1. --
Lanie LeBlanc OP
2. --
Carol & Dennis Keller
3. --
Brian Gleeson CP
4. --
5. --(Your
reflection can be here!)
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1.
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"My Christmas Reflection"
Aren't we blessed that a Savior who chose to be born in a
stable still chooses to come to us again no matter what our
circumstances!
Christmas
Blessings,
Dr. Lanie
LeBlanc OP
Southern
Dominican Laity
lanie@leblanc.one
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2.
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Christmas 2020
The Vigil: Isaiah 62:1-5; Responsorial Psalm 89;
Acts of Apostles 13:16-17 & 22-25’ Gospel Acclamation
"Tomorrow the wickedness of the earth will be destroyed: the
Savior of the world will reign over us."; Matthew 1:1-25
Mass During the Night: Isaiah 9:1-6; Responsorial
Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Gospel Acclamation Luke 2:10-11;
Luke 1:1-14
Mass During the Day: Isaiah 52:7-10; Responsorial
Psalm 98; Hebrews 1:1-6; Gospel Acclamation "A holy day has
dawned upon us. Come, you nations, and adore the Lord. For
today a great light has come upon the earth."; John 1:1-18
There are three individual liturgies of the Word for
Christmas: Vigil of Christmas, Mass During the Night, and
Mass During the Day. Each Mass proclaims the first reading
from the Prophet Isaiah. The Isaiah readings for the Vigil
and Mass During the Day are from the third segment of
Isaiah. This third segment of Isaiah are the prophecies that
celebrate the liberation of the Jews from their Babylonian
Captivity. It sings about the joy of captives freed and the
hope of these freed people as they began the several
caravans returning to their homeland. The vast majority of
these liberated people had never seen Jerusalem or the
temple. The captivity has lasted more than one generation.
These returnees had learned of Jerusalem and the Temple in
the stories and writings of their ancestors. They looked to
see with their own eyes the city resplendent on the hill of
Zion. On the highest point was the Temple, the dwelling
place of God among the nation. These prophecies are of hope.
When these peoples entered that ancient city, they
discovered ruin and a huge amount of effort, courage, and
work lay before them. Pretty much like our world in this our
time. We see the hope placed in our hearts and minds by the
Scriptures and realize it is us who are the hands and minds
that will rebuild our world.
The Mass During the Night takes the reading from Isaiah’s
prophecy during the period of conflict that preceded the
Babylonian siege and destruction of Jerusalem.
There is much in that reading that reflects our current
experiences. Our spirits are attached by lots of darkness,
violence, conspiracy stories, and social and economic
conditions that rob us of hope. Conspiracies are rampant and
mislead many of us to the embrace the goals of thieves and
charlatans who divide us into warring partisan camps. In the
days first Isaiah, three political factions divided citizens
by choice Egypt, Assyria, or Babylon as their savior, their
ally against the others. Isaiah as did the prophet Jeremiah
insisted that only God would or could save the nation. It
was as though truth, the common good of the nation, and
faith in God had given way to a search for power, wealth,
and a prominent place among other nations. The steady
destruction of that Nation of the Jews came about through
the manipulations of truth by the various factions. The
disunity of the nation made it a quiet victim to the wars of
Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon. We can recognize some of these
same tendencies in our time, in our nation. Truth,
integrity, and faith in moral principles have surrendered in
our world to political intrigue, conspiracy theories, and a
badly managed pandemic. These are destroying thriving
economic, educational, and social life. For our nation and
the world, this is truly a time of great darkness. All
persons of good-will long for a great light. The heart of
nations hurt for peace, unity, and a return to a normalcy
encourages a thriving economy, security for the nations, a
leadership that seeks first the common good which rejects
the idolatry of power, wealth, and influence. For that
reason, I think the liturgy of the Word for Mass During the
Night is a clear choice for this reflection this Christmas.
It speaks to our hearts of hope, of light to bring us to
freedom, peace, joy, and unity that comes from faith.
The second readings for all three Masses are from the
Christian Scriptures. The Vigil reading is from the Acts of
the Apostles. It is a recounting of Paul’s preaching in
Antioch. Paul speaks of God’s choice of David as king.
Through the prophet Nathan, God promised David’s leadership
would never cease. The birth of Jesus from the ancient house
of David is the fulfillment of that promise. Jesus is the
savior whose birth is in accord with God’s promise. The Mass
at Night’s second reading is from Paul’s letter to Titus. He
writes of repentance, a change of heart because of the
appearance of the Messiah. That appearance is the beginning
of deliverance from lawlessness. Law is always about
relationships. Lawlessness in Paul’s writings is the
opposite of the Law of Love. Repentance is a returning to
the revelation made visible by the birth of the Lord. In the
birth and life of Jesus, we come to know, to realize, and to
practice the law of love. That law is the ultimate way of
living the truth that is the Christ. In living according to
that law there comes peace, joy, and harmony with the forces
of nature.
The second reading in Mass during the day is from the
Letter to the Hebrews. That letter is written to the Hebrews
who are familiar with the rituals of Temple worship. Its
images are those of the temple building and especially the
Holy of Holies into which the High Priest once a year
entered in with the blood of sacrifice. The Holy of Holies
was God’s seat within the nation. This sacrifice was meant
to be sacramental, making God present to the people and the
people to God. Jesus, the God born into this world as Man,
is both the sacrifice and the high priest standing in for
the people. Through his blood, there is a union created
between God and God’s creation that is beyond the
relationship of creator to creature. It is a union of life,
for blood is viewed as the source of life to the body. The
new relationship, the new covenant creates a relationship of
Father to Child, the child being all of us. We are drawn
into the circle of God’s personal family. Perhaps that’s why
Christmas is such an occasion of family interaction. We
gather at table as in a communion sacrifice, sharing with
one another the fruits of our labor, the caring of our love,
and the hopes for life and freedom for our siblings,
parents, and ancestors.
The gospel for the Vigil Mass is a listing of the
credentials of Jesus as a human by naming notable ancestors.
The number of progenitors listed includes three named women:
Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth. Tamar was the mother of Perez and
Zerah by her father-in-law Judah. Rahab was the Jericho
businesswoman – dealing in flax for making of linen – who
saved the spies sent to Jericho by Joshua. Ruth was the
foreigner who married the Jew Boaz in the time of great
drought and distress. The fourth woman listed is Mary, the
mother of Jesus. The genealogy proves that Jesus is heir to
the experiences, the revelations received, the Law of Moses,
and the life experiences of a thousand years of Hebrew
relationship with God.
The Mass at Night’s gospel is the beautiful nativity
scene presented by Luke. Jesus is born of Mary in a scene of
poverty. Even the very first to see him are shepherds who
were keeping watch. How fitting they were watchers, those
who scanned the horizons for friend and foe, beasts of prey
and thieves. Each Christmas, we too are watchers, looking
for the Lord among our families, church members, and
communities. He is here with us through them and through us.
The gospel for the Mass During the Day is from the
beginning of John’s gospel. This prologue to John’s gospel
tells the whole of the story of God’s intervention in his
creation. Creation is raised to new heights, to a new
beginning, to the start of a new creation. The first
chapters of John’s gospel are structured as seven days of a
new creation – the first day being the miracle at Canna.
Through Mary’s intervention Jesus gives new order to
ordinary water – wash water set aside for cleansing hands
and feet. No longer was this mere water after Jesus
intervenes. Recall, the first verses of Genesis reference to
water in a state of chaos. Before God divides the water into
under the earth, on the earth, and above the earth, it is
chaos, turmoil, destructive. After God’s division, the water
give life to barren ground, nourishing plants. This water of
Canna, through the presence and the work of Jesus, becomes
the finest of wines. This new creation of the Incarnated Son
of God – this God/Man – is a prophecy of sorts. This savior
to us all – globally, no one, no nation, no race, no gender,
no arbitrary classification is excluded – makes possible a
life that is like water transformed into the finest wine.
What a beautiful thought to carry us into family
celebrations!! What a way to heal our brokenness in this
difficult time.
Those are the readings. I have included the references in
the heading for each of the masses and their alternatives.
Moments stolen from family activities might be well spend in
opening the Scriptures and discovering there meaning and
purpose to the difficulties of our time in the light of the
Light to the World.
In reflecting on the Mass during the night, we are struck
by the hope in the prophecy of Isaiah. Things are really
dark just now for many of us. Some deny everything and add
to the darkness by rejecting what is true and real. Despite
denials, very many extend helping hands – little signs of
love and concern. Jesus did this to everyone he met. Anyone
in need was welcomed: those hurt were his friends: anyone
obsessed or addicted were encouraged and strengthened. The
hungry were fed with loaves and fishes or at that last meal,
with the Body and the Blood that transforms us into what we
receive. We see heroes among us, offering their lives for
the health and life of the disease. That is what we see from
so many now, in this most dark of times. We see people
wearing masks not only for their own safety, but for the
safety of others. We see many bringing food to charity
pantries. We see medical professionals working double and
triple shifts to care for the sick. We see those same
professionals holding hands of those dying alone, holding up
cell phones for a last look, a last goodbye. They offer
comfort in a time of terrible discomfort. They seek to heal
not only the body, but also the spirits of not only those
afflicted but all the rest as well. Their witness to the
Birth of this child, this God/Man has the power to lift up
the world in its darkness to see a dawning light of a new
era, of a new chance to be saved by the Loving Kindness of
our Father. The hearts of so many are full and brimming over
with care and concern for others.
Of course, there still remain those living in darkness
and gloom, pursuing their own false gods, rejecting the
needs of others. Even the overwhelming goodness of so many
does not overcome, put to an end the selfishness of some who
seek power and wealth more than peace and good will. We
should welcome this baby in Bethlehem as the source and
energy needed to transform us in our weaknesses and to
confirm us in our strengths. As Paul tells us, we must let
go of the lawlessness of the world and enter into the love
that is the message and the truth of the baby Jesus. Let
peace and joy dwell within families and extend to
neighborhoods, to work, to the halls of governance and
industry. May the trumpets of angels rouse us to living
vibrant, full, and loving lives. May we look upon this gift
of the Father with heart overflowing with love for the
other.
In all this, in all this warmth and peace seeking and
good will we ought to remember that we are the living,
striving, working hands of this Baby Jesus. We also, like
Mary, are pregnant with this Word of God. Let this
celebration of birth be a celebration also of our rebirth
into the light of Emmanuel.
Carol &
Dennis Keller
dkeller002@nc.rr.com
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3.
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THE REASON FOR
THE SEASON: CHRISTMAS 2020
Houses, shops and churches all around us are telling the
Christmas story, but basically in two different versions. In
our parish communities, our story is about the birth of the
child Jesus in the stable, because there was no room at the
inn, about his mission, about the loving and caring presence
of his parents Mary and Joseph, and about the visits, first
by the shepherds and their animals, and later, by the three
wise ones from the East. But the brightly-lit houses and
shops in our streets tell the story of Santa and Mrs Claus,
their reindeer and their sleigh, packed with presents for
good children. Both stories of Christmas though, even if in
such different ways, share some of the same message.
Christmas is about being together and being for one another.
It’s about caring and sharing, love, acceptance,
forgiveness, peace and joy.
We are followers of Jesus. But we live in a society where
many other persons have different religious beliefs or none
at all. The result is that some of our nation’s schools, out
of respect for non-Christians, exclude any reference to the
real reason for the season in their break-up celebrations.
Beth, mother of six-year-old Nicholas, recalls what happened
recently at her son’s state school.
For weeks Nicholas had been memorizing songs for what his
teacher called the ‘Holiday Pageant’. His mother could not
get to her son’s performance on the night since she was
working, but she did get to the full-dress rehearsal the
same day. She reached the school gym ten minutes early,
found a spot on the floor in front of the makeshift stage,
and watched each class, led by their teacher, take their
places around the room, until called to the stage to sing or
dance or both.
Because a couple of years ago the school had stopped even
using the word ‘Christmas’ – a word, incidentally, which
literally means ‘Christ-Mass’ – Beth was expecting only
songs about jingle bells, elves, reindeer, Santa Claus,
presents, snowflakes, fun and good cheer. So, when Nicholas’
class rose to sing a song that was announced as ‘Christmas
love’, Beth could hardly believe her eyes and ears.
There on the stage her son was glowing with joy, as were
all his classmates, all decked out in their fur mittens, red
tops, and white snow-caps. As the class was to sing ‘C is
for Christmas’, a child would hold up high the letter ‘C’.
The next child would hold up ‘H is for happy’ and so on,
until all the cards spelt out the complete message
‘Christmas Love’.
That was the plan, but Beth reports what actually
happened:
"The performance was going smoothly until suddenly we
noticed her – a small shy girl in the front row holding the
letter ‘M’ upside down. She was totally unaware her letter
‘M’ appeared as a ‘W’. The audience, mainly of other school
children, started giggling at the little one’s mistake. But
she had no idea they were laughing at her. So, she stood
tall, proudly holding up her ‘W’."
Beth goes on:
"Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the
laughter continued until the last letter was raised. Then we
all saw it together. A hush came over the audience, and eyes
began to widen. In that instant we understood the reason we
were there, and why even in the chaos and confusion, there
was a good reason for all our joy and fun.
For when the last letter was held up high, the message
read loud and clear: ‘CHRISTWAS LOVE!’"
He still is, we believe!
God certainly works in mysterious ways. One of those ways
is influencing us to make room for others in the inn of our
hearts, and especially for the many today, who, like Jesus
before, are excluded, rejected, and worse. Thomas Merton has
addressed its challenge to us in these words:
"His place is with those who do not belong, who are
rejected by power, because they are regarded as weak, with
those who are discredited, who are denied their status of
persons, who are tortured, bombed and exterminated. With
those for whom there is no room, Christ is present in this
world."
Have we noticed this? Can we help? Will we help? How
might we?
"Brian
Gleeson CP" <bgleesoncp@gmail.com>
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5.
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Volume 2 is for you. Your thoughts, reflections,
and insights on the next Sundays readings can influence the
preaching you hear. Send them to
preacherexchange@att.net. Deadline is
Wednesday Noon. Include your Name, and Email Address.
-- Fr. John Boll
