Gospel Reflections for Challenging Times

  Sunday – Feast of the Holy Family Gospel – Luke 2:22-40 Family’s First Christmas St Joseph’s Church, Nazareth I don’t know if our family is the crazy one but we have a set tradition when we put up our Christmas tree.   It all turns into a family history lesson as we select each ornament and add it to the tree.   We reminisce!   We remember when we got the ornament, what year it was, what special event it celebrates!   I imagine, over the years, the family gets a little tired of hearing the same story over and over.   But I think it’s important to remind ourselves of our roots as a family and pass on that history to the next generation. And so, even though it was just the 2 of us,   the history lesson and the fond memories continued this year.   This ornament?   That was our first Christmas together as husband and wife.   This one?   That was the year we bought our house!   This one?   That ornament has been passed down through at least 4 generations of family!   This on

  Saturday – 6th Day in Christmas Octave Gospel – Luke 2:36-40 A Devoted Woman Temple Mount, Jerusalem Yesterday we focused on the prophet Simeon; today we turn to the prophetess Anna as we conclude the story of the Presentation.   Anna is completely alone in the world.   She is a widow and elderly.   There is no one looking out for her welfare, no one to help out, no support system at all to see to her needs.   She is probably homeless as well since she spends night and day in the Temple area.   You would think she would be miserable and despondent over her circumstances.   And yet the opposite is true.   She has dedicated herself to the Lord; she spends her time in prayer and fasting.   And when she does encounter the Holy Family, she breaks out in praise and thanksgiving for having seen the Savior.   And she announces the news to all she meets.   It seems like the perfect definition of proclaiming the ‘good news’! You have to wonder – where are all the religious

  Friday – Fifth Day in Christmas Octave Gospel – Luke 2:22-35 Now What Do I Do? Town of Nazareth I remember the day our daughter was born, all that joy and celebration at the birth of this beautiful child.   Truth be told, I was feeling a lot more than happiness that day when I held Jaime in my arms for the first time.   There was also quite a bit of panic, concern, doubt, even a bit of fear.   Now what?   This little child is completely dependent on us – for food, clothing, shelter, for life!   What if we screw it up?   What if we say or do something wrong, something that scars her for the rest of her life?   What a daunting task for parents of a new-born!   What a mix of emotions as we faced life together! Consider today what Mary and Joseph must have been going through!   New parents of a first-born!   The wonder and joy of the birth of this newborn son!   Mary pondering the words of Gabriel from the Annunciation and Joseph of his dream!   Their reaction to the visit

  Thursday – Feast of the Holy Innocents Gospel – Matthew 2:13-18 Come Into The Light Church of St. Catherine, Bethlehem An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life!   “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.   “It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. The white black wolf is evil and darkness–he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” He continued, “The white wolf is good and light – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you–and inside every other person, too.” The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf will win?”   The old Cherokee simply replied, “ The one you feed .” It feels as if, just in the last few days, we have encountered both of the wolves.   3 days ago, on Chri