Month: December 2024

A Boy and a Gift / Un Niño y un Regalo

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Here we are, with Christmas just one week away. The anticipation is mounting as we try to maintain our holy observance of the final days of Advent while, at the same time, preparing for the more secular celebrations we have adopted, such as buying presents, decorating our homes and preparing for family and feasting.

Every year about this time, I am reminded of the year when I only asked for one gift: a bicycle. I don’t even remember exactly how old I was, somewhere around 7 or 8 or 9, but nothing else was on my mind. I had learned how to ride on my older brother’s bike, and now I was ready for my own.

That Christmas, I remember as presents were handed out and wrapping paper was ripped off, I started to collect quite a pile of gifts. In fact, I specifically remember thinking, “I didn’t get this much stuff last year.” We were not rich, and there were five kids at the time, but my parents always did their best to give us a merry Christmas. I remember I even received an electric football game that boys my age in the mid-1970s loved. 

But it wasn’t a bicycle. When all the presents were opened, I specifically remember the huge disappointment I felt. I also knew better than to express it. My parents had been very generous to me, so who was I to be sullen and disappointed? And then my father asked me, “Is something wrong?” Uh-oh. Did I look disappointed? What was wrong with me? How dare I be sad when they had been so good to me. “Nothing, I’m just looking over my gifts.” 

“Come with me,” he said. He put his hand on my shoulder and led me upstairs. Oh no, I thought, I’m really going to get it. I’m going to be punished on Christmas for being an ungrateful little wretch. I started to shake and held back tears. I knew I was in for it. He led me into his study, and I braced myself for what was coming, and there was the most beautiful red and gold banana-seat bicycle I had ever seen in my life. I cried all right, glorious tears of childish joy.

Fast forward 50-some years to today. I read the beginning of Matthew’s Gospel, and I realize the true gift of Christmas. Jesus is all we need, and He is all I want, this year and every year. The joy He brings so far exceeds anything a bicycle could do, I almost shudder to think how naïve I was. My parents loved me, but God has loved me so much more, sending his only Son to Earth for us, to be sacrificed for our sins and the Savior of our souls. May we all have that great, intense anticipation that Jesus, this season and always, enter more and more into our hearts. Thank you, dear Father, for the greatest gift of all.

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Aquí estamos, a tan solo una semana de la Navidad. La emoción aumenta a medida que tratamos de mantener la santa observancia de los últimos días de Adviento y, al mismo tiempo, nos preparamos para las celebraciones más seculares que hemos adoptado, como comprar regalos, decorar la casa y prepararnos para la familia y los festejos.

Todos los años, por esta época, me acuerdo del año cuando pedí un solo regalo: una bicicleta. Ni siquiera recuerdo exactamente cuántos años tenía, alrededor de 7, 8 o 9 años, pero no pensaba en nada más. Había aprendido a andar en la bicicleta de mi hermano mayor y ahora estaba listo para tener la mía.

Me acuerdo que esa Navidad, mientras repartían los regalos y arrancamos el papel de ellos, comencé a recolectar una gran cantidad. De hecho, me acuerdo de haber pensado específicamente: “El año pasado no recibí tantas cosas”. Mis papás no eran ricos y éramos cinco hijos en ese momento, pero siempre hicieron lo mejor que pudieron para darnos una feliz Navidad. Me acuerdo que incluso recibí un juego de fútbol electrónico, que a los chicos de mi edad en los años 70 les encantaba. 

Pero no era una bicicleta. Al terminar de abrir todos los regalos, me acuerdo específicamente de la enorme decepción que sentí. También sabía que no debía expresarla. Mis padres habían sido muy generosos conmigo, así que ¿quién era yo para estar malhumorado y decepcionado? Y entonces mi padre me preguntó: “¿Qué tienes?” Oh no. ¿Parecía decepcionado? ¿Qué me pasaba? ¿Cómo me atrevía a estar triste cuando habían sido tan buenos conmigo? “Nada, solo estoy revisando mis regalos”.

“Ven conmigo”, dijo. Puso su mano sobre mi hombro y me llevó al segundo piso. Oh, no, pensé, realmente me lo voy a dar. Me van a castigar en la Navidad por ser un pequeño desgraciado y mal agradecido. Empecé a temblar y a contener las lágrimas. Sabía que me esperaba algo así. Me llevó a su estudio y me preparé para lo que me esperaba. Y allí estaba la bicicleta más hermosa que había visto en mi vida con asiento largo roja y dorada. Lloré, sí, lágrimas gloriosas de la alegría infantil.

Avance rápido 50 años hasta el día de hoy. Leí el comienzo del Evangelio de Mateo y me di cuenta del verdadero regalo de Navidad. Jesús es todo lo que necesitamos y es todo lo que quiero, este año y todos los años. La alegría que trae supera con creces todo lo que una bicicleta podría hacer; hasta me da vergüenza pensar en lo inocente que fui. Mis padres me amaban, pero Dios me ha amado mucho más, enviando a su único Hijo a la Tierra por nosotros, para ser sacrificado por nuestros pecados y ser el Salvador de nuestras almas. Que todos tengamos esa gran e intensa esperanza de que Jesús, en esta temporada y siempre, entre cada vez más en nuestros corazones. Gracias, querido Padre, por el regalo más grande de todos.

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Mike Karpus is a regular guy. He grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, graduated from Michigan State University and works as an editor. He is married to a Catholic school principal, raised two daughters who became Catholic school teachers at points in their careers, and now relishes his two grandchildren, including the older one who is fascinated with learning about his faith. He also has served on a Catholic school board, a pastoral council and a parish stewardship committee. He currently is a lector at Mass, a Knight of Columbus, Adult Faith Formation Committee member and a board member of the local Habitat for Humanity organization. But mostly he’s a regular guy.

Feature Image Credit: Meghan Hessler, unsplash.com/photos/silhouette-of-man-riding-bicycle-during-sunset-oA9Wr2MXbsU

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Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent

Reading I Gn 49:2, 8-10

Jacob called his sons and said to them:
    “Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob,
        listen to Israel, your father.

    “You, Judah, shall your brothers praise
        –your hand on the neck of your enemies;
        the sons of your father shall bow down to you.
    Judah, like a lion’s whelp,
        you have grown up on prey, my son.
    He crouches like a lion recumbent,
        the king of beasts–who would dare rouse him?
    The scepter shall never depart from Judah,
        or the mace from between his legs,
    While tribute is brought to him,
        and he receives the people’s homage.”

Responsorial Psalm 72:1-2, 3-4ab, 7-8, 17

R.    (see 7)  Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
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.    Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
The mountains shall yield peace for the people,
    and the hills justice.
He shall defend the afflicted among the people,
    save the children of the poor.
R.    Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
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.    Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
May his name be blessed forever;
    as long as the sun his name shall remain.
In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;
    all the nations shall proclaim his happiness. 
R.    Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
O Wisdom of our God Most High,
guiding creation with power and love:
come to teach us the path of knowledge!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 1:1-17

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ,
the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham became the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. 
Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah,
whose mother was Tamar. 
Perez became the father of Hezron,
Hezron the father of Ram,
Ram the father of Amminadab. 
Amminadab became the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
Salmon the father of Boaz,
whose mother was Rahab. 
Boaz became the father of Obed,
whose mother was Ruth. 
Obed became the father of Jesse,
Jesse the father of David the king.

David became the father of Solomon,
whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. 
Solomon became the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
Abijah the father of Asaph. 
Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,
Joram the father of Uzziah. 
Uzziah became the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. 
Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amos,
Amos the father of Josiah.
Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers
at the time of the Babylonian exile.

After the Babylonian exile,
Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel,
Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. 
Abiud became the father of Eliakim,
Eliakim the father of Azor,
Azor the father of Zadok. 
Zadok became the father of Achim,
Achim the father of Eliud,
Eliud the father of Eleazar. 
Eleazar became the father of Matthan,
Matthan the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. 
Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Thus the total number of generations
from Abraham to David
is fourteen generations;
from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations;
from the Babylonian exile to the Christ,
fourteen generations.

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Jesus’ Family and Ours / La Familia de Jesús y la Nuestra

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Reading the genealogy of Jesus always felt tedious – like finding a dust filled box of old family photos in the attic and not feeling any connection. Until I listened to the Bible in a Year podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz, I yawned through this reading each year. After getting through the whole Old Testament, I had an appreciation for those who came before Jesus. They were people like me, not just names.

Jesus was born into an imperfect family just like us. He probably had crazy uncles, strange aunts, and uncomfortable holiday dinners just like we do. In becoming one of us, God chose to come here in a family with all that that includes. The Old Testament is his family history and it gives us perspective on the present. We get clarity by seeing what came before us. It shows us how loving our God is. He doesn’t demand perfection and that’s great because none of us can achieve it. 

I know my family has faults but he has entered in and done beautiful things in our hearts. I know that I am not worthy that he should enter under my roof, but he has, just as he has since the beginning of time, and for that I am grateful. 

The Bible is the story of salvation and that story is still being written. Its cast of characters includes amazing and not-so-amazing people and Jesus’ family falls in there.  It’s good to honor them by saying their names. It’s worth our time to read the story of all the people we heard about in today’s Gospel. It’s our story too.

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Leer la genealogía de Jesús siempre me resultó tediosa, como encontrar una caja llena de polvo con fotos familiares antiguas en el ático y no sentir ninguna conexión. Hasta que escuché el podcast La Biblia en un Año con el Padre Mike Schmitz, bostezaba con esta lectura todos los años. Después de repasar todo el Antiguo Testamento, comencé a apreciar a quienes vinieron antes de Jesús. Eran personas como tú y yo, no solo nombres.

Jesús nació dentro de una familia imperfecta como la nuestra. Probablemente tuvo tíos locos, tías extrañas y cenas navideñas incómodas como las que tenemos nosotros. Al convertirse en uno de nosotros, Dios eligió venir a la tierra dentro de una familia con todo lo que eso incluye. El Antiguo Testamento es su historia familiar y nos da perspectiva sobre el presente. Obtenemos claridad al ver lo que vino antes de nosotros. Nos muestra cuán amoroso es nuestro Dios. Felizmente no exige la perfección porque ninguno de nosotros puede lograrla.

Sé que mi familia tiene fallas, pero Dios ha entrado y ha hecho cosas hermosas en nuestros corazones. Yo sé que no soy digna de que entre en mi casa, pero ha entrado, como siempre lo ha hecho, y por eso le estoy agradecida.

La Biblia es la historia de la salvación y esa historia todavía se está escribiendo. Su elenco de personajes incluye personas asombrosas y no tan asombrosas, y la familia de Jesús se encuentra entre ellas. Es bueno honrarlos diciendo sus nombres. Vale la pena dedicar el tiempo a leer la historia de todas las personas de las que escuchamos en el Evangelio de hoy, porque es nuestra historia también.

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Merridith Frediani loves words and is delighted by good sentences. She also loves Lake Michigan, dahlias, the first sip of hot coffee in the morning, millennials, and playing Sheepshead with her husband and three kids. She writes for Catholic Mom, Diocesan.com, and her local Catholic Herald. Her first book Draw Close to Jesus: A Woman’s Guide to Adoration is available at Our Sunday Visitor and Amazon. You can learn more at merridithfrediani.com.

Feature Image Credit: Europeana, unsplash.com/photos/people-sitting-on-brown-wooden-chairs-LWCZ1vckogE

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Monday of the Third Week of Advent

Reading I Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a

When Balaam raised his eyes and saw Israel encamped, tribe by tribe,
    the spirit of God came upon him,
    and he gave voice to his oracle:

    The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor,
        the utterance of a man whose eye is true,
    The utterance of one who hears what God says,
        and knows what the Most High knows,
    Of one who sees what the Almighty sees,
        enraptured, and with eyes unveiled:
    How goodly are your tents, O Jacob;
        your encampments, O Israel!
    They are like gardens beside a stream,
        like the cedars planted by the LORD.
    His wells shall yield free-flowing waters,
        he shall have the sea within reach;
    His king shall rise higher,
        and his royalty shall be exalted.

Then Balaam gave voice to his oracle:

    The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor,
        the utterance of the man whose eye is true,
    The utterance of one who hears what God says,
        and knows what the Most High knows,
    Of one who sees what the Almighty sees,
        enraptured, and with eyes unveiled.
    I see him, though not now;
        I behold him, though not near:
    A star shall advance from Jacob,
        and a staff shall rise from Israel.

Responsorial Psalm 25:4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9

R.    (4) Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
    teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are God my savior.
R.    Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
    and your kindness are from of old.
In your kindness remember me,
    because of your goodness, O LORD.
R.    Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Good and upright is the LORD;
    thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
    he teaches the humble his way.
R.    Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Alleluia Ps 85:8

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Show us, LORD, your love,
and grant us your salvation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 21:23-27

When Jesus had come into the temple area,
the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him
as he was teaching and said,
“By what authority are you doing these things? 
And who gave you this authority?” 
Jesus said to them in reply,
“I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me,
then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things. 
Where was John’s baptism from?
Was it of heavenly or of human origin?” 
They discussed this among themselves and said,
“If we say ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say to us,
‘Then why did you not believe him?’ 
But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd,
for they all regard John as a prophet.” 
So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” 
He himself said to them,
“Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

The Crèche and the Cross / El Nacimiento y la Cruz

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Just when we were getting settled into our new house a few years back and things were starting to settle down, another crisis hit. After so much work, so many hours, so much invested, and it all came crashing down. Our new renters were bringing in underaged squatters and a wanted convict into our house and refusing to pay rent. What were we to do? Where were we to turn? Why was this all happening to us?

Sometimes I hear hard news about crosses that others have to bear. I begin reflecting on my own life and realize that I have very few “chronic” crosses so to speak. My family is mostly healthy, we have food on the table and two cars that usually run well. Although one can always dream about additional wants, the truth is, I suffer very little.

So perhaps that tough weekend, which seemed like one of the hardest moments of my life, was meant to be a lesson to me that life is never without its crosses. Whether they be temporary or endured for years on end, crosses are an inevitable part of our earthly journey. We may find ourselves acting like Jonah and trying to run away from our crosses but sooner or later the truth hits us right between the eyes: “The cross leads to resurrection, agony to ecstasy, darkness to light, abandonment to possession, denial to self to union with God. If you want to save your life, you must lose it.” (Franciscanmedia.org on St. John of the Cross) And just as in today’s Gospel he didn’t tell the chief priests by what authority he taught, God doesn’t owe us any explanation for it.  

Why else would we celebrate saints like St. Lucy, St. John of the Cross, St. Stephen, and the Holy Innocents throughout Advent and Christmas? Those who had their eyes gouged out, were stoned, were slaughtered… during this holy and joyful time that we celebrate Jesus coming as an adorable little baby?  Perhaps it is precisely because they are a reminder to us that every human, even the newborn God-man, will experience crosses, and Jesus’ is heavier than any of ours will ever be. Even during this joyful season, we cannot forget the fact that he was born to die for us.

So as we continue to hand our crosses over to God and try to bear them as best as we humanly can, let us pray together with the Psalmist: “Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths, guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior. Remember that your compassion, O Lord, and your kindness are from of old. In your kindness remember me, because of your goodness, O Lord. Good and upright is the Lord; thus he shows sinners the way. He guides the humble to justice, he teaches the humble his way.”

Teach me your ways, O Lord, even if they lead me to the cross.

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Justo cuando nos acabamos de mudar a la nueva casa hace unos años y las cosas empezaban a calmarse, caímos en otra crisis. Después de tanto trabajo, tantas horas, tanto que habíamos invertido, todo se vino abajo. Los nuevos inquilinos traían a okupas menores de edad y a un convicto buscado a nuestra casa y se negaban a pagar el alquiler. ¿Qué íbamos a hacer? ¿A dónde íbamos a recurrir? ¿Por qué nos estaba pasando todo esto?

A veces escucho noticias sobre las cruces pesadas que tienen que soportar otras personas. Empiezo a reflexionar sobre mi propia vida y me doy cuenta de que tengo muy pocas cruces “crónicas”, por así decirlo. Mi familia está sana la mayoría del tiempo, tenemos comida en la mesa y dos coches que casi siempre funcionan bien. Aunque uno siempre puede soñar con deseos adicionales, la verdad es que sufro muy poco.

Así que tal vez ese duro fin de semana, que parecía uno de los momentos más duros de mi vida, estaba destinado a ser una lección para mí de que la vida nunca está libre de cruces. Ya sean temporales o soportadas durante años, las cruces son una parte inevitable de la viaje terrenal. A veces podemos portarnos como Jonás, tratando de huir de la cruz, pero tarde o temprano la verdad nos golpea directamente en la cara: “La cruz lleva a la resurrección, la agonía al éxtasis, la oscuridad a la luz, el abandono a la posesión, la negación de uno mismo a la unión con Dios. Si quieres salvar tu vida, tienes que perderla” (Franciscanmedia.org sobre San Juan de la Cruz). Y así como en el Evangelio de hoy no les dijo a los sumos sacerdotes con qué autoridad enseñaba, Dios no nos debe ninguna explicación.

Si no, ¿por qué, celebraríamos a santos como Santa Lucía, San Juan de la Cruz, San Esteban y los Santos Inocentes durante el Adviento y la Navidad? ¿Aquellos a quienes les sacaron los ojos, los apedrearon, los masacraron… durante este tiempo santo y alegre en el que celebramos la venida de Jesús como un adorable bebé? Quizás es precisamente porque nos recuerdan que todo ser humano, incluso el Dios-hombre recién nacido, experimentará cruces, y la de Jesús es más pesada que la de cualquiera de nosotros. Incluso durante este tiempo de alegría, no podemos olvidar el hecho de que él nació para morir por nosotros.

Así que, mientras seguimos entregando nuestras cruces a Dios y tratamos de llevarlas lo mejor que humanamente podemos, oremos junto con el salmista: “Descúbrenos, Señor, tus caminos,

guíanos con la verdad de tu doctrina. Tú eres nuestro Dios y salvador y tenemos en ti nuestra esperanza. Acuérdate, Señor, que son eternos tu amor y tu ternura. Según ese amor y esa ternura, acuérdate de nosotros. Porque el Señor es recto y bondadoso, indica a los pecadores el sendero, guía por la senda recta a los humildes y descubre a los pobres sus caminos.”

Descúbreme tus caminos, Señor, aunque me lleven a la cruz.

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Tami Urcia grew up in Western Michigan, a middle child in a large Catholic family. She spent early young adulthood as a missionary in Mexico, studying theology and philosophy, then worked and traveled extensively before finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Western Kentucky. She loves tackling projects, finding fun ways to keep her little ones occupied, quiet conversation with the hubby and finding unique ways to love. She works full time at Diocesan, is a guest blogger on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net, and has been doing Spanish translations on the side for over 20 years.

Feature Image Credit: Gertrude Käsebier, art.diocesan.com/stock-photo/the-manger-ideal-motherhood-5746/

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Third Sunday of Advent

Reading I Zep 3:14-18a

    Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!
        Sing joyfully, O Israel!
    Be glad and exult with all your heart,
        O daughter Jerusalem!
    The LORD has removed the judgment against you
        he has turned away your enemies;
    the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,
        you have no further misfortune to fear.
    On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:
        Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!
    The LORD, your God, is in your midst,
        a mighty savior;
    he will rejoice over you with gladness,
        and renew you in his love,
    he will sing joyfully because of you,
        as one sings at festivals.

Responsorial Psalm Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6.

R. (6)  Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
God indeed is my savior;
    I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
    and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
    at the fountain of salvation.
R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
    among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
    let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
    for great in your midst
    is the Holy One of Israel!
R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

Reading II Phil 4:4-7

Brothers and sisters:
Rejoice in the Lord always.
I shall say it again:  rejoice!
Your kindness should be known to all.
The Lord is near.
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, 
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, 
make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding 
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Alleluia Is 61:1 (cited in Lk 4:18)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 3:10-18

The crowds asked John the Baptist,
“What should we do?”
He said to them in reply,
“Whoever has two cloaks
should share with the person who has none. 
And whoever has food should do likewise.”
Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him,
“Teacher, what should we do?”
He answered them, 
“Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.”
Soldiers also asked him,
“And what is it that we should do?”
He told them,
“Do not practice extortion, 
do not falsely accuse anyone, 
and be satisfied with your wages.”

Now the people were filled with expectation, 
and all were asking in their hearts 
whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying, 
“I am baptizing you with water,
but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor
and to gather the wheat into his barn, 
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
Exhorting them in many other ways, 
he preached good news to the people.

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

To Be A Community / Ser una Comunidad

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The people ask John the Baptist in earnest what they should do in response to his message. In the verses before today’s Gospel, John is preaching a message of repentance and if I’m honest, a bit of fear thrown in. He is challenging the status quo with strong language, calling the Pharisees “vipers” and asserting that God is ready and waiting to cut down whoever isn’t producing good fruit in their lives. 

“What should we do?” The crowds, tax collectors, and even soldiers ask John. To each group, John gives a different answer. However, every answer is rooted in the same basic principle – be a community.

John tells the crowds to share their food and clothing with whomever among them is lacking. A community takes care of each person’s basic needs. It requires that everyone consider the needs of others before their own wants and needs. 

John tells the tax collectors to stop overcharging people. He is insisting on selflessness, rather than selfishness. Notice that John doesn’t tell them to stop in their profession, but to practice it with integrity and honesty. There is no need to be greedy, especially if the community is practicing John’s first assertion to take care of the basic needs of every individual.

Finally, John tells the soldiers to be content in their station and position. Do not flaunt your authority or use it to abuse others. Again, John doesn’t tell them to desert their positions, but to fulfill their tasks well and with proper purpose. In a community, each person has something to contribute and the capacity to do it well. Some will be in authority over others, but this does not give them the right to abuse the privilege of leadership.

Today, John the Baptist gives us three foundational elements of a community built upon God’s principles. We must be generous, considering the needs of others. We must be honest, contributing our part and not seeking to grasp what is not ours. We must be content, recognizing that what we have is from God and that we are stewards of His goodness and love.

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La gente le pregunta a Juan el Bautista con seriedad qué deben hacer en respuesta a su mensaje. En los versículos anteriores al Evangelio de hoy, Juan está predicando un mensaje de arrepentimiento y, si soy sincera, metiéndole un poco de miedo también. Está desafiando el status quo con un lenguaje fuerte, llamando a los fariseos “víboras” y afirmando que Dios está listo y esperando para acabar con quien no esté produciendo buenos frutos en sus vidas.

“¿Qué debemos hacer?”, le preguntan a Juan las multitudes, los recaudadores de impuestos e incluso los soldados. A cada grupo, Juan da una respuesta diferente. Sin embargo, cada respuesta se basa en el mismo principio básico: ser una comunidad.

Juan les dice a las multitudes que compartan su comida y ropa con quienes tengan necesidad. Una comunidad se ocupa de las necesidades básicas de cada persona. Requiere que todos consideren las necesidades de los demás antes que sus propios deseos y necesidades.

Juan les dice a los recaudadores de impuestos que dejen de cobrar de más a la gente. Insiste en el altruismo, en lugar del egoísmo. Observemos que Juan no les dice que dejen de ejercer su profesión, sino que la practiquen con integridad y honestidad. No hay necesidad de ser codicioso, especialmente si la comunidad está practicando la primera afirmación de Juan de cuidar de las necesidades básicas de cada individuo.

Finalmente, Juan les dice a los soldados que estén contentos con su puesto y posición. No hagan alarde de su autoridad ni la utilicen para abusar de los demás. Nuevamente, Juan no les dice que abandonen sus puestos, sino que cumplan bien sus tareas y con el propósito adecuado. En una comunidad, cada persona tiene algo que aportar y la capacidad de hacerlo bien. Algunos tendrán autoridad sobre otros, pero esto no les da derecho a abusar del privilegio del liderazgo.

Hoy, Juan el Bautista nos da tres elementos fundamentales de una comunidad construida sobre los principios de Dios. Debemos ser generosos, considerando las necesidades de los demás. Debemos ser honestos, aportando nuestra parte y no buscando apropiarnos de lo que no es nuestro. Debemos estar contentos, reconociendo que lo que tenemos viene de Dios y que somos administradores de Su bondad y de Su amor.

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Kate Taliaferro is an Air Force wife and mother. She is blessed to be able to homeschool, bake bread and fold endless piles of laundry. When not planning a school day, writing a blog post or cooking pasta, Kate can be found curled up with a book or working with some kind of fiber craft. Kate blogs at DailyGraces.net.

Feature Image Credit: Athena Sandrini, https://www.pexels.com/photo/group-of-people-taking-photo-1963622/

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Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church

Reading 1 Sir 48:1-4, 9-11

In those days,
like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah
whose words were as a flaming furnace.
Their staff of bread he shattered,
in his zeal he reduced them to straits;
By the Lord’s word he shut up the heavens
and three times brought down fire.
How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!
Whose glory is equal to yours?
You were taken aloft in a whirlwind of fire,
in a chariot with fiery horses.
You were destined, it is written, in time to come
to put an end to wrath before the day of the LORD,
To turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons,
and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob.
Blessed is he who shall have seen you
and who falls asleep in your friendship.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 80:2ac and 3b, 15-16, 18-19

R. (4) Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
Take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Alleluia Lk 3:4, 6

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths:
All flesh shall see the salvation of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 17:9a, 10-13

As they were coming down from the mountain,
the disciples asked Jesus,
“Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things;
but I tell you that Elijah has already come,
and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased.
So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.”
Then the disciples understood
that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Seeing and Believing / Ver y Creer

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Have you ever witnessed something and not quite believed your eyes?

That seems to be the case in today’s Gospel when the disciples ask Jesus what the scribes meant by saying Elijah had to come first. Many signs were being worked in their midst, yet the scribes refuse to believe that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah. If they don’t believe John the Baptist’s call to conversion as the one preparing the way of the Lord (Lk. 3:4), why would they believe Jesus is the Messiah? 

While we don’t live in the days that Jesus walked the earth as a human being, we do get to see His hand and his glory in everything that surrounds us. A magnificent sunrise, the intricate design of flowers, a refreshing gentle breeze… all these things point to the glory of God. 

How often do we witness these gifts and not stop to acknowledge and embrace the signs that God has given us? Do we believe what we see? And do we live like we believe? Or are we witnesses of these things and don’t quite believe our eyes?

Today, as we journey ever closer to the coming of Christ at Christmas, let us pray for eyes that truly see the glory of God before us, ears that hear His word, and hearts that fully embrace the message of salvation. 

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¿Alguna vez has visto algo y no has creído lo que veías?

Ese parece ser el caso en el Evangelio de hoy cuando los discípulos le preguntan a Jesús qué querían decir los escribas cuando dijeron que Elías vendría primero. Se están realizando muchas señales en medio de ellos, pero los escribas se niegan a creer que Jesús es el Mesías tan esperado. Si no creen en el llamado de Juan el Bautista a la conversión como el que prepara el camino del Señor (Lc. 3:4), ¿por qué creerían que Jesús es el Mesías?

Si bien no vivimos en los días en que Jesús caminó por la tierra como ser humano, sí podemos ver Su mano y Su gloria en todo lo que nos rodea. Un magnífico amanecer, el intrincado diseño de las flores, una suave brisa refrescante… todas estas cosas apuntan a la gloria de Dios.

¿Con qué frecuencia presenciamos estos regalos y no nos detenemos a reconocer y aceptar las señales que Dios nos ha dado? ¿Creemos lo que vemos? ¿Y vivimos como creemos? ¿O somos testigos de estas cosas y no damos crédito a lo que vemos?

Hoy, mientras nos acercamos cada vez más a la venida de Cristo en la Navidad, oremos para que tengamos ojos que verdaderamente vean la gloria de Dios ante nosotros, oídos que escuchen su palabra y corazones que acepten plenamente el mensaje de la salvación.

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Mary Thissen is a St. Louis native living in East Central Illinois with her husband and children. She is blessed with twin boys Earthside and four children now living in Heaven. When she is not working as a healthcare data analyst or caring for her boys, she enjoys studying and writing about the Catholic faith and ministering to women who are suffering through miscarriage or infertility. You can connect with Mary on Instagram @waitingonmiracles. 

Feature Image Credit: Akson, unsplash.com/photos/woman-closed-eye-sitting-outdoor-during-daytime-CNCL8wdRIQY

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Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr

Reading 1 Is 48:17-19

Thus says the LORD, your redeemer,
the Holy One of Israel:
I, the LORD, your God,
teach you what is for your good,
and lead you on the way you should go.
If you would hearken to my commandments,
your prosperity would be like a river,
and your vindication like the waves of the sea;
Your descendants would be like the sand,
and those born of your stock like its grains,
Their name never cut off
or blotted out from my presence.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6

R. (see John 8:12) Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.

Alleluia <a href="https://bible.usccb.orgroute? “>

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord will come; go out to meet him!
He is the prince of peace.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 11:16-19

Jesus said to the crowds:
“To what shall I compare this generation?
It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another,
‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance,
we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said,
‘He is possessed by a demon.’
The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said,
‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard,
a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’
But wisdom is vindicated by her works.”

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.