Monthly Archives: January 2023

God’s Children

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The first reading for today is taken from the Letter to the Hebrews, chapter 2 that begins an exhortation to remain firm in the faith and not simply drift away. The exhortation is rooted in Hebrews 1 which argued that since the Son is superior to the angels, the message of salvation he brought is even more to be obeyed than the law of Moses, which came through angels.  Here in Chapter 2, the argument takes a new angle to argue that Christ is superior to the angels. Previously it was argued that Christ was superior as the Son of God; here he is superior because he is a human being. Continue reading →

Things to wonder about

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The two semifinal games in the college football playoff (CFB) series were great games for fans and spectators alike. There was lots of exciting plays and the games came down to nail-biter finishes. Last night’s championship game did not share those characteristics as the University of Georgia (UGA) overwhelmed TCU. I watched the first half finish with a score of 38-7 and then decided to read a book for the rest of the evening. A few moments later I received a text from a friend who wondered if the 2nd half television advertisers were going to receive a rebate/discount as non-UGA fans began to turn off the broadcast. Turns out it is a flat-fee arrangement, but what the future holds in terms of rebates or discounts, … something to wonder about. Actually, I’ve already spent too much time on the topic.

Covenant People

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Today marks the end of the Liturgical season of Christmas as we celebrate the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. Throughout the Christmas season we have heard the titles and honorifics: Messiah, Wonder Counselor, Prince of Peace; but today, we hear the simple most intrinsic of all. This day the gospel proclaims the identity of Jesus: “This is my beloved Son.” (Mt 3:17). Continue reading →

The Next Day

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This coming Sunday is the 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time in Lectionary Cycle A during which the Gospel of Matthew is the primary source of Sunday gospel readings. Having made that point, our gospel for today is taken from the Gospel of John. It is a well chosen gospel that follows our celebration of the Epiphany of the Lord in which the epiphenia  or revelation of Jesus was the primary theme – one shared with our Sunday gospel. Continue reading →

Your light has come

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“We three kings of Orient are. Bearing gifts we traverse so far, field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.” So begins one of our familiar Christmas carols. At the end of the gospel account we are simply told that warned in a dream left by another way, not returning to Jerusalem and King Herod. They came expecting to find a newborn child within the settings of the royal court. They found a child born among the poor on the margins of life. The followed the light of a star to come before the One for whom the first reading proclaims: “Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance.” (Is 60:3) Now that the magi have encountered the Light of Christ, how will they walk into their unfolding future? What light will mark the pathway of their lives? I wonder if they no longer looked to the night sky for direction in their lives, but somehow looked to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for how to live. What did their encounter with the Christ Child reveal to them? Continue reading →

Heartbeats

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“Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Lk 2:19). I think there are times in our lives when the world comes at us relentlessly. There is a part of us that wants to understand the situations, dissect them, get to the core of it, so that we can be in control. In St. Luke’s telling of the coming of the Christ child, the events unfold at what may have been a frightening pace for Mary who was likely just a teenager. Once Mary gave her consent to God’s plan, the waves and tidal forces of salvation history swept her along at what must have been a dizzying pace.  The events of the Annunciation and Visitation – had something similar happened in my life, I don’t think I would have treasured all these things and pondered them in my heart. But she did. Continue reading →