January 31 - The Seventh Day in the Octave of Easter

An Introduction

Today's Readings 

In today's Gospel, John the Baptist, introduces us to Jesus, the "Word."

He describes Jesus' in relation to his Father and to us. 

Tomorrow is the Rose Bowl, a time for festivities and camaraderie.

One team will win, and one will lose; but both worked hard to have this opportunity and are privileged to participate in it. The experience, not just the outcome, is one to savor. A common expression comes to mind: it's not if you win or lose- but how you play the game. Sportsmanship can be defined as winning or losing gracefully, and can transform adversaries into friends. Common ambitions form communities. There is something meaningful aside from winning.

Sometimes, a fan or a player will display a reference to another verse from the Gospel of John: Jn 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. "

God's love is apparent in today's reading too. " He came to what was his own,but his own people did not accept him." Jn:1:11

But that is not the end of the story; God gives us second chances, numerous chances. Jesus is with God, and is God Jn 1:1, and God is merciful. God wants everyone to win. In the very next verse, we hear "...to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name,.." Jn:1:12 Children admire parents and enjoy imitating them, because they wish to be like them.

As one year is ending and the next approaching, people often think of what they hope to accomplish. We might seek to transform aspects of ourselves by making resolutions. Resolutions embody our aspirations, and might be summed up in a logo. In Greek, "Word" is λόγος logos. Teams or businesses select a logo to represent their mission what is important to them, which represents their character.

What personal logo are you inspired to chose?

Pope Francis has dedicated this year to mercy- a time to show love to others through our actions. Demonstrating our concern for others might help them to do likewise - so that everyone wins.

Perhaps you might incorporate particular spiritual or corporal works of mercy into your resolutions. 

May your new year be a memorable one,

Reflection by Laura Ross

December 30 - The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas

The Secrets of Eternal Life

Today's Readings

In this passage (from 1 John), St. John speaks to the followers of Christ reminding them of the reason they are dear to him and why they have a special place. God’s love is extended to all of his children and creatures, but to those who are willing to recognize him as their father and accept his forgiveness he gives the secrets of eternal life.

Today I was troubled by something in life and was blessed with a message that Jesus shares with his disciples in the gospel according to John, chapter 14, verses 1-4:

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.”

In today’s text, St. John is echoing this message and sentiment of the Lord: You are accepting this path of eternal life that I am revealing, and thus you will not perish with the temporal things of this world. As the weight of anxiety to gain or keep the things of this world troubles us, we can take strength in the reassurance of both St. John and Jesus Christ. Even the dearest of worldly things is not meant to last; but, there is an eternal place to which we are headed, and that will never be lost to us. Rather, it is yet to be gained.

With the holiday season upon us, what are some anxieties weighing upon our hearts that we can relinquish with confidence by the strength of these words? Perhaps there are even added anxieties arising due to the nature of the holidays in our culture. Let’s make an extra effort this year to accept this message and focus on what will bring us peace in the wake of our celebration of the birth of he who wishes to save us from all anxiety.

Peace be with you, and Happy New Year!

Reflection by Aaron Keller

December 29 - Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas

God is Love

Today's Readings

God is love. God's love came to dwell among us through the mystery of the Incarnation in Jesus Christ, which we celebrate during the Christmas season. Joseph and Mary carried God's love forth into the world. When they brought the baby Jesus to be presented in the temple, Simeon encountered Him, recognizing in the humble form of a baby a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for the people of Israel. Luke 2:32. 

May we to live our lives modeled after those of the Holy Family, as ambassadors of God's love, carrying it forth into the world, and sharing it with those we encounter. May our faith and action be united in love, so that we may abide in God's love. 1 John 2:6. Amen.

Reflection by Anon.

December 28 - Feast of the Holy Innocents

God’s Light

Today's Readings

The feast of the Holy Innocents commemorates the young boys (two years old and younger) of Bethlehem and its vicinity ordered to die by King Herod who was threatened by the news that a new messiah had been born. 

In today’s reading we learn that to walk with God means to walk in the light, for God is all light. When we do not admit our faults and shortcomings, we deny ourselves the redemption that Jesus Christ offers to us. 

Are there contradictions between what you say and what you do? Do you practice being impeccable with your word? How are you bringing in God’s light into your life in these days of Christmas? 

To walk with God is to walk in the light, for God is all light. Be encouraged and remember that we have an advocate to the Father that will atone for all our sins, and those of the whole word. Jesus Christ, the babe persecuted out of Bethlehem by Herod. 

Reflection by Crispina Ojeda-Simmons

December 27 - The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Family

Today's Readings

Family. This word in our society can take on so many different meanings. Two parents, one parent, grandparents, guardians, spouse, etc., with children or childless, can make up a family unit. But the core value of any family unit is love for one another; love that is manifested by support, respect, kindness, patience, etc.

We are brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, and so we are part of God’s family. Do we show our love for one another with support, respect, kindness, patience…?

Reflection by Donna C.

December 26 - Feast of St. Stephen

Love Your Enemies

Today's Readings

The feast of St. Stephen celebrates the first martyr of the Catholic Church. The name Stephen is derived from Greek meaning crown or literally “that which surrounds.” 

In today’s reading, Stephen is described as “filled with grace and power….working great wonders and signs.” He has detractors, who cannot contradict him, whose fury moves them to ultimately attack him violently and to kill him. St. Stephen maintained his focus on the glory of God and Jesus even as his detractors charged upon him. He appealed to God for the forgiveness of those who stoned him as he lay dying. Today’s gospel has Jesus giving a warning to his disciples but also encouragement. 

The disciples should not be afraid to speak for their words would be “the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

St. Stephen’s detractors could not or were unwilling to come to terms with his message.

Have you ever found yourself confronted with a message or information that upset you? Are there people, places or situations that you avoid because they make you uncomfortable? 

St. Stephen commended his spirit to the Lord as he lay dying and forgave those who were killing him.

Do you forgive readily? How have you or could you emulate St. Stephen’s ability to forgive? 

Jesus told his disciples that God the father would work through them.

Do you give God space to work through you? How does God work through you? 

Let us end this reflection with a prayer to St. Stephen:

Lord, we celebrate the entrance of St. Stephen into eternal glory. He died praying for those who killed him. Help us to imitate his goodness and to love our enemies. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

Reflection by Crispina Ojeda-Simmons

December 25 - Christmas

The Love and Joy of Christmas

Today's Readings

The Love and Joy of Christmas

The Word of God in the readings today overflows with joy.

Chapter 52 of the Book of Isaiah proclaims a great beauty, exulting one who brings good tidings, bears good news, and announces peace and salvation. And it speaks of a shared shout for joy upon witnessing the redeeming works of God. This imagery beautifully anticipates the arrival of Christ, and His works, but the Truth of the Word of God is not passive in nature. By its very being, in calling us to faith, it calls us to action. Again and again, Psalm 98 commands us to join in acting joyfully, even in song, for having seen, with all the world, the triumphant and saving power of God.

All of this was written before Jesus was born, before the authors or their first listeners could know the full meaning towards which the Holy Spirit was guiding them, and all of us. The first chapter of the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that their original understanding of the Word of God was incomplete precisely because it is through Jesus, as the Son of God, that God has most fully made himself known.

In the beginning of the Gospel according to John, the very good news is that Jesus is not only the Son of God, but also God himself, who became flesh and made His dwelling among us, even as a newborn child, in order to be with us in a new way. The miraculous hope and salvation offered to the whole of humanity is an act of love, expressed by the perfect love that created all of us, given freely so that we might know that love more personally, and share it more deeply.

Because Jesus is God, He perfectly understood the full meaning of what He was doing when He came among us, and He could not fail to fulfill what He set out to do, so the whole of the love He poured out over the course of His human life--His compassion, His sacrifice, His suffering, His joy--all of this was contained in the moment He became one of us. His birth, though later, was the moment in which that true light, which enlightens everyone, could finally be seen by human eyes.

Since Jesus is also the Word of God, the joy in all of this is not merely a reflection of Him; it is a part of Him. Christmas overflows with joy because it is filled with love. This is true most of all in Jesus, as He shares Himself with each of us. And so too it should be true in each of us, as we share His love and joy with Him, and with each other.

How is love, and the way we share it, transformed by God dwelling among us in the person of Jesus?

How does Christmas present an opportunity to better love and share joy like Christ?

How does this beauty, this transformation, this opportunity, reach across the whole year?

How are all of these qualities, fully realized, at once both universal and deeply personal?

Reflection by John Manley II