St. John Neumann

Read: 1 Jn 3: 11-21 Jn 1: 43-51

“We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. Whoever does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.” (1 Jn 3:14-15)

With death, we await a metamorphosis from this temporal life to a perfect life of love in the eternal Kingdom of God.

Jesus tells us that the wonderful life for which we wait should begin here and now. Our earthly life is like a seed that germinates and begins to burst forth in the soil, but only grows tall and flowers on the other side (Mk 4:30-32).

This mysterious life, which will be transformed into something altogether greater in His heavenly kingdom, is a gift from God.

“For just as the Father raises the dead and gives life, so also does the Son give life to whomever he wishes.” (Jn 5:21)

“I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to life.” (Jn 5:24)

The sign or manifestation that the seed of eternal life thrives within us is love, not some theoretical love, but rather a real and true love that is lived out through our goodness and sacrifice for our neighbor.

Reflection and commentary

Psalm 16:11 “You will show me the path to life, abounding joy in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.”

St. John Neumann, d. 1860; missionary from Bohemia; C.Ss.R. bishop of Philadelphia; known for his holiness and learning; promoter of parochial schools; authored two German catechisms; first American bishop canonized (1977).

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Read: 1 Jn 3: 7-10 Jn 1: 35-42

“John was with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God.’ The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.” (Jn 1:35-37)

John the Baptist knew that the Messiah would have to sacrifice His life for the remission of sin (Jn 1: 29), as was for the animal sacrifices of goats and lambs in the Temple under the old Law.

He knew of the Messiah’s fate through the words of the prophets who came before him and spoke of the suffering, crucifixion, and death of the Lord many centuries before (Is 53:6-7 and Jer 11:18 -19).

In the Mosaic Law, a penitent was to offer lambs, sheep, goats, and young cattle, whose blood would be splattered over the corners of the altar as a sin offering (Lev: 3-5).

As Jesus shed His blood in sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin, He became The Sacrifice. Thus St. John the Baptist called the Lord the Lamb of God.

Jesus continues eternally to offer Himself to the Father as THE sin offering for all time. He was and is the Lamb of God taking away all of sin.

“‘This is my body that is for you…’ ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.’” (1 Cor 11:23-26)

Reflection and commentary

Psalm 25:16 “Look upon me, pity me, for I am alone and afflicted.”

St. Elizabeth Seton, d. 1821; raised Episcopalian; wife and mother of 10 children; foundress of the Sisters of Charity, the first congregation for women religious in the USA; first native-born U.S. citizen canonized (1975).

Christmas Weekday

Read: 1 Jn 2: 29–3: 6 Jn 1: 29-34

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” (Jn 1:29-31)

Even though many thought that John the Baptist was the promised Messiah of God, John never accepted this kind of talk.

The people were full of expectation and kept asking if possibly he was the One. “I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.

I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Mt 3:11)

John had a very clear understanding of his mission: He was to go before the Messiah and prepare the hearts of the people to accept Him. His preaching was to inspire the people to recognize their sinfulness, to repent, and to accept the intervention of God in their lives.

The people came to him to receive moral and spiritual orientation — even some soldiers and publicans who were considered the furthest from God.

“–Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise…

–Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.

–Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages…” (Lk 3:11-14)

John preached forth the truth for his time and ours. Let us make room for the Lord.

Reflection and commentary

Psalm 9:9 “It is God who governs the world with justice, who judges the peoples with fairness.”

Sts. Basil and Gregory

Read: 1 Jn 2: 22-28 Jn 1: 19-28 (Pss I)

“I am ‘a voice in the desert, crying out: Make straight the way of the Lord!” (Jn 1: 23)

St. John the Baptist manifested the great authority he had received from God, to move the people to repentance and to renovate their moral lives. The time of the Prophets was swiftly coming to an end and the physical presence of the Messiah among the Hebrew people was to begin. John sought to change men’s hearts to prepare them for their times.

In Jerusalem resided the priests, teachers, and leaders of the people. They felt offended that their authority and dignity were questioned through John’s teachings and baptism — their import was lessened as John’s importance grew.

The leaders wanted to force John’s silence, so they sent a delegation to question John: “If you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet, why do you baptize?”

It is easier to try to undermine the force of the message than to suffer the embarrassment of having to face the truth and be convicted to change by the knowledge of the truth.

To save ourselves the inconvenience of change, many prefer to challenge the authority of the Church, her teachings, and the counsel of her pastors — the very voice of Christ.

Reflection and commentary

Psalm 28:9 “Save your people and bless your inheritance!”

St. Basil, d. 379; hermit become bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia; noted for his leaning; foe of Arianism; wrote a rule on monasticism; source of Eucharistic Prayer IV, along with Gregory Nazianzen, Athanasius and John Chrysostom.

St. Gregory Nazianzen, d. 389; Patriarch of Constantinople; noted for his knowledge of sacred Scripture; called theologus for his outstanding teaching abilities and eloquence.

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD

Read: Nm 6: 22-27 Gal 4: 4-7 Lk 2: 16-21 (Pss Prop)

“Once they saw, they understood what had been told them concerning this child. All who heard of it were astonished at the report given them by the shepherds.” (Lk 2:17-18)

The shepherds were among the first to come to recognize the infant Jesus as the Son of God. They were given the opportunity to meet and admire His mother who was blessed to carry Him in her womb and give birth to Him. They rejoiced with her.

Our Father in Heaven sent the angels to bring the shepherds and others together. What incredible joy in that stable in Bethlehem on that marvelous night! Despite the impoverished conditions the Holy Family found themselves in, there was marvelous joy.

The dignity and greatness of Mary, as the mother of the Lord, can never be equaled by another woman on earth, no matter her position or stature — be she the queen of the greatest realm on earth or a great celebrity or leader.

The measure of human greatness that we use is based on externals: riches, honors, power, and appearance. True greatness, that which made Mary gigantic in our eyes, consists in profound humility: “For he has looked upon his servant in her lowliness.” (Lk 1:48),

She is great because of the gift she received from God: The privilege of being called to be the Mother of the Redeemer.

Whoever looks for Jesus, as did the shepherds, will encounter also the love of His mother. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners.

Reflection and commentary

Psalm 131:2 “I have stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child. Like a weaned child on its mother’s lap so is my soul within me.”