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

January 1, 2021

 

Readings:

First Reading: Numbers 6: 22-27

Psalm 67 “May God bless us in his mercy.”

Second Reading: Galatians 4: 4-7

Gospel reading according to Luke 2: 16-21

+

Homily:

Today we celebrate the Motherhood of Mary as Mother of God (Theotokos)).  “Since Mary is Jesus’ mother, it must be concluded that she is also the Mother of God: If Mary is the mother of Jesus, and if Jesus is God, then Mary is the Mother of God. There is no way out of this logical syllogism” ((https://www.catholic.com/tract/mary-mother-of-god).  What a special privilege; it is only once in a lifetime and it cannot be repeated.  Mary was the privileged vessel of the Son of God, and it cannot be taken away from her, for she was the chosen one, the favored one of God the Father.   “The feast is a celebration of Mary being the mother of Jesus. The English title "Mother of God" is a literal translation of the Latin title Mater Dei, which in turn is a rendering of the Greek title Θεοτόκος (Theotokos), meaning "Bearer of God" dogmatically adopted by the First Council of Ephesus (431) as an assertion of the divinity of Christ” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solemnity_of_Mary,_Mother_of_God). Nowadays, many among Christians do not regard Mary as Mother of God, but by the mother of Jesus, a human being like us, for them Jesus is not God.  But the Catholic Church since the Council of Ephesus in 431 already defended and stood about motherhood of Mary for it was to Jesus, Son of God, this honor referred to.  Jesus is God. And Mary, Mother of Jesus who is God, therefore Mary is the Mother of God (in the Second Person of the Holy Trinity).

And she, Mary, gave birth to her firstborn Son, Jesus, in a manger for there was no available room in the inns.  On that great and wonderful night, suddenly the angel of God appeared and proclaimed to the “shepherds in the locality, living in the fields and keeping night watch by turns over their flocks, the good news of salvation for all humankind was announced to them. To the shepherds the good news was announced and proclaimed.  “The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in a manger” (Luke 2: 16).  The shepherds after hearing the glad tidings from the angel, left some of their companions and the flock, and went in a hurry to see whether what the angel said to them was true.  And truly, they found the Holy Family of Joseph, Mary and the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

The shepherds saw all the things said by the angel.  With delightful hearts and souls they told those who were present how they learned about the birth of the Savior who is Messiah and Lord in the city of David.  “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” (Luke 2: 17-18).  They told them what the angel announced to them, that the angel came “to proclaim good news to you – tidings of great joy to be shared by the whole people.  This day in David’s city a savior has been born to you, the Messiah and Lord.  Let this be a sign to you: in the manger you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes” (cf. Luke 2: 1-14).  They saw and it was true.  Those present when they heard what the shepherds told them were amazed and gave praise to God.

As a new and inexperienced mother, Mary attentively listened to all the things that said about her son, from the annunciation of the Angel Gabriel that she was chosen mother of the Son of God, then when she visited her cousin Elizabeth and she greeted her, and her soul was magnified the Lord, up to the proclamation of the angel of God to the shepherds with regards to the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes. As a mother, “And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart” (Luke 2: 19).  All these things Mary kept and reflected them in her heart.  Nothing escaped in her open-minded and heartfelt and cheerful heart, nothing was lost in every detail of the events that happened from the beginning of the annunciation up to giving birth to her son.

After witnessing the truth about the good news of the birth of the Messiah and Lord, the shepherds went back to their sheep praising and glorifying God for they now see the salvation from this new born child.  “Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them”  (Luke 2: 20).  While returning to the fields in their flock, because of their loud rejoicing, glorifying and praising God, they also attracted people still awoke on that evening in the city of David and announced also with them the good news and everyone who heard the news was amazed and went haze to see the child in the manger.  And they were also rejoiced and gladdened by what they saw.

On the eight day, according to the law of God, that is, “Every first-born male shall be consecrated to the Lord” (cf. Exodus 13:2), they brought the infant to present to the Lord and to circumcise as a covenant between man and God. “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” (Luke 2: 21). They also brought a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons in exchange of the child offered to God, in accord with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (B)

 

December 27, 202 

Readings:

First Reading: Genesis 15: 1-6; 21: 1-3

Psalm 105 “The Lord remembers his covenant forever.”

Second Reading: Hebrew 11: 8, 11-12, 17-19

Gospel reading according to Luke 2: 22-40

+

Homily:

“The Hebrew Bible mentions a number of situations when ritual purification is required, including during menstruation, following childbirth (postpartum) [in the case of Mary who gave birth to her firstborn son Jesus], sexual relations, nocturnal emission, unusual bodily fluids, skin disease, death (corpse uncleanness), and animal sacrifices. The oral law specifies other situations when ritual purification is required, such as after performing excretory functions, meals, and waking. The purification ritual is generally a form of water-based ritual washing in Judaism for removal of any ritual impurity, sometimes requiring just washing of the hands, and at other times requiring full immersion; the oral law requires the use of un-drawn water for any ritual full immersion - either a natural river/stream/spring, or a special bath (a Mikvah) which contains rain-water” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ritual_purification). “When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord” (Luke 2: 22).  Mary underwent the rite of purification for about seven days after giving birth to follow the added oral law of Moses with regards to cleanliness after childbirth. On the eight day (or forty days for some), Joseph and Mary brought to the Temple in Jerusalem the infant Jesus to undergo the ritual for the first born sons (male only) and the following sons born of women, which we call circumcision or “tuli,” as a living and permanent covenant with God (Yahweh).

Simeon, “the text suggests that Simeon was the officiating priest.  Some writers have identified this Simeon with Shimon ben Hillel although Hillel was not a priest” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simeon), John the apostle and evangelist did not describe who was Simeon, he just said that he was righteous and devout man living in Jerusalem, and he was told by the Holy Spirit that he will not die or taste death until he sees the Christ, the Savior of Israel. “Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.  This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  It had revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord” (Luke 2: 25-26).  Day in and night out, Simeon stayed in the Temple of Jerusalem waiting for the coming of the consolation and salvation of Israel, for the Holy Spirit was the One guiding him, for the Holy Spirit was with him.

The Holy Spirit who was with him led him in the Temple that day when the parents of Jesus brought him in the Temple in Jerusalem to present and offer him in the Lord, by undergoing the covenant of circumcision and offering two turtle doves.  “He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and bless God, saying: Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace according to your word.  For my eyes have seen your salvation which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel” (Luke 2: 27-32).  Simeon met Joseph, Mary and the Infant Jesus in the Temple.  At once, Simeon took the child in his arms and blessed God with great emotions and affection.  He cannot believe that Christ was in his arms.  So he burst in praise saying, “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace according to your word.  For my eyes have seen your salvation which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”  The Infant Jesus of Bethlehem gave peace of heart and mind for Simeon and he was ready to go for he saw the light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for the people of Israel.

When the parents of Jesus heard what Simeon said with regards to their son, they were amazed. “The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him, and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted – and you yourself a sword will pierce – so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2: 33-35).  Even his parents were blessed by Simeon and made prophesy towards them, especially to Mary, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted – and you yourself a sword will pierce – so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Aside from Simeon and many other righteous and virtues men and women living in the Temple, there was a prophetess Anna.  John the apostle and evangelist knew Anna for he described who she was and from where she came from, and even her status in life.  “There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.  She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then a widow until she was eighty-four…  And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2: 36-38).  Anna went also to the Temple by the promptings of the Holy Spirit and met also the Holy Family.  After thanking God for the coming of the Savior, she also gave a prophecy to the child.  In this case, the apostle and evangelist John was silent.  He did not tell us what the prophetess Anna told to the parents of Jesus with regards to him.

When everything has been fulfilled with the purification rite of Jesus in the Temple and even enrolling in the census decreed by Caesar Augustus, they returned not in Bethlehem in Jerusalem but in Nazareth, Galilee.  “When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.  The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him” (Luke 2: 39-40).  There Jesus grew and became strong filled with wisdom and favor of God, His Father.  Truly God the Lord remembers his covenant forever.

Christmas, Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (ABC) Day

 

December 25, 2020

Readings:

First Reading: Isaiah 52: 7-10

Psalm 98 “All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.”

Second Reading: Hebrews 1: 1-6

Gospel reading according to John 1: 1-18

+

Homily:

In the beginning of the Bible, from the Book of Genesis, it says, “In the beginning . . .” (Gen. 1:1), which is also used or applied by the Evangelist John in his Gospel.   “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God” (John 1: 1-2).  In the beginning, it was not void or empty or there was a lacuna, but there was already Word with God, and God the Creator was not alone, He had his Son present during his creation of heaven and earth, making all things out of nothing.  The Word, the Son of God called Jesus, was with God the Father, and the Son was also God.     

All created things from the very beginning were intended for the Son, the Word of God.  Nothing created did not belong to the Son.  Everything belonged to the Son.  “All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be.  What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1: 3-5).  The Son gave life to the things created in the world and outside the world.  He was the giver of life and he gave life to all creatures.  The Son of God was also the Light of the world overshadowed by darkness and of the valley of tears.  The darkness defied against the Light, but it did not overcome it, for He was God who created even light and darkness.

When the fullness of time came, God sent a man whose name was John [the Baptist] which means God is gracious, whose purpose for his coming was to introduce the Word, the Son of God, who is also the Light that will bring light to the dark world.  “A man named John was sent from God.  He came for testimony, to testify to the light so that all might believe through him.  He was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.  The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.  He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him.  He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him” (John 1:6-11).  John was not the Light, he was to give testimony to the Light so that many would believe the bearer of Light through him.  For the true Light who comes to the world will enlighten everyone.  He was already in the world but the world did not recognize him, nor did his own people accept him who He was.  “But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God” (John 1: 12-13).  However, those who accepted Him who he was, He made them children of God, heirs of God, for their elections were not made by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God’s choice and decision.

The Word became man and He lived among us. “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth” (John 1: 14).  John [the Apostle and Evangelist] saw and experienced the glory of the Son who was full of grace and truth when the Father’s only Son accompanied them and became their companion.

John [the Baptist] testified to him and even said to his listeners who he was.  “John testified to him and cried out, saying, This was he of whom I said.  The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me. From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1: 15-17).  John knew that he was sent from God, so he humbled himself and ranked himself lower, for the one who is coming already existed even though the world and the universe were not yet created.  He who is to come is full of grace and the source of grace.  If Moses was given the Law of God (the Ten Commandments), all graces and truth came through Jesus, the Son of God, who is also God.  No one saw God.  Only the Son of God who came from God (the Father and Creator) saw God.    “No one has ever seen God.  The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him” (John 1: 18).  The Son of God who is always at the side of the Father has revealed to us who is God and what we are with God.

Christmas, Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (ABC) Midnight

December 25, 2020

 

Readings:

First Reading: Isaiah 9: 1-6

Psalm 69 “Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.”

Second Reading: Titus 2: 11-14

Gospel reading according to Luke 2: 1-14

+

Homily:

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled.  This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria.  So all went to be enrolled, each to his own” (Luke 2: 1-3).  “A census is the numbering or registration of people.  It is generally done for the purpose of taxation or military recruitment. Censuses are reported in the Bible in both the Old Testament and the New Testament” (https://www.learnreligions.com/meaning-of-census). “The Census of Quirinius was a census of Judea taken by Publius Sulpicius Quirinius, Roman governor of Syria, upon the imposition of direct Roman rule of Caesar Augustus.  The Gospel of Luke uses it as the narrative means to establish the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Census_of_Quirinius). 

Luke has Joseph and Mary making a three-day journey away from their home in Nazareth to register in their ancestral home in Bethlehem.  “And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child” (Luke 2: 4-5).  When Joseph went up to Bethlehem to register according to the decree of Emperor Augustus for he belonged to the tribe of King David, his ancestor, he took with him his wife Mary, who was nine months pregnant.

At that moment, the time came for Mary to deliver and give birth to her child.  “While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son.  She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2: 6-7).  And Mary has her child.  She gave birth to her firstborn son in a cave where animals, i.e., sheep, cows and asses, and goats, etc. were kept safe.  She wrapped him with swaddling clothes (Swaddling clothes described in the Bible consisted of a cloth tied together by bandage-like strips. After an infant was born, the umbilical cord was cut and tied, and then the baby was washed, rubbed with salt and oil, and wrapped with strips of cloth. These strips kept the newborn child warm and also ensured that the child's limbs would grow straight.) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swaddling) and laid in a manger where animals were fed, for they did not find any vacant inn for many came over to be registered in the worldwide census.

Not far from that place there were shepherds tending and keeping the night watch their flock in the fields.  Most of them were still awoken and warming themselves in a bonfire.  Some of them were telling stories and their adventures while tending their flock in the fields to let the time pass.  When suddenly a bright light shone to them.  “Now there were shepherds in the region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock.  The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear.  The angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger” (Luke 2: 8-12). The glory of God brightened the place and the angel of the Lord appeared to them. Then the shepherds were surprised, dead-pounded with great fear.  Then the angel of the Lord announced to them the greatest news ever proclaimed.  The angel said, “I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.”  The angel also gave a sign to find the child and what he said was true, “You will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”  After saying this, “And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2: 13-14). As the whole company of the heavenly angels rejoiced and celebrated the great news from acceptance of Mary to become the mother of the Lord up to giving birth to Jesus, the multitude of heavenly host rejoices and giving praises to God the Almighty; while in Hell, the demons and Satan’s cohorts were continuously angry, grinding and gnashing their teeth, the heat of Hell became more intense and the sadness was felt because of Mary’s giving birth to the Savior of the world.

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Fourth Sunday of Advent (B)

December 20, 2020 

Readings:

First Reading: 2 Samuel 7: 1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16

Psalm 89 “For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.”

Second Reading: Romans 16: 25-27

Gospel reading according to Luke 1: 26-38

+

Homily:

When God the Father wants to send a message, he sends his angel.  But when he wants to send a big or great message he sends his Archangel.  The one who is sent has a message to announce, either good or not so good. A messenger with great news from the glorious and marvelous throne of God was dispatched and sent; it was the Archangel Gabriel, which means God is my strength, who was commissioned to announce the good news as God’s love to men and women.  The Archangel Gabriel is always standing at the divine presence of God and always ready to be sent to bring God’s messages to his chosen ones.  “The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary” (Luke 1: 26-27). The angel Gabriel was sent to a specific place, to a town of Galilee called Nazareth.  “One view holds that "Nazareth" is derived from one of the Hebrew words for 'branch', namely ne·ṣer, ‏נֵ֫צֶר‎, and alludes to the prophetic, messianic words in Book of Isaiah 11:1, 'from Jesse's roots a Branch (netzer) will bear fruit'. Another view suggests this toponym might be an example of a tribal name used by resettling groups on their return from exile.  Alternatively, the name may derive from the verb na·ṣar, נָצַר, "watch, guard, keep," and understood either in the sense of "watchtower" or "guard place", implying the early town was perched on or near the brow of the hill, or, in the passive sense as 'preserved, protected' in reference to its secluded position” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazareth).  The angel Gabriel was sent to a specific person, to a young, most probably fourteen years of age, virgin, whose name was Mary, and betrothed, as if already married, to a man named Joseph of the house of David, a righteous man who respected the virginity of Mary.  The place and the person to receive the message were very clear and specific.

The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and greeted her with strange greetings never heard before and never used to any persons except to Mary.  “And coming to her, he said, Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you” (Luke 1: 28). He came to Mary and greeted her as full of grace and the Lord God was with her.  It was a different greeting and it was fitted to Mary alone for she found favor with the Lord God.  Nobody has given that highest favor from the Lord except to Mary.  What does it mean, “full of grace,” and “the Lord is with you?”  “Grace is all the gifts of God, both natural and supernatural, which He provides to us because of His mercy.  Because of God’s decision to create a daughter who did not carry the guilt of Eve, Mary was born sinless.  The fact that the mother of our Lord Jesus [Mary] was conceived in her mother’s womb free from the stain of original sin, so that she would be full of grace and, 14 or 15 years later, God, who is totally pure and holy, could become a child in her womb.” (https://wordbytes.org/spiritual-growth/full-of-grace). “Before the Angel announce that Mary was chosen to be the "bearer of the Logos," [the Lord is with you] Mary already "bear the Logos in Her pure and immaculate heart" through her unceasing prayers. Jesus Christ’s presence already existed in the pure and immaculate heart of Mary as she persistently petitioned God to send the promised Messiah. As the scriptures speak of the faithful must have an expectant and trusting faith that God will answer all our prayers if it is in accord with His Will.  The Blessed Virgin Mary has a perfect faith that God will grant her prayers and her pure and humble heart always seek the Will of the Father” (https://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/).

Mary became anxious and concerned about what was said, and considered and contemplated about the greetings of the angel to her. “But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be” (Luke 1: 29).  Mary as a simple young girl of 14 or 15 years old yet trained in the words of the Scriptures was not able to comprehend the meaning of the greetings and the revelation that God is with her.  So, just what does “the Lord is with you” mean? “From a global perspective, it means that God is at work within his creation. He is not the god of deism, a god who creates a universe and then leaves it to itself. Instead, God has a plan for his creation, and he is working it out.  It means that nothing that happens is apart from God’s ultimate purpose”(https://www.christianity.com/wiki/god/what-does-it-mean-god-is-with-us.html).  God’s plan to Mary as a chosen vessel of his Son, to raise Him with love and total obedience to God the Father until the end of his life.

Immediately the angel told her not to be afraid. There is nothing to be afraid of, but, of joy and rejoicing.  He brought glad tidings from the Lord God.  The angel then announced to Mary, “Then the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1: 30-33).  What an awesome, what great news! The angel Gabriel proclaimed that she will conceive a son in her womb and shall name him Jesus. The name Jesus is derived from the Hebrew name Yeshua/Y'shua, which is based on the Semitic root y-š-ʕ (Hebrew: ישע‎), meaning "to deliver; to rescue." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_(name)).  The angel described what this child to be born is, what will happen to him and what he will become – that he will be great and will be called Son of the Most High; that he will be given him the throne of David; that he will rule over the house of Jacob; and that his Kingdom there will be no end.  What great responsibilities?

Mary despite her age was practical, sensible and realistic.  How can this happen to her where she was innocent and pure, she was a virgin, even though she was already betrothed to Joseph, he did not touch her.  “But Mary said to the angel, How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” (Luke 1: 34).  Mary opened up to the angel her heart, her status in life.  She questioned the angel without any malice but a sincere and innocent question, “How can this be?”  She has a pure body, mind, soul and spirit. She is innocent.  She is a virgin.

Then the angel explained to her what will happen to her.  “And the angel said to her in reply, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God” (Luke 1: 35).  The Triune God, the Holy Spirit will come to her.  God the Father will overshadow her. And she will conceive the Son of God.  The Holy Trinity are present and active in that important moment.

The angel also announced to Mary the condition of her cousin Elizabeth, pregnant to John.  “And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren, for nothing will be impossible for God” (Luke 1: 36-37).  Thus, there is no other reason to doubt the announcement of the angel to her.  If Elizabeth conceived a son at her old age and barren for many years, then it is possible for her to conceive a Son at her young age and in her physical condition (in her virginity), for nothing is impossible with God.

The company of angels in Heaven are silently waiting for the answer of Mary, even the demons in Hell are also waiting for Mary’s answer. Mary in her humility and simplicity accepted the invitation of God the Almighty announced to her by the angel to become the mother of the holy, the Son of God. “Mary said, Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.  Then the angel departed from her” (Luke 1: 38).  She said that what he announced and proclaimed may happen to her His handmaid.  With her acceptance and trust to God (her fiat), the angel Gabriel left her and went back to God to announce the full trust and willingness and free will of Mary with regards to the message of becoming mother of his Son.  And the whole company of the heavenly angels rejoiced and celebrated the great news; while in Hell, there were angry, grinding and gnashing of teeth, intense heat and sadness because of Mary’s acceptance. “May it be done to us according to God’s word and will.”

Third Sunday of Advent (B)

December 13, 2020

Readings:

First Reading: Isaiah 61: 1-2a, 10-11

Psalm Luke 1 “My soul rejoices in my God.”

Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24

Gospel reading according to John 1: 6-8, 19-28

+

Homily:

“A man named John was sent from God” (John 1: 6).  This man was John the Baptist.  Before his birth it was announced by the Angel Gabriel to his father Zechariah that, “He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. . . . And he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1: 14-17). His birth in the simple yet holy parents, his growth trained in the wisdom and power of God and the Holy Spirit that led him to live in the desert, and when the time of coming out in the desert, he proclaimed repentance, performed baptism and preached to bring back many to the Lord (balik loob sa Diyos), as planned by God the Father in preparation for the coming of his Son, Jesus Christ.  John is the herald and the precursor (taga-panguna) of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

When the fullness of time had arrived, he came out into the open in the desert to give his testimony.   “He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him” (John 1:7).  He was testifying the coming of light in the dark world.  The One who is coming will bring light to sinful nations living in darkness.   His testimony was true and righteous.  He never misled the people of Israel to the truth and righteousness, for that was the purpose of his sending, to announce the coming of light (liwanag) into the world covered by the shadow of death and in the valley of tears.  “He was not the light, but came to testify to the light” (John 1: 8).  He was telling the truth, he was not the light.  The true light is the One coming after him whom he was preparing “in the desert, he is preparing the way of the Lord! He is making straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!  In every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low, the rugged land shall made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley” (cf. Isaiah 40: 3-4).

John, the Evangelist and Apostle of Jesus, explained in his gospel the testimony of John the Baptist. “And this is the testimony of John” (John 1: 19).

The Jews, they were the elders and the leaders in the Temple of Jerusalem, the whole Sanhedrin, sent emissaries, their own priests and Levites, to John in the desert to interrogate him to find information about him and his activities.  “When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, Who are you? he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, I am not the Christ.  So they asked him, What are you then?  Are you Elijah?   And he said, I am not.  Are you the Prophet?  He answered, No. So they said to him, Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us?  What do you have to say for yourself?” (John 1: 19-22). The representatives of the Jews asked John, Who are you? Who is he? As if he was scrutinizing his authority, his power to preach repentance.  They wanted to know about John, his background, his personality, where he came from, who sent him to do what he was doing.  He admitted that he was not the Christ whom they were longing and waiting for his coming to liberate the people of Israel from the grip of the Roman Empire.  And if he was not the Christ, then they asked him if he was Elijah, one of the greatest prophets of old whom they also waited for his coming to renew the Jewish faith to Yahweh, their moral and cultic life.  Again, John told them that he was not Elijah.  Then he was asked again if he was the Prophet.  There was no indication who this Prophet was referring to.  We may guest that they were referring to Moses, the most and greatest prophets of old and friend of God who liberated the people of Israel from the slavery of the Pharaoh in Egypt, and gave them the Book of Laws, (the Torah and Ten Commandments) to be followed when they entered the Promised Land.  John did not deny that he was not that great Prophet they were referring to. 

So they asked him for the second time around, “Who are you?” for they reasoned out, so that they can give an answer to those who sent them.  “He said: I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, make straight the way of the Lord, as Isaiah the prophet said” (John 1: 23). He explained to the agents of the Jews from Jerusalem that he was “the voice” (ang tinig), that voice for a long time never heard since then. That resounding voice, crying out loud, but nobody listened to it. It remained silent for so long a time, until such time, it came out, in the fullness of time, hearing again the voice that cried out this time in the howling desert where no people lived or stayed.  Nobody can hear him except those whose hearts were always awake, who were waiting day and night to hear this “voice.”  John is that voice of God crying out loud to his children to amend their lives and to go back to God.

The Jews from Jerusalem were not contented in sending their own priests and Levites, they also sent the Pharisees, the separated ones, the purists who thought they were holy for following the Law of Moses literally but they were indifferent from the rest of the people, to interrogate John on his baptism. “Some Pharisees were also sent.  They asked him, Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet? John answered them, I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie” (John 1: 24-27).  The baptism performed by John is about cleansing of sins done by the people, whoever they may be, holy or sinful, rich or poor, educated or illiterate, powerful or powerless. Anyone who wanted to amend his or her life and opened for baptism of John can be baptized.  John wanted also to make repentance possible through the baptism of water and in preparation of the One who will come and baptize them with the Holy Spirit.  He was among them but they did not recognize him.  The truth about who John was, as what the Angel Gabriel announced before John’s birth, “because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. . . . And he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God, [through his baptism and preaching of repentance]. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1: 15-17).  Now, the cohorts of the Jews have something to report to them, who he was, (who are you, what are you?).

The meeting between the representatives of the Jews from Jerusalem, i.e., the priests, the Levites and the Pharisees, and John happened in Bethany across the Jordan River and the desert. “This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing” (John 1: 28).  Bethany was the place where John was baptizing and the place when the Jews from Jerusalem sent their emissaries to know about this John, whose testimony was to bring light to the people living in darkness and in the shadow of death.

Second Sunday of Advent (B)

 December 6, 2020

 Readings:

First Reading: Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9-11

Psalm 85 “Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.”

Second Reading: 2 Peter 3: 8-14

Gospel reading according to Mark 1: 1-8

+

Homily:

On this Second Sunday of Advent, we are brought to the beginning of the gospel of Mark.  “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God” (Mark 1: 1). Mark’s gospel taught us that Jesus, the Christ, the anointed One, the Messiah, is the Son of God, who suffered and died to save us from sin and death. Mark began his gospel introducing Jesus Christ as the Son of God.  When we read Mark’s Gospel, we learn that to be a follower of Jesus, we, too, must be willing to make sacrifices, to “take up our cross and follow” (Mark 8:34) Jesus as he asks us to do (http://saintsresource.com/mark-the-evangelist).   

Mark also brought us at the time of the prophet Isaiah, prophesying that a messenger of God will be sent first to prepare the way of the Lord. “As it was written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way.  A voice of one crying out in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths” (Mark 1: 2-3).  Isaiah said, “A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!  Every valley shad be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low, the rugged land shall made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley.  Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all mankind shall see it together for the mouth of the Lord has spoken” (Is. 40: 3-5).  This messenger will go first and cry out saying prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths, as if he was saying, straightening our ways of life, our manner of living, and our relations to others and to God.  With these actions of changing our lives and listening to the words of God will reveal the glory of God who made us.

The prophecy of Isaiah happened to John, son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, and cousin of Jesus. “John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1: 4).  John lived in the desert near the Jordan River and there he cried out repentance for the forgiveness of sin and baptism to wash away the stain of sins committed against ones neighbor and against God.  “People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins” (Mark 1: 5).  And the people went to John and were baptized by him to prepare themselves at the coming of the Lord, Son of God.  The people from the countryside of Judea and Jerusalem recognized in the person of John a true prophet, a true messenger sent from God who brought glad tidings to all the sons of Israel. We too, his followers, are called for repentance of our sins and transgressions to a God who loved us and still loves us despite of our many sins we have committed.

Mark described the way of living of John; what he wore, and what he ate.   “John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist.  He fed on locusts and wild honey” (Mark 1: 6).  He lived a simple, austere life; he lived a hermit life dependent on the providential care of God who sent him.

John was the one who will proclaim and announce the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and our Savior.  “And this is what he proclaimed: One mightier than I is coming after me.  I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.  I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Mark 1: 7-8).  He said a mighty One is coming.  He was true to himself.  He was humble enough to say that he is not the mighty One who is to come.  He even lowered himself to a slave who is not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of sandals of the One who is coming.  He baptized with water to wash away the sins of many sons and daughters of Israel, but the One who is coming will baptize many with the Holy Spirit, to strengthen their faith.  

On our behalf, when He (Jesus Christ, the Son of God) comes, may He find us repentant and cleansed from our sins, prepared and ready to welcome Him in our homes, and in our lives.  These describe ourselves, Isaiah and John likened us to the wasteland, a wasted life without life to make it a busy highway for our God!  Every valley, an empty life shall be filled in with God’s love and mercy, every mountain and hill, with pride and proud life shall be made low, humble and simple life, our rugged land, crooked life, without direction shall made a plain, and the rough country, a sinful life a broad valley.  God’s mercy is for all, “for the mouth of the Lord has spoken,” as what Isaiah said. He waited for us to change our life for the better or best.  Just listen to the cry of John the Baptist and do what he tells us, repent and prepare the way of the Lord, the Son of God, for he is coming soon.

First Sunday of Advent (B)

November 29, 2020

 

Readings:

First Reading: Isaiah 63: 16b-17, 19b; 64: 2-7

Psalm 80 “Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.”

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1: 3-9

Gospel reading according to Mark 13: 33-37

+

Homily:

This Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent.  But what is Advent and how important is it in our Christian life? Who or what are we expecting to come? How do we prepare ourselves in this Advent?  Advent is a season of the liturgical year observed as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Nativity of Christ at Christmas and the return of Christ at the Second Coming. The term adopted from Latin adventus "coming, arrival," translating Greek parousia.  In the New Testament, this is the term used for the Second Coming of Christ. Thus, the season of Advent in the Christian calendar anticipates the "coming of Christ" from three different perspectives: the physical nativity in Bethlehem, the reception of Christ in the heart of the believer, and the eschatological Second Coming (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advent).  During this season of preparation, Christians would spend 40 days in penance, prayer, and fasting to prepare for this celebration before Christmas, [Christ birth] (https://www.christianity.com/christian-life/christmas/what-is-advent.html). 

In the gospel of Mark, Jesus warned his disciples to be watchful and be alert for they did not know the coming of the Lord and Master of the house, Jesus Christ himself. They must be always ready, prepared and watchful for his (second) coning again in their lives.  “Jesus said to his disciples, Be watchful!  Be alert!  You do not know when the time will come.  It is like a man traveling abroad.  He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch” (Mk. 13: 33-34).  Jesus is like a man traveling abroad leaving his servants, his disciples.  But before he leaves them, he gives each one a responsibility, each one is in charge of the work entrusted to him.  He even tells the gatekeeper to keep the gate close and be on the watch for his coming to open it for him.  This happened, when the fullness of time came, when he was put to his passion and death by crucifying him on a tree by his opponents, but on the third day he rose and resurrected, and ascended into heaven.  And he promised that he will come back.  While waiting, they must perform the work or task entrusted to them to do; without idleness, sleepy heads, puyat due to drunkenness and gossiping; at the same time, making vigil and/or a night watch waiting for the coming of their Lord and Master.

Jesus encouraged them to be watchful.  “Watch, therefore; you do not know when the lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning.  May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping” (Mk. 13: 35-36).  The man’s coming is unknown to anyone.  No one knows when he will come back, but for sure he is coming sooner or later.  What the servants (the disciples) need is to wait, with full alertness for his coming is without warning.  As in the First Reading, from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, it said, “. . . while you wrought awesome deeds we could not hope for, such as they had not head of from of old.  No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen, any God but you doing such deeds for those who wait for him.  Would that you might meet us doing right, that we were mindful of you in our ways!” (Is. 64: 2-4).  God the Father performed many amazing things which other gods cannot do, like for example, rend the heavens and coming down, with mountains quacking before him, aside from creating different creatures. These were awesome for those who were waiting for him during the night watch or at dawn (sa bukang liwayway).  Jesus told his disciples to be watchful during evening or at midnight, or at the cockcrow or even in the morning (from six o’clock in the morning up to five o’clock in the afternoon); stay awake, spend time in prayer, meditate, or reflect, or do charitable works to one’s neighbors or doing as the Master of the house has given each one’s work and not sleeping.

Jesus did not only tell his own disciples this discipline of being watchful and alert, he even extended this warning to us, his followers today.  “What I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”  (Mk. 13: 37).  He wants us also to be watchful, to be alert for his second coming, for we do not know also the day, the time or the hour of his coming.  Jesus is inviting us to “watch,” be prepared, alert and awoke for his coming.  He did not say, while waiting and watching, to decorate lavishly our homes with expensive Christmas tree and decors, lots of series of Christmas lights inside and outside of our homes, prepare sumptuous food for Noche Buena, wrapping Christmas gifts for godchildren (inaanak) and loved ones, shopping in malls for new clothing and many other commercial, promotional and materialistic goods and activities to be done in order to celebrate the birth of the Messiah, of Jesus Christ, the Lord.  But for those victims of calamities, such us, typhoons in Luzon up until now they are submerged by flood and muds, no more houses and properties and loss of lives of their loved ones, and earthquakes in some parts of Visayas and Mindanao still under rubbles, to name but a few, they cannot feel and think to celebrate Christmas.  Although all these things bring joy and happiness and a merry Christmas for some on one hand and loss of hope, joy, peace and love for many on the other hand.  But still we can prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord for what He was asking from us is our spiritual and physical, mental, moral and psychological, etc., our whole selves, in preparation with anticipation and gladness for his coming in the midst of calamities and disaster, nothingness, poverty, simple living, with open hearts, mind, body and soul. 

So, in this season of Advent, of preparation and waiting, what we need to do is to prepare ourselves watchful and alert, by praying, doing penance and fasting, and giving charitable alms, works of mercy and support to our needy poor and least brothers and sisters, so that when he comes (either in the physical nativity in Bethlehem, in the reception of Christ in the hearts of all believers, and in the eschatological Second Coming), he may find us waiting for his return and not sleeping, or merrymaking, drinking alcoholic beverages, an endless celebration, gossiping, and idleness, as St. Paul said to the people of Corinth, “. . . so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 1: 7).  Yes, Lord, we will be watchful, alert and awake until you come again.