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.
Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent
With the festivities of pre-Christmas holiday parties, the bustle and Christmas carols sounding it is challenging to stay within the beautiful, deep invitations of the Advent season Scriptures and images. Today we start my favorite part of Advent—the weeklong series of O Antiphons—each day having an image of the Messiah for whom we long. We are familiar with each of them as they make up the verses of the haunting ancient hymn, O Come O Come Emmanuel. In the community evening prayer (Vespers), they are the Magnificat antiphon. In the daily Eucharist Liturgies O antiphons are embedded in the Gospel acclamations (and often the Communion antiphons) through the last week leading up to Christmas Eve, Emmanuel, God is with us.
Monday of the Third Week of Advent
Today's reading from Numbers was an important source for Matthew when he crafted his version of the Christmas story (Luke would write a very different version years later).
At the risk of racing to the Epiphany (on January 5th of this liturgical year) and at the cost of keeping a good Advent, it is helpful to note that the author of Matthew relied on Numbers 22-24 when committing his reed stylist to papyrus in the story of the magi. Thus, he used images well known to his Jewish-Christian audience.
Memorial of St. John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Both of today’s readings mention Elijah. In the Book of Kings, Elijah tells the Israelites to turn back to God and stop worshipping the idols of Baal. The first reading refers to the conflict or showdown between Elijah and Baal’s prophets and the subsequent result of the Israelites conversion to God (1 Kings 18:1-45). Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, the Israelites struggled with worshipping idols and other gods. For us today, this reading can help us reflect on who or what are the “idols” of our time? Is it wealth, status, career, our appearance, pride, etc? How do we struggle with them throughout our lives?
Memorial of St. Lucy, Virgin and Martyr
You’ve probably heard this saying (or something like it), “You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.” Well, today’s gospel reading from Matthew (11:16-19) reminds me of this.
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Mary is our perfect role model, since her “yes” to God allowed her to bring Jesus into the world. Her faith in God’s ability to do wonderful things not just for herself but for all nations reveals the deep hope and joy that she possessed even in the midst of her many sorrows. Today’s feast reminds us that Mary always leads us to Jesus, and therefore to the hope and joy of knowing God’s love for us is everlasting.
Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent
One of the most popular films I showed to the boys at St X over my 3+ decades teaching there was Remember the Titans (2002). The storyline concerns a high school football team and community in northern Virginia during the height of the Civil Rights movement.
Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent
“Like a shepherd, he feeds his flock and gathers the lambs in his arm.” It’s hard not to hear this song refrain by Bob Dufford when listening to today’s first reading. The whole reading is one of those WONDERFUL advent readings we get in this first week but it’s the end lines about the shepherd that points us to the Gospel today.