Readings
"The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1: 9, 5)
May the Light of Christ shine forever in our hearts and in our world.
December 24, 2016
Christmas 2016
Readings
"The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1: 9, 5)
May the Light of Christ shine forever in our hearts and in our world.
December 17, 2016
4th Sunday of Advent - A
Commentary
What’s in the Name?
In this
Gospel passage, Matthew records two names for the child soon to be born: Jesus and Emmanuel.
“Jesus” can
be translated as “God saves.” Or as the
angel explains to Joseph, “because he will save his people from their sins”
The
remainder of Advent offers us an opportunity to ask ourselves if we truly
believe that Jesus is the only Savior.
We can put so much hope and expectations on political leaders, celebrities,
star athletes, or in our talents, abilities, resources, money, popularity…. And
the list goes on. But only Jesus saves
us from sins.
Emmanuel:
“God is with us.”
Our
Savior is not a kind of a troubleshooting superhero who flashes in and out when
we are in need of help, or in trouble.
Our
Savior is a loving God who desires to be with us. In fact, the Gospel of Matthew ends with the
Emmanuel’s assurance to his disciples, “I am
with you always, until the end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:20).
The Savior
who was born to us in Bethlehem is with us always – in each of us, in all
people as His brothers and sisters, in all of God’s creation, and most especially
in his words and in the Sacraments.
December 10, 2016
3rd Sunday of Advent - A
Commentary
The
One Who is to Come
John
the Baptist has certain expectations of Jesus.
Jesus,
on the contrary, presents the signs of “the one who is to come”
that seem to be different than John's expectations. They are “the
blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the
deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news
proclaimed to them.”
People
of our times continue to have their own expectations of Jesus.
December 3, 2016
2nd Sunday of Advent - A
Commentary
All
Matthew indicates
that “At that time
Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to”
listen to John the
Baptist.
A careful
look at the map of the region suggests that the people who listen to John were
both Jews and Gentiles. In fact, Matthew
seems to imply that even the Samaritans [1] went to John to be baptized.
John goes
on further saying, “God
can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.”
It cannot
be more inclusive than that.
The
Kingdom of God is open to all.
John
invites everybody to live that reality of God’s Kingdom.
Do I share
God’s invitation with the same generosity?
Or do I keep certain people out because of my prejudices?
--------------------
[1] http://www.progressiveinvolvement.com/progressive_involvement/2016/11/advent-2-matthew-3-1-12.html
[1] http://www.progressiveinvolvement.com/progressive_involvement/2016/11/advent-2-matthew-3-1-12.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
