Sunday Bible Reflections with Dr. Scott Hahn - January 5th 2014 - Feast of Epiphany

Listen Here!
A King to Behold
Readings:
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:-12,7-8, 10-13
Ephesians 3:2-3,5-6
Matthew 2:1-12


An “epiphany” is an appearance. In today’s readings, with their rising stars, splendorous lights and mysteries revealed, the face of the child born on Christmas day appears.

Herod, in today’s Gospel, asks the chief priests and scribes where the Messiah is to be born. The answer Matthew puts on their lips says much more, combining two strands of Old Testament promise - one revealing the Messiah to be from the line of David (see 2 Samuel 2:5), the other predicting “a ruler of Israel” who will “shepherd his flock” and whose “greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth” (see Micah 5:1-3).

Those promises of Israel’s king ruling the nations resound also in today’s Psalm. The psalm celebrates David’s son, Solomon. His kingdom, we sing, will stretch “to the ends of the earth,” and the world’s kings will pay Him homage. That’s the scene too in today’s First Reading, as nations stream from the East, bearing “gold and frankincense” for Israel’s king.

The Magi’s pilgrimage in today’s Gospel marks the fulfillment of God’s promises. The Magi, probably Persian astrologers, are following the star that Balaam predicted would rise along with the ruler’s staff over the house of Jacob (see Numbers 24:17).

Laden with gold and spices, their journey evokes those made to Solomon by the Queen of Sheba and the “kings of the earth” (see 1 Kings 10:2,25; 2 Chronicles 9:24). Interestingly, the only other places where frankincense and myrrh are mentioned together are in songs about Solomon (see Song of Songs 3:6, 4:6,14).

One greater than Solomon is here (see Luke 11:31). He has come to reveal that all peoples are “co-heirs” of the royal family of Israel, as today’s Epistle teaches.

His manifestation forces us to choose: Will we follow the signs that lead to Him as the wise Magi did? Or will we be like those priests and the scribes who let God’s words of promise become dead letters on an ancient page?

Yours in Christ,

Scott Hahn, Ph.D.

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January 5, 2014

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord 
Lectionary: 20
Reading 1 IS 60:1-6

Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come,
the glory of the Lord shines upon you.

Isaiah comforts Jerusalem reminding them that they are God's chosen. This can also be understood as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus Christ to his people, the Israelites.

See, darkness covers the earth,
and thick clouds cover the peoples;
but upon you the LORD shines,
and over you appears his glory.

Although the darkness of sin covered the entire world, the Israelites walked in the light. They walk in the light of the Commandments, in the light of the word of God, in the light of his love.

Nations shall walk by your light,
and kings by your shining radiance.
Raise your eyes and look about;
they all gather and come to you:
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.

God led the Israelites and taught them his laws. The Israelites in turn were supposed to behave in a manner that would attract the entire world to God.   This finally happened when Jesus Christ came in the flesh and was sacrificed upon the cross.

Then you shall be radiant at what you see,
your heart shall throb and overflow,
for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you,
the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.
Caravans of camels shall fill you,
dromedaries from Midian and Ephah;
all from Sheba shall come
bearing gold and frankincense,
and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

This happened to the new Jerusalem, the Catholic Church. The riches of the world have been poured into the Catholic Church's coffers. Those who have converted to the faith of Jesus Christ have gladly given their wealth to his church.

Responsorial Psalm PS 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13

R/ (cf. 11) Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king’s son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.

R/ Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.

R/ Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts;
the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute.
All kings shall pay him homage,
all nations shall serve him.

R/ Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R/ Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Our Lord Jesus Christ has been revealed to the world. He is King of Kings and Lord of lords. In the end, the entire world will give him homage.

Reading 2 EPH 3:2-3A, 5-6

Brothers and sisters:
You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace
that was given to me for your benefit,
namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation.

I think St. Paul is here speaking of the sacrament of the Eucharist. He refers to his priesthood as the, "stewardship of God's grace". By the stewardship, he is empowered to call out God's grace through the sacraments. He makes reference to this mystery in another place,

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (RSVCE)

The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for[a] you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

It was not made known to people in other generations
as it has now been revealed
to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:
that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body,
and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

I think St. Paul is here referring to Malachi. The prophet Malachi (as opposed to the St.) wrote a prophecy of the Eucharist in the Old Testament book by his name. He said,

Malachi 1:11

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is offered to my name, and a pure offering; for my name is great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.

So St. Paul is saying that the prophecy was made known in the Old Testament. But it was not widely understood. Now, however, God has revealed this mystery in the person of Jesus Christ who died for the salvation of the entire world, including the Gentiles.

Gospel MT 2:1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,
in the days of King Herod,
behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage.”

This is the beginning of the fulfillment of the prophecy that Jesus Christ would draw all men to himself. The Magi were wise men from the East. They were not Jewish.

When King Herod heard this,
he was greatly troubled,
and all Jerusalem with him.
Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people,
He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

All Jerusalem with him – is a reference to all the Jews who were with King Herod. All these Jews were as troubled as King Herod because they did not want another King.

They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea,
for thus it has been written through the prophet:
And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
since from you shall come a ruler,
who is to shepherd my people Israel.”

These Jews were learned men who knew the Scriptures. And they knew of the prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.

Then Herod called the magi secretly
and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.
He sent them to Bethlehem and said,
“Go and search diligently for the child.
When you have found him, bring me word,
that I too may go and do him homage.”

King Herod tried to trick the Magi into leading him to the Christ child.

After their audience with the king they set out.
And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them,
until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.

After the Magi left King Herod, a star appeared before them and led them to the child.

Angels are frequently referred to as stars.

They were overjoyed at seeing the star,
and on entering the house
they saw the child with Mary his mother.
They prostrated themselves and did him homage.
Then they opened their treasures
and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

It is widely known that Jesus Christ was born in a manger, which was in a stable, which was in a cave. However, the Magi found Jesus Christ in a house. This would indicate that the holy family had moved from the stable into a home or into the Inn which was attached to that stable.

The gift of gold represents Christ's kingship. The gift of frankincense represents his priesthood. The gift of myrrh anticipates his death and burial.

And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod,
they departed for their country by another way.

An angel appeared to the Magi in the dream and warned them to avoid Herod.

January 4, 2014

Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious
Lectionary: 207
Reading 1 1 JN 3:7-10

Children, let no one deceive you.
The person who acts in righteousness is righteous,
just as he is righteous.

This one verse contradicts everything that Protestants teach about justification. They claim that we are only covered over by Christ's righteousness. But St. John the apostle says that we become righteous. The person who does good is transformed into a good person.

Whoever sins belongs to the Devil,
because the Devil has sinned from the beginning.

Those who continue in sin after they have been justified in the waters of rebirth (i.e. baptism) will be condemned.

Indeed, the Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the Devil.

Jesus Christ came to teach us to do good. He is our example. The motif of the Scriptures can be reduced to, "the imitation of Christ".

No one who is begotten by God commits sin,
because God’s seed remains in him;
he cannot sin because he is begotten by God.

I think this has to do with one's level of perfection in the spiritual life. We can compare this to St. Paul's agonizing cry in another Scripture:

Romans 7:24-25  Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I of myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

In my opinion, St. John the apostle was speaking about himself when he made that statement. He obviously had a very close relationship with the Holy Spirit. And he was thoroughly transformed to reflect Jesus Christ

In this way,
the children of God and the children of the Devil are made plain;
no one who fails to act in righteousness belongs to God,
nor anyone who does not love his brother.

Therefore, St. John confirms what Jesus Christ taught. Jesus Christ said, "they will know you by your love (John 13:35)."

Responsorial Psalm PS 98:1, 7-8, 9

R. (3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Let the sea and what fills it resound,
the world and those who dwell in it;
Let the rivers clap their hands,
the mountains shout with them for joy before the LORD.

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
The LORD comes;
he comes to rule the earth;
He will rule the world with justice
and the peoples with equity.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

How? How have all the ends of the earth seen the saving power of God? In my mind, this has been brought about by the teaching of the Catholic Church. It is the Catholic Church which is taught the word of God throughout the world. It is the Catholic Church which has brought the Scriptures to the whole world. It is the Catholic Church which feeds the whole world the bread of life which is the body and blood of our Lord Jesus.

Gospel JN 1:35-42

John was standing with two of his disciples,
and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said,
“Behold, the Lamb of God.”

St. John the Baptist was standing beside the other St. John (who would later become the apostle and the author of this gospel) and St. Andrew (St. Peter's brother and also an apostle). And as Jesus went by St. John the Baptist recognized him as the Messiah who would offer himself for the sins of the world.

The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.
Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them,
“What are you looking for?”

When the two disciples of John the Baptist's heard it was the Messiah, they followed Jesus. Upon noticing them, Jesus asked him what they wanted.

They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher),
“where are you staying?”

They addressed him as, "Teacher", and asked him where he was staying.

This is important. The fact that they identify him as teacher from the moment they see him. The reason that this is important is because the Catholic Church is the body of Christ. The Catholic Church is the presence, the embodiment, of Christ in this world. And the Catholic Church is known as the Magisterium. "Magisterium" means "Teacher".

He said to them, “Come, and you will see.”
So they went and saw where he was staying,
and they stayed with him that day.

I was surprised to find out that St. Andrew was one of the first apostles. You rarely hear him mentioned in the Gospels. Saint Andrew, actually preceded his brother, Simon bar Jonah who would later be known as, St. Peter.

Anyway, St. John the apostle (a.k.a. the beloved disciple) and St. Andrew were the first two apostles to follow Jesus.

It was about four in the afternoon.
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter,
was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.
He first found his own brother Simon and told him,
“We have found the Messiah,” which is translated Christ.
Then he brought him to Jesus.

Saint Andrew did where we are all called to do. He learned his brother to Jesus Christ.

Jesus looked at him and said,
“You are Simon the son of John;
you will be called Cephas,” which is translated Peter.

This has to do with predestination. The moment that Jesus Christ met Simon bar Jonah, he gave them the name "Rock". That is what Cephas means. (See also Matt 16:18 – 19).

Christina Peri - Jar of Hearts

Make yours a happy home - Gladys Knight and the Pips

Catholic Doctrine all makes sense - the Mass

Catholic Doctrine all makes sense.  It just makes sense.

Consider the Mass.  The Catholic Church teaches it is a mortal sin to miss the Mass (CCC #2180 and 2181).  Why is that?

St. Paul also explains it very well in Hebrews 10:25-31:

Hebrews 10:25-31

King James Version (KJV)

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.  26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,  27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.  28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:  29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?  30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.  31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Read it carefully, because it just makes sense.  These words bring it home to me.

 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 

God sacrificed His Son for us upon the Cross. And all that He asks is that we remember Him once a week for an hour.  But how many people would rather watch a football game or attend a party?

If a person isn't grateful enough nor love Jesus enough to go to Mass at a minimum of one hour a week, that person is making a mockery of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ upon the Cross.  How then should God respond to that person?  Read verse 31:  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

It makes perfect sense. Catholic Doctrine just makes sense.

January 3, 2014

Christmas Weekday 
Lectionary: 206
Reading 1 1 JN 2:29-3:6

If you consider that God is righteous,
you also know that everyone who acts in righteousness
is begotten by him.

Children are like their fathers. If God is your father, then you will imitate him. If God is your father, then you will obey him.

See what love the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God.
Yet so we are.

We are God's children because He created us.  We, who are baptized, are God's children because we are born again in His image, in the Body of Christ, His Son, who is the image of the Father.

The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

The world did not know that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, the Word of God, who was there from the beginning.  Through whom all things were created.

Beloved, we are God’s children now;
what we shall be has not yet been revealed.
We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is.

We are born in natural bodies but when we are reborn, we shall have spiritual bodies (1 Cor 15:44).  God is spirit (John 4:24).  When we are born again in the Spirit, we become like God and are His children.

Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure,
as he is pure.

All who are born again in the Spirit of God strive to be pure.  We strive to be transformed from flesh to spirit.  From corruption to incorruption.  From injustice to justice.  We strive to be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect (Matt 5:48).

Everyone who commits sin commits lawlessness,
for sin is lawlessness.

All who commit sin, transgress the law of the Commandments.  For all sin is transgression of the Commandments of God.  All sin is transgression of the Will of God.  All who commit sin are children of the lawless One.

You know that he was revealed to take away sins,
and in him there is no sin.
No one who remains in him sins;
no one who sins has seen him or known him.

Any person who intentionally remains in sin is a child of the lawless One and is not a child of God.  Those who love God refrain from sin.  Those who love God seek to do the works of the Spirit and are beloved of God.

Responsorial Psalm PS 98:1, 3CD-4, 5-6

R. (3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

Jesus Christ is the saving power of God.  He saved us by dying on the Cross and pouring out His saving grace upon us through the Sacraments.  

Gospel JN 1:29-34

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said,
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

St. John the Baptist called Jesus the Lamb of God.  This is a very significant name.  St. Paul called Jesus the "Paschal sacrifice" (1 Cor 5:7).  This is another way of saying the same thing.  Jesus Christ came to die for our sins.  He offered Himself to the Father as an expiation for the sins of mankind (Heb 9:15).  And He offered Himself so that those who live might turn to Him and have eternal life (Rom 6:23).

He is the one of whom I said,
‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.’

Jesus Christ is God and therefore existed before the world was made.  It is through Him that all things were made.

I did not know him,
but the reason why I came baptizing with water
was that he might be made known to Israel.”

St. John the Baptist was the Precursor who came to prepare the way of the Lord.

John testified further, saying,
“I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky
and remain upon him.
I did not know him,
but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me,
‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain,
he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”

God told St. John the Baptist that the Spirit of God would come down like a dove and rest upon Our Lord.  And this is how the Father identified the Son.

January 2, 2014

Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church
Lectionary: 205
Reading 1 1 JN 2:22-28

Beloved:
Who is the liar?

In my opinion, this should be capitalized.  Not to show any sort of undue respect. But simply for the sake of grammar.  In other words  It should say, "Who is the Liar?" Because I believe this is a reference to the father of lies, Satan.

Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ.

Whoever denies that Jesus is the Messiah and Christ, is doing it under the influence of Satan. In another place in Scripture, the apostle says, "no one says that Jesus is Lord except by the inspiration of the holy spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3)."

Whoever denies the Father and the Son, this is the antichrist.

The Antichrist is Satan. But in another sense, the antichrist is Satan moving in the world. The antichrist wants nothing better than to have us all reject God.

Anyone who denies the Son does not have the Father,

What does it mean, "reject the Son"? It means to disobey the word of God. It means to disobey the Commandments. In another case, Jesus says, "if you love me keep my commandments (John 14:21-23)."

but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well.

No one comes to the Father except through the Son. No one comes to the Father except by obedience to the word of God, by keeping the commandments. The word of God and the Commandments are figures of Jesus Christ. Whatever disobeys the word of God or the Commandments disobeys the son of God who embodies the will of God.

Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you.
If what you heard from the beginning remains in you,
then you will remain in the Son and in the Father.

What is it then we heard from the beginning? The Commandments. From the beginning, Moses preached obedience to the commandments of God.

And this is the promise that he made us: eternal life.
I write you these things about those who would deceive you.
As for you,
the anointing that you received from him remains in you,
so that you do not need anyone to teach you.
But his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not false;
just as it taught you, remain in him.

What is this anointing? It is the baptism of the Holy Spirit which is apportioned to us in the sacraments. In some cases, as in the case of the priest, it is the laying on of hands of the Presbytery which passes on to them a special grace for teaching the word of God.

And now, children, remain in him,
so that when he appears we may have confidence
and not be put to shame by him at his coming.

How do we remain in him? We remain in him by doing good with patience enduring to the end. We remain in him by consuming his body and blood and the holy Eucharist. We remain in him by being joined to his church, his body, in the mass. We remain in him by glorifying God and keeping his commandments.

Responsorial Psalm PS 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4

R. (3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

Praise God! All of you who believe in God, praise God! Let everyone see the reasons for your faith and hope in the salvation of our souls! Let everyone see what God has done your life.

Gospel JN 1:19-28

This is the testimony of John.

This is the testimony of  St. John the Baptist. St. John the apostle and evangelist here records the words of John the Baptist.  St. John the evangelist, was a disciple of  St. John the Baptist before he came to Jesus Christ. And he came to Jesus Christ because of the preaching of  St. John the Baptist. This is the testimony he is revealing

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.”

Faithful Jews were expecting the Messiah. When they heard of John the Baptist they hurried to find out if he was the Messiah. But he told the truth and informed them that he was the coming of Elijah, the precursor, who was preparing the way for the Messiah.

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.

The Pharisees also came to inquire of John. But they were trying to disprove his authority. One of the questions is intriguing. They asked, "why do you baptize if you are neither the Christ nor Elijah nor the prophet?" I can't find anything in the Old Testament about a prophecy that Christ or the precursor would come baptizing. So, I wonder if, there was an Old Testament tradition to this effect?

Journey Home - Lea Darrow

January 1, 2014

The Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord
Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
Lectionary: 18
Reading 1 NM 6:22-27

The LORD said to Moses:
“Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:
This is how you shall bless the Israelites.
Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites,
and I will bless them.”

In the Old Testament, the Levites were the official priests. In the New Testament, we are all priests. Although we have a ministerial priesthood, everyone was baptized his priests, prophet and king. Therefore, we are all empowered to pass on God's blessing.

Responsorial Psalm PS 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

R/ (2a) May God bless us in his mercy.
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.

R/ May God bless us in his mercy.
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.

R/ May God bless us in his mercy.
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R/ May God bless us in his mercy.

Let us pray for our country that we may all turn to God and do good towards men. In this way God will continue to shine his light upon us and continue to shed his blessings.

Reading 2 GAL 4:4-7

Brothers and sisters:
When the fullness of time had come,

The fullness of time – I think that's a reference to the length of time which God had set aside until the coming of Jesus Christ.

God sent his Son,

God sent his son – of course, this refers to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the son of God in the sense that he proceeds from the Father in eternity. He is also the son of God in the sense that he was engendered by the Holy Spirit, the third person of the holy Trinity, in Mary's womb.

born of a woman,

The woman is of course, Mary. This is why Mary is referred to as the ark of the new covenant. Because she bore within her womb, Jesus Christ, the Word of God, the bread of life, our high priest.

born under the law,

Jesus Christ was born under the law of Moses.

to ransom those under the law,

When Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, died upon the cross, he paid for the sins committed in the Old Testament. See Hebrews 9:15.

so that we might receive adoption as sons.

St. Paul leaves a great deal out between these two thoughts. Jesus Christ was born in order to die and ransom those faithful people who died in their sins in the Old Testament. That's the first thought.

So that we might receive adoption as sons, that's the second thought. Jesus Christ accomplished the first, the redemption of those who died in the Old Testament, by descending to the dead and bringing them into heaven  (1 Peter 3:18-20; Hebrews 11:39-40). He accomplished the second thought, our adoption as sons, by establishing the sacraments. It is in the sacrament of baptism that we receive the adoption of the Father (John 3:3; Col 2:12).

As proof that you are sons,
God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,
crying out, “Abba, Father!”
So you are no longer a slave but a son,
and if a son then also an heir, through God.

Because we are sons of God, members of the body of Christ, we need not be shy about calling out to the Father, indeed Our Father. By our adoption, we now walk upon Mount Zion mingling with the spirits of men made perfect by the love of God (Hebrews 12:21-24). 

Gospel LK 2:16-21

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger.

  The Angels had appeared to shepherds and sent them in search of the child in the manger.

When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.

When they arrived, the shepherds told everyone about the message they had received from heaven.

All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.

All were amazed at the shepherds words. But the humble maiden, Mary, did not brag or boast, but kept all those things in her heart.

Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to them.

Then the shepherds went home glorifying God because everything the Angels had revealed was true.

When eight days were completed for his circumcision,
he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel
before he was conceived in the womb.

Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day in order to obey the commands of Moses. And he was given the name Jesus in obedience to the command of the angel.

December 31, 2013

The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas
Lectionary: 204
Reading 1 1 JN 2:18-21

Children, it is the last hour;
and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming,
so now many antichrists have appeared.
Thus we know this is the last hour.
They went out from us, but they were not really of our number;
if they had been, they would have remained with us.
Their desertion shows that none of them was of our number.
But you have the anointing that comes from the Holy One,
and you all have knowledge.
I write to you not because you do not know the truth
but because you do, and because every lie is alien to the truth.

St. John warned the Christian community about false prophets, antichrists, who were passing themselves off as members of the church.

Responsorial Psalm PS 96:1-2, 11-12, 13

R. (11a) Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name;
announce his salvation, day after day.

R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
let the sea and what fills it resound;
let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!
Then shall all the trees of the forest exult before the LORD.

R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
The LORD comes,
he comes to rule the earth.
He shall rule the world with justice
and the peoples with his constancy.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

 Rejoice all of you who love goodness and righteousness. Jesus Christ is born. He comes to rule the world with justice. Rejoice!

Gospel JN 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.

 Jesus Christ is God made flesh. He existed before the world. The entire world came to be through him, for him and by him. He is the One and only live, move and are.

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.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

St. John the Baptist came in the spirit of Elijah to  fill the valleys and make the mountains low. He came to prepare the way for the appearance of Almighty God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

He was in the world,
and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own,
but his own people did not accept him.

 Jesus Christ came into the world and the world rejected him. He came to his own and his own rejected him.

But to those who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to those who believe in his name,
who were born not by natural generation
nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision
but of God.

 But some did accept him. And to those who did accept him, and obeyed his word, he became the promise of salvation.

And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son,
full of grace and truth.

 And those of us who believe in him  Have seen the glory of God shine through him.

John testified to him and cried out, saying,
“This was he of whom I said,
‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.’”
From his fullness we have all received,
grace in place of grace,
because while the law was given through Moses,
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God.
The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side,
has revealed him.

Moses gave us the law and the 10 Commandments. Jesus Christ gave us sanctifying grace through the sacraments of the Catholic Church.

December 30, 2013

The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Lectionary: 203
Reading 1 1 JN 2:12-17

I am writing to you, children,
because your sins have been forgiven for his name’s sake.

I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.

I am writing to you, young men,
because you have conquered the Evil One.

I write to you, children,
because you know the Father.

I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young men,
because you are strong and the word of God remains in you,
and you have conquered the Evil One.

Do not love the world or the things of the world.
If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world,
sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life,
is not from the Father but is from the world.
Yet the world and its enticement are passing away.
But whoever does the will of God remains forever.

St. John the evangelist counsels all men to do the will of God. Those who love the world will not do the will of God. But those who follow after the spirit will cast the world aside with all its sins and live forever.

Responsorial Psalm PS 96:7-8A, 8B-9, 10

R. (11a) Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Give to the LORD, you families of nations,
give to the LORD glory and praise;
give to the LORD the glory due his name!

R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Bring gifts, and enter his courts;
worship the LORD in holy attire.
Tremble before him, all the earth.

R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved;
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

Intentionally or unintentionally, all men will bow the knee and give God glory. Those who do so intentionally will themselves be glorified by God in the heavens. Those who do so unintentionally, will give glory after they have been punished then cast into hell.

Gospel LK 2:36-40

There was a prophetess, Anna,
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was advanced in years,
having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the temple,
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
And coming forward at that very time,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

St. Anna, the prophetess, recognized Jesus Christ when his parents brought him to the temple. When she saw him, she told everyone that he was the redemption of Israel.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee,
to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.

When St. Joseph and Mary have accomplished all the requirements of the law concerning a newborn male child, they returned to their home in Nazareth. And Jesus Christ grew in grace and wisdom before God His Father.

Catechism in a Year - Days 8, 9 and 10

Day 8 - Does Revelation continue after Christ?

With Jesus Christ, has everything been said, or does revelation continue even after him?

In Jesus Christ, God himself came to earth. He is God's last Word. By listening to him, all men of all times can know who God is and what is necessary for their salvation.

With the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the revelation of God is perfect and complete. To make it comprehensible to us, the Holy Spirit leads us ever deeper into the truth. God's light breaks so forcefully into the lives of many individuals that they "see the heavens opened" (Acts 7:56). That is how the great places of pilgrimage such as Guadalupe in Mexico or Lourdes in France came about. The "private revelations" of visionaries cannot improve on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. No one is obliged to believe in them. But they can help us understand the Gospel better. Their authenticity is tested by the Church. (YOUCAT question 10)

Dig Deeper: CCC section (66-67) and other references here.

An approved Marian apparition you simply must know about: Check out

Our Lady of Good Success by Matthew Arnold.

Day 9 - Why do we hand on the Faith?

Why do we hand on the faith?

We hand on the faith because Jesus commands us: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (Mt 28:19).

No genuine Christian leaves the transmission of the faith exclusively to specialists (teachers, pastors, missionaries). We are Christ for others. This means that every genuine Christian would like God to come to other people, too. He says to himself, "The Lord needs me! I have been baptized and confirmed and am responsible for helping the people around me to learn about God and to come to the knowledge of the truth' (1 Tim 2:4b)." Mother Teresa used a good comparison: "Often you can see power lines running alongside the street. Unless current is flowing through them, there is no light. The power line is you and I! The current is God! We have the power to allow the current to flow through us and thus to generate the light of the world: JESUS - or to refuse to be used and, thus, allow the darkness to spread." (YOUCAT question 11)

Dig Deeper: CCC section (68-73) and other references here.

Dig Deeper: CCC section (68-73) and other references here.

Need a solid pep talk about sharing your faith?

Listen as Fr. Mike Schmitz - beloved teacher and spiritual guide to Catholic young adults - shares the compelling the mission of every baptized and confirmed Christian in We Must Go Out.

[Listen to the first 5 minutes for free!]

 

Day 10 - What belongs to the True Faith?

How can we tell what belongs to the true faith?

We find the true faith in Sacred Scripture and in the living Tradition of the Church.

The New Testament developed out of the faith of the Church. Scripture and Tradition belong together. Handing on the faith does not occur primarily through documents. In the early Church it was said that Sacred Scripture was "written on the heart of the Church rather than on parchment". The disciples and the apostles experienced their new life above all through a living fellowship with Jesus. The early Church invited people into this fellowship, which continued in a different way after the Resurrection. The first Christians held fast "to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers" (Acts 2:42). They were united with one another and yet had room for others. This is part of our faith to this day: Christians invite other individuals to come to know a fellowship with God that has been preserved unaltered since the times of the apostles in the Catholic Church. (YOUCAT question 12)

Dig Deeper: CCC section (74-87) and other references here.

Interested in learning more about Catholicism and Sacred Scripture?Check out  Building a Catholic Biblical Worldview by Dr. Scott Hahn

Perry Como - Home for the Holidays!

December 29, 2013

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Lectionary: 17
Reading 1 SIR 3:2-6, 12-14

God sets a father in honor over his children;
a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons.
Whoever honors his father atones for sins,
and preserves himself from them.

The importance of obedience towards parents, of honoring one's parents, cannot be overestimated.

When he prays, he is heard;
he stores up riches who reveres his mother.
Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children,
and, when he prays, is heard.
Whoever reveres his father will live a long life;
he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother.

Whoever honors his parents, honors God, and his prayers are heard.

My son, take care of your father when he is old;
grieve him not as long as he lives.
Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him;
revile him not all the days of his life;
kindness to a father will not be forgotten,
firmly planted against the debt of your sins
—a house raised in justice to you.

Loving one's parents erases many things.

Responsorial Psalm PS 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

R. (cf. 1) Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
who walks in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.

R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
your children like olive plants
around your table.

R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

Blessed is the man who obeys the Commandments of God. Blessed is the man who honors his heavenly father. He will be richly rewarded at the judgment.

Reading 2 COL 3:12-21

Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.

Jesus Christ told the apostles that those who follow him will be known by their love. The apostle Paul described love as, "gentle, kind, and patient" (1 Corinthians 13:4). Therefore, we see the God's chosen ones are known by their love.

And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.

If we live in love, and the peace of Christ will dwell in our hearts.

Wives, be subordinate to your husbands,
as is proper in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives,
and avoid any bitterness toward them.
Children, obey your parents in everything,
for this is pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers, do not provoke your children,
so they may not become discouraged.

In all family relationships, we must respect and love each other.

I personally believe that God has established a certain order. In a household, the wife is subordinate to the husband and the children are subordinate to the husband and wife. If this order is maintained, it mirrors the order which God has established in heaven. 

The alternate second reading is a subset of the first and requires no further comment.

Or COL 3:12-17

Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Gospel MT 2:13-15, 19-23

When the magi had departed, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,
“Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,
and stay there until I tell you.
Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night
and departed for Egypt.
He stayed there until the death of Herod,
that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled,
Out of Egypt I called my son.

The angel Gabriel appeared to St. Joseph and warned him to take the child and his mother out of Israel into Jerusalem. Because Satan had sent his servant, Herod, to kill the child.

When Herod had died, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream
to Joseph in Egypt and said,
“Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel,
for those who sought the child’s life are dead.”
He rose, took the child and his mother,
and went to the land of Israel.
But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea
in place of his father Herod,
he was afraid to go back there.
And because he had been warned in a dream,
he departed for the region of Galilee.
He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth,
so that what had been spoken through the prophets
might be fulfilled,
He shall be called a Nazorean.

Later when Herod dies, the Angel Gabriel again appears to St. Joseph in a dream and instructs him to take the child and his mother back to Israel. St. Joseph decided to take them to Nazareth.

Sunday Bible Reflections with Dr. Scott Hahn December 29th 2013 - Feast of the Holy Family

December 29th 2013 - Feast of the Holy Family


Listen Here!

Saving Family

Readings:
Sirach 3:2-6,12-14
Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
Colossians 3:12-21
Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23


Underlying the wisdom offered in today’s Liturgy is the mystery of the family in God’s divine plan.

The Lord has set father in honor over his children and mother in authority over her sons, we hear in today’s First Reading. As we sing in today’s Psalm, the blessings of the family flow from Zion, the heavenly mother of the royal people of God (see Isaiah 66:7,10-13; Galatians 4:26).

And in the drama of today’s Gospel, we see the nucleus of the new people of God - the Holy Family - facing persecution from those who would seek to destroy the child and His Kingdom.

Moses, called to save God’s first born son, the people of Israel (see Exodus 4:22; Sirach 36:11), was also threatened at birth by a mad and jealous tyrant (see Exodus 1:15-16). And as Moses was saved by his mother and sister (see Exodus 2:1-10; 4:19), in God’s plan Jesus too is rescued by His family.

As once God took the family of Jacob down to Egypt to make them the great nation Israel (see Genesis 46:2-4), God leads the Holy Family to Egypt to prepare the coming of the new Israel of God - the Church (see Galatians 6:16).

At the beginning of the world, God established the family in the “marriage” of Adam and Eve, the two becoming one body (see Genesis 2:22-24). Now in the new creation, Christ is made “one body” with His bride, the Church, as today’s Epistle indicates (see Ephesians 5:21-32).

By this union we are made God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved. And our families are to radiate the perfect love that binds us to Christ in the Church.
As we approach the altar on this feast, let us renew our commitment to our God-given duties as spouses, children and parents. Mindful of the promises of today’s First Reading, let us offer our quiet performance of these duties for the atonement of our sins.




Yours in Christ,



Scott Hahn, Ph.D.

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Catholic Doctrine all makes sense – sacraments

It all makes sense.  Catholic doctrine all makes sense.

Consider the sacraments. Frequently, I used to wonder what is the advantage of a Catholic. After all, the Catholic Church teaches that God wills all men to be saved• and come the knowledge of truth (CCC #851).

If then, all of them can be saved, what is the advantage of being a Catholic? In one word, the sacraments. It is the sacraments which make the vital difference between the Catholic Church (and the ancient sacramental Christian churches) and every other religion including the Jews and Protestants.

God's salvation plan began with the Jews. So let me begin my explanation there as well. In the Jewish religion, there were animal sacrifices. These animal sacrifices were annulled and replaced in the New Testament by the one sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ upon the cross.

This one sacrifice is directly tied to the holy Eucharist. This is well known and understood throughout Christendom. What is less well known, is that the piercing of the lance in the side of Christ is directly tied to the rest of the sacraments. In the piercing of the lance the blood and water which poured out signifies the grace which Jesus Christ pours out to us through the sacraments. Therefore all the sacraments tieback to the cross.

And the sacraments, the fruit of the cross, the fruit of the one sacrifice of Christ, replace the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament.

So the one sacrifice of Christ replaced the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament. And the one sacrifice of Christ truly washes away sin by the vehicle of the sacraments. That is why our sins are washed away in baptism, confession, anointing, and less well known but in all the sacraments are venial sins are washed away.

Further, the sacraments are the doorway into heaven. Once we are baptized we are saved. Not ultimately, but when we are baptized we walk amongst the spirits of men made perfect on Mount Zion. And so, we do not have to wait for the judgment. And that is unlike anybody else. Although we will also stand before Jesus Christ at the judgment seat, those who have he lived according to his word will have already been judged when they receive the sacraments.

And so this is a great advantage over every other religion. Whether it be the Jews, the Protestants, or any non-Christian religions. Judgment begins with the house of God in the sacraments.

Yes sir, Catholic doctrine all makes sense.

December 28, 2013

Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs
Lectionary: 698
Reading 1 1 JN 1:5—2:2

Beloved:
This is the message that we have heard from Jesus Christ
and proclaim to you:
God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.
If we say, “We have fellowship with him,”
while we continue to walk in darkness,
we lie and do not act in truth.

God's goodness and light. Those who claim to be converted to God must discard sin and  and walk in like and righteousness.

But if we walk in the light as he is in the light,
then we have fellowship with one another,

And if we walk in righteousness that we are all brothers because we are united to him in his body.

and the Blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin.

The blood of Christ cleanses us from sin through sacraments.

If we say, “We are without sin,”
we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just
and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.
If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar,
and his word is not in us.

When we turn to Christ we must repent of all sins he will forgive us.

My children, I am writing this to you
so that you may not commit sin.
But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous one.
He is expiation for our sins,
and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.

We turn to Christ we turn away from sin. But if we do sin he is ready  to forgive us in the sacrament of penance.

Responsorial Psalm PS 124:2-3, 4-5, 7CD-8

R. (7) Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.
Had not the LORD been with us—
When men rose up against us,
then would they have swallowed us alive,
When their fury was inflamed against us.

R. Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.
Then would the waters have overwhelmed us;
The torrent would have swept over us;
over us then would have swept the raging waters.

R. Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.
Broken was the snare,
and we were freed.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
R. Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.

Jesus Christ has rescued us from Satan's snare. Satan tempts us to sin so that we may be trapped in death and dragged into the pit of hell. But Christ died for all that those who live my turn to him and live again.

Gospel MT 2:13-18

When the magi had departed, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,
“Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,
and stay there until I tell you.
Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night
and departed for Egypt.
He stayed there until the death of Herod,
that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled,
Out of Egypt I called my son.

The scene is mystically revealed again in revelations 12, where the Dragon attempts to kill the child as he is being born. But the child was caught up into the throne of God and the woman fled to the desert.

Revelation 12

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

The Woman and the Dragon

1 [a]And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; 2 she was with child and she cried out in her pangs of birth, in anguish for delivery. 3 And another portent appeared in heaven; behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems upon his heads. 4 His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven, and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to bear a child, that he might devour her child when she brought it forth; 5 she brought forth a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, 6 and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which to be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days.

Herod, is the Dragon. Because he is serving Satan's purpose.

When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi,
he became furious.
He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity
two years old and under,
in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi.
Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:

A voice was heard in Ramah,
sobbing and loud lamentation;
Rachel weeping for her children,
and she would not be consoled,
since they were no more.

This is indeed a sad scene. The holy innocents were the first martyrs who died for Jesus Christ.

Catholics come home - Movie of your life

December 27, 2013

Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist
Lectionary: 697
Reading 1 1 JN 1:1-4

Beloved:
What was from the beginning,
what we have heard,
what we have seen with our eyes,
what we looked upon
and touched with our hands
concerns the Word of life —
for the life was made visible;
we have seen it and testify to it
and proclaim to you the eternal life
that was with the Father and was made visible to us—
what we have seen and heard
we proclaim now to you,
so that you too may have fellowship with us;
for our fellowship is with the Father
and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
We are writing this so that our joy may be complete.

Today is his feast day.  In his honor, the readings are from his letter and Gospel.

From the beginning -  means from the beginning of time.

What we have heard, seen  - refers to the Apostles who heard and saw all which Christ taught and did in so far as His miracles, healings and signs.

What we have touched - I believe that refers to the Christ's Body, the Eucharist.

What we proclaim to you - is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  

Responsorial Psalm PS 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12

R. (12) Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many isles be glad.
Clouds and darkness are around him,
justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.

R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.

R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
Light dawns for the just;
and gladness, for the upright of heart.
Be glad in the LORD, you just,
and give thanks to his holy name.
R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

Rejoice in the Lord!  Rejoice that God has shed His mercy upon you in the holy Sacraments.

Gospel JN 20:1A AND 2-8

On the first day of the week,
Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
“They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we do not know where they put him.”
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first;
he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
When Simon Peter arrived after him,
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,
and the cloth that had covered his head,
not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in,
the one who had arrived at the tomb first,
and he saw and believed.

The "other" disciple in this reading, is St. John the Evangelist.  He and St. Peter ran to the tomb to see what it was that St. Mary Magdalene was talking about.