Pastoral Reflections Finding God In Ourselves by Msgr. Don Fischer

Gospel Mark 2:13-17 Jesus went out along the sea. All the crowd came to him and he taught them. As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed Jesus. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”  Jesus heard this and said to them, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” Reflection The righteous were the people who followed the law perfectly, knowing that if they follow the law of the temple, they would be blessed. There was a kind of earning salvation, earning favor from God. And what is so beautiful about this is that God is not interested in you winning favor from him. He is only interested in doing the work that he longs to do, and that's to transform us and to heal us. He's like a doctor, and what he wants so much as for us to recognize our dis-ease, our darkness, our fear, our shame, our anger and come to him as we would to a physician say, Help me, heal me. God is a healer and he's not interested in anyone trying to earn his favor. He just wants to change us. Closing Prayer Father, this image has always been such a beautiful way of understanding who you really are. Bless us all with that awareness, your compassion, your understanding, your desire to be the healing force that we all long for, and to bring us into a healthy relationship with ourselves and our neighbors, and you. Thank you for this gift. Help us to be aware of it. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Mark 2:1-12 When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, “Why does this man speak that way?  He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Jesus immediately knew in his mind what  they were thinking to themselves,  so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth” –he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” He rose, picked up his mat at once,  and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.” Reflection There's an important moment in this particular story that I think has to be understood clearly. We when we follow Jesus, when he when God is within us, we don't go around basically and healing every disease, and we don't have demons screaming at us and saying we ought to stop bothering them. No, what all of this is pointing to in this passage is that the real healing that we have to offer one another is in forgiveness. Forgiveness that is more important than any other healing power that Jesus has given to each of us. The power to forgive, to stop the cycle of hate or division, but to bring about a kind of unity that can only be experienced when one has that compassionate forgiveness, filling their heart and offering it to one another. Closing Prayer Father, help us to understand the power of forgiveness, the healing that can happen when we choose always not to judge and not to condemn, but to somehow accept and long for someone who's caught in evil to be transformed by your grace. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Mark 1:40-45 A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched the leper, and said to him,  “I do will it. Be made clean.” The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere. Reflection The power that Jesus had to heal was something that he almost had no control over. Demons recognized him as the one who would destroy them. And what we see in this particular passage is Jesus needs somehow to be freed from that as his core message that he was the source of healing. It was symbolic of everything that he longed for people to have, but he didn't want to be simply the Wonder worker. He wanted to be the teacher. He wanted to awaken people to the power that they would have within them. Closing Prayer Father, we listen to your ministry in Jesus we know we're called to that same kind of ministry. It's important that we help one another, to heal one another, to take darkness away from one another. But the key is that we don't do it so that they are free, and that's where it ends. We do it because we ask them to do the same thing. It's not just being healed, it's becoming a healer. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Mark 1:29-39 On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them. When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him. Rising very early before dawn,  he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons  throughout the whole of Galilee. Reflection Nothing is clearer in the Ministry of Jesus that he had this power over the power of evil. His very presence drew it out of people. And at the same time we see this awesome power, we see also a tension in Jesus, knowing that this is a power that he wants them to understand. They one day will possess, but he wants to teach them that. He wants to preach to them. And so he leaves the town that still had many people longing for a healing and said, I need to go and talk to my father about the core of my work. I want to preach. I want them to understand the word, not just the power, but the plan of God for us. Closing Prayer Father, there's so much more than just being empowered to overcome the weaknesses that we have. Give us this wisdom that we ask for. It's the wisdom to know the role that you've given to each of us and to be able to accomplish it, not through mighty signs necessarily, but through a deep and profound wisdom that can only come to us through you. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel  Mark 1:21-28 Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers,  and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!”  Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet!  Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another,  “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee. Reflection Jesus lived in Capernaum and it was not unusual for him to be in the synagogue. But what was interesting about this case is when he spoke, there was something happening to the people who were listening. It was a feeling or a sense that there was something more here than just someone telling us what to do. But somebody who had this authority over that, which is the enemy, a power over evil, over anything that would destroy us. Closing Prayer Father, your fame was difficult because it became an obstacle to your being able to preach and teach. Bless us with an understanding of the mystery of the power you have over evil. Help us to understand the gift that you had. We also have, and we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Mark 1:14-20 After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they left their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him. Reflection This is a moment of transition. Jesus picks up the work of John the Baptist by saying the same thing that John the Baptist said over and over again. Repent and believe in the gospel. The interesting thing about the Kingdom of God is that people are called to be engaged in this work of establishing a kingdom of peace and understanding individually, for very particular reasons. It's so important for us to listen for a call. Everyone is called. Everyone has a role in making the kingdom of God happen. It's difficult at times, but it's also an enormous pleasure to know you are working to save the world. Closing Prayer Father, there's a feeling inside of us. So often we wonder where it comes from that we maybe should not be doing what we're doing. We should be doing something else. Open us to those moments, and let us say yes and leave what is old and enter into what is new. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD Original Airdate: January 12, 2020 Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 | Acts 10:34-38 | Matthew 3:13-17 Almighty, everliving God who, when Christ had been baptized in the River Jordan and as the Holy Spirit descended upon him, solemnly declared him your beloved Son, grant that your children by adoption, reborn of water and the Holy Spirit may always be well-pleasing to you.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever, amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel John 3:22-30 Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea, where he spent some time with them baptizing.  John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there, and people came to be baptized, for John had not yet been imprisoned.  Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew about ceremonial washings.  So they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.” John answered and said, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven.  You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before him.  The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice.  So this joy of mine has been made complete.  He must increase; I must decrease.” Reflection Can you imagine what it was like for John the Baptist to see his cousin Jesus fulfilling what John knew he was there to get people ready for? Can you imagine the joy he must have felt in seeing it unfold while he was still alive? And what's interesting in this passage is that John was baptized with water. Jesus was nearby, but Jesus wasn't baptizing anyone. It was the message of the kingdom of God that drew people to him. John was living that message. How do we accept the fact that all the promises of the Kingdom of God, the ability we have to participate in transforming the world from darkness to light? How do we believe that's ours without it becoming something we claim we can do? We must decrease. The kingdom must increase. Closing Prayer Father, the power, the beauty, the awesomeness of your promise is still beyond our imagining for so many of us. We live in a world that is not at all connected to this power that is ours by inheritance. Bless us with the capacity to believe that we too, like Christ, have come to the world to heal and to transform. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Luke 5:12-16 It happened that there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where Jesus was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.”  Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it.  Be made clean.”  And the leprosy left him immediately.  Then he ordered him not to tell anyone, but “Go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”  The report about him spread all the more, and great crowds assembled to listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray. Reflection Jesus as a human being had to know that the more that he healed people, the more difficult it would be for him to move around. But what I love about this passage is the question, what do you really want to do Jesus? Do you want to teach us all the things that the temple didn't teach us? Do you want us to learn more about our background? No, what he wants more than anything else is to take away darkness. Take away pain, take away leprosy, which is an image of the sinful nature that we've all inherited. That's all he wants. And if it costs him in the sense of having a hard time getting to people, he is not ever going to let go of this most amazing gift. The Kingdom of God is about healing and transformation, not information. Closing Prayer Father, power is a hard thing for human beings to deal with. Our ego loves to think that it's something that comes from us, then puts us in a position of importance. But the real gift of the kingdom of God is not to be somehow empowered to do great things for our own egos sake, but rather simply to have a heart that longs for human beings to find peace and light in life. It's our intention that is so important. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Luke 4:14-22 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region.  He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all. He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day.  He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.  He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:             The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,                         because he has anointed me                                     to bring glad tidings to the poor.             He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives                         and recovery of sight to the blind,                                     to let the oppressed go free,             and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.  He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”  And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.  Reflection There was something about Jesus. When people saw him or heard him, there was something that felt right. There was an authority in him that seemed so different than the scribes and Pharisees. And he would describe something that was so beautiful, and they would just in a sense, bask in his gifts until they thought about it. And in this particular case, what happened was as soon as they were pleased with what he was saying, they thought about it, and they said this is absolutely impossible. This man is crazy, and we need to destroy him. Instead of receiving the message, they turned to their fears and their destructive nature. Closing Prayer How easy it is, in a sense, to be moved by so many things that you have said, Jesus, and what you've done. And yet there's some hard issue that we have to face. Do we believe this? Is our inheritance as well as your gifts shown to us in this beautiful time when the Kingdom is being described for the first time? Bless us with an awareness of this gift. Take away fear. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Mark 6:45-52 After the five thousand had eaten and were satisfied, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And when he had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray. When it was evening, the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore. Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out. They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke with them, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” He got into the boat with them and the wind died down. They were completely astounded. They had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened. Reflection When Jesus came into the world, he was beyond anyone's expectation. What he could do was incredulous, they couldn't believe. In this simple story, it's interesting that we see the disciples encountering Jesus in a way that seems almost strange, because it seemed that it wasn't really intended. But Jesus was able to walk on water, and he was walking home, and the disciples were in a boat, and the wind was really strong, and there was a lot of anxiety on their part. And then they see Jesus walking on the water, and they are terrified, which anybody would be in a sense. They were completely astounded. They didn't understand who this  man is. They didn't understand what had just happened with the loaves and fishes, which means there must be something about the way Jesus is revealing himself. That It is, in a sense, a real turnoff. It's too much, too soon. And that's why often we stay on the fringes of what it means to understand God working through us as he did through Jesus. Closing Prayer Father, how do we believe in the impossible? How do we surrender to something so extraordinarily out of our control and beyond our paygrade, being able to happen through us because of this gift? Bless us with the kind of acceptance of something beyond our imagining. We have to trust in what you say and what you have done. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel  Mark 6:34-44 When Jesus saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. By now it was already late and his disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already very late. Dismiss them so that they can go to the surrounding farms and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” He said to them in reply, “Give them some food yourselves.” But they said to him, “Are we to buy two hundred days' wages worth of food and give it to them to eat?” He asked them, “How many loaves do you have?  Go and see.” And when they had found out they said, “Five loaves and two fish.” So he gave orders to have them sit down in groups on the green grass. The people took their places in rows by hundreds and by fifties. Then, taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; he also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied. And they picked up twelve wicker baskets full of fragments and what was left of the fish. Those who ate of the loaves were five thousand men. Reflection This is the only miracle found in all four of the Gospels, and I think it's because it is such a beautiful image of what the kingdom of God is really like. God comes into our life in the form of a spirit. Jesus is the model. And when we are filled with this Holy Spirit, we are able to do things beyond our imagining. And the most important thing I think it's saying about the Kingdom of God is it's about abundance, not just a little nourishment, but more nourishment than anyone could imagine. It's the Holy Spirit that is described as that thing that is the blessing that we receive. And having received it our work, our being with one another, becomes abundantly nurturing and life giving. What a great gift God has given us. The model is Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the power. Closing Prayer Father, we look at situations in our life and we see them as almost impossible to handle. And yet you're telling us if we allow the Blessed Spirit to enter into our life, we are able to do so much more than we could ever imagine, because it's not just us doing it. It's your love, your healing, your wisdom flowing through us, enabling us to establish the Kingdom of God. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.  He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet  might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.  His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them.  And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him. Reflection This entire week is focused on the coming of Jesus, the major transformation that's happening. John the Baptist is setting himself out of the picture, and into the picture comes this incredible figure of Jesus. And it's interesting that he goes to a Gentile town, not to Jerusalem. And there he starts his ministry, which is so impossible to believe that everyone he encountered, he would heal them. And it was just this beautiful image of a great light comes into the world so bright that it destroys pain and suffering and darkness and evil. It was almost too much for people to grasp, and that's exactly what happened. The beginning of his ministry was difficult because people had no idea what the kingdom of God was really about. Closing Prayer When Jesus came to initiate the kingdom of God, he changed everything. And the most important thing for us, and we pray for it always, is that we'll grasp fully what this new light and life really means. It's not just that we become the receiver of healing, but we also become the partner with God in the work of healing. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD Original Airdate: January 8, 2023 Isaiah 60:1-6 | Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 | Matthew 2:1-12 Oh God, who on this day revealed your Only Begotten Son to the nations by the guidance of a star, grant in your mercy that we, who know you already by faith, may be brought to behold the beauty of your sublime glory through  our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever, amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel John 1:29-34 John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "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.' I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel." John testified further, saying, "I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.” Reflection In a way, it seems strange that John the Baptist would say that he didn't really know Jesus. He certainly knew Jesus the cousin, the relative, the playmate. But when he says, I did not know him, he's emphasizing the importance of the moment at the baptism of Jesus, when there was a voice from God saying, this is my beloved son on whom I favor rest, listen to him. Imagine that experience for John the Baptist. It is the absolute confirmation of everything he dreamt about, thought about, wondered about, hoped for. It was made clear to him who this Jesus is. And John was so ready to step away to allow this gift to take flesh and to change the world. Closing Prayer There's a way in which we can understand John the Baptist as representing everything that happened in the Old Testament. It was all pointing to something. It was all awakening people to something that's coming. And we see John the Baptist so clearly naming it, and he was the one they thought might be the one who was to come. But no, he's so clear. This is not me that is coming. It is the Christ. My cousin, my friend. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel John 1:19-28 This is the testimony of John.  When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.”  So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?”  And he said, “I am not.”  “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”  So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us?  What do you have to say for yourself?” He said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,' as Isaiah the prophet said.”  Some Pharisees were also sent.  They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?”  John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.”  This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. Reflection It's hard to underestimate the importance of understanding John the Baptist. He's the transition. He occupies the liminal space between the Old Testament and New Testament, and he's using such an interesting image here. He's saying, the things that I've done for you are symbolic of what's to come. I've had a ritual of baptizing you with water, which is an image of being cleansed. But then he reveals one is coming after that will not baptize simply with water, but with fire. And Holy Spirit. It's interesting, there's so many things in the Old Testament we can see as symbols of what is coming, and nothing is more clear than John the Baptist's role of pointed out that there is something so much more powerful than any prophet or any temple leader. Closing Prayer Father, it's hard for us to make the radical change that the New Testament invites us to believe in and live. And perhaps is because the things that are promised are so extraordinary, so beyond our imagining, that we can be transformed, radically transformed by grace, not by our own efforts, but by gifts that flow from the life of God. It comes to us regularly in his presence, blesses us with openness to that. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Luke 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. Reflection When you think about these stories they have such an interesting twist to them. The unexpected. The one you wouldn't expect to come forward and say something like these shepherds said, had an experience with an angel that told them that they would encounter this. And you think about who shepherds were those days. They were sort of bikers, you know, just out there in the world. But what a beautiful image of the ones who come to recognize Jesus for who he is, and the people who worked in the way that Jesus symbolically longed to work. The shepherds were told by an angel that a new shepherd was coming, one beyond their imagining, one beyond their abilities, and they were delighted to share this message. And you wonder how the people around these stories, how they must have pondered them and wondered about them. We are asked to do the same thing. What a wonderful affirmation to the role of Jesus as our Shepherd in this apparition of an angel to these men. Closing Prayer Father, story after story around your coming into the world as a human being as our Savior. Keep us open to ways in which you continue to show us the mystery of who you are, and how are you working in our life. Give us time to reflect, to know you, and to expect signs and wonders. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel John 1:1-18 In the beginning was the Word,     and the Word was with God,     and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.  All things came to be through him,     and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life,     and this life was the light of the human race;     the light shines in the darkness,     and the darkness has not overcome it. A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light,  so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into  the world. He was in the world,     and the world came to be through him,     but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own,     but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him     he gave power to become children of God,      to those who believe in his name,      who were born not by natural generation      nor by human choice nor by a man's decision      but of God. And the Word became flesh     and made his dwelling among us,     and we saw his glory,     the glory as of the Father's only-begotten Son,     full of grace and truth. John testified to him and cried out, saying,  “This was he of whom I said,  ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me  because he existed before me.'” From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses,  grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father's side,  has revealed him. Reflection When you look at the time of salvation history from Adam and Eve until the coming of this moment that Christ entered the world, you can see such a radical, radical change. What I love about John's images is that they seem to be so clearly what we need to ponder and wonder. They're not really easy to understand, but think of this. John is saying that he knows who the Messiah is, and he knows, especially his message and the message is truth, and truth is light and life. It's so important for us to meditate and wonder about how that works, because religion can be a burden, but it's actually the most amazing gift to know that we receive grace, upon grace, upon grace. What is grace? Unmerited love. What is life? Abundance of joy and an experiencing this gift we have from God called our existence. And light the truth that keeps us out of darkness. That's the gift we need to focus on. Closing Prayer Father, there is no way we can fully understand who you are without you revealing who you are to us. Give us time, make us available to your wisdom. Help us to be not distracted by so many things and spend time listening, wondering, hoping, knowing that you will reveal what is real, what is true. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel  Luke 2:36-40 There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. Reflection When someone is being infused with truth and they know something and believe it so deeply, it is very hard to change their mind. And what we see in this story of Anna, a prophetess, is her diligence in seeking a truth, an awareness. She was in the temple always, and what she was always seeking was some understanding, some knowledge of what was going to happen when the Messiah actually came. She longed for it, she fasted for it, she struggled to understand it. And then she's rewarded in the sense with an invitation from God to be present in the temple when Jesus was there with Mary and Joseph, and she knew somehow, deep inside of her, this was the new beginning of Christianity. Closing Prayer Father, keep us vigilant. Keep us seeking always a desire to know you, to find you, to receive your gifts. We get distracted, we get so many other things going on in our life, but bless us with a focus on what is most essential, our understanding of who you are and what you are doing in our life for us. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Luke 2:22-35 When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: "Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel." The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Reflection In this week of readings, we're going to see a repeated pattern. Ordinary individuals, not people of the temple, not people of high learning, are manifesting to Mary and Joseph something so extraordinary about their son. Simeon represents the waiting, the long waiting of Israel for this moment, and he, as a symbol of faith, has always believed that the Messiah would come. He walks into the temple and encounters Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, and knows somehow, deep inside of him, this is the one. It's a beautiful image of the way the Holy Spirit works in ordinary people, and how he affirms the promises that are unfolding daily in our life. Closing Prayer Father, make us attentive to those around us who carry perhaps a way of seeing that we don't see. Let us pay attention to the fact that you always seem to work with others, to be able to work with us. Help us to read the signs of those around us. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY Original Airdate: December 29, 2019 Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 | Colossians 3:12-21 | Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 Oh God, who pleased to give us the shining example of the holy family, graciously grant that we may imitate them in practicing the virtues of family life in the bonds of charity and so, in the joy of your house, delight one day in eternal rewards.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever, amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel John 20:1a and 2-8 On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they put him." So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. Reflection Yesterday, the scriptures reminded us of the cost of discipleship, and what we need to understand is when we go through pain and suffering, it is a transformation, not something to be frightened of. We need transition. We need evolution of consciousness. We need to grow. So the church focuses on this day on how it went with Jesus. The ultimate thing that he did was stand close to his father, revealing nothing but love and truth and he was rejected, he was murdered and he rose. It's a mystery of transformation. What seems like death, what seems like loss is just the opposite. It is new life. Closing Prayer Father, as we journey with you, as we invite you to live within us and resonate through us, give us the courage to know whatever setback that we encounter is not something negative, but something that draws us closer into who you are, and who we are, and how we are to work together. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Matthew 10:17-22 Jesus said to his disciples: "Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.” Reflection I believe the church celebrates this feast of Saint Stephen immediately after we receive the good news of God's presence in the world, we listen to the very real image of evil. There is a power in the world that is whole opposed to who God is and who Jesus wants us to become. And yet we know that there is a way in which that work is essential. To not be afraid. To hold on to what you believe, even if it means the loss of your life. These are signs and wonders of the faith that God has given us to do the work of the Son of God, to bring his message of life and goodness to the world, despite whatever dangers there may be. Closing Prayer Father, we need to be realistic. We need to understand there is a spirit that is so opposed to who we become. When God enters into us and we resonate and share his wisdom, his power, his healing, his love. Keep us strong, keep us dedicated to this work no matter what the cost. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel John 1:1-5, 9-14     In the beginning was the Word,         and the Word was with God,         and the Word was God.     He was in the beginning with God.      All things came to be through him,         and without him nothing came to be.     What came to be through him was life,         and this life was the light of the human race;     the light shines in the darkness,         and the darkness has not overcome it. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.     He was in the world,         and the world came to be through him,         but the world did not know him.     He came to what was his own,         but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God,  to those who believe in his name,  who were born not by natural generation  nor by human choice nor by a man's decision  but of God.     And the Word became flesh         and made his dwelling among us,         and we saw his glory,         the glory as of the Father's only Son,         full of grace and truth. Reflection It was 4000 years from Adam and Eve to this moment in history when Jesus entered into the world. When God took human flesh and awakened us to a world that we could never have dreamt of, a world in which he would share his presence with you and with me, and transform the world and bring us into the kingdom of God. This is the moment that is most important for us to understand and to embrace and to participate in making God present in the world. Closing Prayer Father, nothing is more important than our understanding of the role that each of us share. And that role has something beautifully about us being engaged in bringing you, your wisdom, your truth, your life into the world. Bless us in this work. Keep us vigilant in our task. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Luke 1:67-79 Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hand of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Reflection This passage gives us a keen insight into what it means to be a prophet to prophesy. As you listen to this, you wonder, how did Zechariah know that this would be the ministry of John? John's ministry was so unusual, so radically different. But it does imply that the Holy Spirit does reveal to people things they can't fully understand yet, and yet they are assigned to all of us of a message that is coming not just from humans, but from the Holy Spirit who is working through human beings, accomplishing the task of bringing salvation to the world. Closing Prayer Father, the beauty of a ministry like John the Baptist was to break with the old and introduce the new, it never ceases to be necessary. Always we're called to renew our understanding from what we've been told to what we now know through the work of the Holy Spirit. Bless us with the capacity to change. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel  Luke 1:57-66 When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be? For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.” Reflection It's interesting that this transition involved two men, John the Baptist and Jesus the Messiah. And when you look at it carefully, you recognize that they were both so important in being able to create a new image of who God is. A God not distant, not in the temple only, but somehow breaking free of that structure and filling people's hearts with love, understanding, compassion. What an amazing transformation and how amazing John was in making sure this happened. He took us through the liminal space of transition that we still are somehow always engaged in, because each person has to go through it. That's the gift to this figure of John. Closing Prayer Father, always we find ourselves as we grow in consciousness, going through thresholds of new insights, new revelations. Bless us in this work of transformation. It is the call of the gospel, is each of us announcing the fullness of the Kingdom of God. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Luke 1:46-56 Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. for he has looked upon his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.” Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home. Reflection There's something almost shocking about the ordinariness of the coming of God into the world. The Old Testament is filled with images of the divine residing in a place, and people in charge of doling out grace, acceptance. And now Mary is there to announce a new era, a new time when God Himself is going to come into the world. It is amazing this happened to a woman who had very little to do with the temple, very little to do with the organized religion, but was simply a woman who understood and who said yes. Closing Prayer Mary is our model. She is the human being who brought Christ into the world. Each of us are called to do something very much like that, to manifest the wisdom, the love, the forgiveness of Jesus to the world. Let us recognize her as our model, turn to her in our need. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT Original Airdate: December 18, 2022 Isaiah 7:10-14 | Romans 1:1-7 | Matthew 1:18-24 Pour forth, we beseech you, oh Lord, your grace into our hearts that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, your Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may, by his passion and cross, be brought to the glory of his, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever, amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Luke 1:26-38 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. Reflection Of all the stories in Scripture of miraculous births, none is more important and more significant than the one that you have just heard about in this gospel. Mary, chosen before to be the Mother of God, is told by an angel that she will become pregnant. Her response is not, this can't be, this doesn't make sense. Her response is only, how will I do this with you? How will it happen? Tell me what it will be like. And then the angel makes it clear. Miraculous infusion of life into her womb, and this life is going to save the world. And she understands, I know on some level the importance of this and her humble response. I will do whatever you want. I am a handmaid of you, O Lord. Bless me with the ability to do this. She's the model of acceptance of grace. Closing Prayer Father, as we near this Christmas season, we know that we are invited to imagine this event happening within each of us. The gift is being given to us, and we need to be in that same disposition as Mary of saying, how can I be who you need me to be in my family and my friends, in my circle, at my work? Who can I be for you to make you present to them? It's an enormous gift and a beautiful, wonderful way of life. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Luke 1:26-38 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. Reflection Of all the stories in Scripture of miraculous births, none is more important and more significant than the one that you have just heard about in this gospel. Mary, chosen before to be the Mother of God, is told by an angel that she will become pregnant. Her response is not, this can't be, this doesn't make sense. Her response is only, how will I do this with you? How will it happen? Tell me what it will be like. And then the angel makes it clear. Miraculous infusion of life into her womb, and this life is going to save the world. And she understands, I know on some level the importance of this and her humble response. I will do whatever you want. I am a handmaid of you, O Lord. Bless me with the ability to do this. She's the model of acceptance of grace. Closing Prayer Father, as we near this Christmas season, we know that we are invited to imagine this event happening within each of us. The gift is being given to us, and we need to be in that same disposition as Mary of saying, how can I be who you need me to be in my family and my friends, in my circle, at my work? Who can I be for you to make you present to them? It's an enormous gift and a beautiful, wonderful way of life. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Luke 1:5-25 In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years. Once when he was serving as priest in his division's turn before God, according to the practice of the priestly service, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense. Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering, the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb, and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.” Then Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel said to him in reply, “I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.” Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was gesturing to them but remained mute. Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home. After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying, “So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.” Reflection We have another story about someone being invited by God to participate in the evolution of the salvation of humanity. Individuals called into this role. And it is fascinating that there are a number of them, Abraham for one, Mary, and now Elizabeth.  Where there is a miraculous birth, not just an ordinary birth, but something is given at a moment that is going to have to take time to germinate, to grow and to find fullness. The beautiful image of the way God works with you and with me. An insight comes a new way of seeing something, and all of a sudden it changes everything slowly and evolves until it gives birth to virtue, to a new life. God is always interested in new birth. That's what this season of Christmas is leading us to. The most important image that we could have of God's will to become one of us. Closing Prayer Father, you continue to reveal the natural way in which you invite us to be engaged with you in this work of salvation history. Open us to all the images in Scripture, all the ways in which we have experienced our own personal life, and let us pay attention to these moments of new birth. Of being infused with a new insight in the delight of watching your grace bring it to fullness. We ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Matthew 1:18-25 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus. Reflection Two people living an ordinary life fell in love and decided to get married. And before their marriage could take place, even though they were betrothed, which is like a commitment to be married, Mary receives this extraordinary message. And when you think about it, what was she doing? Imagining if this could actually happen to her? I mean, I find it fascinating because she was no different than the rest of us. In one sense, she was human. Yes, she was free of sin, but she was a human being with the same fears and wonders and worries. She hears this news and Joseph hears it, and he understands. How clearer could it be that the coming of Jesus into your life and mine comes in ordinary ways? When we simply have to say to ourselves and to God, I accept, I believe I will become part of what you want me to be a part of. It's a gift called faith, and it means everything. Closing Prayer Father, the extraordinary is consistently coming to us through the ordinary. Help us to be attentive, to listen, to wonder, and to believe that things happen in a way that they have so much more meaning than we thought. So give us the wisdom to discern all that is happening in our world, in our life. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Matthew 1:1-17 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile. After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Christ, fourteen generations. Reflection If you happen to be a lecture in a parish, and comes your turn to be the reader you're hoping is not this reading. It's so interesting because people say, well, why does this matter? And it does matter essentially to understand how God is working in your life, and in my life. He's so connected to the ordinary. You're listening to a kind of an ancestral.com report about who your relatives are. And it's interesting and curious to think that your generations go back, but can you realize that what God is saying is, from the beginning of time, I have been working with ordinary people in ordinary circumstances, slowly enabling them to grow and evolve and change until they were ripe and ready to receive the most extraordinary gift. Mary, being infused with the Holy Spirit and giving birth to Jesus. It happened naturally. It continues to grow and happen naturally. I look back at the generations in my family and they were different than I am, and each generation somehow learns from the generation before. That's the process of evolving into the people that God calls us to be. The family that ultimately is the final goal is you living in God with God and feeling those around you. Closing Prayer Father, it's hard for us to realize that these things, marvelous things that you have accomplished in the world, were done in such a simple, ordinary, human way. It's all about us understanding how human you are and how your humanity, when it is directed toward us, awakens in us something so natural that we cannot not be drawn to your beauty, your wonder, your grace that comes to us through most ordinary ways. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel  Matthew 21:28-32 Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “What is your opinion?  A man had two sons.  He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.'  The son said in reply, ‘I will not,' but afterwards he changed his mind and went.  The man came to the other son and gave the same order.  He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,' but did not go.  Which of the two did his father's will?”  They answered, “The first.”  Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you.  When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did.  Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.” Reflection The beautiful part of this reading for me is we're in this world to go through a process called conversion. Transformation. We start with one truth or one half truth, or one lie or whatever, and we move closer and closer to what we are called to be in truth. And the whole thing that is important for one to understand is we have to change, continue to change. The Pharisees would not. And so Jesus points out, I came into the world to change people, to awaken them, to renew them. And the Pharisees were not interested at all. Closing Prayer Father, why should we ever be ashamed of something that we have done that is wrong, or something that we misunderstood? It's part of the plan. It's why you have made it so clear to us that your response to us in our failures is nothing but love, forgiveness, and the power to change. Bless us with that conviction that we should never be afraid to face where we have made mistakes, or when we continue to make mistakes. Help us to be transformed. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Matthew 21:23-27 When Jesus had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, "By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?" Jesus said to them in reply, "I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things. Where was John's baptism from? Was it of heavenly or of human origin?" They discussed this among themselves and said, "If we say 'Of heavenly origin,' he will say to us, 'Then why did you not believe him?' But if we say, 'Of human origin,' we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet." So they said to Jesus in reply, "We do not know." He himself said to them, "Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.” Reflection It's easy to see why Jesus was in conflict with the leaders of the temple. They were hypocrites, and one of their great mistakes is clearly shown in this passage, for Jesus makes it clear that they're not interested in truth, but only in manipulating things so that they work out in favor of them. It underscores for all of us, any time we drift from the truth, we're in trouble. We're likely to find ourselves in a place that we never wanted to be. We are likely to be doing things we never thought we would do. It's so essential that we just say one thing to God over and over again. Tell me what is true. Show me what is true. Let me live out what is true. Closing Prayer Father, we get lost. We get so many things in our heads all day long. Bless us with a clarity about one single thing. The only thing that is important. The only true authority in our life is whatever is true, and we grow in consciousness over generation after generation to see and to feel that truth. Bless us with the fruit of that work. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Original Airdate: December 11, 2023 Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10 | James 5:7-10 | Matthew 11:2-11   Oh God, who see how your people faithfully await the feast of the Lord's nativity, enable us, we pray to attain the joys of so great a salvation and to celebrate them always with solemn worship and glad rejoicing through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever, amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Matthew 17:9a, 10-13 As they were coming down from the mountain, the disciples asked Jesus, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" He said in reply, "Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands." Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist. Reflection In this gospel Peter, James and John have just witnessed the Transfiguration. Jesus turning into light. Enlightenment. And there on either side is Elijah, the prophets and Moses, the law. And what it's saying clearly to the disciples that there is a radical change coming where all that has gone before will be transformed into something radically new, called the Kingdom of God. It's important to recognize all the stages that went into this transition, because in a sense, we all go through something like that, leaving behind that which is not really productive and entering into a productive kingdom of God. Closing Prayer Father, we have this major story, and yet we today are living in the final times. We're living in the time of the Kingdom of God. Help us to discern the work that we are engaged in as we continue to move forward and not fall back into things that lead to violence, destruction. The Kingdom of God that is being established is about life, hope, love, connection. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Luke 1:39-47 Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” Reflection If we look at the lives of Mary and Elizabeth, it's hard to imagine what they must have felt. But it's clear in the way they describe their relationship to each other. It's they're there for each other, and they have no ego. They simply are so overwhelmed by the way God has entered into their lives. There's no competition, is just awe that we are being used for something so marvelous, so wonderful. And not even understanding what it would be. Or how much it would cost them. They're the models of humility. Closing Prayer  Father, to be a human being and yet be called into roles that are so powerful and so transforming or destructive. It's amazing how we need to remind ourselves over and over again, that we are surrendering to a plan that you are in charge of, not we, but you are the source of everything, and you are the revealer of the direction we are going. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Matthew 11:11-15 Jesus said to the crowds: “Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.  From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force.  All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John.  And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is to come.  Whoever has ears ought to hear.” Reflection John the Baptist is the one who makes clear the corruption, and the way in which the temple is so designed that it can do nothing more than destroy, it cannot give life. And in emphasizing that, he draws people's attention to what is coming. John the Baptist is the announcer, he is the proclaimer of a kingdom that he will not participate in the way each of us are called and invited to participate in it. Closing Prayer  Father, there are so many signs and wonders that point us to you. Help us to be receptive and open, just as John the Baptist needed people to understand his message of the end of a system, and the announcement of a new system. Help us to proclaim the new Kingdom over and over, by our example, our enthusiasm, our trust. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus said to the crowds: "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Reflection Most of us think about work as something that's a burden. Something we have to do. But Jesus is inviting his disciples to reimagine it. That the work that Jesus has been given is not a work that he does, but a work that God does through him. So what he's longing for his disciples to understand is the yoke of being a follower of Christ is not to be the source of the work, but to be the vessel of the work. And when you understand that, you'll understand how easy it is and how light a burden it is to allow something to work through you, rather than labor at being the source itself. Closing Prayer Father, you keep telling us over and over again you dwell within us, you are in our hearts. When we align our wills to yours, we will find ourselves accomplishing things beyond our imagining. It's not our work, it is our participation in your work. Bless us with that kind of acceptance and peace. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel  Matthew 18:12-14 Jesus said to his disciples: "What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost."  Reflection I often wonder how the disciples would receive a simple story like this, based on their own human experiences of being preoccupied by what is lost and wanting always to find it. Jesus is describing God, God's life in you and in me, and he's saying that he is very, very much engaged in the work of finding us, searching for us, helping us back into the flock. It's a beautiful image of the church, of a community of people who care deeply for one another. Closing Prayer Awaken our imaginations to the beauty of a simple story like this that reminds us over and over again that we don't have a distant God, a God who is not connected to us. He's deeply connected. He's inside of us. He worries about how we're doing, and his energy, his grace, his Holy Spirit guides us always. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel Luke 1:26-38 The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you." But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of Davidhis father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end." But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" And the angel said to her in reply, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God." Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her. Reflection When the angel Gabriel tells Mary that she is to be the mother of the Messiah, he also reveals another special birth. Elizabeth, her cousin, who is way past the time of being able to have a child, is also pregnant, and this child will be named John. It is important to note that John is the necessary link, the transition, the liminal space through which the world will understand fully the corruption of the old, and the beauty and the dignity and the value of the new. Closing Prayer Father, there's a continual work, a continual transformation from religion that has a power over us and a spirit that can enter into us and infuse us with the gifts that we're here to share with one another. Bless us in this continual transition. Never let us get lazy. Let us not fall back to what is simple and easy. Let us continue to work with this great mystery. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices