how to make straight the path of our lives so that we could journey toward the kingdom. Our baptism is a baptism with the Holy Spirit, which continually inspires us to live Jesus’ way of life. The voice crying out in the wilderness remains a constant reminder to the world to prepare for the coming of Christ. The Church through its teachings is forever the prophetic voice in a world of sin.
The “Incarnation” means, “The Word was made flesh.” We must constantly be aware of the impact that the Incarnation has on our lives. Two thousand years after the Incarnation we are challenged to have the Word of God come alive in us. During Advent we are asked to consider how important Jesus is to us. We are shown that the Word is still alive and active through the gift of the Church. It is through our compassion and concern that others encounter the Christ of Bethlehem today.
Prayer
We pray: Come, Lord Jesus. Help us to make straight the path of our lives. Encourage us to bring the promise of your kingdom alive through our words and actions. May we be reflections of your divine love and inspire us with the gift of the Holy Spirit so that we can become closer to You. Amen.
Reflection Questions
- Name the times that you have felt God’s compassion in your life.
- How have you participated in God’s compassion and mercy this past week?
- What does it mean to “Prepare a way for the Lord, make straight his paths?”
- What are the things in your life that distract you from God?
- How is the Season of Advent challenging you to make a change in your personal life?
- Who has had an influence in bringing you closer to God?
- What does the sacrament of baptism mean to you?
- How has Jesus baptized you with the Holy Spirit?
- How do you make the Word of God incarnate in your life?
Wisdom of the Fathers
“Each year, as the Church recalls this mystery, she urges us to renew the memory of the great love God has shown us. This holy season teaches us that Christ’s coming was not only for the benefit of his contemporaries; his power has still to be communicated to us all. We shall share his power, if, through holy faith and the sacraments, we willingly accept the grace Christ earned for us, and live by that grace and in obedience to Christ. The Church asks us to understand that Christ, who came once in the flesh, is prepared to come again. When we remove all obstacles to his presence he will come, at any hour and moment, to dwell spiritually in our hearts, bringing with him the riches of his grace. In her concern for our salvation, our loving mother the Church uses this holy season to teach us through hymns, canticles and other forms of expression, of voice or ritual, used by the Holy Spirit. She shows us how grateful we should be for so great a blessing and how to gain its benefit. Our hearts should be as much prepared for the coming of Christ as if he were still to come into this world. The same lesson is given us for our imitation by the words and example of the holy men of the Old Testament.”
— St. Charles Borromeo 16th Century
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