January 2020

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time “A” – January 26, 2020

From the Pastor /

The scriptures use the contrast between darkness and light to describe our relationship with God. “The people that walked in darkness” were the people of Israel, who, on account of their infidelity to God, found themselves in exile in Babylon, longing to return to their own land, their homes and their religious practices. The future was dark for them until the prophet Isaiah started to shine the light of hope. Their exile did come to an end. They did return to their own land. Their Temple was rebuilt and religious practice was restored, but they were still in the dark. By the time of Jesus, it was the Romans keeping the Jewish people as a subject nation, and they did so with the collaboration of the puppet king, Herod, and greedy self-serving tax collectors. St. Matthew describes the coming of Jesus in these same prophetic terms, “The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light.” The darkness is not the darkness of oppression. It is the whole of humanity. Jesus is the light of the world. The revolutionary project that Jesus starts is far from a political revolt. It involves a real change of heart and it starts with faith: faith in God, but, first of all, faith in ourselves. Do I really believe that God loves me and has called me into a relationship of love? This is the project of Jesus, to change the world by changing one person at a time. In today’s Gospel, we see Jesus at the beginning of His project to bring this new light, this new revelation, into the world. With small group, which gradually increases to 12, Jesus goes around proclaiming the Good News, teaching and healing. Their mission is to capture the hearts and minds of people.

This is still the mission of the disciples of Jesus, to help all people to discover that their true destiny is to live in love with God and with each other. The challenge for us today is to recognize the real darkness. Many of us believe that human success and fulfillment lie in the acquisition of wealth and knowledge. Our life project will be very different if we start from our self-awareness: who do I think I am? If I really believe that I am beloved son or daughter of God, then I must start by asking, “What does God want me to be?” When Jesus is the light in my life, I am going to see myself and the world I live in very differently. Let us take up the invitation to follow Jesus. Let us ask for eyes that see as He sees, and for the courage to respond to the needs of our world with His love and compassion.

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Holy Family Solemnity “A” – January 5, 2020

From the Pastor /

Today’s Gospel provides two accounts of important journeys.

The Holy Family flee for their lives to Egypt because of the persecution of king Herod who is about to slaughter the Holy Innocents. Joseph shows his trust in God when he listens to the angel who appears to him in a dream and takes action to protect his family. Mary and Joseph with Jesus, head south by the coastal road towards Gaza, the desert and Egypt. Parents will be able to imagine the fear of Mary for her child. Their future is unknown and they can depend only on each other and God. Their example serves to encourage and strengthen families who flee for their lives.

Later they travel back to Nazareth, the home town of Mary. Life is to be more stable and Joseph as carpenter will work as a carpenter. He would be like so many of the people in the Church who have traveled to find work in the building trade and on construction sites.

The flight into Egypt is a reminder that Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers and found a new life in the kingdom of the Pharaohs. Although this Joseph was a victim of betrayal in his family, God protected him and later reunited his family around him. We, as baptized, are called into God’s family and to serve, love and build our families in faith and prayer.

Today’s Solemnity is an invitation to give thanks to God for the gift of our families, especially when the family is scattered by distance and circumstance. God is working in our families to help us grow in faith. The family is the first school of love. Such love can be difficult when children are to be looked after, elderly parents cared for, and events bring tragedy into family life. The example of the first Joseph promises the hope of reconciliation when there is betrayal or division. The Holy Family can inspire our actions. We entrust our families to the care of the Holy Family.

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