#Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

frmartinshomiliesandreflections · 4 months

Text

1st January 2024 >> Fr. Martin's Homilies / Reflections on Todays Mass Readings (Luke 2:16-21) for the Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God: ‘She treasured all these things’.

Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

Gospel (Except USA) Luke 2:16-21 The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem and found the baby lying in the manger.

The shepherds hurried away to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say. As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; it was exactly as they had been told.

When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception.

Gospel (USA) Luke 2:16–21 They found Mary and Joseph and the infant. When the eight days were completed, he was named Jesus.

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Reflections (13)

(i) Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

I am very fond of that blessing of Aaron that is to be found in the first reading. I often find myself praying it for someone who needs prayers. It is a lovely prayer of intercession. The last line of the prayer is ‘May the Lord uncover his face to you and bring you peace’. It strikes me that this prayer has been fulfilled in a wonderful way through the birth of Jesus, Mary’s son. In and through this child, God was uncovering his face to us, and bringing us peace. When we look upon the face of Mary’s child, we are looking upon the face of God. This is why we can venerate Mary not only as the mother of Jesus but also as the mother of God. Mary was proclaimed Mother of God at the Council of Ephesus in modern day Turkey in the year 431 AD. The Council was expressing its conviction that Mary’s son was not only fully human but was also fully divine. In the frailty and vulnerability of this new-born child, God was uncovering his face. God was being revealed in a way that was profoundly new. Jesus was not only Mary’s son but God’s Son. In the words of Saint Paul in today’s second reading, ‘When the appointed time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman’. There was so much more to this new-born child than met the eye. The rich identity of this baby had been revealed to the shepherds by an angel as a ‘Saviour, who is Christ, the Lord’. According to the gospel reading, the shepherds repeated to Mary what the angel had said to them about her child. We are told that Mary treasured the words of the shepherds and pondered them in her heart. It was as if Mary was trying to come to terms with who her child really was. The feast of Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus, gives us all much to treasure and much to ponder in our hearts. God is uncovering his face to us through Jesus; God is drawing near to us through Jesus, the same Jesus who is now the risen Lord in our midst. We are invited to go on treasuring and pondering this good news, like Mary, and to continue glorifying and praising God for it, like the shepherds.

And/Or

(ii) Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Today is New Year’s Day. As we come to the end of one year and approach the beginning of another year, we tend to look back on the year just gone. Various kinds of T.V. programmes look back on key events in the year, whether it is in the area of current affairs or sports or film. Personally, I am not very keen on those kinds of programmes. My mother, and my grandmother before her, had a habit of saying, ‘Never look back’, and perhaps some of that attitude has rubbed off on me. Their use of the expression did not apply so much to the twelve months at the end of a calendar year but to the past in a more general sense. The expression, ‘never look back’, probably reflected the fact that the past was often something of a struggle. The present and the future was what mattered to them much more than the past. There is something to be said for that approach to life. The New Year, therefore, would be more a time for looking forward rather than for looking back.

Psychoanalysts, psychotherapists, counsellors would certainly not hold to the view that never looking back is the best approach to life. An important part of their work consists in helping people to look back over their lives so that they can face and deal with what has never been dealt with. Many people have found that kind of journey back into their lives very liberating, even if very painful at times. Institutionally, as well as personally, we have come to appreciate the need to look back and learn from the past. The church’s present procedures around the protection of children have come to birth through a painful coming to terms with past failures in this area. It has been said that those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it. In recent days it has been very important for people to remember the awful events of St. Stephen’s day last year, when hundreds of thousands of people lost their lives in the Tsunami. Remembering that event may help to ensure that, should this happen again, there would be procedures in place that would help to save many lives.

Looking back can also serve us well when what we look back on is something that brought us great joy at the time, or something that gave us food for thought. Parents might look back on the day when their first child was born. This was something to be savoured, an event that had profound implications for their own lives and the lives of others. Here was a joyful, mysterious moment that called out to be remembered and pondered upon. It is this kind of looking back that is attributed to Mary in today’s gospel reading. She had given birth to her child, Jesus, and the shepherds came to tell her all they had seen and heard when they were out with their flocks in the fields. The gospel reading says that ‘Mary treasured all these things (the shepherds told her) and pondered them in her heart’. What the shepherds told her and what Mary treasured and pondered was what the angels had told to the shepherds, ‘Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people. Today in the town of David a saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord’. Here indeed was a word that was worth remembering, treasuring and pondering over. Mary continued to look back to this moment when the shepherds spoke to her, and she pondered their words. She remembered with a view to understanding better, with the intention of plumbing the depths of what was said to her. This is a form of looking back that was very valid and very necessary. In the opening chapters of his gospel, Luke presents Mary as a thoughtful, reflective woman. On the occasion when the boy Jesus went missing for several days and his parents eventually found him in the temple, Jesus said to them, ‘Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?’ Luke goes on to tell us that ‘his mother treasured all these things in her heart’.

Early last year the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission published an important agreed statement on Our Lady. One thing that statement said about Mary was that ‘she looked beneath the surface of events’. One good reason for looking back at times is to look beneath the surface of events. We look back to grasp more fully the meaning of what happened for us or to us. As believers, we do this in the Lord’s presence, inviting him to journey back with us and to help us to draw life from some moment of grace that he has given us. This is what we might call a contemplative approach to life. It is one that Mary embodies and encourages us to strive towards. The pace of life today can work against such a contemplative stance. We can find ourselves doing a lot and pondering very little. As a result, we live more on the surface of life rather than pausing to look beneath the surface. At Christmas we celebrate the good news that the Word became flesh. Human flesh, human life, is shot through with the presence of God. There is a divine depth to life that calls out to us. St. Paul in today’s second reading tells us that the divine Spirit is constantly crying out ‘Abba, Father’ deep within us. We need a contemplative attitude if we are to hear that Spirit within us, if we are to recognize the Lord when he comes to us in the events of life. On this New Year’s Day, we might resolve to grow more into Mary’s contemplative stance to life this coming year.

And/Or

(iii) Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

New Year’s Day will always have special resonances for all of us. It is a day when we may find ourselves looking back over the year that has just gone. When we think back on that year we will all have our own memories. Some of them may be happy memories and other sad memories. New Year’s Day is also a day when we look ahead to the year that is before us. We may be conscious of certain things that we would like to do differently to how we did them last year. We may find ourselves setting some goals that we would like to follow through on. In all kinds of ways, New Year’s Day can be a reflective time. It can be a time to take stock; to look back on where we have been and to look forward to where we would like to be.

New Year’s Day also encourages us to be reflective about our faith, about the Lord and his place in our lives. It is a day to ask, ‘How can I grow in my relationship with the Lord?’ ‘How can I respond more generously to his call?’ ‘How might I find ways to nurture my faith or to live it more fully, more courageously?’ Every so often we need to become more reflective about our faith, our relationship with the Lord, and how it is impacting on our day to day lives. New Year’s Day is a good time for such reflection.

The gospel reading this morning presents Mary as a very reflective woman. We are told there that the shepherds went to Bethlehem and announced to all, including Mary, the message the angels had given them, which was, ‘Do not be afraid… I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour who is Christ, the Lord’. The shepherds proclaimed the gospel to Mary and all who were with her. According to the gospel reading, Mary’s response to what the shepherd’s said was a contemplative response. ‘She treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart’. It was as if there was too much in what the shepherds said to take in at once. The shepherds were conveying to Mary that her child was none other that the long awaited Jewish Messiah, whose other titles were Saviour and Lord. Here was good news of great joy, not just for Mary but for all the people. There was much to ponder there, a great deal to treasure. At the very beginning of his gospel Luke is presenting Mary as a reflective, thoughtful, contemplative woman. Indeed, a little further on in that same chapter, Luke describes her in a very similar way. When the boy Jesus went missing in Jerusalem and his parents, after much searching, eventually found him, he said to them, ‘Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’ In response to those questions of Jesus, Luke tells us that Mary and Joseph ‘did not understand what he said to them’ and that ‘his mother treasured all these things in her heart’. Once again there was much to ponder upon in what Jesus said. The meaning of his words was not immediately clear. Just as in the case of the words of the angels to the shepherds, the words of Jesus to his parents needed to be mulled over and reflected upon.

When it comes to the Lord and his relationship with us and ours with him, there is always a great deal to ponder, to reflect upon, to treasure in our hearts. Reading the gospels, for example, is not just like reading any other book. Because the gospels are God’s words in human words, there is a depth to them that cries out to be explored. The word of God can speak to us in all kinds of different ways. The same passage of Scripture may speak to us in one way at one time and in another way at another time. It is the Lord who speaks to us through the Scriptures and the Lord has different things to say to us at different times. The portrayal of Mary in today’s gospel reading encourages us to keep pondering the word, to keep treasuring it in our hearts. In that sense, we are all called to be contemplatives. Like Mary, we try to disposes ourselves to hearing what the Lord is saying to us as we go through life. Yes, our faith shows itself in good works of all kinds, but there is that other, reflective, dimension to our faith, to our relationship with the Lord, as well. Saint Therese of Lisieux wrote in her Autobiography, ‘Above all, it is the gospels that occupy my mind. I’m always finding fresh light there’. If we ponder and treasure the word like Mary, we too will find fresh light there. A saying attributed to a well-known baseball player in the States captures this contemplative attitude. He said on one occasion, ‘sometimes I just sits and thinks, and, then, sometimes I just sits’. Perhaps a resolution for the year ahead might be to create a space in our lives for a deeper encounter with the Lord.

And/Or

(iv) Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God

Because we have grown so accustomed to our yearly celebration of the feast of Christmas, it can happen that the events we celebrate at Christmas no longer surprise us. We can easily cease to be amazed at them. Today on the feast of Mary, Mother of God, which is the octave day of Christmas, we see Mary, in the gospel reading, marvelling at what has happened, treasuring the events of Christmas in her memory, and pondering them in her heart. The image of Mary put before us in this morning’s gospel reading is that of the contemplative woman who ponders the marvels the Almighty has done for her and for all people. She ponders in response to what the shepherds said to her. The shepherds had preached the gospel to her. They repeated to her what had been told to them by the angels, ‘Today in the town of David, a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord’. This is the good new of great joy, the gospel. It is this good news that she treasured and pondered over. The same gospel has been preached to us, and we are invited to treasure it, to ponder on it and to respond to it, as Mary did. Today is new year’s day, a day to make resolutions. What better new year’s resolution could we make today than that of adopting Mary’s stance before the gospel? Today’s feast invites us to share in Mary’s sense of awe and wonder before God’s merciful love, made known to us in Jesus, Mary’s son. As we look towards the new year, which begins today, we ask Mary to help us to treasure the gospel as she did, so that Jesus might come to others through us as he came to us through Mary.

And/Or

(v) Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God

Mary was declared to be Mother of God at the council of Ephesus towards the end of the fifth century. This was as much a declaration about Jesus as it was about Mary. It is because Jesus is both human and divine that Mary the mother of Jesus can be declared to be the Mother of God or in the language of the Council, the Theotokos, the God bearer. The title ‘Mother of God’ is one of Mary’s more exalted titles. Yet, at the heart of the gospel reading for this feast is the simple scene in Bethlehem of Mary, Joseph and the child Jesus lying in a manger, being visited by the shepherds who had been tending their flocks in the fields. Mary’s new born child is completely dependent on her and on Joseph for survival. Without their loving care this child would have had no future. Mary was first and foremost a mother and it was her motherly care and Joseph’s fatherly care which allowed Jesus to become the adult he became with the enormous consequences of that for all of us. As we celebrate the feast of Mary as Mother of God, the gospel reading puts the emphasis on Mary as mother. It also draws our attention to Mary as the contemplative, reflective woman. The gospel reading declares that she treasured all the things the shepherds said and pondered them in her heart. There was indeed much to ponder because her vulnerable new born child was the unique revelation of God to us; he was Emmanuel, God-with-us. The unique identity of her child meant that Mary’s own identity was special. She was mother of Emmanuel, mother of God, and there is much to ponder there, not only for Mary but for all of us.

And/Or

(vi) Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God

Today is one of the great feasts of Mary and, of course, it coincides with New Year’s day. In more recent times we have come to appreciate Mary as the disciple of Jesus, who models for us what it is to be a faithful disciple. On today’s feast, however, we focus on Mary as the mother of Jesus. Before Mary became the disciple of Jesus, he learned from her. It was through Mary and Joseph that Jesus was initiated into the religious traditions of his people. Even more fundamentally still, it was from Mary that Jesus received his human life. She was the flesh and blood from which the human body of Jesus was formed. The Word became flesh through her. As Paul in our second reading states, Jesus was born of a woman, born of Mary. Jesus’ first dwelling was in Mary’s womb. Today is new year’s day. Mary’s life was instrumental in ushering in not only a new year but a new age. This is the age when, according to Paul in that second reading, God sent his Son, born of a woman... to enable us to be adopted as sons and daughters. Because of this new age that was ushered in by the son of Mary, the Son of God, we can face each new year with hope and confidence. As Paul says in that reading, we are the adopted sons and daughters of God; the Spirit of God’s Son has been poured into our hearts, crying ‘Abba, Father’; as adopted sons and daughters of God, we are heirs to eternal life. There is a great deal to treasure and to ponder here, just as in the gospel reading today Mary is described as treasuring the words of the shepherds and pondering them in her heart. Because we are sons and daughters of God, who can look to Jesus as our brother and to Mary his mother as our mother, the door of the new year is open to new graces. We can make new resolutions, knowing that following through on them is not down to us alone. We have been greatly graced, through Mary’s son, and the Lord’s grace and power is there to enable us to follow through on our resolutions. When Mary gave birth to Jesus, it was a new beginning for her, for Joseph, for Jesus and for all humanity. Today, the feast of Mary’s motherhood, New Year’s Day, is a good day for all of us to make our own new beginning in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit.

And/Or

(vii) Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God

The gospel reading for today’s feast day is also the gospel reading for Christmas day. However, our focus today in the gospel reading is on Mary, the mother of Jesus. In one of the very early councils of the church, the council of Ephesus, Mary was proclaimed Mother of God because Jesus, her son, was understood to be God, God in human form, God with us, Emmanuel. The title ‘Mother of God’ is probably the most exalted title that Mary has been given by the church. Yet, in today’s gospel reading we are given an image of Mary as a young woman who has just given birth to her son, probably in a cave where animals were brought for shelter and feeding. The exalted is present in the simplest of settings. The shepherds who have come in from the fields have a story to tell, the story of the appearance of the angels who announced that this child was none other than a Saviour, Christ the Lord. The shepherds proclaim the gospel to Mary, Joseph and all who were present with them; they become the first evangelists. Everyone who heard this gospel, we are told, was astonished. However, Mary was not only astonished. Luke tells us that she treasured the words that the shepherds spoke and pondered them in her heart. She is reflective, even contemplative, before this extraordinary news, this gospel. The same gospel has been preached to all of us, and Mary models for us one of the ways of responding to the gospel. We too must treasure this good news and ponder it in our heart. There is an extraordinary mystery here that cannot be fully explained because it is inexhaustible. The Word became flesh; God became human; this young woman from Nazareth is the mother of God. In today’s second reading, Paul has his own way of expressing this mystery. God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the Law; God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying ‘Abba, Father’. Mary must have pondered on how greatly she had been graced by God. We have all been greatly graced through Mary’s son. Treasuring and pondering on how we have been graced allows this grace to touch us deeply so that we become channels of God’s grace, God’s favour, to each other. Having been so greatly blessed, we are to be a source of God’s blessing for others, as Aaron and his sons were a channel of God’s blessing for the people of Israel, according to this morning’s first reading.

And/Or

(viii) Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God

Mary was declared to be Mother of God at the council of Ephesus towards the end of the fifth century. This was as much a declaration about Jesus as it was about Mary. It is because Jesus is both God as well as human that Mary the mother of Jesus can be declared to be the Mother of God or in the language of the Council, the Theotokos, the God bearer. The title ‘Mother of God’ is one of Mary’s most exalted titles. Yet, the gospel reading for this feast describes a very humble and simple scene. We are given a picture of Mary and Joseph and their child, lying in a manger, a feeding trough for animals. They are being visited by the shepherds of the fields, and these shepherds have a wonderful story to tell about a visitation by angels while they were watching over their sheep and who announced to them the birth of a Saviour who is Christ the Lord. The shepherds repeat this gospel that had been told to them; they become the first preachers of the gospel in Luke’s story of Jesus. It is said of Mary that she treasured all these things that the shepherds said to her and pondered them in her heart. She treasured the gospel and pondered it in her heart. She has much to ponder because the child to whom to whom she has given birth and to whom she is mother is a unique child, who has a unique relationship with God. This makes Mary’s motherhood somewhat unique. The shepherd’s proclamation of the gospel gave Mary much to ponder but it gives all of us much to ponder. The birth of Mary’s son had huge implications for us all. Paul reminds us in today’s second reading that because God sent his Son born of a woman and then sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, we have all been drawn into Jesus’ own special relationship with God. We are all sons of daughters of God, calling God ‘Abba’, Father, as Jesus did. This is our baptismal identity. There is a great deal for us to treasure and to ponder here on this New Year’s Day and during the coming year. In today’s gospel reading Mary shows us that prayerful pondering and treasuring is an important part of our response to the many ways that we have been graced by God’s sending of his Son.

And/Or

(ix) Mary, the Holy Mother of God

We have been celebrating the feast of Christmas and our focus has been on the child Jesus. Today’s feast places the focus on the mother of the child, Mary. We celebrate Mary as the Mother of God because we believe that her child, Jesus, was God in human form. The title ‘Mother of God’ affirms something very important about Mary’s child. This was, indeed, a fully human child in every sense, with all the same needs and vulnerability as any child. Yet, this particular child revealed God to us in a way no other child before or since has done. In looking upon the face of this child, we are looking upon the face of God. There is a mystery here which is not possible to fully fathom with the use of human reason alone. There is a great deal to be reflected upon here and, ultimately, surrendered to. This morning’s gospel reading presents Mary as doing just that. In response to the story that the shepherds had to tell, we are told that Mary ‘treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart’. She treasured and pondered the announcement of the angels to the shepherds, ‘to you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour who is Christ, the Lord’. ‘Saviour’, ‘Christ’, ‘Lord’ – these are very striking titles for her new-born child. There is indeed a great deal here to be treasured and pondered, not just for Mary but for all of us, because Mary’s child was born ‘to you’, to each one of us. Our faith, and the content of our faith, is ultimately a gift from God, but it is a gift to be treasured and pondered. We spend our lives treasuring and plumbing the depths of God’s gift of his Son to us and of God’s relationship with us through his Son, in the Spirit. Mary’s contemplative attitude before God’s mysterious gift is a model for us all. As we begin this new year today, we pray that during the coming twelve months we might grow in our appreciation of the way God ‘has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing’, in the words of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.

And/Or

(x) Mary, the Mother of God

And/Or

(xi) Mary, Mother of God

There is no reference to Mary, the mother of Jesus, in the letters of Paul. The nearest Paul comes to mentioning Mary is in today’s second reading from the letter to the Galatians where he declares that ‘God sent his Son, born of a woman’. In that succinct statement Paul sums up the meaning of today’s feast. God’s Son was born of a woman. Mary is the mother of God’s Son and because God’s Son, Jesus, is God in human form, Mary is the Mother of God. To say that Mary is the Mother of God is to make a statement not only about Mary but about Jesus. Jesus, Mary’s Son, is God with us. This is the message that was given to the shepherds by the angels, according to Luke’s gospel, ‘to you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, who is Christ, the Lord’. The term ‘Lord’ was the name of God in the Jewish Scriptures. This child is Lord or God, God become flesh. In today’s gospel reading, we are told that the shepherds repeated to Mary and Joseph this message that had been given to them by the angels. Just as the angels were God’s messengers to the shepherds, the shepherds now become God’s messengers to Mary and Joseph. Just as the angels proclaimed the gospel to the shepherds, they in turn proclaimed the gospel to Mary and Joseph. The gospel that the shepherds proclaimed in Bethlehem met with a two-fold response. The gospel reading says that all who heard what the shepherds said were astonished at their message, including Mary and Joseph. It is also said of Mary that she treasured the words spoken by the shepherds and pondered them in her heart. We are all invited to respond to the gospel, to the good news that God is with us through the child of Mary and Joseph, in the same two-fold way. We are to retain a sense of astonishment at this extraordinary good news that God has come among us in the frailty of human flesh, in the vulnerable child who became the vulnerable adult on Calvary. We are also to keep treasuring this gospel, and keep pondering on it so as to keep probing its wonderful richness. On this first day of a new year, we commit ourselves anew to appreciating the gospel that has been proclaimed to us, and to sharing this gospel with others.

And/Or

(xii) Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God

In both today’s first reading and responsorial psalm there is a reference to the Lord’s face. In the first reading, we find that wonderful blessing, ‘May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord let his face shine upon you and be gracious to you’. In the psalm, we pray, ‘God, be gracious and bless us and let your face shed its light upon us’. In each of those references, the face of God is associated with a shining light; the light of the Lord’s gracious presence shines from his face. Both the first reading and the psalm expresses the longing of the people of Israel to see the face of God, a face they knew to be a gracious source of healing and saving light. At this Christmas time, we, as Christians, celebrate the good news that the child Jesus, the son of Mary and Joseph, reveals the face of God to us. To look upon the face of this child is to look upon the face of God. God has let his face shine upon us through this child. The child Jesus is God with us, the Word who is God made flesh, and Mary, as the mother of this child, is the mother of God. In the year 431, the church at the Council of Ephesus declared Mary to be the God bearer, the mother of God. It is, perhaps, the most exalted of all Mary’s titles. Yet, the portrayal of Mary in today’s gospel reading could not be described as exalted. There she is, with Joseph, probably in one of the caves just outside Bethlehem, with her child in a manger, a feeding trough for animals, listening to the humble shepherds tell their story of what they had just seen and heard while watching over their sheep in the nearby hills. The gospel readings says of Mary that she was astonished at what the shepherds had to say, and that she treasured what they said and pondered it in her heart. Four hundred years later, the church would proclaim Mary to be the Mother of God, but that night in Bethlehem she is portrayed as struggling to come to terms with the mysterious way God was working in her life. Mary’s exalted title does not remove her from us. Like her, we are invited to be astonished at the gifts and graces that God sends us and to treasure them. We are also called, like Mary, to ponder over the sometimes mysterious ways that God may be working in our lives. It is because the Lord’s ways, his call to us, is not always crystal clear that we need to keep praying with today’s psalm, ‘God, be gracious and bless us, and let your face shed its light upon us’ - upon each of us, this coming year.

And/Or

(xiii) Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God

New Year’s Day is often a time for looking back and also for looking forward. This past year has been an anxious and difficult one for most of us because of the Pandemic. We remain in the midst of the Pandemic, but we can look forward to the coming year with hope because of the vaccines that are coming on stream. In our own Diocese of Dublin, the appointment of a new Archbishop gives us another reason for looking forward in hope. We could do worse than pray the blessing in today’s first reading for him, ‘May the Lord bless him and keep him, May the Lord let his face shine on him and be gracious to him. May the Lord uncover his face to him and bring him peace’. I have always been drawn to that prayer of blessing and I often pray it for others. It was above all through the birth of Jesus, Mary’s child, that the Lord blessed us and kept us, made his face to shine upon us and was gracious to us. Today we celebrate Mary as mother, mother of Jesus, mother of God’s Son, mother of God. It was because of her ‘yes’ to God’s call that God blessed us so abundantly through Jesus, her son, and revealed the light of his face to us, displaying his gracious love. In the words of Saint Paul in today’s second reading, it was because God sent his Son, born of a woman, born of Mary, that the Spirit of God’s Son has been poured into all our hearts, drawing us into a share in Jesus’ own relationship with God, enabling us to cry out ‘Abba, Father’, alongside Jesus. There is much to treasure and ponder here, and that is what we find Mary doing in today’s gospel reading. When the shepherds share their night time experience of the visit of an angel announcing the birth of a Saviour, who is Christ, the Lord, we are told that ‘Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart’. As mother of God’s Son, mother of God, she contemplates the wonder, the mystery, of it all, and she encourages us to do the same. On this New Year’s Day, because of the way God has blessed us through Mary’s son, we all have much to treasure and much to ponder in a spirit of gratitude.

Fr. Martin Hogan.

11 notes · View notes

roman-catholic-mass-readings · 1 month

Text

19th March >> Mass Readings (USA)

Solemnity for Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Liturgical Colour: White: B (2))

First Reading 2 Samuel 7:4–5a, 12–14a, 16 The Lord God will give him the throne of David, his father (Luke 1:32).

The LORD spoke to Nathan and said: “Go, tell my servant David, ‘When your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm. It is he who shall build a house for my name. And I will make his royal throne firm forever. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.’”

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 89:2–3, 4–5, 27, 29

R/ The son of David will live for ever.

The promises of the LORD I will sing forever, through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness, For you have said, “My kindness is established for ever”; in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.

R/ The son of David will live for ever.

“I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: Forever will I confirm your posterity and establish your throne for all generations.”

R/ The son of David will live for ever.

“He shall say of me, ‘You are my father, my God, the Rock, my savior!’ Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him, my covenant with him stands firm.”

R/ The son of David will live for ever.

Second Reading Romans 4:13, 16–18, 22 Abraham believed, hoping against hope.

Brothers and sisters: It was not through the law that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants that he would inherit the world, but through the righteousness that comes from faith. For this reason, it depends on faith, so that it may be a gift, and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants, not to those who only adhere to the law but to those who follow the faith of Abraham, who is the father of all of us, as it is written, I have made you father of many nations. He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not exist. He believed, hoping against hope, that he would become the father of many nations, according to what was said, Thus shall your descendants be. That is why it was credited to him as righteousness.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation Psalm 84:5

Blessed are those who dwell in your house, O Lord, they never cease to praise you.

Either:

Gospel Matthew 1:16, 18–21, 24a Joseph did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him.

Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Or:

Gospel Luke 2:41–51a Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.

Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

2 notes · View notes

orthodoxydaily · 2 months

Text

Saints&Reading: Thursday, February 15, 2024

february 2_february 15

THE MEETING OF THE LORD

The Meeting of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ is described in the third Gospel (Luke 2:22-40). Forty days after His birth the Divine Child was brought to the Temple at Jerusalem to be presented to the Lord. According to the Law of Moses (Lev. 12:2-8), a woman who gave birth to a male child was forbidden to enter the Temple for forty days. At the end of the time of her purification, the mother went to the Temple with the child, to offer a young lamb, two turtledoves, or pigeons to the Lord as a sacrifice. The Most Holy Virgin had no need of purification, since she had given birth to the Source of purity and sanctity. Out of humility, however, she fulfilled the requirements of the Law.

At this time the righteous Elder Simeon (February 3) was living in Jerusalem. It had been revealed to him that he would not die until he beheld the promised Messiah. By divine inspiration, Saint Simeon went to the Temple at the very moment when the Most Holy Theotokos and Saint Joseph had brought the Child Jesus to fulfill the Law.

Saint Simeon received the divine Child in his arms,1 and giving thanks to God, he spoke the words repeated by the Church each evening at Vespers: “Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel” (Luke 2:29-32). Saint Simeon said to the Most Holy Virgin: “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be spoken against. Yea, a sword shall pierce through your own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34-35).

At the Temple was an 84-year-old widow, Saint Anna the Prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel (February 3), “who did not leave the temple, but served God with fasting and prayers night and day." She arrived just when Saint Simeon met the Divine Child. She also gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of Him to all those who were looking for redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38). In the icon of the Feast she holds a scroll which reads: “This Child has established Heaven and earth.”

Before Christ was born, the righteous men and women lived by faith in the promised Messiah, and awaited His coming. The Righteous Simeon and the Prophetess Anna, the last righteous persons of the Old Testament, were deemed worthy to meet Him in the Temple.

The Feast of the Meeting of the Lord is among the most ancient feasts of the Christian Church. We have sermons by the holy bishops Methodios of Patara (+ 312), Cyril of Jerusalem (+ 360), Gregory the Theologian (+ 389), Amphilokhios of Iconium (+ 394), Gregory of Nyssa (+ 400), and John Chrysostom (+ 407). Despite its early origin, this Feast was not celebrated so splendidly until the VI century.

In 528, during the reign of Justinian, an earthquake killed many people in Antioch. Other misfortunes followed this one. In 541 a terrible plague broke out in Constantinople, carrying off several thousand people each day. During this time of widespread suffering, a solemn prayer service (Litia) for deliverence from evils was celebrated on the Feast of the Meeting of the Lord, and the plague ceased. Giving thanks to God, the Church established a more solemn celebration of this Feast.

Church hymnographers have adorned this Feast with their hymns: Saint Andrew of Crete in the VII century; Saint Cosmas Bishop of Maium, Saint John of Damascus, and Saint Germanus Patriarch of Constantinople in the VIII century; and Saint Joseph, Archbishop of Thessaloniki in the IX century.

Today we also commemorate the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos known as “the Softening of Evil Hearts” or “Simeon’s Prophecy.” The Mother of God is depicted without her Child, and seven swords piercing her breast: three from the left side, three from the right, and one from below.

A similar Icon, “Of the Seven Swords” (August 13) shows three swords on the left side and four from the right. The "Softening of Evil Hearts” Is also commemorated on August 13.

The Icon “Simeon’s Prophecy” symbolizes the fulfillment of the prophecy of the righteous Elder Simeon: “a sword shall pierce through your own soul” (Luke 2:35).

In Constantinople, the Emperors would celebrate the Feast Day at the Blakhernae church during the All-Night Vigil. This custom continued until the Fall of the Byzantine Empire.

1 For this reason, he is known as the God-Receiver (Θεοδόχος).

HEBREWS 7:7-17

7 Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. 8 Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. 9 Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, 10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him. 11 Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron 12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. 13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest 16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. 17 For He testifies:"You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek."

LUKE 2:22-40

22 Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD"), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons." 25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: 29 Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation 31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel." 33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. 36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. 39 So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

#orthodoxy #orthodoxchristianity #easternorthodoxchurch #originofchristianity #spirituality #holyscriptures #gospel #bible #wisdom #feast

3 notes · View notes

childofchrist1983 · 6 months

Text

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. - Ephesians 4:11-16 KJV

You have to love Paul's writing! Would you believe that this is one sentence? What do we need to take away from this Bible passage?

First, we all have a part to play in the spreading of the Gospel and in building up the body of Christ. We don't all have the same role. Some of us are called to be missionary apostles, those who will go out and preach in areas of the world where the message is new. Others will become ministers, or priests who will shepherd those who have come to faith. Some of us are called to serve in various ways. I know people who have begun food pantries and food kitchens; people who have opened their homes to abused women and children. I also know people who volunteer their time to help out in these places. There are so many ways to serve. There are churches who beg for volunteers to help raise money for the poor, to support missionaries, to donate clothing for shelters, or drive people to doctor's appointments and so many other things, and get very little response. Paul is also warning us to remain faithful to God and His Gospel Truth. We have often spoken about those who would try to lure us away with their own interpretations of what God wants. Whenever we are in doubt of the validity of the teachings of someone, we have the Holy Bible to look back on, including St. Luke's own words in the prologue to His Gospel book. He told us that he wrote so that we could be sure in the teachings that we have received. And finally, we are called to love one another. Most of those who are not preaching as Jesus Christ did, they try to divide and not unify. We are called to be one; let's work to accomplish this and thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for calling us to this mission. We depend on Him daily to teach us and lead us in the ways He needs us to go. May we always remember Him and His almighty power and worship Him with great rejoicing and humility. God is holy and almighty and deserving of all praise honor and glory. We rejoice in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ, knowing He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He is the Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 1:8). May our hearts always be filled with thanksgiving and rejoicing. May He help us to praise Him freely and honestly like all believers who came before us. May we live a life that showcases our love and trust in Him and His Holy Word and Spirit as He uses us draw others to Him and His soul-saving Gospel Truth daily. May He continue guide, correct and protect us, so that we continue to grow in Him and not weaken and stray. May we all remain faithful to Him and to this duty and purpose He has called us to. Seek and put your faith and trust in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ and let Him do the rest. May He humble our hearts and help us focus on following and serving Him daily and helping others with joy and happiness. We lift our voices in praise to Him for His love, mercy, peace, faithfulness and grace. - For EVERYTHING!

It is vital that we remain rooted in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ through prayer and His Holy Word and Spirit and that we live and walk as a beacon of His light and love and share and spread the Gospel Truth daily, so that the lost souls in this world can come to know Him and be saved. The more we focus on Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ, growing spiritually by building our relationship with Him, leaning on Him and His Holy Word and Spirit, the better off we will be. Thanks to this and our faith in Him, we know that everything will be alright. And we will forever be grateful to Him. As true and born-again Christians, we believe in Him and His Holy Word and we strive daily to walk in His Holy Spirit. We know though our mortal bodies should die, He will raise us up and into new and glorious bodies (The Rapture). We who are truly His and alive at His second coming will never die, and our bodies will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and so shall we ever be with Him in His Kingdom of Heaven forevermore (1 Corinthians 15:51-52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). This is one of many promises given to us by God Himself. Thank God for His strength and guidance when we are faced with sin and temptation. Thank Him for His mercy and grace. Through Bible study and prayer, God reveals His wisdom and guides us to see opportunities to grow closer to Him and grow spiritually. He gives us direction to live our lives daily according to His will.

Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to Heaven (John 3:5, 14:6), the ONLY way to salvation (Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:8-9) and He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25-26). Jesus Christ the LORD of lords, KING of kings, the GOD of gods (Deuteronomy 10:17, 1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:16) - He is the Living, Almighty and Everlasting God (Isaiah 9:6, Revelation 1:8, John 3:16, John 3:36, Jeremiah 10:10). There is no other God besides Him (Isaiah 45:5). We MUST humble ourselves before Him, turning our backs on false teachers, false gods and idols and our sinful ways. We MUST repent and turn back to God and recognize who He is and love Him in return for His great love for us. We MUST make God top priority everyday! May we be motivated to spread God's Holy Word and Gospel Truth to all the Earth, knowing that it is the only hope of all those lost in their sins. Let us not hold out a false hope for men to be saved without the Gospel, but instead, strive to do our part to get the Gospel out to a lost and dying world.

Leaning on Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ through prayer and His Holy Word and Spirit strengthens us and our knowledge and wisdom about God and His Gospel Truth, exposing these imposters. May God help us to seek and lean on Him daily to gain the strength, wisdom and spiritual discernment needed to expose Satan and his imposters who seek to destroy us and God's ultimate Truth. Everyday, we must remember to share Jesus Christ's Gospel Truth with the world and to thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for the grace that He poured out for us on the cross at Calvary. He has freed us from the burdens of sin and from the eternal damnation of Hell. In all we say and do, may all praise, honor and glory always be given to Him and His Kingdom of Heaven.

With renewed minds, hearts and wills, let us serve Him humbly and faithfully out of pure love and grateful rejoicing. May He remind us of His presence and to remain at peace, fully knowing that all will be well because He is always with us. Let us seek Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ today and everyday with all our heart and being, looking for His love, light and will for our lives with each step we take. Let us seek to please Him with our thoughts, words, and deeds and seek to advance His Kingdom of Heaven and His glory with our lives. Let us seek Him from a pure and humble heart, and when we so seek, we believe Him and His promise that we will find. May He help us all to be more sensitive to the teaching ministry of His Holy Word and Spirit, relying on Him and allowing Him to speak to us and guide us every step of our Christian journey.

God gave us the Holy Bible - His living and Holy Word - to let us know of Him and His abiding love and care as well as guide and prepare us for all our lives. May He help us encourage one another as we continue our walk with Him and our duty to Him daily. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for being present for all our new beginnings and all our lives. May He redirect any anxiety we feel as He provides countless opportunities for growth and change. May we humble ourselves before God always, asking Him to forgive our sins and make our hearts and lives anew through His Holy Word and Spirit. May He help us make Him and His Holy Word top priority, so we can grow spiritually and grow in our relationship with Him as we apply it to our daily lives. Thank God that we can focus on Him and everything about Him, for that is what keeps us sane and at peace. May our words and actions always be a reflection of Him and His Holy Word and Spirit and will.

May He help us to always walk in His grace and Holy Spirit, not by our own measure. May He give us the humble humility to know that our freedom and eternal salvation is found only in Him, so that His grace may sustain us, and we may never lose sight of His love and light and mercy. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for calling us to Him and to serve Him. May He equip us to do all that He has called us to do so that as He works through us, He may use us to produce fruit, to reach others, and to encourage all brothers and sisters in Christ. May He work all of these things in us and through us for His Kingdom and His glory. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for all His creation, for His miraculous ways and for everything He does and has done for us! Keep the faith and keep moving forward in your walk with Jesus! He loves us and He knows what is best for us. Seek, follow and trust in Him - Always!

Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His Holy Word and for sending His Holy Spirit so that we might have His grace, not only to awaken us and transform our hearts in our spiritual rebirth and guarantee our eternity with Him, but to also call upon Him whenever we are in need. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for all the reminders of His love and mercy and faithfulness within His Holy Word. He is bigger than any challenge or circumstance in our lives. Knowing this within our minds and our hearts, nothing can deter our faith in Him and His Truth. May we all accept Him and His eternal gift of salvation and ask that He would transform our hearts and lives according to His will and ways. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His Holy Spirit who saves, seals and leads us. May we always thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His almighty power and saving grace. For He is our strength, and He alone is able to save us, forgive our sins and gift us eternal salvation and entry into His Kingdom of Heaven.

May we make sure that we give our hearts and lives to God and take time to seek and praise Him and share His Truth with the world daily. May the LORD our God and Father in Heaven help us to stay diligent and obedient and help us to guard our hearts in Him and His Holy Word daily. May He help us to remain faithful and full of excitement to do our duty to Him and for His glorious return and our reunion in Heaven as well as all that awaits us there. May we never forget to thank the LORD our God and our Creator and Father in Heaven for all this and everything He does and has done for us! May we never forget who He is, nor forget who we are in Christ and that God is always with us! What a mighty God we serve! What a Savior this is! What a wonderful LORD, God, Savior and King we have in Jesus Christ! What a loving Father we have found in Almighty God! What a wonderful God we serve! His will be done!

Thanks and glory be to God! Blessed be the name of the LORD! Hallelujah and Amen!

3 notes · View notes

troybeecham · 9 months

Text

Today, the Church remembers Joachim, c. 50 B.C. - 15 A.D., and Anna (Hannah), c. 50 B.C. -12A.D., the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Ora pro nobis.

The genealogies of Jesus in Matthew and Luke do not explicitly name either of Mary's parents.

Early Church traditions hold that Saint Joachim was the husband of Saint Anne (Hannah) and the father of Mary, the mother of Jesus, which are accepted by the Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican traditions. The story of Joachim and Anne first appears in the apocryphal Gospel of James. Joachim and Anne are not mentioned in the Bible. Their feast day is 26 July.

Although the canonical books of the New Testament never mention the parents of the Virgin Mary, traditions about her mother Anne’s family, childhood, education, and eventual betrothal to Joseph developed very early in the history of the church. The oldest and most influential source for these is the apocryphal Gospel of James, first written in Greek around the middle of the second century.

Also according to tradition, Saint Anne was born in Bethlehem, and married Joachim of Nazareth, both descendants of David. In the Protoevangelium of James, Joachim is described as a rich and pious man, who regularly gave to the poor and to the synagogue at Sepphoris. Tradition has it that the parents of the Blessed Virgin, who, apparently, first lived in Galilee, came later on to settle in Jerusalem. However, the high priest rejected Joachim and his sacrifice, as their childlessness was interpreted as a sign of divine displeasure. Joachim consequently withdrew to the desert where he fasted and did penance for forty days. Angels then appeared to both Joachim and Anne to promise them a child. Joachim later returned to Jerusalem and embraced Anne at the city gate. There was ancient belief that a child born of an elderly mother who had given up hope of having offspring was destined for great things. Parallels occur in the Old Testament in the case of Hannah, mother of Samuel.

Almighty God, heavenly Father, we remember in thanksgiving this day the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary; and we pray that we all may be made one in the heavenly family of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, forever and ever.

Amen.

#father troy beecham #christianity #jesus #saints #god #salvation #peace #faith #early church #new testament #second temple judaism #hope

5 notes · View notes

officialyourdailyinspiration · 1 year

Photo

The Judgment at Christ's Coming

1 Paul and Silvanus and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We ought to thank God always concerning you, brothers, even as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly and the love of each one of you all to one another is increasing, 4 So that we ourselves boast in you among the churches of God concerning your endurance and faith in all your persecutions and the afflictions which you bear, 5 A plain indication of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be accounted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which also you suffer; 6 Since it is just with God to repay with affliction those afflicting you, 7 And to you who are being afflicted, rest with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of His power, in flaming fire, 8 Rendering vengeance to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 They will pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His strength 10 When He comes to be glorified in His saints and to be marveled at in all those who have believed (because our testimony to you was believed) in that day. 11 For which also we pray always concerning you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling and may fulfill in power your every good intention for goodness and your work of faith, 12 So that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. — 2 Thessalonians 1 | Recovery Version (REC) The Recovery Version of the Holy Bible © 2009 Living Stream Ministry. All rights reserved. Cross References: Exodus 3:2; Exodus 19:18; Exodus 23:22; Psalm 79:6; Ecclesiastes 3:17; Isaiah 1:28; Isaiah 2:10-11; Isaiah 2:19; Isaiah 24:15; Isaiah 49:3; Isaiah 66:5; Matthew 16:27-28; Luke 20:35; Acts 15:22; Acts 16:1; Romans 1:7-8; Romans 2:5; 1 Corinthians 7:17; 2 Corinthians 7:4; 2 Corinthians 10:15; Colossians 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:3

#Christ's coming #God #judgment #righteousness #kingdom of God #2 Thessalonians 1 #The Epistle of Second Thessalonians #New Testament #REC #The Recovery Version of the Holy Bible #Living Stream Ministry

17 notes · View notes

nijjhar · 1 year

Video

youtube

John 14v21-26:- Corruption by the Messianic Jews. Jesus set us FREE as M... John 14v21-26:- Corruption by the Messianic Jews. Jesus set us FREE as Mary Magdalene was of the 7 demons of Menorah. Co commandments from Christ Jesus. https://youtu.be/j8eQZzkUKOg Anti-Christ Popes and their stooges call themselves "Fathers" when we have One Father of our souls Elohim, Allah, Parbrahm, etc. Holy Gospel of our Supernatural Father Elohim, Allah, Parbrahm, etc., delivered by the First Anointed Christ, which in Punjabi we call Satguru Jesus of the highest living God Elohim that dwells within His Most beautiful living Temple of God created by the demiurge Potter, the Lord of the Nature Yahweh, Brahma, Khudah, etc. and it is called Harmandir or “Emmanuel” according to Saint John 14,21-26. Jesus said to his twice-born Labourers that he had employed in the Royal Vineyard of our Supernatural Father of our souls and not the once-born spiritually blind disciples of the Rabbis, a corruption by the Messianic Jews: “Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me; a corruption. Jesus came to set us FREE and not to bind us. Whoever loves me philosophically called “Philia Love” will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him in “His Word”.” Judas, not Iscariot, said to him, "Master, (then) what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words, yet the word you hear is not mine called “InshJesus” but that of the Father called InshAllah who sent me. I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the holy spirit, common sense that the illiterate people use, the Gentile uses that the Father will send in my name--he will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you." Youtube channel - Truthsoldier I served in the satanic Iraq war. I openly am shamed for that and I asked for forgiveness for taking part in that war. I actually had my awakening while over in Iraq. My eyes were opened to the injustice of that war. The Iraqi people loved Saddam; they had whole stories with nothing but Saddam’s face on everything. Since then I have been speaking out against the US and ISRAEL on my Youtube channel. Here is my contribution:- Holy spirit, common sense, shatters the fetters of the dead letters, the Holy Books. If we have One God, our Supernatural Father of our souls, then there should be one Faith. In Christianity, Jesus said One Fold called the Church of God headed by One Shepherd, our Bridegroom Christ Jesus/Christ = Satguru Nanak Dev Ji, the Second coming of Jesus. Solid Proof; this Golden Temple is of the same size as the Holiest of Holy that used to be in Jerusalem and its Curtain held the Secrets of the Oral Torah = His Word was rendered from the Top, the Temple High Priests, to the Bottom, the village Rabbis off you go – Luke 16v16; Law and Prophets were till John and thus, everyone makes a direct approach to God through His Word = Logo = SATGUR PARSAD. So, these hireling Dog-Collared Priests and Mullahs, cannot give your account to God as the Rabbis used to give at Passover. So, they are "ANTICHRISTS" that have a following of the spiritually blind Super Bastard Fanatic Devils - John 8v44 -, Hindu, Jew, Sikh, Christian, Muslim, etc. Outwardly, and not spiritually inwardly. These spiritual selves Hindu, Jew and Christian, are never born like Christ, the Title and they never die but the tribal selves Judah, Levi, Jatt, Tarkhan, etc. were born and they will die. Thus, Jesus was born and Jesus died on the Cross and rose on the Third Day and NOT CHRIST, THE TITLE. Books:- ONE GOD ONE FAITH:- www.gnosticgospel.co.uk/bookfin.pdf Greatest Blasphemers and Killers Blair and Bush being considered by Anti-Christ Bishops for Nobel Peace Prize. Nobel Peace Prize should rather go to Assange and the Iraqi Journalist who threw both his shoes at the hypocrite Bush in Iraq. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qHdTpTXHvE&list=PL0C8AFaJhsWz7HtQEhV91eAKugUw73PW1 Christ Jesus was killed by the Temple High Priest Hypocrite/Blasphemer against the Holy Spirit and so are these Bush and Blair who at the backing of Jewish people in the USA destroyed one country after the other starting with the cradle of Humanity Iraq, the Land of the forefather of the Chosen People who are no more faithful to Abraham but has become sons of the Highest Satan Al-Djmar Al-Aksa. Blair and Bush’s blasphemies against Holy Spirit https://youtu.be/0WBYOmpDuCs American Jews are today – http://www.gnosticgospel.co.uk/GrimReaper.htm Destroying one country after the other, so that the scripture is fulfilled. Also, do not forget the partition of India and how the dirty hearted-British divided the homeland Punjab of the brave Jatt tribal soldiers who fought in the two World Wars for the British. Trinity:- www.gnosticgospel.co.uk/trinity.pdf

#youtube

2 notes · View notes

cruger2984 · 2 years

Text

THE DESCRIPTION OF SAINT LUKE Feast Day: October 18

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." -Luke 12:34

One of the Four Evangelists along with Matthew, Mark and John, and the patron of artists, physicians, bachelors, surgeons, students and butchers, was a Greek physician from Antioch (modern-day Antakya, Hatay, Turkey), although some other scholars and theologians think Luke was a Hellenic Jew.

The New Testament mentions Luke briefly a few times, and the Epistle to the Colossians refers to him as a physician (from Greek for 'one who heals'); thus he is thought to have been both a physician and a disciple of Paul. Since the early years of the faith, Christians have regarded him as a saint. He is believed to have been a martyr, reportedly having been hanged from an olive tree, though some believe otherwise.

After his conversion, he became a missionary companion of Paul, whom he accompanied till the end. As the apostle wrote from his prison in his second letter to Timothy: 'Luke is the only one with me.' According to some accounts, Luke also contributed to the authorship of the Epistle to the Hebrews.

After his martyrdom by the sword at the hands of Emperor Nero in the year 64 AD, he retired into Greece, where he composed the third Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. Being a learned person, he wrote with order and clarity, and is the only the evangelist to give a complete account of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the visitation to her cousin Elizabeth - both of which can be found in the Holy Rosary as the first and second Joyful Mysteries respectively. It is said in tradition that Luke was a skillful artist, and that he was the first to paint the icon of the Blessed Mother.

Luke is symbolized by a winged bull (or ox) in Christian art, the symbol is a figure of sacrifice, service, and strength. Luke's account begins with the duties of Zechariah in the temple; it represents Jesus's sacrifice in His Passion and Crucifixion, as well as Christ being High priest (this also represents Mary's obedience). The winged bull also signifies that Christians should be prepared to sacrifice themselves in following Christ.

Luke died at the age of 84 in Thebes, Boeotia, Achaea, Roman Empire, and his major shrine can be found in Padua, Italy, in the Abbey of Santa Giustina, where his body relics can be found. His head, was in St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, Czech Republic, and his rib was in his tomb in Thebes.

#random stuff #cellphotography #cellphone photography #catholic #catholic saints #saint luke #luke the evangelist

3 notes · View notes

grandsouldream · 2 years

Text

Readings for 3 September

3/09/2022

#The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath #First Letter to the Corinthians 4 #First Letter to the Corinthians #Psalms 145(144)#Psalms #Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 6 #Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke #Catechism of the Catholic Church #God #Lord #Jesus #Holy Spirit #love #hope #heaven #life #peace

2 notes · View notes

allaboutjoseph · 1 year

Text

Prayers - Via Gaudii (Way of Joy) - 1st Station

Via Gaudii or Way of Joy (Christmas)

Via Crucis or Way of Sorrow or Stations of the Cross (Lent)

Via Lucis or Way of Light (Easter)

The Via Gaudii is a prayerful reflection on the events of the incarnation and early life of our Lord Jesus Christ, based on the first chapters of the Gospels according to Saint Matthew and Saint Luke. The fourteen stations cover the events from the Betrothal of Joseph and Mary to the return of the Holy Family to Nazareth. A Chaplet was later developed that would guide the faithful in praying the Via Gaudii.

OPENING PRAYER

O God, our Heavenly Father accompany us to the story of the birth and the childhood of our Lord Jesus Christ. May We recognize in every Station your saving plan and learn to appreciate the significance of our participation in the fulfillment of your promise. Let the joy in our hearts lead us to seek and adore the Child Jesus. Amen.

THE FIRST STATION: THE BETROTHAL OF ST. JOSEPH AND THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

V: We adore You, O Christ and we bless You! R: Because by Your Holy Birth, You have lived with us!

READING (Matthew 1:18) This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph.

REFLECTION The Betrothal of Joseph and Mary strengthens their commitment and love for one another. This is an expression of oneness as man and wife as it is written in the Book of Genesis: “…and the two of them become one body.” (Gn. 2:24). That is why those who plan to settle down and desire to have a family are encouraged to do what Joseph and Mary did- to seek God’s blessing and recognition from their community in their union.

PRAYER O God, our loving Father, You blessed the initial union leading to the marriage of Joseph and Mary you prepared the family where Jesus would become a member. May we also be like Joseph and Mary who were blessed with your grace so that we may be able to live our responsibility as parents in our family that you also entrusted to us. Amen.

Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory Be …

2 notes · View notes

orthodoxadventure · 1 month

Text

The Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

Commemorated on March 25

Today is the beginning of our salvation, the revelation of the eternal mystery! The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin as Gabriel announces the coming of Grace. Together with him let us cry to the Theotokos: Hail, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with You!

The Feast of the Annunciation is one of the earliest Christian feasts, and was already being celebrated in the fourth century. There is a painting of the Annunciation in the catacomb of Priscilla in Rome dating from the second century. The Council of Toledo in 656 mentions the Feast, and the Council in Trullo in 692 says that the Annunciation was celebrated during Great Lent.

The Greek and Slavonic names for the Feast may be translated as “good tidings.” This, of course, refers to the Incarnation of the Son of God and the salvation He brings. The background of the Annunciation is found in the Gospel of Saint Luke (1:26-38). The troparion describes this as the “beginning of our salvation, and the revelation of the eternal mystery,” for on this day the Son of God became the Son of Man.

There are two main components to the Annunciation: the message itself, and the response of the Virgin. The message fulfills God’s promise to send a Redeemer (Genesis 3:15): “I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your seed and her seed; he shall crush your head, and you shall lie in wait for his heel.” The Fathers of the Church understand “her seed” to refer to Christ. The prophets hinted at His coming, which they saw dimly, but the Archangel Gabriel now proclaims that the promise is about to be fulfilled.

We see this echoed in the Liturgy of Saint Basil, as well: “When man disobeyed Thee, the only true God who had created him, and was deceived by the guile of the serpent, becoming subject to death by his own transgressions, Thou, O God, in Thy righteous judgment, didst send him forth from Paradise into this world, returning him to the earth from which he was taken, yet providing for him the salvation of regeneration in Thy Christ Himself.”

The Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth in Galilee. There he spoke to the undefiled Virgin who was betrothed to Saint Joseph: “Hail, thou who art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

In contrast to Eve, who was readily deceived by the serpent, the Virgin did not immediately accept the Angel’s message. In her humility, she did not think she was deserving of such words, but was actually troubled by them. The fact that she asked for an explanation reveals her sobriety and prudence. She did not disbelieve the words of the angel, but could not understand how they would be fulfilled, for they spoke of something which was beyond nature.

Then said Mary unto the angel, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” (Luke 1:34).

“And the angel answered and said unto her, ‘The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: therefore also that which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.’ And Mary said, ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.’ And the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1: 35-38)

In his Sermon 23 on the day of the Annunciation, Saint Philaret of Moscow boldly stated that “the word of the creature brought the Creator down into the world.” He explains that salvation is not merely an act of God’s will, but also involves the Virgin’s free will. She could have refused, but she accepted God’s will and chose to cooperate without complaint or further questions.

The icon of the Feast shows the Archangel with a staff in his left hand, indicating his role as a messenger. Sometimes one wing is upraised, as if to show his swift descent from heaven. His right hand is stretched toward the holy Virgin as he delivers his message.

The Virgin is depicted either standing or sitting, usually holding yarn in her left hand. Sometimes she is shown holding a scroll. Her right hand may be raised to indicate her surprise at the message she is hearing. Her head is bowed, showing her consent and obedience. The descent of the Holy Spirit upon her is depicted by a ray of light issuing from a small sphere at the top of the icon, which symbolizes heaven. In a famous icon from Sinai, a white dove is shown in the ray of light.

There are several famous icons of the Annunciation. One is in the Moscow Kremlin in the church of the Annunciation. This icon appeared in connection with the rescue of a prisoner by the Mother of God during the reign of Ivan the Terrible. Another is to be found in the Dormition Cathedral in Moscow (July 8). It was originally located in Ustiug, and was the icon before which Saint Procopius the fool (July 8) prayed to save the city from destruction in 1290. One of the most highly revered icons in Greece is the Tinos icon of the Annunciation (January 30).

The Annunciation falls during Lent, but it is always celebrated with great joy. The Liturgy of Saint Basil or Saint John Chrysostom is served, even on the weekdays of Lent. It is one of the two days of Great Lent on which the fast is relaxed and fish is permitted (Palm Sunday is the other).

[Text from OCA]

O Victorious Leader of Triumphant Hosts! We, your servants, delivered from evil, sing our grateful thanks to you, O Theotokos! As you possess invincible might, set us free from every calamity so that we may sing: Hail, O unwedded Bride!

#Christianity #Orthodox Christianity #Theotokos #Blessed Virgin Mary #Lent

9 notes · View notes

frmartinshomiliesandreflections · 1 month

Text

19th March >> Fr. Martin's Reflections / Homilies on Today's Mass Readings (Inc. Matthew 1:16, 18, 21-24/Luke 2:41–51a) for the Feast of Saint Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary: ‘He did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do’.

Feast of Saint Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Gospel (Except USA) Matthew 1:16,18-21,24 How Jesus Christ came to be born.

Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary; of her was born Jesus who is called Christ.

This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do.

Gospel (Except USA) Luke 2:41-51a Mary stored up all these things in her heart.

Every year the parents of Jesus used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual. When they were on their way home after the feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. They assumed he was with the caravan, and it was only after a day’s journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances. When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere.

Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the doctors, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies. They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, ‘My child, why have, you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.’

‘Why were you looking for me?’ he replied. ‘Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?’ But they did not understand what he meant.

He then went down with them and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority.

Gospel (USA) Matthew 1:16, 18–21, 24a Joseph did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him.

Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Gospel (USA) Luke 2:41–51a Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.

Reflections (11)

(i) Feast of Saint Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The gospel reading for the feast of Saint Joseph is the story of the birth of Jesus, according to Matthew. It is a little less familiar to us than the story of the birth of Jesus as we find it in Luke’s gospel and which we read on Christmas night. The gospel reading portrays Joseph at a moment of crisis. It could be termed a crisis of intimacy. Joseph tends to be depicted in religious art as an elderly man, more like Jesus’ grandfather than father. In reality, at the time of Jesus’ birth, he must have been a vigorous young man, perhaps still in his teens. The gospel reading describes him as betrothed to Mary. Betrothal is more than what we refer to as an ‘engagement’. As betrothed, he and Mary were legally husband and wife, but they would only live together as husband and wife after their marriage ceremony. The future happiness of this young man is suddenly clouded by an event of which he can make little sense, Mary’s pregnancy. What is he to do in this unexpected and confusing situation? The Jewish Law would have required him to take a course of action that went against all his natural feelings for Mary. In that moment of personal crisis, according to the gospel reading, Joseph experienced God as Emmanuel, God with him. God communicated with Joseph at this difficult time in his life and Joseph was open to hearing God’s word to him, a word that directed him beyond what the Law required, prompting him to marry his betrothed, to take her home as his wife. The story of Joseph reminds us that God continues to communicate with us in the challenging situations of our own lives, including crises of intimacy. There is no personal dilemma that need cut us off from God. God speaks a word of love and wisdom to us even in the most unpromising moments of our life’s journey. Jesus reveals God to be Emmanuel, God with us, and God is with us, guiding us and supporting us, especially in our own difficult family experiences. The gospel reading also suggests that Joseph was not only open to God’s presence but revealed God’s presence to Mary, showing her great care and sensitivity in a disturbing and unsettling moment. Joseph inspires us not only to be open to God’s presence in difficult family moments, but to reveal God’s loving and tender presence to each other, to look out for one another, when events come along that are disruptive and disturbing. Joseph’s care the vulnerable, for the pregnant Mary, and later for Mary and his young son when faced with exile, might prompt us to ask his intercession for all who have been rendered vulnerable today by war.

And/Or

(ii) Feast of Saint Joseph

It is strange how Christian art has tended to portray Joseph as an old man, more like Jesus’ grandfather, than his father. One striking exception to this is a painting of Joseph by the Spanish artist, El Greco. He depicts Joseph as a vigorous young man, with Jesus clinging to his legs. In that painting Joseph is portrayed as a strong figure, trustworthy and protective. This is much closer to the portrayal of Joseph in the gospels than the usual elderly depiction of him. The gospel reading this morning suggests that although Joseph, the young father, was protective of his young son, he also struggled to understand him at times. Having anxiously searched for Jesus with Mary, Joseph finally finds him in temple, only to be told that by Jesus that he must be busy with his Father’s affairs. Joseph was beginning to learn that there was someone else in his young son’s life whom he called ‘Father’, and to whom he had a stronger allegiance that he had to his earthly parents. Joseph discovered early on that he would have to let his son go to a greater purpose than what he wanted for him. As such, Joseph could serve as an inspiration, a reference point, for all parents who have to work through that difficult task of learning to let go of their offspring.

And/Or

(iii) Feast of Saint Joseph

This morning’s gospel reading gives us a mini portrait of Joseph. We are told that every year Joseph and Mary used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover. Joseph, along with Mary, was a devout Jew. The Temple in Jerusalem had an important place in his life. It was the place where God was believed to be present in a special way. Like many faithful Jews, Jesus went up to the Temple in Jerusalem for the great Jewish feasts, such as the Feast of Passover. On this occasion when Jesus was twelve years old, little did Joseph know that Jesus would be crucified by the Romans on the feast of Passover about twenty years into the future. In bringing his son with him to Jerusalem for the great feasts, Joseph was initiating his son into his own Jewish faith, passing on to his son his own religious traditions, beliefs and practices. Joseph was called by God to be a human father to Jesus, to be the best father possible for Jesus. This was a great privilege, but the gospel reading suggests that it was also a very particular challenge, one that made great demands on him. That challenge for Joseph is captured in the exchange between Mary and Jesus. Mary says to her son, ‘see how worried your father and I have been, looking for you’. Jesus replies to her, ‘Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?’ Jesus spoke as one who had another Father than Joseph, a heavenly Father and it was the affairs of his heavenly Father that had to take priority over the concerns of his earthly father. This must have been very difficult for Joseph to come to terms with. He had the responsibility of overseeing the upbringing of Jesus and, yet, he had to learn that his son did not belong to himself or to Mary but was subject to a higher authority than theirs. The gospel reading said, ‘they did not understand what he meant’. Joseph is portrayed in the gospel reading as faithful to his calling to care for Jesus, without fully understanding what was going on in the life of his son. Joseph can be an inspiration to all of us, who are also called to be faithful to the Lord without always fully understanding the Lord to whom we seek to be faithful. Like Joseph we are called to give our heart to the Lord, even though our reason may never fully understand him.

And/Or

(iv) Feast of Saint Joseph

Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Joseph. We know relatively little about Joseph. In the gospel of Matthew, when Jesus preached for the first time in his home town of Nazareth, those who knew him asked, ‘Is not this the carpenter’s son?’ Jesus was known to them as the son of the carpenter, the son of Joseph. Joseph had a skill which not everybody in Nazareth had; he could make useful things from wood. He used his skill to provide for his family, including his son Jesus. Jesus would go on to provide for many people in the course of his public ministry. He gave everything he had, including his very life, for God’s people, for all of us. Yet, before Jesus could provide for others, he needed to be provided for, and Joseph played a key role in providing for him. With Mary, Joseph made it possible for Jesus to get to the point where he could leave home a fully formed adult and begin in earnest the work that God gave him to do. Jesus was able to do his work in Galilee and Judea because Joseph did his work in Nazareth. Joseph’s work might seem insignificant compared to the work Jesus went on to do and still does as risen Lord. Yet, Joseph’s work was just as important because without Joseph’s work, Jesus would not have gone on to do the work of God. Joseph teaches us the importance of doing what we have to do as well as possible, even if what we are doing seems of little significance in the greater scheme of things. We are all interdependent. If we do what we have to do as well as we can, we make it easier for everyone else to do what they are called to do. Everything we do has greater significance that we realize. We all have vital roles to play within God’s greater purpose. We are all called to do God’s work, at every stage of our lives, each of us in our own particular way.

And/Or

(v) Feast of Saint Joseph

Joseph does not appear in the gospels during the public ministry of Jesus. His presence in the gospels is confined to the first two chapters of Matthew and of Luke which concern the birth and early childhood of Jesus. Yet Joseph is referred to during Jesus’ public ministry in relation to Jesus. Later on in Matthew’s gospel the people of Nazareth ask of Joseph, ‘is not this the carpenter’s son?’ Apart from that detail about Jesus being a carpenter we know very little else about him. However, this morning’s gospel reading from Matthew describes Joseph as a ‘man of honour’, or a ‘just or righteous man’. He is just in that he lives as God commands him to live; he does the will of God and, so, is a good and compassionate man. When he hears God call him to take Mary home with his wife, he does so, in spite of his earlier confusion as to how best to deal with Mary’s expected pregnancy. He is portrayed as someone who seeks God’s will in the complex situations of life. He does not always know how best to act but he leaves himself open to God’s guidance and direction and faithfully responds to God’s promptings. He lives that call of Jesus that is to be found later in Matthew’s gospel, ‘Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness’.

And/Or

(vi) Feast of Saint Joseph

There is a wonderful painting of Saint Joseph by the Spanish artist El Greco. In it Joseph is a vibrant young man and the child Jesus is holding on to one of his legs. The sense we get from that painting is of Joseph as a strong, warm, noble presence in the life of the child Jesus. He had a very important role to play in the life of his young son. He may well have died before Jesus began his public ministry because he only appears as a character in the gospels in the opening chapters of Matthew and Luke, when Jesus is a child. Joseph reminds us that the Lord often asks us to play some important role in the life of another for a period of time. Jesus moved on from Joseph because he had to be busy with his Father’s affairs, his heavenly Father’s affairs. Having played his vital role in the life of his son, Joseph had to let him go. When we have played the role in the life of another that only we can play, very often we too are then asked to let them go, and that can be painful as it must have been for Joseph. It is very often there that love meets the cross.

And/Or

(vii) Feast of Saint Joseph

Joseph is often depicted as an old man in Christian art and sculpture. Yet, he was obviously a very young man at the time of Jesus’ birth, as young as Jesus’ mother Mary, the woman to whom Joseph was married. It can’t have been easy being the father of such a special child. This morning’s gospel reading portrays something of the struggle that being the parent of Jesus entailed. When Jesus’ parents eventually found him in the Temple after much anxious searching, Mary said to her young son, ‘See how worried your father and I have been?’ In reply Jesus said, ‘Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs’. When Mary referred to ‘your father’ she meant Joseph; when Jesus said ‘my Father’ he meant God. Luke suggests that because Jesus belonged to God from an early age, his parents had to learn to let him go much sooner than would have been the norm. Joseph had to learn that his son had another Father, a heavenly Father, to whom he was totally dedicated. Yet, Joseph remained a full father to his son in the earthly sense, fulfilling all the roles that would be expected of a father in that culture. Very early into his son’s life, Joseph had to learn to love his son while leaving him free for whatever God was asking of him. In that sense, we can all look to Joseph as someone who embodies a love that is generous without being possessive, faithful without being controlling.

And/Or

(viii) Solemnity of Saint Joseph

Saint Joseph has a somewhat low profile in the gospel story. He doesn’t feature at all during the public ministry of Jesus. He is present in the gospel story only in the context of the childhood of Jesus. This may suggest that Joseph had died before Jesus began his public ministry at the age of thirty or so. Yet, Joseph must have been a hugely significant figure in the early years of Jesus. In the Jewish culture of Jesus’ time, it was the father who passed on the religious traditions to the children. It was the father who taught the children how to live in accordance with God’s will as revealed in the Scriptures. This role of the father is reflected in the earliest document of the New Testament, the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians. There Paul compares his role in the church of Thessalonica to that of a father in a family, ‘we dealt with each of you like a father with his children, urging and encouraging you and pleading that you lead a life worthy of God’. It was above all from Joseph that Jesus would have received instruction in his Jewish faith. Through Joseph, he came to know the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Jesus, of course, was no ordinary child. He had a unique relationship with the God of Israel; he understood himself to be the son of Israel’s God. This must have complicated Joseph’s task of bringing up his son in the practice of the Jewish faith. This is evident in today’s gospel reading from Luke. When his parents eventually find the boy Jesus in the Temple, his mother says to him, ‘See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you’. Jesus replied, ‘Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?’ By ‘your father’ Mary meant Joseph. By ‘my Father’ Jesus meant God. The gospel reading suggests that from an early age Jesus’ heavenly Father had a greater influence on him than his earthly father. This must have left Joseph confused and disturbed at times. According to today’s gospel reading, Jesus’ parents ‘did not understand what he meant’ when he spoke about being busy with his Father’s affairs. Joseph struggled to discern God’s will for his son. He came to see that what he wanted for his son was not necessarily what God wanted for him. He had to learn to let go of his son to God’s greater purpose for him. We can all identify with Joseph’s struggle in this regard. We too sometimes struggle to surrender to God’s purpose for our lives and for the lives of those who are close to us. God’s way of working in our own lives and in the lives of others can seem a mystery to us and, sometimes, like Joseph, we have to learn to let go to a mystery we do not fully understand.

And/Or

(ix) Feast of Saint Joseph

The image of the twelve-year old Jesus sitting among the doctors of the law in the Temple, which we find in today’s gospel reading, is a striking one. It doesn’t say that Jesus was teaching these doctors of the law. Rather, he was listening to them and asking they questions. He was receptive to what they were saying. No doubt Jesus was also receptive to what Joseph said to him. In the Jewish family, the father was the one responsible for passing on the religious tradition to the children. Joseph may not have been a doctor of the law, but he was a teacher within his own home. Yet, the gospel reading suggests that at twelve years of age, Jesus was moving on from receiving the wisdom of his superiors to taking his own path in life. Having travelled with his family from Nazareth to Jerusalem, for the feast of Passover, he decided not to travel back with them, apparently without informing any member of his extended family. Mary and Joseph ended up searching for him everywhere. Eventually, they decided to head back to Jerusalem where they did eventually find him in the Temple. Their disappointment in Jesus and the distress he caused them is very evident in the question Mary put to him. Yet, his answer to their question caused them a different kind of distress. ‘Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?’ They didn’t understand what he meant. By, ‘my Father’s affairs’, the boy Jesus was not referring to his father Joseph, but to his heavenly Father, God. If Jesus was learning from the doctors of the law, Joseph had his own lesson to learn from his young son. He was beginning to realize that his influence on his son would have to take second place to God’s influence. He and his wife, Mary would have to learn to let Jesus go to God’s purpose for his life. We can learn from Joseph that gentle art of letting go, of surrendering those we cherish to God’s purpose for their lives, even though it may leave us with a great sense of loss. Joseph learnt to allow God to be God in his own life and in the life of his Son. We pray for something of that same generosity of spirit that Joseph clearly had.

And/Or

(x) Feast of Saint Joseph

In the first reading, Saint Paul refers to Abraham as ‘the father of all of us’. For Paul, Abraham was the father of all believers because he was a man of faith who trusted in God’s word of promise. Just as the Jewish people look back to Abraham as their father in faith, so too can we who believe in Jesus. Today, we celebrate the feast of Saint Joseph. As a man of faith, deeply rooted in the Jewish tradition, he certainly would have looked to Abraham as his father in faith. Joseph was unique among the spiritual children of Abraham in being the father of Jesus whose relationship with God was of a different order to Abraham’s relationship with God. According to the gospels, Jesus was known as ‘the carpenter’s son’. There are many titles for Jesus in the gospels and in the rest of the New Testament, but the title, ‘the carpenter’s son’, is, perhaps, the most human. Joseph provided for Mary and his son Jesus by working as a carpenter. He helped to provide a stable home for Jesus where Jesus could grow in ‘wisdom and in stature and in favour with God and people’, according to the gospels. Joseph seems to have died before Jesus began his public ministry because he never features in the story of Jesus’ public, adult, life in the gospels. By the time Jesus began his public ministry, Joseph’s work was done. Mary, we know, lived on at least until the feast of Pentecost at which the Holy Spirit came down upon her and the disciples. Joseph reminds us that the Lord has some work for all of us to do. Very often, our work, like Joseph’s, consists in creating a space for God to work in the life of someone else. That work will often involve a letting go of others, a letting be. That is what we find Joseph being called to do in today’s gospel reading. He had to let Jesus go to God the Father’s work in the life of his young son. ‘I must be busy with my Father’s affairs’, Jesus said, meaning God, not Joseph.

And/Or

(xi) Feast of Saint Joseph

On the 8th December, Pope Francis issued an Apostolic Letter called “With a Father’s Heart”, in which he recalls the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. To mark the occasion of this Apostolic Letter, Pope Francis proclaimed a “Year of Saint Joseph” from 8th December 2020, to 8 December 2021. In his Apostolic Letter, the Pope describes Saint Joseph in a number of very striking ways - as a beloved father, a tender and loving father, an obedient father, an accepting father; a father who is creatively courageous, a working father, a father in the shadows. He wrote the letter against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, which, he says, has helped us see more clearly the importance of “ordinary” people who, although far from the limelight, exercise patience and offer hope every day. In this, the Pope says, they resemble Saint Joseph, whom he describes as “the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence,” and, yet, played “an incomparable role in the history of salvation.” It is true that Joseph is a discreet presence in the gospel story. He doesn’t feature at all during the public ministry of Jesus, suggesting that he may have died before Jesus began his public ministry. However, he was there during the crucial formation years of Jesus’ life. Like any parent, he worried about his young son growing up. In today’s gospel reading, we find Joseph and Mary worried when they discovered their son was lost. When they finally found him, the young Jesus said to them, ‘Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?’ When Jesus said, ‘my Father’, he was referring to God not Joseph. Joseph had to learn to let go of his son Jesus to God his heavenly Father’s plan for his life, even though that often left him confused, as in today’s gospel reading, ‘they did not understand what he meant’. Joseph had an important role to play in Jesus’ life, but he had to let him go to God from Jesus’ early years. Joseph’s life reminds us that we all have some role to play in God’s greater purpose. There is something we can do, no one else can do. We are often called to be a Joseph figure for others, being there for them but knowing when to let them go to God’s purpose for their lives.

Fr. Martin Hogan.

3 notes · View notes