SOLEMNITY OF THE HOLY MARY, MOTHER OF GOD

Numbers 6:22-27

Psalm 66

Galatians 4:4-7

Luke 2:16-21

2021: A Year of Hope

January 1st, a day marked by three events: the beginning of a new year, the solemnity of Saint Mary, Mother of God, and World Day of Peace. As far as today’s liturgy is concerned, two things caught my attention. First, the Church invites us to celebrate a woman on this first day of the year. Meanwhile a woman is the symbol of life, fertility and care. This woman is Mary, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Mother in the order of grace. The second reading and the gospel attest to this fact.

Second, the liturgy of the Word opens by speaking of blessing. Meanwhile, to "bless" someone is to wish him "good", to set him apart for God. Thus, the liturgical blessing of the people of Israel consisted in invoking God's "NAME" on the people, and this included three things: may the Lord "keep you", may he "be gracious to you", and may he "give you peace."

Therefore, at the beginning of this New Year, I would like to express my best wishes in four words: life, grace, peace and hope. I wish you a life full of joy and fruitfulness. May the Lord keep you from all misfortune and give you the assurance of his unfailing presence especially in the midst of your doubts, difficulties, tribulations and trials.

May he grant you the graces you need and help you accept all the events that will mark your life in this coming year as a grace. May he give you his peace. Yes, peace (shàlôm), this word which, in the biblical sense, is not simply absence of war but expresses good relationship with God, with others and with nature, integrity, fullness, health, serenity, material and spiritual prosperity.

The year 2020 may not be as we had expected because of the many challenges and dramatic events caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, as we pray for the peaceful repose of all those who lost their lives because of this virus and pray for the healing of the infected ones, let us thank God for everything. Let us ask him to make this New Year a year overflowing with grace, a year of breakthrough and a year of spiritual elevation. May the Virgin Mary, Mother of Hope, accompany us throughout this year. Amen

Happy and Prosperous New Year!!!

SOLEMNITY OF THE HOLY FAMILY, YEAR B

Genesis 15:1-6.21:1-3

Psalm 104:1-6.8-9

Hebrews 11:8.11-12.17-19

Luke 2:22-40

THE HOLY FAMILY

Still in the joyful mood of Christmas, we celebrate today the Solemnity of the Holy Family. The purpose is to propose the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph as the model for all families. It was the presence of the child Jesus that changed the identity and dignity of this family. The adjective “holy” may make us think of a family in which all was rosy, all the times happy. But no! Like any human family, the Holy Family had its own time of distress, joys and sorrows, challenges and hopes, anxieties and struggles.

Today's readings put the child at the centre of our reflection. Having children or not can be a source of anxiety and struggle in the life of the family. At the presentation of the child Jesus in the Temple as narrated in the gospel, his parents were told their child was “destined for the fall and the rising of many in Israel,” “a sign to be rejected,” and a “sword would pierce the soul” of Mary (Luke 2:22-40). 

The first reading also presents us with two common struggles in our families: childlessness and the problem of heritage. Abraham was anxious because he was without a child, despite the promises made to him by God (Gen. 15:1-6.21:1-3). But there was one thing remarkable about Abraham and Sarah: their faith in God. They believed in God's promises (Heb. 11:8.11-12.17-19). 

There are some families that are agonizing beneath the problem of childlessness. But one thing is sure. We serve a living and faithful God who is capable of changing our human impossibility into possibility. Trust in him, pray and do not give up.

There are also parents who do not care about their children. They are not concerned about their material welfare, let alone their spiritual welfare. It is noteworthy that Jesus himself was introduced by Mary and Joseph into the religious community and frequented the synagogue of Nazareth. With them, he learned to make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Let us ask ourselves: Do we care about the spiritual growth of our children? Do we offer them in prayer to God? Do we teach them to pray? Do we encourage them to go to church? 

Like Mary and Joseph, let us cultivate the habit of praying, celebrating and worshipping together. We may face challenges as family members. But let us always look up to the example of the Holy Family and put Christ at the center of our family life, for a family without Christ is a family with crisis. May the Lord bless and keep us all.

Amen

THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD: MASS DURING THE DAY

Isaiah 52: 7-10

Psalm 97

Hebrews 1: 1-6

John 1: 1-18

BREAKING NEWS: GOD HAS BECOME MAN

Today we celebrate the mystery of the Incarnation: God has become man; Jesus is born. This is an old news but always a breaking Good News. The Eternal Word of God has been made flesh and he lives among us. God has become one of us so that by faith we may become children of God. From his fullness, we have received grace upon grace (John 1, 1-18).

In the little child lying in a manger at Bethlehem, we contemplate God. The invisible God has been made visible. Man can now touch God, hear God crying and being consoled. In this little child, God reveals and communicates his love and mercy to mankind (Heb. 1, 1-6).

Christmas, therefore, is not the celebration of the birthday of Jesus, where we will be adding a year to his age each time we celebrate Christmas. Otherwise, Jesus would be too old with time. Christmas is rather the celebration of God’s infinite and unfailing love for mankind; for by becoming man, the Eternal Son of God identifies himself with each one of us. He shares our human condition, our pain and joy, our misery. In this new born, God comes to live with us, to console us, to be our friends and walk the path of life with us. As the song goes: “Great things happen when God mixes with us, great and beautiful, wonderful things…”

And this is the Good News that is announced to us today: “How beautiful on the mountain, are the feet of one who brings good tidings, who heralds peace, brings happiness, proclaims salvation…” (Is. 52:7-10). This is the Good News we must carry to our world of fragile peace and broken promises. This is the good tiding announced to the world stricken by the covid-19 pandemic. This is the good tidings we must proclaim to our brothers and sisters through concrete and simple gestures of love, compassion, generosity and sharing, especially towards the poor, the sick, the marginalized and the vulnerable.

May this year’s Christmas bring you a breakthrough in whatever difficult situation you may find yourself. Moreover, amidst the many controversies about the anti-Covid vaccine, my Christmas best wish is that each one of us may receive a special vaccine: the vaccine of hope and grace. And may the Infant Jesus, the Prince of Peace, grant peace and healing to our world. Amen.

Merry Christmas !!

4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR B

2 Samuel 7:1-5.8-12.14.16

Psalm 88:2-5.27.29

Romans 16:25-27

Luke 1:26-38

THE UNCOVERING OF THE HIDDEN SECRET 

On this last Sunday of Advent, the Liturgy of the Word speaks of the fulfillment of God's promise to mankind, and highlights the role of Mary in the history of salvation. In the first reading, King David had a plan: to build a house for the Ark of God. But God rejected the proposal and promised him instead a house, to establish for him an everlasting kingdom of peace and prosperity (2Sam. 7:1-5.8-12.14.16).

This promise made to king David finds its fulfillment in the Annunciation story. With the Annunciation, Mary was to give birth to a son and give him the name Jesus. God will give him the throne of his father David. He will be great, holy, and the Son of the Most High, for he will be conceived by the action of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1,26-38).

Mary therefore had a choice to make: to say yes or no to God. It is important to note that this was not an easy choice: she was a virgin and promised to marriage to Joseph. But with humility and courage, she said “yes” to God. She trusted God, with whom nothing is impossible. In saying “yes”, her trusting faith changed our story. With her “yes”, God became one of us, the Old Testament promises found their fulfillment. Here belies the greatness of Mary: by her “yes”, she became the Mother of God’s own Son. Therefore, by Mary’s “yes” to God, the mystery kept secret for ages was revealed to us, the hidden secret was uncovered. God’s plan of our salvation became realized (Rom. 16:25-27).

Moreover, it could be observed that king David and the Virgin Mary had their own plans. But God had bigger plans for their lives. Thus, they allowed the will of God to be done. Indeed, salvation is a gift; and God has a project for each of our lives: all we need is to cooperate with him. May we therefore learn to avail ourselves to God's will. Let each of us say a free, unconditional and courageous 'Yes' to God even if we must sacrifice our own plans. Let us always remember: God is faithful. He always keeps his word. May he bless and keep all of us. Amen

3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR B

Isaiah 61:1-2.10-11

Luke 1:46-50.53-54

1Thessalonians 5:16-24

John 1:6-8.19-28

A REASON  TO BE JOYFUL 

The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally known as the “Gaudete Sunday” (Sunday of rejoicing). St Paul invites us to rejoice at all times, to pray without ceasing and give thank to God in every circumstance (1Thes. 5:16-24). But why should we rejoice when we are surrounded by thousands of problems and frustrations, when God seems silent when we call on him? Why should we rejoice when the COVID-19 pandemic will not allow us to celebrate Christmas as usual? In fact, life can give us thousands of reasons not to rejoice, but there is always a reason to be joyful. 

Back from the Babylonian exile, the people of Israel were disappointed because they did not find things easy as they had hoped according to the promises of God. They faced many challenges as they began to reconstruct the Temple and the city. It is in this context that we have to situate today’s first reading. The prophet speaks of the anointed one, sent by God to bring good news to the oppressed, inaugurate the era of grace, restoration and liberation. Thus, the people were to find a reason to rejoice because the Lord would clothe them with a robe of salvation (Is. 61:1-2.10-11). 

It is interesting that this prophecy about the Anointed one was adopted by Jesus to describe his own mission (cf. Luke 4). He was the long awaited Messiah, the one sent by God to save his people. That was why when the representatives of the Jewish leaders asked John the Baptist whether he was the Christ, or Elijah, or the Prophet, he responded in negative. He was only the one who came to witness to the Christ: “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me.” 

Often, our inability to recognize Jesus Christ is the source of our impatience, frustrations, worries, restlessness and unhappiness. If we believe that Jesus Christ is our Saviour and Redeemer, the Emmanuel, then we will always find a reason to rejoice no matter what situation we find ourselves in; for “the one who calls [us] is faithful, and he will do this,” says Saint Paul. May God help us to be aware that he is closer to us than we can think of and grant us the courage to always be joyful.

 Amen

2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR B

Isaiah 40:1-5.9-11

Psalm 84:9614

2Peter 3:8-14

Mark 1:1-8

A VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS !

The Advent season is a period of joyful hope, waiting and preparation for the coming of the Son of God. In fact, St Mark, being the first to write a gospel narrative, opens his account with these words: “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ the Son of God.” Indeed, the coming of Jesus Christ among men was Good News to all humanity, and the herald of such Good News was John the Baptist, known as the Precursor of the Messiah. 

In fulfillment of God’s promise, John was sent by God as a messenger to prepare the people of Israel for the coming of the Messiah. He did so by proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. John was therefore the forerunner, the “Voice that cries in the wilderness” saying: “prepare the way of the Lord…” His ministry was predicted by the prophet Isaiah as he described the commissioning of God’s messenger, the “herald of glad tidings”, who was sent to announce good news to the exiles in Babylon: their service was at the end; God was coming to set them free and restore them to their land (Is. 40:1-5.9-11). 

The figure of John the Baptist is thus important during this time of Advent. His simple but austere life, his faithfulness to his mission and his call to conversion are still relevant to us today. He invites us to make low the mountains of our hearts: setting aside our selfish attitudes, arrogance, pride, etc. We are also invited to fill our valleys: letting go our sluggishness, laziness, lack of motivation, and self-defeating thoughts. Finally, to make straight our ways by being truthful, just, honest and sincere. 

If we prepare ourselves daily in this way, then we should not be worried about when the Lord will come. We will not become impatient or get tired waiting upon the Lord in whatever situation we find ourselves. For God never delays; and for him, one day is like thousands years, and a thousand years like a day. Again, his patience is for our own good, because the longer we are allowed to wait for his coming the more people will have an opportunity to be converted and take part in God’s glory (2Pet. 1:8-14). Let us ask the Lord to grant us the grace so as to be always patient and get our hearts ready for his coming. 

Amen