The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) – Mass During the Day
“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25th Lk. 2: 15-20 “They went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.”
Part 1: Christmas Graces… by Pope Francis
Part 2: JESUS, YOU ARE THE CENTER OF MY LIFE! By Father Ed Broom, OMV
PART ONE: Christmas Graces… by Pope Francis
A great light shines forth (Is 9:1); the light of Jesus’ birth shines all about us. Our heart was already joyful in awaiting this moment; now that joy abounds and overflows, for the promise has been at last fulfilled.
Today, the Son of God is born, and everything changes. The Savior of the world comes to partake of our human nature; no longer are we alone and forsaken. The Virgin offers us her Son as the beginning of a new life. The true light has come to illumine our lives so often beset by the darkness of sin. Today we once more discover who we are! Tonight we have been shown the way to reach the journey’s end. Now must we put away all fear and dread, for the light shows us the path to Bethlehem. We must not be laggards; we are not permitted to stand idle. We must set out to see our Savior lying in a manger. This is the reason for our joy and gladness: this Child has been born to us; He was given to us, as Isaiah proclaims (cf. 9:5). If we take Him in our arms and let ourselves be embraced by Him, He will bring us unending peace of heart.
From now on, the way of authentic liberation and perennial redemption is open to every man and woman who is simple of heart. In a society so often intoxicated by consumerism and hedonism, wealth and extravagance, appearances and narcissism, this Child calls us to act soberly, in other words, in a way that is simple, balanced, consistent, capable of seeing and doing what is essential… to discern and to do God’s will. Amid a culture of indifference which not infrequently turns ruthless, our style of life should instead be devout, filled with empathy, compassion, and mercy, drawn daily from the wellspring of prayer.
Like the shepherds of Bethlehem, may we too, with eyes full of amazement and wonder, gaze upon the Child Jesus, the Son of God. And in His presence may our hearts burst forth in prayer: “Show us, Lord, your mercy, and grant us your salvation” (Ps. 85:8).
PART 2: JESUS, YOU ARE THE CENTER OF MY LIFE! By Father Ed Broom, OMV
Jesus Christ is the center of all human history, the alpha and the omega, the principle and foundation, the beginning and the end, the key that unlocks eternal life to all who believe and place their trust in Him. By His Incarnation, life, death, and Resurrection, Jesus has divided history into two blocks of time: B.C. and A.D. Never has any other person come onto the stage of human history and had such a huge impact, and He did this all in no more than 33 years.
The following exposition in its essence is a prayer to Jesus. The short prayer expressions or prayer gems are taken from Sacred Scripture, most of them from the texts of the Gospels. If you like, these are Christological titles transformed into short prayers. It is our intention and desire that you will very slowly pray over these titles in imitation of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, who pondered the Word of God in her Immaculate Heart. A second fruitful use of these Christological Titles is to take one Title and Bible Passage daily as the meditation for your holy hour, thereby praying and drawing fruit from these titles for several days!
CHRISTOLOGICAL TITLES TRANSFORMED INTO PRAYER…
Titles for Jesus are many and rich indeed! Let us learn to pray, to really talk to Jesus through the many and various titles inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus, you are the Bread of Life, give me a growing hunger and insatiable thirst for you. (Jn. 6:25-71)
Jesus, you are The Good Shepherd, grant me the deep inner security that I am never really alone because you are walking next to me, by my side, and you are guiding me by your rod and your staff. (Psalm 23/Jn. 10:1-18)
Jesus, you are truly The Resurrection and The Life, attain for me an ardent yearning to live with you for all eternity in heaven. (Jn. 11:1-44)
Jesus, your name means Savior, I beg you to stretch out your gentle but strong hand to save me. Lord Jesus, save me from doubt, from my inner fears and anxieties, from my lack of trust in your Divine Providence. Lord Jesus, in the midst of the storms of life, when it seems as if my life is on the verge of capsizing and sinking, descend upon me with your calm and peace. Lead me to a safe haven. (Lk. 1:26-38; Mt. 14:22-33)
Jesus you are truly The Divine Physician, The Divine Doctor, I implore you to touch me with your hand and heal me. (Mt. Chapters 8 and 9) Lord Jesus, I admit my infirmities. Heal my mind with your light. Heal my soul with your grace. Heal my memory with your peace. Heal my body with your strength.
Jesus, you are the best of all Teachers. As I sit before you, I beg for your light to truly become my Teacher. (Jn. 3:2; Jn. 7:14; Jn. 20:16; Mt. 4:23; Mt. 7:29; Lk. 4:15; Mk. 6:34) I thank you for the Gospels (Good News) in which I can sit at your feet and absorb and drink in the Words of your Truth. (The Four Gospels)
Jesus, you are The Way, the Truth, and the Life. Pave the way for me on the highway to heaven. Inundate me with the rays of your truth. Finally, attain for me eternal life in heaven. (Jn. 14:6)
Jesus, you are The Alpha and Omega, the Principle and Foundation of my life. Attain for me fullness of life by having you at the very center of my life—my thoughts, words, decisions, and actions. (Rev. 22:13)
Jesus, you said: I am the Light of the world, cast out the dark regions present in my mind, memory, understanding, intentions, and my life. Shine on me and in me, so that your Presence in my life may enlighten many others. (Jn. 8:12)
Jesus, you are truly the Logos—the Word of God issuing forth from the Eternal Father. May your Words be engraved deeply in my whole being so that I will be a living expression of your truth in the world. (Jn. 1:1)
Jesus, you are Emmanuel—God with us! Jesus, in this journey of life heading toward our eternal destiny—heaven, may I constantly be aware of your gentle and consoling presence. May my prayer be that of the disciples on the road to Emmaus: “Stay with us, for the day is far spent.” (Lk. 24:29)
Jesus, you are the Christ-Messiah, the Anointed One. Through Baptism and Confirmation, I have received a double-anointing. I implore you to anoint my thoughts and words so that I will be an anointed presence for my brothers and sisters. (I Jn. 5:1)
Jesus, you indeed are “The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” By your Precious Blood that I receive through the Sacraments of Confession and Communion, may I be cleansed and purified of all my past and present sins and live in the liberty of the sons and daughters of God. (Jn. 1:29)
Jesus, you are the Healing Hand that saves. Stretch out your hand to touch my festering wounds and heal me, as well as all of suffering humanity. (Mt. 8:1-4)
Jesus, you are indeed the Wounded-Healer. Indeed, it is by your wounds that we are healed. May I seek refuge in your wounds, especially your wounded Sacred Heart! Indeed, this is my true and eternal refuge. (Is. 53:5)
Jesus, you are the Friend who is always faithful. May I always experience you as a true Friend, willing to walk with me, talk with me, welcome me, and be present to me. You indeed are the true Friend who will never fail me. (Jn. 15:15)
Jesus, you are the Son of God made man. I am eternally grateful to you for becoming like us in all things except sin. I praise and thank you for assuming your humanity from the Blessed Virgin Mary. (Lk. 1:35)
Jesus, you are The Lord of Lords and The King of Kings. As such I adore you and pay you homage as King. Jesus, as King I beg you to reign over my whole being: reign over my mind, my thoughts, my imagination, my feelings, my intentions, my desires, my will, my body and soul in time and for all eternity. (Rev. 19:16)
Jesus, you indeed are the Crucified Savior. May my love and devotion to you result in crucifying and putting to death all in me that is unworthy of you—that is to say, sin and all of its negative effects. We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. (Mt. 27:32-56)
Jesus, your Most Sacred Heart is a burning furnace of charity. Set my heart on fire with love for you and with love for souls. You said: “I have come to cast fire on the earth and I am not at peace until that fire be enkindled.” Lord Jesus, give me that fire! (Lk. 12:49)
Jesus, you are the Son of God, the Son of man, and the Son of Mary! Through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your loving Mother, may I arrive at a deeper knowledge of you, a deeper love for you, a deeper understanding of you, and a more earnest yearning and longing to follow you all the days of my life! Jesus, Son of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may you be the very center of my life, now and for all eternity. Amen. (Mk. 6:3)
Copyright 2020 Oblates of the Virgin Mary
St. Peter Chanel Church, Hawaiian Gardens, CA
