Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)  

SUNDAY, December 26th    Lk 2:41-52   THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH   “He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.”

Jesus Christ, God become man, was at all times a teacher and example for us how to live in such a way as to grow in holiness and attain heaven! That being said, everything Jesus said and did was deliberate and purposeful to help us to arrive safely in heaven with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, our Blessed Mother Mary, and the angels and saints.

It is interesting then to note that Jesus spent thirty-three years on earth, and only the last three years were spent preaching, teaching, and working miracles, and the last three hours dying on the cross for our salvation.

If Jesus spent most of His time on earth in the hidden and private life in Nazareth, then Family life must be important! In the first chapter of the Bible we read: “God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.’” (Gn 1:27-28a)

On this day honoring the Holy Family, Fr. Ed shows us how to build strong families!

FORTIFYING FAMILIES FOR A FAITHFUL FUTURE by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

The first institution in the world ordained by God Himself is that of the family. There are many names for the family. The Documents of the Second Vatican Council define the family as “The Domestic Church”—in other words, the Church in miniature. Pope Saint John Paul II stated that the family is the basic cell and building block of society. He also asserted that the society will follow the way of the family. World history has given evident proof of the primary importance of the family, as well as the unraveling of the family, such that when the family falls apart, it is just a matter of time until the society declines and disintegrates.

Taking into account the sublime and indispensable importance of the family, let us highlight several positive steps that should be taken to sustain, support, and both defend and protect the family against the multiple attacks on this basic God-given institution. In a word, the future of the world, our country, our society, the Church, and especially the future of our children depends on the family—the Domestic Church. May each and every one of us strive to do our share for the sake of wholesome, holy and strong families!

We will offer a Ten-step Program that will serve as a support-system for the formation, the sustenance, and the salvation of the family. Our prayer and hope will be that this short essay can be compared to a ten-rung ladder by which we can ascend to Heaven by means of the family. Our desire will be that the Holy Family—Jesus, Mary, and St. Joseph will be our models, motivation, and bright stars in the firmament of Heaven to guide us along the way in the midst of much darkness and confusion.

TEN-STEP PROGRAM TO FORTIFY THE FAMILY—THE DOMESTIC CHURCH.

1. HOLY MATRIMONY.

Unfortunately, it is becoming a real plague in modern secular society for many young people to live together in free union, cohabitation or with a civil-union without receiving the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, well received and lived out, confers a specific sacramental grace to help a married couple grow in love with each other, be faithful to each other, be open to life in having children and raising their children in the fear of the Lord, and to love God and all that He desires for us. Without the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, in the words of Jesus, it is like building a house on sand. Beaten by the winds, this house—this unlawful union—will collapse and crumble. (Mt 7:24-27)

2. PRAYER IN THE FAMILY.  

Of paramount importance for the sanctification of the family is the indispensable need for prayer. The famous Rosary-priest, Ven. Father Patrick Peyton launched a Rosary-crusade for the salvation of the family. His intention and desire was to motivate all families to pray the Rosary daily with the famous proverb: “The family that prays together, stays together.” This man of God, enamored with Mary and the Rosary, rallied between 2-3 million people in the Philippines exhorting them to pray the Rosary daily for the salvation of their families and the society and large.

3. SACRAMENTAL LIFE. 

Not only should the couple receive the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, but the family should live out their Catholic faith by the frequent, fervent and faith-filled reception of the Sacraments. Confession monthly for the whole family, no one excluded! Most especially the family should attend Holy Mass every Sunday, and receive the most Holy Eucharist, the sublime Sacrament of the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. God is love and the love of God will be poured into the family through the most Holy Eucharist.

4. BE OPEN TO LIFE.  

Years ago, our ancestors would marry, eagerly desiring the children God would send them, even if it was a numerous family. Today there is a contraceptive mentality permeating the society as a whole. This translates into couples getting married and saying let us see how we can avoid having children, or limit the number to two. All too often this anti-life mentality manifests itself by the practice and use of contraception in the many forms available today. The first command from God in the Bible was: “Be fruitful and multiply.” (Gn 1:28) Let us change the tide and foster, with the help of God’s grace, the acceptance and formation of larger families. In several predominantly Catholic countries, especially in Europe, the Muslims opt for larger families more than the Catholics do!

5. MERCY AND FORGIVENESS IN THE FAMILY. 

One of the most poisonous and pernicious enemies of the salvation of the family is that of growing resentments. Unfortunately, many couples—husbands and wives, live in a constant state of quarreling, fighting, anger, hurtful words, resentments and bitterness. Of course, this poison spills over into the lives of their children. What acid is to our stomach, unforgiveness and resentment are to our soul! Acid will perforate the stomach lining and form ulcers. Unforgiveness and resentments can perforate and destroy the relationship between husband and wife, as well as the family! Let us learn to forgive, not once or twice, but rather, as Jesus stated: “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Mt 18: 22) In other words, always! As the English poet, Alexander Pope, penned so eloquently: “To err is human; to forgive is divine.” The key to forgiveness is to forgive right away and have recourse to prayer so as to win the battle at the outset.

6. COMMUNICATION.

A huge number of families suffer due to a lack of honest, frequent, and fluid communication. Without this basic concept of communication between husband and wife, parents and children, children and their sibling’s, family life suffers gaping wounds. All too often parents believe that they can win the affection and love of their children by buying their children whatever they want. Much more important is giving to their children their time over their money! This is love! Children feel secure when they feel loved!

7. MEAL-TIME: PRIME TIME FOR COMMUNICATION. 

The aim and goal is for Dad and Mom to bring the whole family together, every day if possible, for meal-time. Now here is the big challenge: during the course of the meal (maybe it will be a mere half hour, hopefully much longer!!!) there should be no electronic devices at the table. That is to say, no T.V., Radio, Tablet, Phone, Internet… none of these, so that the family can come together to talk and listen, to laugh and enjoy each other’s company. From the youngest to the oldest, let there be free speech and attentive listening. Respect and love for each member of the family!

8. RENEW THE COURTSHIP / HONEY-MOON SPIRIT. 

Before marrying most couples enjoyed spending long hours and even days with their future spouse. Meals together, dancing on the weekends, walks on the beach, viewing a good movie together, even weekend Retreats—all of these activities were part and parcel of getting to know their future spouse and falling in love. Unfortunately, once married, all these important activities of emotional bonding go by the wayside. Therefore, to maintain the bonds of friendship, love, and growth, the married couple should get away from time to time to be alone with each other, so as to cast wood on the fire of their love-relationship.

9. SUNDAY: THE DAY OF THE LORD AND FAMILY DAY. 

Pope Saint John Paul II in one of his documents Die Domino (The Day of the Lord) insists on the importance of rediscovering and redeeming the importance of living out Sunday—the Lord’s Day. The saintly Pontiff stated that Sunday should be the day to attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to praise and worship the Lord. However, the Pope insists that this should also be family day. The day that family activities can be organized and lived out. Some family activities? Meals together, sports activities, hiking and nature walks, board games, viewing a good movie together, picnics, praying together, visiting the elderly and sick. Sunday indeed is the Lord’s Day and family day. Let us live it out!

10. MARY AND THE FAMILY.

Finally, let us consecrate our families to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, the Mother of the Church, the Mother of each and every one of us, as well as the Mother of our families! Let us consecrate our families to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Let all family members wear the Scapular as a sign of their consecration to Mary and pray the Holy Rosary daily as a family! “The family that prays together, stays together.” (Ven. Father Patrick Peyton) Let all families find their true refuge and haven in two places: The Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) 
Mass during the Day

“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)                          

SATURDAY, Dec. 25th      Jn 1: 1-18     A BLESSED AND MERRY CHRISTMAS! Christmas Mass during the day…  “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.”

The sincerest form of flattery is imitation. That is say, to become like the person we admire. What better Christmas gift to give our Newborn Savior than to become like Him!

JESUS MEEK AND HUMBLE OF HEART, MAKE MY HEART LIKE UNTO THINE… by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

“Jesus meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto thine.” Though short in words and length, this is one of the most renowned prayers addressed to the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Prayer can be lifted up to the Lord Jesus to be contemplated in His Sacred Heart, in any time, any place, any circumstance, and irrespective of our moods, be they good or bad!

As surprising as this may seem, only once does the Lord Jesus describe the characteristics of His most Sacred Heart, to be found in the Gospel of Saint Matthew. The Lord says:  “Come to me all of you who find life burdensome and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart….” (Mt 11:28-30)

As baptized Christians all of us, irrespective of age, culture, living circumstances, and even our past life, are challenged to follow in the footsteps of Christ; if you like, the imitation of Christ.

Of all the virtues that Jesus preached, practiced and lived out to the highest degree, charity wins first place. However, the virtue of humility has a very prominent place in the Life of Christ. Humility should be a virtue that characterizes our life’s pattern.

What is humility? The virtue of humility is not easy to define, much less to practice. A working definition for humility might be the following: “A humble person recognizes that all the good he has done and will do comes from God. On the contrary, the humble person recognizes that all the evil he has done is his own doing.” Saint Teresa of Avila will go so far as to define humility in one word: TRUTH!!! Humility is the truth as to who we are, what we do, and what God sees in us! Saint Teresa of Avila will remind us that humility is walking in the truth.

Saint Augustine, the Doctor of Grace quoted in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, has this to say about humility: “Should I know myself, I would know you, O Lord. Only when humans acknowledge their bad news, will they become ready, glad, grateful recipients of the Good News.” (CCC # 2540)

Even the greatest of God’s creation, the Blessed Virgin Mary, endowed with so many graces, acknowledged that all that she had was a pure gift from God. In her Magnificat Mary proclaims: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. The Almighty has done great things in me and holy is his name….” Mary attributes all the good that she has and has done to the goodness of God Himself.

Therefore, given that the virtue of humility has such powerful effects on the persons who embrace it and practice it, as well as on those who are in contact with those who are truly humble of heart, let us expound upon ways in which we can attain the virtue of humility.

ROAD-MAP AND SIGNPOST FOR THE VIRTUE OF HUMILITY…

1. BEG FOR THE GRACE. 

Saint Ignatius of Loyola in the Spiritual Exercises constantly invites us to imitate the beggars. That is to say: let us beg for the grace to attain the virtue of humility. The Blind Bartimaeus begged for sight; let us beg for humility.

2. ACCEPT CORRECTIONS. 

Even though it really does go against the grain. None of us enjoy receiving corrections, in theology called fraternal corrections—due to our inherent pride. However, when God allows someone to correct us, instead of bristling and becoming defensive, or even attacking that person, we should humbly listen and strive to correct within us what needs to be corrected, and accept submissively the person who has meted out the correction. Ouch!

3. SPIRITUAL DIRECTION. 

Nobody can direct themself adequately for the simple reason that we all have blind spots. For that reason Saint Teresa of Avila, Saint John of the Cross, Saint Ignatius of Loyola and many other saints insist upon the indispensable character of having a spiritual director to pave the way and help us through the meandering valleys, briars, thickets, and potholes on the road to heaven. Humility requires that we submit our judgment to someone with more experience in the spiritual life—that is to say a good spiritual director.

4. CONFESSOR. 

Somewhat related to Spiritual Direction is that of having a stable Confessor to whom we can lay bare our conscience and the state of our soul. We should also submit in humble obedience to the advice of our confessor. These are stepping stones to grow in humility.

5. ACCEPT ADVICE. 

If it is our determined purpose in life to make our own decisions in all times and places, without consulting others for frequent and helpful advice, then we are paving the way to fall into many pitfalls and maybe even off the cliff. Accepting advice from others is not easy but often helpful and even necessary to grow in truth and humility.

6. ACCEPTING HUMILIATIONS. 

Most of us will cringe at the mere notion of the following, but it is a sure means of growing in humility: humbly accepting humiliations when God allows us to be visited by them. They will come, there is no doubt! However, to accept them demands God’s grace, as well our acceptance of God’s grace that comes with the humiliations.

7. HUMBLE SERVICE TOWARDS OTHERS. 

At the Last Supper, not only did Jesus serve the Apostles, but He also knelt down, girded Himself with a towel and humbly washed their feet. This was the chore of a slave in the time of Jesus. Once we put ourselves not in the front, but in the back ready and willing to serve others, then we will have made huge strides in advancing in the virtue of humility.

8. TEMPTED TO PRIDE: CALL TO MIND OUR PAST FAILURES. 

The devil never goes on vacation and often he will attempt to puff us up with pride. A most efficacious remedy when the winds of pride are buffeting at the door of our heart is to call to mind the many times that we have fallen morally, sinned seriously, and God has so quickly and mercifully forgiven us! When we feel tempted to elevate ourselves in pride, we should remember our own moral misery and this will maintain us in humility.

9. CONTEMPLATE THE LIFE OF CHRIST: OUR WAY, TRUTH, AND LIFE.   Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen has preached on the humility of Christ in three different aspects of His Life and Presence. The Life of Christ can truly serve as a model for us but most especially in the realm of the virtue of humility. The following are the three different aspects or dimensions of humility in the Life of Christ.

a) THE INCARNATION.  By this is meant that Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, actually became man. This indeed was a huge humiliation, the lowering, the debasing of Himself for love of us.

b) THE PASSION OF CHRIST.  Sheen, with his typical eloquence, preaches on the astounding humility of Christ manifested with stunning clarity in all of the dimensions of His Passion—from His Agony in the Garden, Scourging at the Pillar, Crowing with thorns, Carrying of the Cross, bitter Crucifixion, the insults launched at Him upon the cross, up until His dying breath. Every aspect and detail of the Passion of Jesus reflected a most profound humility.

c) JESUS’ REAL PRESENCE IN THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS AND BLESSED SACRAMENT.  A still greater, widespread and universal manifestation of humility is related to Jesus’ REAL PRESENCE in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Blessed Sacrament. How often is Mass offered on Sundays and huge numbers of Catholics decide not to show up. Then there are those who show up and do not pay attention to what is going on in the Mass. Worse yet, there are Catholics who attend Mass but receive Holy Communion unworthily in the state of mortal sin. Finally, there are Churches, Chapels, and Sanctuaries where Jesus is truly present in these sacred places but no one comes, even to make a short visit. Not only is this painful to Jesus, but it is also very humiliating. Jesus willing undergoes this humiliation for love of us, and as an example for us of the virtue of humility.

10. FREQUENT SACRAMENTAL CONFESSION. 

Finally, it must be mentioned that the well-prepared and assiduous practice of frequent Confession can definitely be a springboard for launching us into the deep ocean of humility. Having to examine our conscience and recognize our sins is humbling enough. However, to go to the priest—face-to-face or behind the screen—and admit our moral failures is hard. But at the same time, it is a sure path to growth in humility.

In conclusion, friends in Jesus and Mary, the virtue of humility is indispensable on our highway to Heaven. To be sure, in Hell are Satan, the devils, and all those who died imbued with pride—the vice opposed to the virtue of humility. Whereas in Heaven are only those who embraced humility. In truth, they recognized the greatness of God, their total dependence on God, and their gratitude to God for all His abundant Graces and Gifts. Let us close in our striving for humility by meditating on the words of Saint Peter: “Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”  (I Peter: 5:5) May Our Lady, the humble servant of the Lord, attain for us a truly humble heart, humble spirit, and humble style of life!

Friday of the Fourth Week of Advent 
Mass in the Morning

“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)                          

FRIDAY, Dec. 24th   Lk. 1:67-79   “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David.”

Let us walk once again with St. Joseph and Mary carrying the Baby Jesus within her…

Part One: CHRISTMAS CONTEMPLATION by Fr. Ed Broom

Part Two: Christmas Eve and Mary. What was going on the Heart of Mary? by Father Sertillanges

PART ONE

CHRISTMAS CONTEMPLATION TO LIFT UP OUR HEARTS! By Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

All that which surrounds the true reality of Christmas—meaning the birth of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ—is hardship, trial and suffering for these two basic reasons: obedience to the will of the heavenly Father, and love for the salvation of all of humanity, as well as for each and every one of us individually! Let us briefly contemplate the many hardships of good Saint Joseph, as well as the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the Mystery of the birth of the Lord Jesus.

1. THE TRAVEL.  Mary and good Saint Joseph had to travel many miles to arrive at their destination—Bethlehem, the city of David, which translated actually means “the house of bread”. How interesting and meaningful it is that He who would call Himself “The Bread of Life” would be born in Bethlehem “The House of Bread”. Contemplate this painful, but all too true scene of a young pregnant woman—already in her ninth month—traveling many miles mounted on a donkey! How uncomfortable, burdensome, and downright painful to travel as such! The weather? The Gospels do not tell us about the weather, nor the climate. However, we can imagine the cold; we can imagine the searing and cutting winds; we can imagine the real possibility of precipitation, at least some rain. All of this would have added to the suffering of the young maiden and her loving spouse, good Saint Joseph. Obviously the traveling was not done in one day, but would have taken several days. Where would they sleep at night? We really do not know, but possibly some place on the route; no real comfortable shelter to say the least. Bandits along the way, thieves looking for an easy prey, and other suspicious individuals could have been present on this long trek to Bethlehem. Do you think this crossed the mind of good Saint Joseph?

2. ARRIVAL.  After we have traveled and arrived at our destiny, we normally await a warm greeting from relatives or at least friends. This is common courtesy! None of this happened when Saint Joseph arrived with his pregnant wife, mounted on a donkey. Good Saint Joseph made the most sincere efforts to find shelter, but all seemed to be an exercise in futility. After knocking at the door of the inn, or most likely several inns, the response was the same: “There is no room for you in the inn.” In a word, Joseph and Mary with the baby Jesus in her womb received a cold and harsh rejection! All of us know the pain involved in having a door shut in our face, the pain of being rejected! The Holy Family was rejected and this inflicted much pain. However, there was no bitterness on the part of Mary and good Saint Joseph. Despite the pain of rejection, they submitted humbly to will of the Heavenly Father. “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (The Our Father)

3. BIRTHPLACE OF JESUS.  Jesus is both God and man. He is the Creator of the entire universe. All belongs to Him and all flows from His loving and creative power. Ven. Archbishop Fulton Sheen expresses the painful truth most eloquently: “The Creator of the universe had nowhere to be born in His own creation.” Where was He born? Not in a castle, nor in a palace, nor in a luxurious mansion. He was afforded none of these luxuries! He was born in a stable in Bethlehem. This stable was actually a refuge for animals where they could find shelter and rest from inclement weather conditions. Should there be rain or sleet, or the wind kicking up its powerful force—this stable would serve as a sure and secure refuge. What animals might find refuge in this stable? Sheep, lambs, cows, and oxen. The climate and environment? Cold, dirty, musty, damp, smelly from animal remains, to be perfectly blunt and honest. Often I have contemplated good Saint Joseph, once he had safely reached the stable with Mary and gently taken her off the donkey, thinking about how he might heat up the little place. In your contemplation, imagine good Saint Joseph gathering up branches and sticks so as to at least start a small fire to provide Mary and the Baby to be born with some warmth. In your contemplation lend good St. Joseph a hand! All of this, once again, speaks of the great suffering that Mary and Joseph experienced for love of you and me.

4. BIRTH OF JESUS.  Then in the quiet of the night, that Silent Night, as the angels contemplated from heaven, and as the Eternal Father decreed from all eternity, Jesus was born of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was a sweet, peaceful, calm birth in which the ever Blessed Virgin Mary did not lose the glory of her virginity but was indeed Mother—the Mother of God, the Mother of the future Church, and the Mother of each and every one of us in the realm of the spirit. Even though Jesus was born of Mary in the cold, in the night, in the musty damp air, with only hay and a blanket to cover the hard floor of the cave, the overflowing joy of Mary was intense. She who said Yes to the angel in the Annunciation, now brought forth Jesus, the fruit of her womb, the Savior of the entire universe!

5. THE THREAT OF HEROD.  Involved in the Christmas mystery is the person of the wicked King Herod. Insecure, proud and vain, ruthless in intent—the wicked King Herod planned to eliminate the little Child Jesus. Warned by an angel, imagine the suffering of good Saint Joseph and Mary the Mother of Jesus, knowing that this wicked King planned on murdering their Child! Traveling toward Egypt at night, possibly they heard the horses’ hooves of those avidly searching for Jesus. What incredible, almost unspeakable suffering both good Saint Joseph and Mary experienced in this critical moment of the life of the Child Jesus. As we know, the little Jesus was saved. However, the wicked King Herod sent out soldiers who brutally massacred all the holy and innocent little boys two years and under, in and around Bethlehem!

In conclusion, it can be of immense profit for all of us who seek to really live Christmas—the birth of the Lord Jesus—to the fullest extent possible, to contemplate the pain, sufferings, and afflictions that St. Joseph and Mary, the Mother of Jesus, had to undergo to carry out the will of the heavenly Father for our salvation. May the Lord Jesus who was born in the city of Bethlehem be born in the very depths of your mind, heart, and soul this Christmas!

PART TWO:  Christmas Eve and the Heart of Mary by Father Sertillanges

So there are Mary and Joseph without a lodging, wandering through the streets of Bethlehem, urged on by the fall of night and by the time – which is drawing near. It is not difficult to imagine Joseph’s anxiety; who can describe his earnestness and his distress? It was so unexpected, this reception, and so cruel…

As for Mary, the touching preparations mothers make for the birth of their babies should give us some idea of how it must have hurt her. Yet not even the shadow of anxiety could skim the surface of her soul. 

She bore within her the Ordainer of all things, Him who knows all, who can do all. To be worried in His regard would have been childish. As for herself, what did it matter to her? Did she not possess all things, having such a treasure?

When she considered the lot that had been given her, could she envy mothers who were wealthy or comfortable? To suffer, with Jesus under her heart, was a twofold joy to her: it meant sharing the role of the Savior before He entered upon it Himself; it meant carrying the Cross, while carrying Him who would be stretched upon it…

So she went through the winding lanes of Bethlehem without fear, without anxiety. She was waiting upon the will of God; and God poured into her soul, drop by drop, His tranquility, greater far than that of the night rising from the plain and slowly enveloping the lovely slope of the hill.

Meanwhile the ineffable exchange went on: Mary giving to Jesus her blood, her life, the pulsations of her heart; Jesus giving to Mary light, strength, love, patience, and the peace of one possessing God. 

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent

“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)                          

THURSDAY, Dec. 23rd   Lk. 1:57-66   “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.”

We cannot celebrate the coming of Christ at Christmas without acknowledging the herald who prepared the way for the Lord, and the lessons he has to teach us!

SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST POINTS THE WAY TO CHRIST! A GLORIOUS EXAMPLE WORTHY OF IMITATION!!! By Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

“I am the voice crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way for the Lord.’” Again: “I am not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Great Prophet.” Then, “He must increase, and I must decrease.”  And, “I am not even worthy to unfasten his sandal-straps.” All of these expressions resound from the voice and heart of the same person: SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST! Speaking of this person, Jesus exalts him to a sublime degree: “Of all men born of women, none is greater than John the Baptist.”

The lessons that the great Saint John the Baptist can teach us are many. These lessons in virtue can easily motivate all of us, in this precise moment, to abandon a life of sin or mediocrity and pursue a life of heroic virtue, to pursue a life of great holiness. Chapter V of the Dogmatic Constitution of Vatican II Lumen Gentium commands us to holiness of life. This chapter is the Universal Call to Holiness. Jesus stated it succinctly and unequivocally: “Be holy as your heavenly Father is holy.” (Mt 5:48)

Therefore, let us learn from the person of the great Saint John the Baptist to abandon a life of tepidity, lukewarmness and apathy and allow the fire of the Holy Spirit, and the example and prayers of Saint John the Baptist, to ignite an ardent flame within us.

1. MARY AND SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

There is an intimate connection and bond of holiness between Mary and Saint John the Baptist. Mary visited John when he was still in the womb of his mother, Saint Elizabeth. Mary’s word, and the silent presence of Jesus in her womb, caused John the Baptist to leap for joy in the womb of his mother and be filled with the Holy Spirit, resulting in his sanctification. Our Lady’s presence and word can also sanctify each and every one of us.

2. THE PRO-LIFE SAINT. 

In a world characterized by loss of respect for life from the moment of conception until natural death, it is worthy of note that the parents of John welcomed him in their old age. Beyond the normal age of child-bearing, Elizabeth said YES to life and brought forth Saint John the Baptist. Every child in the womb is precious and a true gift from God, endowed with a special mission.

3. DESERT-EXPERIENCE. 

Saint John the Baptist did not launch himself into a flurry of activity right away, nor did Jesus! Jesus spent His formative years in the family of Nazareth. According to tradition, Saint John the Baptist spent long years in the desert preparing himself for his great mission. He was called to prepare the way of the Lord, but he first had to prepare himself. How important the lesson of the Baptist for us! To be successful Apostles we must prepare ourselves by means of prayer, penance, and self-discipline. The more exact and demanding the preparation, the more abundant the apostolic fruits!

4. SILENCE. 

In the desert, far distant from noise and clatter, and the cacophony of strident protests, the Baptist settled in silence, propitious for listening attentively to the Word of God. What a powerful lesson. Pope Benedict XVI, speaking to seminarians in New York, commented on how difficult it is today to hear the voice of the Lord because of the reality of being bombarded by so many alien noises. May Saint John the Baptist help us to cherish silence! “Speak, O Lord, for your servant is listening.” (1 Sam 3:10)

5. PENANCE. 

To soar to the heights in the spiritual life like an eagle, we need two wings: the wings of prayer and penance. In a world imbued with hedonism, sensuality, gluttony, drinking bouts, and the philosophy of pleasure, the lifestyle of the Baptist is a countersign and very counter-cultural! No elegant, gourmet dining for the Baptist! Quite the contrary, his nourishment was locusts and wild honey, being fed from God’s gratuitous gifts of nature.

6. A SIMPLE, FRUGAL LIFE-STYLE. 

How much time, energy, and money are wasted on luxurious buying and having related to wardrobe. Saint John the Baptist challenges us to look deeply into our own buying and having with respect to our wardrobe and dress! How did the Baptist dress? Quite simply: he donned a camel’s fur garment and wore a leather belt around his waist. He had no need for a closet to store extra clothing! Let’s examine our wardrobe and buying sprees from the perspective of the Baptist.

7. HIS PREACHING STYLE AND METHOD. 

The preaching style of the Baptist and his message were simple, direct, and to the point. He did not mince nor waste words. The very essence of his preaching could be summarized in one simple word: CONVERSION!!! Very similar to the first preaching of Jesus: “Be converted; the Kingdom of God is at hand.” (Mk 1:15)

8. HIS DISCIPLES. 

A very interesting note is that of his close disciples; who were they? Actually, some of the Apostles that Jesus chose were already being formed and taught by Saint John the Baptist. Among these were Saint John the Evangelist, as well as Saint Andrew. John the Baptist pointed to Jesus and said, “The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” Hearing this, John and Andrew left the Baptist to follow Jesus. (Jn 1:20, 36-38) What profound humility in the Baptist, allowing his disciples and friends to leave him so that they could follow in the company of Jesus! The Baptist considered himself a mere sign—paving the way and pointing to Jesus! What an example for us!

9. HIS MISSION. 

Saint John the Baptist had no identity-crisis. He knew with utmost clarity who he was, where he was called to be, and exactly what his mission entailed. Baptisms! The latter part of his life, he was called to the Jordan River where he would summon the people to a life of conversion and then he would baptize them. A culminating moment in his life is when Jesus enters the scene at the Jordan River and asks to be baptized by John the Baptist. Despite his feelings of unworthiness, the Baptist humbly submits to the request of Jesus and baptizes the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. In this moment the profound mystery of the Blessed Trinity becomes manifest. The voice of God the Father is heard, Jesus enters into the waters thereby sanctifying all future waters used to baptize, and the Holy Spirit becomes manifest in the presence of the Dove.

10. HIS GLORIOUS GRAND FINALE! 

The Grand Finale of the life of SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST was his glorious death. He was martyred. The primary reason for the glorious death of Saint John the Baptist was his courage in denouncing publicly the adulterous, incestuous and scandalous actions of King Herod. The cowardly and wicked king had actually taken the wife of his brother, Philip, and made her his own. The Kingdom was muted, but not John the Baptist. He raised a clarion voice of denunciation: “It is not right for you to live with her!” (Mt 14:4) For this, John was incarcerated. On the occasion of the birthday of the wicked King and a lascivious dance by his step-daughter, Herod made a rash promise to give the girl whatever she asked for. Her mother, filled with hatred for John, promptly told her daughter to ask for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. King Herod sent executioners to the prison and John was decapitated. This great saint died to defend the indissoluble character of Holy Matrimony and the evil of divorce and adultery. He lost his physical life but gained Heaven for all eternity!

His miraculous conception, his prayerful and penitential preparation in the desert, and a life spent calling for repentance and conversion of life, ultimately leading to the glorious death of Saint John the Baptist, can most splendidly serve as a model for all of us who yearn for a life of authentic holiness. May we ardently desire to live out his virtues: prayer, penance, silence, humility, detachment, mission, love for Jesus, love for the truth, and  undaunted courage to face evil and deceit with a willingness to die for the truth, should the Lord give us the grace! Great and Glorious Saint John the Baptist, pray for us!

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent

“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)                          

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 22nd   Lk. 1:46-56   “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for he has looked with favor upon his lowly servant.”

Mary, greatest woman born of man, proclaims her lowliness, attributing all to God! This is your Mother and mine by grace! As you pray with this meditation, ask yourself, “Who is Mary to me?” Then spend time talking with Mary, listening to Mary, and loving Mary!

GOD’S SPIRITUAL MASTERPIECE—MARY, MOST HOLY!

“Mirror of Justice”, “Seat of Wisdom”, “Cause of our Joy”, “Spiritual Vessel”, “Singular Vessel of Devotion”, “Mystical Rose”, “Tower of David”, “Tower of Ivory”, “House of Gold”, “Ark of the Covenant”, “Gate of Heaven”, “Morning Star”, “Daughter of God the Father”, “Mother of God the Son”, “Mystical Spouse of the Holy Spirit”, “Queen of all Hearts”, “Stella Maris” (Star of the Sea), “God’s Masterpiece of Creation” — all of these and many others are poetical as well as mystical names given to Mary, who is truly the Mother of God, the Mother of the Church, and our own dear Mother in the order of grace!!!

In this short essay we have as our purpose the presentation of ten rather short sayings or proverbs that saints have expressed in honor of Mary, the Mother of God, whom they loved so much in this life, and who are now present loving her in heaven, of course adoring and praising the Blessed Trinity. Mary will never prevent our drawing close to God, as many have asserted in the past and some maintain in the present. On the contrary, the more we get to know and love the Blessed Virgin Mary, then the more we get to know and love the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In fact, Our Lady, Mary most holy is intimately connected with the Blessed Trinity as pointed out by Saint Louis de Montfort. She is the Daughter of the Eternal Father, the Mother of the Incarnate Son, and she is the Mystical Spouse of the Holy Spirit.

The last words we have recorded of Our Lady in Sacred Scripture are found in the context of the Wedding Feast of Cana in Galilee in which she says: “Do whatever He tells you.” (Jn 2:5) This is actually the best advice in the world—if only the world would strive to put into practice these short but all important words!!! The world would be radically transformed for the better!!! In sum, Mary does not distance us from Jesus but draws us close to the Sacred Heart of Jesus that she formed in her womb for nine months! Saint Louis de Montfort teaches us: “Our Lady is the shortest, easiest, and the most efficacious path to Jesus.” Said in one word, Our Lady is the SHORTCUT to God!!!

Therefore, let us read, meditate on and be inspired by the words of what ten saints have expressed in their overflowing love for the Blessed Virgin Mary whom we pray to as “our life, our sweetness, and our hope.” (Hail Holy Queen)

1. OUR LADY AND THE TRINITY—The Cure of Ars / Saint John Marie Vianney, Patron of parish priests and confessors:

“The Eternal Father delights in regarding the Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the masterpiece of His hands. The Son delights in it as the Heart of the Mother, the source from which He received the Blood that redeemed us. The Holy Spirit dwells in Mary as in a temple.”

2. THE PERPETUAL VIRGINITY (ABSOLUTE PURITY) OF MARY MOST HOLY—Saint Augustine, the Doctor of Grace:

“The Virgin Mother gave birth from her fruitful womb and inviolate body, to Him Who became visible for us, to Him by Whom she had been created. While conceiving, she was virgin; while giving birth, she was virgin; a virgin in her pregnancy, a virgin while carrying her son, a virgin forever.”

3. LIVING PERPETUALLY IN THE PRESENCE OF MARY— Saint Bernard, the Mellifluous Doctor:

“Let Mary never be far from your lips or heart. And to obtain the fruit of her prayers, do not forget the example of her life. With her support, you will never fall. Beneath her protection, you will never fear. Under her guidance you will never tire. And with her help, you will reach your heavenly goal.”

4. THE SECRET OF MARY AND GRACE — Saint Louis de Montfort, author of True Devotion to Mary:

“Happy are those to whom the Holy Spirit reveals the Secret of Mary in order that they may come to know her. Happy are those to whom He opens the “Enclosed Garden” that they may enter, and to whom He gives access to the “Sealed Fountain” that they may drink of the living waters of grace.”

5. GRACE OF BEING A SERVANT OF MARY — Saint John Damascene, Eastern Doctor of the Church:

“To serve Mary and to be her courtier is the greatest honor we can possibly possess. For to serve the Queen of Heaven is already to reign on high, and to live under her commands is a greater thing than to govern.”

6. MARY AS OUR SURE AND SECURE REFUGE—Saint Anthony of Padua, the Evangelical Doctor of the Church, also known as “The Hammer of Heretics”:

“Seek refuge in Mary because she is the city of refuge. We know that Moses set up three cities of refuge for anyone who inadvertently killed his neighbor. Now the Lord has established a refuge of mercy, even for those who deliberately commit evil. Mary provides refuge and strength for the sinner.”

7. MARY AS MODEL OF SPEECH AND CONVERSATION—Saint Athanasius, Eastern Doctor of the Church:

“Mary’s words were discreet, and her voice was measured. She did not shout and she was careful not to say anything bad about another person—nor even listen willingly to wrong that was spoken.”

8. MARY MOST HOLY: THE MODEL OF SAINTS — Saint Vincent Palotti, founder of the Palottines:

“Those who have great devotion to Mary not only will be saved but also will, through her intercession, become great saints. Furthermore, their holiness will grow from day to day.”

9. MARY AND THE MOST HOLY ROSARY — Saint Francis de Sales, author of Introduction to the Devout Life and Treatise on Love, and Doctor of the Church:

“My most pleasant task is saying my Rosary and praying to my heavenly Mother. It is the most pure joy of my heart.”

*Saint Pope John Paul II also asserted that the Holy Rosary was his favorite prayer!

10. MARY AS THE STAR OF THE SEA— Saint Thomas Aquinas, the Angelic Doctor and author of the Summa Theologica:

“The Blessed Virgin Mary is called the Star of the Sea. Those who sail the ocean seas are guided to the port they seek by carefully observing the stars. In the same way, Christians are guided to the heavenly glory by keeping their eyes on Mary.”

Friends of Jesus and Mary, spend some time in silent ponder and reflection on these few short but substantial sayings of the saints on their love, devotion, and limitless confidence in the person and intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Like Saint Juan Diego, who encountered Our Lady of Guadalupe, may you cast all of your fears, worries, anxieties, sicknesses, doubts, struggles, even failures into the Hands and Heart of Mary who is truly your Mother, as well as your life, your sweetness, and your hope. Never was it known that anyone who fled to her protection was left unaided!