Friday after Epiphany
Where do you pray? Have you ever thought about where Jesus prayed? Two separate gospel passages this week give us some clues. Today we read, “...he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.” This phrase ends today’s passage from Luke (5:12-16) about Jesus curing a man with leprosy and many others. As word about Jesus’ healing spread, not just crowds, but “great crowds,” gathered to listen to him and “be cured of their ailments.” Jesus was in demand, “but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.”
Thursday after Epiphany
We hear the word “love” used often in our everyday lives. Today’s scripture readings share what love means from a divine standpoint. We believe that our God is a Trinity of three persons-Father, Son and Spirit. Our Triune God reveals that it in within relationships that love is shared. God invites us to participate in this relationship of Love.
Wednesday After Epiphany
“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another.” Period. The End. Nothing more to say. I suppose for the sake of this reflection, I should add a bit more content, but I encourage you to pause for a moment and think about that statement (1 John 4:11). Receiving God’s love and sharing it with everyone we encounter characterizes the day-to-day life of a disciple.
Monday after Epiphany
Pop singer James Taylor recorded a song years ago entitled “Home by Another Way”: “Those magic men the magi, some people call them wise or oriental, even kings, well anyway those guys. They visited with Jesus, they sure enjoyed their stay but warned in a dream of King Herod’s schemes they went home by another way. Home by another way! Maybe you and me can be wise guys too and go home by another way. We can make it another way, safe home as they used to say. Keep a weather eye to the chart on high and go home by another way.”
Memorial of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious
The phrase “Come and you will see” that Jesus said to John’s disciples in today’s Gospel reading reminds me of discernment events and programs with religious congregations/orders, many of which are called “Come and See”. They are invitations to people to inquire and discern becoming a Religious Sister, Brother, or Priest. Looking at the bigger picture of our faith, today’s Gospel can help us reflect on how Jesus is inviting us to a deeper relationship with him.
Christmas Weekday
A week prior to Christmas, our boys both participated in the Immaculate Conception School Christmas play. All of the kids in the play were wonderful and put on a beautiful performance of The Miracle at Midnight. For ten weeks leading up to the program, they stayed after school each Tuesday and Thursday for rehearsal. Vincent was very proud to receive the role he auditioned for, the mayor of Bethlehem’s assistant, Snitley, and he worked hard to memorize his lines and hone his speaking skills in preparation for the performance. On the evening of the play, he nailed each of his lines and delivered an impressive display of energy and some humor. In light of our Gospel today, I was brought back to Vincent’s–I mean, Snitley’s–opening proclamation to kick off the play:
“Hear Ye, Hear Ye!
Her honor, the great and mighty one, the grand pooh-bah of pooh-bahs, Mayor Mayer, has an official announcement.
I bring you, Mayor Mayer!”
Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church
“Yohanan” was among the most popular male first century Jewish names, meaning “Yahweh is gracious.” For most of Christian history the authorship of the Johannine writings (John, I, II, & III John, and the Book of Revelation) has been assigned to John the apostle — son of Zebedee, brother of James, Disciple Whom Jesus Loved and adopted son of Mary. Today’s responsible scholars disagree with this synopsis.
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
As the sun rises on this New Year’s Day, we review the year that has passed and look with hope to the year that lies ahead. Whether you are someone who makes resolutions or not, this time of transition gives us all a moment to think about how we want things to look different a year from now. As I have been praying about the areas in which I most need growth, humility and change in my own life, I find myself drawn to one theme again and again - discipleship.
The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas
This seventh day of the Christmas Octave and last day of our calendar year beckons us to set aside time for reflection. While it is a challenge In the hustle and bustle of Christmas holidays, festivities and New Year’s gatherings…the richness of today’s Gospel is a ‘spiritual delicacy’ worth savoring, a well-aged fine beverage to sip slowly.
Find some time to re-treat in a quiet moment with God.
The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Each year during the Christmas and Easter seasons we hear references to “Octave Days.” The term octave means “eight,” but just what exactly are Octave Days, and why are they part of the Church’s liturgical calendar?
Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs
Today’s Gospel tells the story of what happened after the Magi visited Jesus. Prior to that, these wise men were following a star and inquired with King Herod where they could find the newborn King of the Jews. King Herod felt threatened and, as we read, responded by killing boys who were two years old and younger in Bethlehem and the surrounding area. His efforts didn’t work, in a dream, Joseph was warned and told to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus.
Feast of St. John, Apostle and evangelist
“This is John, who reclined on the Lord’s breast at supper, the blessed Apostle, to whom celestial secrets were revealed and who spread the words of life through all the world.” Today’s Entrance Antiphon for this Feast of St. John introduces us to this beloved apostle. It also brings to mind that intimate image of the apostle laying his head on Jesus’ breast – so close, even physically close, to this Word Made Flesh whose birth we celebrated just two days ago and continue to celebrate throughout this liturgical season of Christmas.
Feast of St. Stephen, first martyr
Today we celebrate the feast of St. Stephen- the first martyr. At first glance this seems an odd time to celebrate this feast day, since just yesterday we were singing “Joy to the World” as we gathered around the manger of the Christ child. And yet, our church wisely reminds us that we are called to leave the stable and head out into the world to proclaim the “Good News.” Jesus tells us that our lives will not be free from pain and suffering. And yet, as we celebrate the death of St. Stephen there is still reason for joy. Jesus promises us that His Spirit will always be with us to provide all we need as we live out our discipleship.
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
I had just finished celebrating Mass. With altar servers ahead of me, I was processing down the aisle towards the back of the church. A few pews down I could see a three or four-year-old kid keenly watching the procession. Normally, I high-five kids on my way out, kiss their probably germs infested hands, or give them a blessing. Before I could do any of these things, this kid waved at me and said, “Hi, Jesus!” I grinned, then looked at his parents, knelt down to give the kid a hug, and I walked out. But what I really wanted to do was scream, “Don’t do that to me!” What I really want to say was, “Do you know what they did to Jesus?” What I really want to say was, “Dude, you are stressing me out!” Years back, another little girl used to call me Jesus. One day, her mother said to me that her daughter had woken up at three in the morning and said, “Mom, Fr. Satish is not Jesus!” Well, it kind of broke my heart, but she had just realized what I had known all my life.
Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent
While sugarplums dance in the minds of children and many of us are exhausted from our preparations for Christmas, Advent still has one last message for us. The first reading from Samuel describes David as settling into his new palace, and yet thinking about the Ark of God residing in a tent. Although David’s desire to build a temple is strong, God sends David a message through Nathan. The message states that God has watched over David and all of Israel and will continue to do so. Nathan is trying to remind David that the Lord is in charge. God through Nathan makes a promise to David. The promise is that the House of David shall endure forever and that God “will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and will make his Kingdom firm.”
Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent
Advent ends tomorrow at sundown. As Christmas looms ever so close amid what can be very hectic days, let us pause and meditate on these simple words of Saint Oscar Romero:
No one can celebrate a genuine Christmas without being truly poor. The self-sufficient, the proud, those who, because they have everything, look down on others, those who have no need even of God — for them there will be no Christmas. Only the poor, the hungry, those who need someone to come on their behalf, will have that someone. That someone is God. Emmanuel, God-with-us. Without poverty of spirit there can be no abundance of God.
—Saint Oscar Romero, bishop and martyr.
Saturday of the Third Week of Advent
Whenever I have read the Scripture passage in today’s Gospel (Luke 1:39-45), I am often struck by the phrase “in haste”. Mary traveled quickly and without hesitation to visit Elizabeth. I usually think that is because Elizabeth is in urgent need of help and Mary is so generous that she comes to aid Elizabeth right away. However, in light of joy, the theme for this week of Advent, I now think that Mary also went to Elizabeth in haste because she is joyful about Elizabeth’s pregnancy especially since Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah were old and waited to have a child for a long time. I reflect on when I wanted to share joyful news and share joyful moments with others. Then, Mary’s reaction makes sense. Elizabeth likewise extends this joy when Mary arrives. Even John in Elizabeth’s womb is joyful.
Friday of the Third Week of Advent
The story of the annunciation, which we read in today’s gospel from Luke (1:26-38), is one that I’m guessing most of us have heard many times over in our lives, especially around Christmas time. There are countless works of art depicting this scripture passage as well. It is obviously an important part of our Christian faith and tradition. It has become so familiar that I think, at least for me, there is the temptation to not allow myself to fully enter into the story. I find it easy to recognize it and think, “Oh I know how that goes,” and then move on to the next thing without really reflecting and becoming immersed in this sacred story. Sometimes a work of art provides the fresh perspective that allows me to see or hear the familiar in a new light.
Thursday of the Third Week of Advent
Sometimes families send birth announcements upon the arrival of a new addition. Our Liturgy of the Word today features two such birth announcements, the first being the birth of the judge Sampson. The second announces the nativity of John the Baptist over a thousand years later. Both accounts show the Almighty acting in surprising and dramatic ways for our salvation. Great things happen when we trust God’s mighty power to save!
Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent
While leading a reflection on the birth of Jesus with my first grade CGS students this past weekend, one of them shared a simple but deeply profound observation. As we looked upon Jesus in the manger he said, “Stables are messy, smelly places.” Yes, they are BUT that is where Jesus chose to come to us. I was suddenly struck by the deep and beautiful truth that it was not only on that first Nativity that Jesus came into a messy place, but that Jesus shows up in our mess all the time. Jesus shows up for us amid our chaos, our dirt, our noise, our stink. He doesn’t run from our imperfections and our flaws but rather He helps us transform them.