"He was called Jesus"
The Octave Day of Christmas
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
Reading 1 NM 6:22-27
The LORD said to Moses:
“Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:
This is how you shall bless the Israelites.
Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and
give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites,
and I will bless them.”
Responsorial Psalm PS 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8.
R. (2a) May God bless us in his mercy.
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
Reading 2 GAL 4:4-7
Brothers and sisters:
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son,
born of a woman, born under the law,
to ransom those under the law,
so that we might receive adoption as sons.
As proof that you are sons,
God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,
crying out, “Abba, Father!”
So you are no longer a slave but a son,
and if a son then also an heir, through God.
Alleluia HEB 1:1-2
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel LK 2:16-21
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.
MEDITATION 1:
What's the significance of a name? For the Jewish people the giving of a name had great importance. When a name was given it represented what that person should be in the future. An unknown name meant that someone could not be completely known. To not acknowledge someone's name meant both denial of the person, destruction of their personality, and change in their destiny. A person's name expressed the reality of his or her being at its deepest level. A Jewish male child was named at the time of circumcision, eight days after birth. This rite was instituted by God as an outward sign to single out those who belonged to the chosen people (Genesis 17:10-12). It was a sign of the covenant that God made with Abraham and his posterity.
Jesus - the eternal Son of God who was born of a woman to become our Savior
In fulfilment of this precept, Mary's newborn child is given the name Jesus on the eighth day according to the Jewish custom. Joseph and Mary gave the name Jesus because that is the name given by God's messenger before Jesus was conceived in Mary's womb (Luke 1:31, Matthew 1:21). This name signifies Jesus' identity and his mission. The literal Hebrew means the Lord saves. Since God alone can forgive sins and free us from death, it is God who, in Jesus his eternal Son became a man to offer up his life as the atoning sacrifice to save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). The son that Mary bore is both God and man - the "Word who was God" (John 1:1) and who "became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). That is why Mary is not only called the mother of the Christ (the Greek word for Messiah in Hebrew) but also the mother of God or Theotokos in Greek which literally means "God bearer."
Jesus - the name above every other name
In the birth and naming of this child we see the wondrous design and plan of God in giving us a Savior who would bring us grace (the gift of God's favor), mercy, and freedom from the power of sin and the fear of death. The name Jesus signifies that the very name of God is present in the person of his Son who became man for our salvation. Peter the Apostle exclaimed that there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved (Acts 2:12). In the name of Jesus demons flee, cripples walk, the blind see, the deaf hear, and the dead are raised. His name is exalted far above every other name (Philippians 2:9-11).
The name Jesus is at the heart of all Christian prayer. It is through and in Jesus that we pray to the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit. Many Christians have died with one word on their lips, the name of Jesus. Do you exalt the name of Jesus and pray with confidence in his name?
"Lord Jesus Christ, I exalt your name above every other name. For in you I have pardon, mercy, grace and victory over sin and death. You humbled yourself for my sake and for the sake of all sinners by sharing in our humanity and by dying on the cross. Help me to always praise your holy name and to live for your greater glory."
MEDITATION 2: FR. ALFONSE
Luke 2:16-21 New Year’s Resolutions
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… And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.
Nine months before the birth of her son, Mary made a vow to the Lord. She said to him, “I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word.” From that moment on, Mary never looked back. She never allowed doubts to drive a wedge between her and God. She never allowed her fears to bring about thoughts of regret or remorse for what she had done. Ever since she made a promise to the Lord, Mary dedicated her life to serving the Lord.
It’s become a Christian tradition that at the start of a new year to make some New Year’s resolutions. Let’s keep the tradition, even though we know how difficult it is to be faithful to them till the very end.
I resolve to be an honest man. No more excuses. No more blame games. It’s time to start addressing issues, not hiding them. It’s time to bring it all to the forefront: the good, the bad and the ugly. It’s time to take responsibility for what I do. It’s time to bring out the real person. Only then will I be the man that God created me to be. If I resolve to be an honest man, then the Lord will work his wonders through me. He will share with me his divine life and mission. Honest men are jewels in the crown of the Lord. Liars are thorns.
In the movie Les Miserables, Jean Valjean’s vow to be an honest man took him where he did not want to go. It took him to a court room, where, to give freedom to a wrongly accused man meant he had to reveal his true identity. It took him to a dying former employee who revealed a sick child. It took him to take care of a child, which led him to be a father. Finally, it led him to save the life a young man.
But what his vow truly led him to was to see the face of God in the faces of all the people divine providence led him to. The vow that Jean Valjean took led him to the meaning of love, compassion, mercy and understanding. It led him to God.
This is a movie, but this is true. I encourage all to take this vow today.
Pray more. Worry less. Jesus said to his apostles: Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith in God, have faith also in me. This year make a resolution to pray more and worry less. I am not a dreamer. I am not an idealist. I consider myself a very practical person. Why worry? Worrying drains the soul. Worrying wearies the body. What will worrying about something do for me? Answer: it will take away the little I still have! If in the past year you lost your job and are worried sick about it, then most likely you will lose your health as well. If you recently received a diagnosis you did not expect and are worried about the prognosis, then chances are you’ll isolate yourself from the living. If in the past year you lost a spouse and are worried about it, then chances are you’ll lose your sanity, children and friends as well.
Praying is not a wonder drug. It will not necessarily cure your sickness, bring back your spouse or find you a job, but it will help you to keep the priorities clear and everything in perspective; that is, two things that worrying has a tendency to cloud and confuse.
Because she prayed, Mary was able to keep all her questions for later (in her heart). This is how Mary kept her sanity. This is how she was able to move on. This is how Mary was able to smile every time she saw her child. This is why Mary saw the face of God, even in the midst of total darkness.
Pray. Pray to the Lord. Resolve to pray every day the prayer that is found in today’s first reading: “May the Lord bless me and keep me. May the Lord let his face shine upon me, and be gracious to me. May the Lord look kindly upon me and give me peace” (cf. Nm 6:22-27).
The Octave Day of Christmas
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
Reading 1 NM 6:22-27
The LORD said to Moses:
“Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:
This is how you shall bless the Israelites.
Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and
give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites,
and I will bless them.”
Responsorial Psalm PS 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8.
R. (2a) May God bless us in his mercy.
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
Reading 2 GAL 4:4-7
Brothers and sisters:
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son,
born of a woman, born under the law,
to ransom those under the law,
so that we might receive adoption as sons.
As proof that you are sons,
God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,
crying out, “Abba, Father!”
So you are no longer a slave but a son,
and if a son then also an heir, through God.
Alleluia HEB 1:1-2
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel LK 2:16-21
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.
MEDITATION 1:
What's the significance of a name? For the Jewish people the giving of a name had great importance. When a name was given it represented what that person should be in the future. An unknown name meant that someone could not be completely known. To not acknowledge someone's name meant both denial of the person, destruction of their personality, and change in their destiny. A person's name expressed the reality of his or her being at its deepest level. A Jewish male child was named at the time of circumcision, eight days after birth. This rite was instituted by God as an outward sign to single out those who belonged to the chosen people (Genesis 17:10-12). It was a sign of the covenant that God made with Abraham and his posterity.
Jesus - the eternal Son of God who was born of a woman to become our Savior
In fulfilment of this precept, Mary's newborn child is given the name Jesus on the eighth day according to the Jewish custom. Joseph and Mary gave the name Jesus because that is the name given by God's messenger before Jesus was conceived in Mary's womb (Luke 1:31, Matthew 1:21). This name signifies Jesus' identity and his mission. The literal Hebrew means the Lord saves. Since God alone can forgive sins and free us from death, it is God who, in Jesus his eternal Son became a man to offer up his life as the atoning sacrifice to save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). The son that Mary bore is both God and man - the "Word who was God" (John 1:1) and who "became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). That is why Mary is not only called the mother of the Christ (the Greek word for Messiah in Hebrew) but also the mother of God or Theotokos in Greek which literally means "God bearer."
Jesus - the name above every other name
In the birth and naming of this child we see the wondrous design and plan of God in giving us a Savior who would bring us grace (the gift of God's favor), mercy, and freedom from the power of sin and the fear of death. The name Jesus signifies that the very name of God is present in the person of his Son who became man for our salvation. Peter the Apostle exclaimed that there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved (Acts 2:12). In the name of Jesus demons flee, cripples walk, the blind see, the deaf hear, and the dead are raised. His name is exalted far above every other name (Philippians 2:9-11).
The name Jesus is at the heart of all Christian prayer. It is through and in Jesus that we pray to the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit. Many Christians have died with one word on their lips, the name of Jesus. Do you exalt the name of Jesus and pray with confidence in his name?
"Lord Jesus Christ, I exalt your name above every other name. For in you I have pardon, mercy, grace and victory over sin and death. You humbled yourself for my sake and for the sake of all sinners by sharing in our humanity and by dying on the cross. Help me to always praise your holy name and to live for your greater glory."
MEDITATION 2: FR. ALFONSE
Luke 2:16-21 New Year’s Resolutions
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… And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.
Nine months before the birth of her son, Mary made a vow to the Lord. She said to him, “I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word.” From that moment on, Mary never looked back. She never allowed doubts to drive a wedge between her and God. She never allowed her fears to bring about thoughts of regret or remorse for what she had done. Ever since she made a promise to the Lord, Mary dedicated her life to serving the Lord.
It’s become a Christian tradition that at the start of a new year to make some New Year’s resolutions. Let’s keep the tradition, even though we know how difficult it is to be faithful to them till the very end.
I resolve to be an honest man. No more excuses. No more blame games. It’s time to start addressing issues, not hiding them. It’s time to bring it all to the forefront: the good, the bad and the ugly. It’s time to take responsibility for what I do. It’s time to bring out the real person. Only then will I be the man that God created me to be. If I resolve to be an honest man, then the Lord will work his wonders through me. He will share with me his divine life and mission. Honest men are jewels in the crown of the Lord. Liars are thorns.
In the movie Les Miserables, Jean Valjean’s vow to be an honest man took him where he did not want to go. It took him to a court room, where, to give freedom to a wrongly accused man meant he had to reveal his true identity. It took him to a dying former employee who revealed a sick child. It took him to take care of a child, which led him to be a father. Finally, it led him to save the life a young man.
But what his vow truly led him to was to see the face of God in the faces of all the people divine providence led him to. The vow that Jean Valjean took led him to the meaning of love, compassion, mercy and understanding. It led him to God.
This is a movie, but this is true. I encourage all to take this vow today.
Pray more. Worry less. Jesus said to his apostles: Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith in God, have faith also in me. This year make a resolution to pray more and worry less. I am not a dreamer. I am not an idealist. I consider myself a very practical person. Why worry? Worrying drains the soul. Worrying wearies the body. What will worrying about something do for me? Answer: it will take away the little I still have! If in the past year you lost your job and are worried sick about it, then most likely you will lose your health as well. If you recently received a diagnosis you did not expect and are worried about the prognosis, then chances are you’ll isolate yourself from the living. If in the past year you lost a spouse and are worried about it, then chances are you’ll lose your sanity, children and friends as well.
Praying is not a wonder drug. It will not necessarily cure your sickness, bring back your spouse or find you a job, but it will help you to keep the priorities clear and everything in perspective; that is, two things that worrying has a tendency to cloud and confuse.
Because she prayed, Mary was able to keep all her questions for later (in her heart). This is how Mary kept her sanity. This is how she was able to move on. This is how Mary was able to smile every time she saw her child. This is why Mary saw the face of God, even in the midst of total darkness.
Pray. Pray to the Lord. Resolve to pray every day the prayer that is found in today’s first reading: “May the Lord bless me and keep me. May the Lord let his face shine upon me, and be gracious to me. May the Lord look kindly upon me and give me peace” (cf. Nm 6:22-27).