On the second day of Christmas we heard of the suffering of St. Stephen, stoned to death for his witness to Christ. On the third day of Christmas we heard of the suffering of the Apostle St. John, who suffered arrest, torture, and exile for Christ. Yesterday, we heard of the suffering of the Holy Innocents, slaughtered by the King in his attempt to rid the world of Christ. On this fifth day of Christ, the Church honors the Archbishop Thomas Becket, murdered on the steps of his Cathedral for opposing the king’s plans to infringe upon the freedom of the Church.We also heard the story of the presentation of Jesus in the Jerusalem Temple. The identity of the Christ Child continued to be revealed to the Holy Family through the prophecy of Simeon. His future will involve upheaval, pain and suffering.
For someone who was prophesied as the Prince of Peace, the liberator of captives, proclaimer of good news to the poor, he certainly seems to be surrounded by tremendous suffering and upheaval! Simeon told the Lord, His Master, that he was ready to die now that he had seen Jesus alive. Jesus’ Mother Mary was even going to have to suffer: swords of sorrow would pierce her heart.
If he is to bring peace, good news, reconciliation, and eternal life, it all certainly seems to come at price. And I think that’s right. It does. His kingdom of peace in our souls is born when we die to sin, and that is not a popular message. It’s a message that the saints have embraced and the world has resisted for two thousand years.
St. Stephen, killed for preaching Christ. St. John, arrested, tortured, and exiled for preaching Christ. St. Thomas Becket, killed for preaching that the powers of the world must submit to the rule of Christ.
In the Incarnation, Jesus became like us that we might become like Him. But that transformation comes at price. We must submit, we must die and let him live in us. This truth is what allowed Paul to joyfully proclaim: “it is not I who lives, but Christ who lives in me.” The cross is the price for peace.
If it was true for Jesus, and if it was true for Mary, we can be sure it’s true for us as well. And the sooner we do, the sooner we trust God, and embrace the cross of obedience, faith, and self-sacrifice, the sooner we will know his peace, and peace, the life, the light the world cannot give, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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That the witness of the Church may help all nations come to believe in the Lordship of Jesus, and that our Bishops and Priests might have the courage to proclaim the truth amidst the errors of the world.
That those in civic authority may submit their minds and hearts to the rule of Christ, the Prince of Peace and Hope of the nations.
For the healing of families divided by sin and selfishness, for a strengthening of all marriages, that young people may be formed to have deep and authentic faith.
For those oppressed by hunger, sickness, addiction, or loneliness, that through the mystery of the Nativity of Christ, they may find relief in both mind and body.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord
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