December 23 2019 - Pointing to Christ

Two days before Christmas, the Church reads to us from the prophet Malachi.  Malachi was the last of the Old Testament Prophets, appearing on the scene 300 years after the prophet Isaiah, but still about 400 years before the birth of Christ. 

Malachi prophecies about the events right before the coming of the Messiah. One like Elijah would come as a precursor to the Messiah, and he would help the people prepare for the Messiah, as we heard, “by turning the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.”

What does that mean? It means we best prepare for the Messiah by turning away from what is trivial, superficial, and spiritually harmful, to what is most important to the life of the soul.

In the Gospel, we read of the naming of Jesus’ precursor, John the Baptist, who certainly in the spirit of Elijah preaches repentance—metanoia—which literally means turning—turning one’s heart away from the trivial and sinful, and turning it back to God.

Elijah was not what we call a “literary prophet” like Isaiah, Elijah did not write anything down, there is no old testament book of the prophet Elijah. Rather, Elijah was an action prophet, his prophetic actions pointed people to God. So, too with John the Baptist. The Baptist never wrote anything down. Rather, his actions were prophetic. He went to the desert to preach, he baptized people, he wore strange clothes and ate strange food—even his vesture and his diet pointed people to God.

So, too with us, Christians are to be people of action; our actions, our lives are to point others to God. Certainly, we point people to God by following the precepts of our faith: attending mass, engaging in devotional prayers, engaging in works of charity, turning away from the non-essentials in order to focus on Christ.

The final O Antiphon sings of the Messiah as Emmanuel, King and Law-giver, the awaited Savior of the nations. In our upcoming Christmas celebrations may we remain turned toward Christ in all things, and in the Spirit of Elijah and John the Baptist, by our words, our actions, attitudes and efforts, help others do the same, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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May Christ, the Wisdom which comes from the mouth of God, guide us in knowledge and love.
May Christ, leader of the House of Israel, bring deliverance to all of the oppressed.
May Christ, the Root of Jesse, come to the aid of nations and leaders of nations to walk in the ways of peace.
May Christ, Key of David, free all those captive to sin.
May Christ, the Morning Star, enlighten those who dwell in the shadow of death.
May Christ, King of the Nations, reconcile all divisions caused by sin.
May Christ, Emmanuel, God with us, bring comfort to all those who mourn.
Almighty ever-living God, who brings salvation to all and desire that no one should perish, hear the prayers of your people and grant that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and your Church rejoice in tranquility and devotion. Through Christ our Lord.

5th Week in OT 2018 - Friday - Healing divided kingdoms and divided hearts

Scripture portrays Solomon's reign as the high point of Jewish political and economic history. King Solomon’s riches and wisdom surpassed all the kings of the earth. His kingdom was so formidable that for years he never even had to fight a war.

In a prophetic gesture, Ahijah the prophet ripped his coat into 12 pieces to show how Solomon's seemingly invincible kingdom would be torn to pieces. Ahijah's shocking prophecy soon proved true when civil war divided the country after Solomon's death.

Jesus teaches that “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste.” President Lincoln quoted this verse when speaking about our divided nation during the civil war. The most established, endowed, seemingly impregnable, and developed organizations and systems will quickly collapse if the hearts of people are not entirely with the Lord. Sin has a terrifying power to bring division in any human endeavor--in governments, dioceses, parishes, families, and marriages. 

In less than a week we begin the season of Lent. The devil fears Lent because it can be a time of great spiritual healing, where the causes of division in our organizations and in our hearts are uprooted and mended by our Lenten prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

Throughout the Gospels Jesus healed people physically as a sign of the deeper spiritual healing he came to bring to all mankind. He opened the ears of the deaf and freed the tongues of the dumb and speech-impaired as a sign that He would open our ears so that we can have a greater faith and open our mouths to proclaim that faith.

The Lord will heal the wounds of sin and division, he will heal our spiritual deafness, dumbness, blindness, our spiritual paralysis, he will make our families and parishes endure, if we let him, if we allow him to reign over our hearts.

We can open ourselves to receive deep spiritual healing and transformation by engaging rigorously in the Lenten practices, by repenting of sin, and committing to living and sharing the Gospel for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For the Holy Father’s prayer intention for the month of February, that those who have material, political or spiritual power may resist any lure of corruption.

For those who have fallen away from the Church, for those who have fallen into serious sin, for those who have lost faith in God, for those who reject Church authority, for all troubled marriages, for the healing of all sin and division.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

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