Is it wrong to have a family? Is it wrong to be in business? Are these secular activities inappropriate for a disciple of Jesus?
The very first call we have is not so much to do something, but to be something.
There are several important things to note about these prestigious visitors. They are Gentiles, not Jews. As Gentiles, they are pagans. In fact the term “Magi” is clearly linked to the word “magic.”
The degree of honor we are bound to give to others is directly proportional to the burden of responsibility that they bear for our sakes. No one has been given more responsibility for us than our parents, and so we must give them more honor and respect than anyone.
To deny Mary the title “Mother of God” would mean that God had not really embraced our humanity so as to become human. Rather, the humanity of Christ is hermetically sealed off from the divinity, as if Jesus were two persons, as if human nature was so distasteful that God, in Christ, had to keep it at arm’s distance.
The element of surprise is critical in warfare. And Christmas was an act of warfare. In fact it was D-Day, the day of deliverance. The preparation had taken centuries, but now it was time for the Conqueror to land in enemy-occupied territory.
In the mystery of God’s plan of salvation, all must happen in its proper time.
When people came, ready to honor John as messiah, he set them straight. He was not the star of the show, only the best supporting actor.
With a little twist, abundance becomes greed, marital love becomes lust, and piety becomes self-righteous hypocrisy. In Advent, these crooked ways must be made straight.
What has our society done with Advent? It has turned it into the shopping days before Christmas. As if we weren’t already distracted enough from the things of God, now it’s time to totally drown out the still, small, voice with the “fa-la-la-la-la” of Christmas carols.
Readings for May 22
Daily Divine Office
“Help me think about Heaven, Lord. You are leading me there. You went to prepare me a place there. What will it be like? You came to earth, lived, suffered, and died so that I would have the possibility of…
May 27th – Pentecost Sunday
Vatican Basilica, at 9:30
PAPAL MASS
Holy Mass
Saint Peter’s Square, at 12:00
Regina Caeli…
“It is clear to me that if we wish to please God and to receive graces in abundance from Him, it is God’s will that these graces should come to us through the hands of Christ in His most holy…
True followers of Christ
St. Rita of Cascia (widow)
Spiritual advice from a Benedictine monastery by Brother Sebastian
Online via live chat
M – F: 6:00-6:30 PM EST
Saturday & Sunday: 3:00 – 5:00 PM EST
Offline via Email 24/7/365
Click on the button at any time and Brother Sebastian will respond
Pasta di San Giuseppe
(St. Joseph Pasta – Pasta with Sardines)
Italians have a great devotion to St Joseph, and the dishes they prepare to celebrate the feast day inevitably have a cute reference to him. Just before you serve…