Tagged: promise of the day

“Who are you?” –John 1:19 Mass Readings: January 2 First: 1 John 2:22-28; Resp: Psalm 98:1-4; Gospel: John 1:19-28 Throughout this year, we will be continually challenged with the question: “Who are you?” The correct answer is: “I am a part of the body of Christ” (see Rm 12:5; 1 Cor 12:13). Our true identity is based on our relationship with Christ (see Col 2:17). An even better answer is to state the specific part of the body of Christ which you are. For example, John the Baptizer said he was a voice in Christ’s body (Jn 1:23). You may...

“When the eighth day arrived for His circumcision, the name Jesus was given the child.” –Luke 2:21 Mass Readings: January 1 First: Numbers 6:22-27; Resp: Psalm 67:2-3,5-6,8; Second: Galatians 4:4-7; Gospel: Luke 2:16-21 On the eighth day of Christmas, we celebrate the feast of Mary, the Mother of God. On the eighth day of His life, Jesus shed His blood for the first time as He endured circumcision. Mary, His mother, would have been the one who nursed Jesus’ wound, repeatedly washing off His blood during the next few days as the infant Jesus healed. This foreshadows Mary standing at...

“The Lord sets a father in honor over his children; a mother’s authority He confirms over her sons. He who honors his father atones for sins.” –Sirach 3:2-3 Mass Readings: December 30 First: Sirach 3:2-7,12-14; Resp: Psalm 128:1-5; Second: Colossians 3:12-21; Gospel: Matthew 2:13-15,19-23 The Christian family is being assaulted with a vehemence which is unprecedented. Promiscuity, contraception, abortion, abuses, addictions, and divorces are rampant. Bitterness, resentments, and unforgiveness poison family relationships. Fewer families are surviving. The Lord wants this Christmas season to be the time for a counter-assault by the Christian family on the culture of death. We need...

“It was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not experience death until he had seen the Anointed of the Lord.” –Luke 2:26 Mass Readings: December 29 First: 1 John 2:3-11; Resp: Psalm 96:1-6; Gospel: Luke 2:22-35 Sometimes when we look at the manger scene, we don’t see how we fit into Christmas. We see figures from ancient times in a distant land. Yet how do we live Christmas in the here and now? Thank God the reality of Christmas is not limited to a particular time or place. Christmas transcends geography and chronology. It is not...