Today we commemorate the Martyrs of Pratulin, as Blessed Vincent Lewoniuk and Companions (For those in Albuquerque: there is a large icon of this event on the south wall of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, where the different martyrs’ icons hang).

After 1839, the Russian Empire contained one last Byzantine Catholic eparchy, Chelm/ Kholm. All of the others had been shut down in 1839 after some priests and monks of the Greek Catholic Church had supported the Poles in their risings against the Russian Empire.  Kholm had survived, as it technically was a territory under Russian occupation, but not annexed to Russia. There had been a lot of  liturgical latinization: installing side altars, adding Latin Rite-styled devotions, even pulling down icon-screens and bringing in organs in some places. There was also some   polonization of the faithful: in many places Polish was used for sermons,  not Ukrainian or local dialects; Polish hymns were sung; Polish bibles used in the churches.

Tsar Nicholas I decided to destroy this last stronghold of 246,000 faithful and convert it to the Russian Orthodox Church.  Bishops were appointed who were told to de-latinize the parishes. But instead of following examples across the border in the Austrian Empire, Russian Orthodox practices were introduced.  This was to prepare the way for a full suppression. Nicholas expelled a very good bishop to Austria, and appointed a bishop who would follow his directives, Markyl Popel. Under the guise of de-latinizing (and some things he eliminated did not belong in a Greek Catholic church, like organs), he went further and forbade prayers for the Pope, ordered liturgical books from Moscow for the churches, and ordered prayers for the Russian Holy Synod. The faithful, mostly peasants, saw this -correctly – as a drive to convert them to the Russian Orthodox Church.  In 1873, this traitorous bishop declared that as of January 1, 1874, all priests must break with Rome and that the Union would be abolished. Those who refused would be sent to Siberia or put into a prison. This is important to understand what happened at Drelow, another parish: at the end of the Pratulin account. Some parishioners gave up the struggle; others joined the Latin rite parishes if they were available; but a large population later called the “Stubborn Ones” decided to hold out.

Finally, in 1874, Orthodox priests were introduced into the parishes, accompanied by soldiers from the army. In several places where there was resistance, the soldiers engaged in massacre, rape, and looting. The best documented of these was Pratulin.

Vincent Lewoniuk and twelve other men, ages 12 – 50, gathered at the front door of their church onJanuary 24, 1874, to prevent a Russian Orthodox priest coming in to introduce Orthodox faith and rituals in their parish. Vincent opened his shirt to reveal his baptismal cross on his chest. “You can kill me, but you cannot kill the Church.” At that, the soldiers opened fire, killing these thirteen and wounding others. The crucifix which they held was saved by survivors and today hangs in the museum at the site. The bodies of the martyrs were dumped into a common grave, but the Faith they defended held on.

They are exemplars of the apostolate of the laity: defending the Faith unto death. The survivors also show the apostolate of the laity, as the Stubborn Ones maintained secret priests brought in from the Austrian Empire, organized lay-led prayer services, and taught the Byzantine Catholic Faith to the communities.

In 1905, Tsar Nicholas II allowed the Stubborn Ones to become officially Catholic again, but only by joining Latin rite parishes only: 100,000 did so. In 1990, the Byzantine Catholic descendants of this eparchy emerged inBelarusand northernUkrainewith an estimated membership of 80 – 100,000.  Today the Greek Catholic Church struggles in Belarus, waiting for a bishop to be appointed, but that is another story.  These martyrs were declared Blessed by Pope John Paul II.

We face growing challenges to our faith in America. How strong is our own faith as Catholics? What will we do if, God forbid, persecution should come our way?  Will we hold fast, or give it all up?

 

Bl. Vincent Lewoniuk makes his famous statement:  You can kill me, but you cannot kill the Church.

See below for a short account of the Drelow parishioners in 1874

Read more at: “The Servants of God” http://unici.pl/content/view/65.html

“Podlachian Martyrs” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podlachian_martyrs

“Kostomloty” Shrine of the Martyrs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kostom%C5%82oty_(Lublin_Voivodeship)

“Shrine of the Martyrs” (in Polish but Google Chrome gives a good translation) http://www.kostomloty.com/

In Drelow, the priest told the parishioners that it was futile to resist, and he began the Liturgy using the Russian Orthodox book. The people pushed him out of the church, and took the keys from him. The stirring account of what happened next can be read at the link below: 

“The Martyrdom of the Drelow Uniates, 17 January, 1874″ http://www.drelow.siedlce.opoka.org.pl/meczennicy/historia_e.htm

Let us all pray to be strong in our Catholic Faith at all times! 

 

 

 

 

This is a follow up to a Facebook posting I did, of the Conference of Bishops dispersing to live in tough situations. You can read Fides Agency which reports on missionaries and mission areas of the world – a different face of the Church for most of us reading this.

ASIA – Bishops, priests and Asian lay people among the Burmese refugees of ethnic Karen, “the invisible”

Bangkok (Agenzia Fides) – For three days a group of Bishops, priests and Asian lay people live the hardships and sufferings, the extreme poverty of the Burmese refugees of ethnic Karen, camped in refugee camps on the border between Thailand and Myanmar: this is the initiative, part of a program organized by the Office for Human Development of the Federation of the Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) (see Fides 18/01/2012).
Among them was His Exc. Mgr.Berard Toshio Oshikawa, O.F.M. Conv, Bishop of Naha (Okinawa),in Japan, who tells Fides about the “extraordinary experience of sharing the Gospel”: “For us it is a very significant day: to be with the poor, with the victims of grave injustices, he reminds us that the Asian Church, as Paolo VI says, must be a Church of the poor. It is a valuable initiative which we hope has a sequel”.
Fr. Nithiya Sagayam OFM Capp, Executive Secretary of the Office for Human Development of the FABC, organizer of the program is part of the group. Fr. Sagayam explains to Fides: “We live with joy this experience of immersion in poverty. We are in a refugee camp of ethnic Karen, refugees from Burma. I’ve been here for over ten years, in a border area. They have no education, no schools, no medical care, or safety. They are forgotten by all. The Thai government has ceased to provide humanitarian aid and only Caritas and other NGOs provide aid. There is also lack of identity, to the point that they are called “invisible”. In fact, children born here legally do not exist, have no legal status. We want to present an appeal to the Thai government and bring their plight to the attention of the United Nations. Given the changes in Myanmar, some hope to return to their country, but we do not know if it will be possible”.
As explained to Fides, the Bishops and delegates are divided into four groups: one lives among the Burmese refugees; one is housed in a neighborhood of migrant workers; another assist AIDS patients in a clinic; the fourth group spends three days in a rehabilitation center for victims of human trafficking. The program will end, with three days of reflection and comparison, to prepare guidelines and intervention strategies to be presented to the respective Episcopal Conferences. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 19/01/2012)

Bangkok (Agenzia Fides) – For three days a group of Bishops, priests and Asian lay people live the hardships and sufferings, the extreme poverty of the Burmese refugees of ethnic Karen, camped in refugee camps on the border between Thailand and Myanmar: this is the initiative, part of a program organized by the Office for Human Development of the Federation of the Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) (see Fides 18/01/2012).
Among them was His Exc. Mgr.Berard Toshio Oshikawa, O.F.M. Conv, Bishop of Naha (Okinawa),in Japan, who tells Fides about the “extraordinary experience of sharing the Gospel”: “For us it is a very significant day: to be with the poor, with the victims of grave injustices, he reminds us that the Asian Church, as Paolo VI says, must be a Church of the poor. It is a valuable initiative which we hope has a sequel”.
Fr. Nithiya Sagayam OFM Capp, Executive Secretary of the Office for Human Development of the FABC, organizer of the program is part of the group. Fr. Sagayam explains to Fides: “We live with joy this experience of immersion in poverty. We are in a refugee camp of ethnic Karen, refugees from Burma. I’ve been here for over ten years, in a border area. They have no education, no schools, no medical care, or safety. They are forgotten by all. The Thai government has ceased to provide humanitarian aid and only Caritas and other NGOs provide aid. There is also lack of identity, to the point that they are called “invisible”. In fact, children born here legally do not exist, have no legal status. We want to present an appeal to the Thai government and bring their plight to the attention of the United Nations. Given the changes in Myanmar, some hope to return to their country, but we do not know if it will be possible”.
As explained to Fides, the Bishops and delegates are divided into four groups: one lives among the Burmese refugees; one is housed in a neighborhood of migrant workers; another assist AIDS patients in a clinic; the fourth group spends three days in a rehabilitation center for victims of human trafficking. The program will end, with three days of reflection and comparison, to prepare guidelines and intervention strategies to be presented to the respective Episcopal Conferences. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 19/01/2012)

 

P0pe Benedict surprised visiting American bishops with his speech deploring the spread of secularist influence in the US. The bishops were those from our capital city, the military archdiocese, and the Mid-Atlantic region.  He is obviously disturbed by more than the harshness of Secretary Sibelius.

Is the growth of secularism doing this now? When a culture attempts to suppress the dimension of ultimate mystery, and to close the doors to transcendent truth, it inevitably becomes impoverished and falls prey, as the late Pope John Paul II  so clearly saw, to reductionist and totalitarian readings of the human person and the nature of society.

And to those Catholics and secularists who want the Church restricted to the altar and sermons that do not touch on the issues of the day:

 The legitimate separation of Church and State cannot be taken to mean that the Church must be silent on certain issues, nor that the State may choose not to engage, or be engaged by, the voices of committed believers in determining the values which will shape the future of the nation.

Perhaps having grown up in the Third Reich which set out to destroy Christianity, and watching the Communist campaigns in the other half of  Europe push religion into “the altar and sacristy” he might have some real insights into the topic? Darn right he does!

We can never give up our vigilance. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently spoke of guaranteeing freedom of worship instead of freedom of religion, and it took President Obama years to appoint an ambassador for religious rights.  They are – perhaps unwittingly – paving the way for this,  at a time when it is obvious that religious beliefs are paramount for most of the world’s population!

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, our patroness, pray for us to fulfill our duties to your Son!

All you martyrs under communism and fascism, pray for us to be strong!

O Jesus, Who came to us so humbly and loved us to the end, and show us the way to eternal life, help us to proclaim Your Name and our Faith always!

 

 

Read his speech here in a news story :http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-warns-of-grave-threat-to-religious-freedom-in-us    OR the complete text here:

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2012/january/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20120119_bishops-usa_en.html

 

 

 

 

 

Feast: January 18.

Here is an inspiration to young clergy and laymen both. This great Saint, defender of the Person of Jesus Christ, stood up – literally – at the first ecumenical council to do so. He was one of the leading voices atNicaea I against Arianism, and he was only 27. He continued to do so, becoming not only a major leader of theEgyptianChurch, but a renowned theologian as well.

Athanasius was what we call a teenager today, around 15-17 years old, when the Edict of Milan was issued (313). The persecution of Diocletian and Galerius had only ended in 303. He grew up in a church of martyrs and confessors, with stories of the all-too recent violent past, and the heroism of the faithful. Recall that confessors were people who suffered, but did not die, during the persecutions. Thus the churches were often led by priests and deacons who were missing an eye, ear, or limb, or their bodies were twisted or deformed because of violent torture.  At Nicaea I, most of the bishops who came looked like that.  As for martyrs, many of their graves were marked with chapels and altars, and Christians went there to worship. So this deacon who went off to Byzantium’s suburb of Nicaea went with a vivid history of orthodox Christians who were willing to die in defense of the faith given by Christ. And now teachings about Christ were being attacked.

Having seen those persecutions, and having been around the survivors  is a good thing, because though he was elected as the 20^th bishop ofAlexandria in 328 (at the age of 30 or so), he had to lead a new Christian campaign against continued incursions of Arian theology and Arian influence.

He was bishop for over forty years, of which seventeen were spent in exile, exiles he was given by Christian emperors. How sad it must have been for the orthodox  Christians to see such infighting after they were finally able to live in peace! How frustrating for the ordinary person and saint alike!

Athanasius was nicknamed “Athanasius Contra Mundum”: Athanasius against the world, because so many bishops and political leaders still remained Arians. But through his writings, he became a “pillar of the church” according to Gregory Nazianzus. His steady adherence to the True Faith despite church leaders and political leaders urging  him to come over to their side should prove an inspiration to us when we see things we hold dear being despised, and we know that life would be easier if we were to go with the flow.

But as a little boy told me once, to go with the flow was stupid, because if the flow was like a river, only dead fish would go with the flow.  ”And, Father Chris,” he said, “I am smarter than a dead fish.”  Wouldn’t the world be better if a lot of our leaders were smarter than dead fish, and fought against the flow like Saint Athanasius?

The ancient orthodox catholic Church was torn apart by schisms and adoption of heresies. Now we see that some of those adoptions, like the support given to Monophysitism in Athanasius’Egypt,Syria, andPalestinewas due to both language problems and political-cultural issues. Perhaps Saint Athanasius takes some comfort in heaven that today the Catholics, Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox all revere him, and his Creed is used by many main-line Protestant churches. Now, if only everyone could look at his orthodox faith, and find a way to bring us together again, in the  Body of Christ.

In this political year, when many will be asked to give up their beliefs for the sake of peace, or promotion, or to please a loved one, don’t be a dead fish! Don’t go with the flow -we are all smarter than that!

A great Father, a great man, who sought to be holy and to worship and serve our Lord Jesus Christ. May we imitate him well!

here is a Catholic film that I have been waiting to see! The origins of St Josemaria Escriva’s founding of Opus Dei, during the brutal years of the Spanish Civil War. It is now available on DVD: http://www.amazon.com/There-Be-Dragons-Charlie-Cox/dp/B005PM1188/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326135502&sr=8-1   It is also on Netflix so I have put it to the top of my queue.

I have not seen it yet, only the trailers and a clip – but it promises to be a moving film. The LA Times called it a two hour Sunday School sermon, but Catholic critics seem to have been receptive.

We are closing Theophany season on Saturday. There is no abstinence during the octave: alleluia! Some guys in the parish are planning to give up meat and dairy products during Great Lent. The American Church mitigated the Fast after Vatican II, reducing it to Friday abstinence and strict abstinence only on Pure Monday (first day of Great Lent, two days before Ash Wednesday) and Good Friday. But I have seen young Byzantine Catholics and Roman Catholics who attend our church who go for the original strict fast. It is a real challenge in American society and American restaurants to go without meat or dairy products for 40 days plus what they do in the preparation weeks. For those who do not know, we have one week of Meat-fare: farewell to meat. Then after that is the week of Cheese-fare, eliminating all dairy products. On that Sunday night, we begin Great Lent with Vespers, which include the Prayer of Saint Ephrem and the prostrations.  That they are already talking about it, just when the glow of Christmas chocolates and fatty foods is beginning to fade, is pretty impressive to  me.

Please pray for my health, and for some projects I have going. God bless you and protect you and yours!

 

Sunday after Theophany 2012

Let us purify our feelings and our thoughts that we may be full of divine glory. For having seen Christ Who was baptized in the flesh, and Who crushed the head of the wicked one, we shall worthily sing hymns and cry out to Him: Blessed are, O Christ our God, Who have manifested Yourself. Glory to You!

 

  This glorious feast put us on the shores of theJordan riverto be spiritually present at the moment when John poured water on Jesus’ head, the Father spoke, and the Spirit descended in the form a dove: thus the Trinity was revealed. For the Eastern Churches, that is the Epiphany: the manifestation of God. In the West, it is the Adoration of the Magi, and so Christ is manifested to the nations of the Gentiles.

Either way, we are called in this the Year of Faith to set ourselves to the path of helping God to manifest Himself in the places where we live. This calls for a New Evangelization, started by Pope John Paul II, which focused on proclaiming the Gospel to the baptized who have never really heard it, and to those outside of the baptized who long for divine love and guidance.

 

Pope Benedict XVI asks that the local Church (diocese/eparchy) commit itself to this program for 2012:

 

Organising catechetical events, especially for young people and those seeking the meaning of life, helping them to discover the beauty of ecclesial faith.

 

 - Reviewing the reception of Vatican Council II and the Catechism of the Catholic Church in the life and mission of dioceses, particularly in the realm of catechesis.

 

 - Focusing the continuing education of the clergy on the documents of Vatican Council II and on the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

 

 - Organizing penitential celebrations in which all can ask for God’s forgiveness, especially for sins against faith.

 

-          Renewing creative dialogue between faith and reason in the academic and artistic communities, through symposia, meetings and days of study, especially at Catholic universities.

 

In the parishes, the following is proposed:

 

- Intensifying the celebration of the faith in the liturgy, especially in the Eucharist, in which the faith of the Church is proclaimed, celebrated and strengthened. All of the faithful are invited to participate in the Eucharist actively, fruitfully and with awareness.

 

 - Priests should devote greater attention to the study of the documents of Vatican Council II and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, apply this to their pastoral care and offer cycles of homilies on the faith or on certain specific aspects.

 

 - Catechists should hold more firmly to the doctrinal richness of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and guide groups of faithful towards a deeper common understanding thereof.

 

 - Parishes can help to distribute the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and other resources appropriate for families – the primary setting for the transmission of the faith – for example, during the blessing of homes, the Baptism of adults, Confirmation and Marriage.

 

-          Promoting missions and other popular programs in parishes and in the workplace, to help the faithful rediscover the gift of baptismal faith and the task of giving witness.

 

If you have some ideas for either, send them to me via Comments. I am working on an Evangelization and Outreach website, and will be happy to incorporate them, and will happily give credit to you! 

This is an excellent article that gives an overview of what has happened to the Coptic Church of Egypt in the past year, beginning with the attack in Alexandria on Orthodox Christmas (January 7, 2011)  and through the revolution which erupted on January 25, 2011 to today.

http://www.energypublisher.com/a/WFMCQAXHRY40/66127-Egypt–Islam—One-year-after-the-massacre-of-Christians-in-Alexandria-Egypt-seeks-a-way-forward

January 6 is Ephiphany: in the Byzantine Rite, both Catholic and Orthodox, this is the Theophany, where the Holy Trinity is revealed as three distinct Persons at the Baptism of the Lord. For Roman Catholics, it is the revelation of the Infant Jesus as Son of God at the Adoration of the Magi.

The troparion from now until the evening of  January 5th reads:

Make ready, O Zebulon, and prepare yourself, O Nephtali. O River Jordan, stop and receive with joy the Master Who is coming to be baptized. O Adam, rejoice with the first mother, Eve, and do not h ide yourselves as before in Paradise. For, ahving seen you unclothed, Christ appears to clothe you with the first robe; He has appeared to renew all creation.

We work at getting our hearts ready to receive the Lord Who comes to the Jordan river. On the night of the 5th, we will have the Vespers and Great Sanctification of Water, at  7 pm.  This water will be used for house blessings and for ceremonies at home throughout the year.

Let’s get ourselves truly ready for Jesus the Lord!

 

 

 

 

This http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCDqi2LZTPg&feature=g-u&context=G2199e57FUAAAAAAABAA is a 55 minute video of the Divine Liturgy being celebrated by Bishop Milan Sasik, Bishop of Mukachevo, at Saint Anthony the Abbot Church in Rome, at the Russian College (Russicum).

The film was made by the Greek-Catholic television station LOGOS, or Eternal Word, which tapes events for the Mukachevo eparchy. Here they are in one of the poorest districts of Europe, but they have a top-notch production company, along with other top-notch programs in that eparchy. Very cool.

This pilgrimage was in honor of the 75th anniversary of the ordination of Blessed Theodore Romzha, our first bishop martyr, in that very church. Ruthenian students studying in Rome and pilgrims from the Mother Diocese of all  Ruthenian Eparchies and Metropolias attending/ serving/ chanting.

Here is our authentic chant, or Prostopinijie (j is pronounced as ye), sung by clergy and people from the Mother Church. This is a Hierarchical Liturgy. Bishop Sasik, like me, came from a Roman Catholic family but had a deep attraction to the Byzantine Church from an early age. As a young priest, he was sent to assist in the Papal Nunciature (Embassy of the Holy See) in Kiev, capital of newly-independent Ukraine.  There he obtained Byzantine-rite faculties, and was then sent by his Order, the Vincentian Fathers of Slovakia, to serve as a missionary in a Latin-rite church in the small town of Perechyn, Transcarpathia, Ukraine.  Since the Ruthenian Church in Ukraine follows the Old/ Julian Calendar, he was available to help out on holy days, Lent, and the Easter-Pentecost cycle.

As you can read in my book, Finding a Hidden Church, conditions in the Mukachevo eparchy reached a serious crisis in the early 21st century.  The Holy See finally appointed him as Apostolic Administrator, and then finally Eparch/ Bishop. He is a gracious man, always filled with new ideas for apostolate to strengthen the faithful: education, prayer life, social assistance to the poor.

Enjoy the Liturgy – spread it around. It is most definitely authentic chant!

 

 

There are neat shows coming up this week:

Into Great Silence

Wed. Dec. 28 at 1 PM ET & Sat. Dec. 31 at 8 PM ET

 Step into the riveting silence of Philip Groning’s stunning documentary on the spirituality of Carthusian monks. Filmed without narration and very little dialogue at the Monastery of the Grand Chartreuse in France, Mr. Groning captures the brimming vitality of monastic life and the overpowering sound of God.  I saw this at a movie theater here in Albuquerque. It was packed, but there was not one sound until the film ended. One person said:” It is going to be painful to go back outside.” What a powerful film this is! 

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/tv/index.asp#ixzz1hm2Jogsg

The King In Our Midst

Thu. Dec. 29 at 3 AM & 6:30 PM ET

 Eucharistic Adoration is becoming more common in the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Georgia, and other dioceses throughout the United States. Join Charles Molineaux as he explores the power of our Eucharistic King.

     This is not a practice in the Eastern Churches. In the Eastern Churches, the Sacrament is venerated with many incensings, but It is always covered with veils.  The tabernacle is behind the iconostas screen or behind closed curtains. It emphasizes the great mystery which is Christ living among us under the form of the consecrated Bread. 

     But I have always found it profoundly moving that Jesus Himself allows Himself to be exposed, with only a thin piece of glass covering the Host in which He resides, completely vulnerable and so asking us to be vulnerable. Some of the finest men I know are regular adorers of the Blessed Sacrament. I have seen changes in the parishes here which offer it. 

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/tv/index.asp#ixzz1hm1GoxJg

Vatican Radio: The Radio Of The Pope

Fri. Dec. 30 at 1 PM ET & Sat. Dec. 31 at 5 AM ET

Explore the history, development and service of Vatican Radio, sending the gospel across its waves to audiences worldwide, and praised by Pope Benedict XVI for building a “peace-making force” by joining cultures across the world, in the name of the Faith.

 The Chimes

Fri. Dec. 30 at 4 PM ET

Written by Charles Dickens and narrated by Derek Jacobi, this is the story of a poor and discouraged 19th century porter. Chiming church bells magically transport him to the future where his hope is renewed.

 The Eternal City: Pt. 1

Fri. Dec. 30 at 10 PM ET & Sat. Dec. 31 at 2 PM ET

This two-part documentary explores the history and the influence of the Papacy, in Rome and the rest of the Christian world. Brush up on your history in this documentary about Rome, Byzantium, the Papacy and the suffering Church.

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/tv/index.asp#ixzz1hm3V20op

Star of Bethlehem

Thu. Dec. 29 at 2 PM ET

Rick Larson walks you through Biblical and historical clues revealing the incredible significance of the Star of Bethlehem.

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/tv/index.asp#ixzz1hm3rLhUv

New Year’s Eve: Vespers Of Thanksgiving with Pope Benedict XVI

Sat. Dec. 31 at 12 PM ET & 5 PM ET

The Holy Father will preside at the Vespers of Thanksgiving in Saint Peter’s Basilica, and then make a visit to the Christmas Crib in the Square. Remember: the beautiful tree in the Square this year comes from the homeland of the Byzantine-Ruthenian Catholic Church, Transcarpathian Oblast in Ukraine.

---

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/tv/index.asp#ixzz1hm41zbqX

This is the key to our salvation. Today, the day when children run to see their presents under the tree, we are reminded that this is day when God gives to us the greatest present, Himself in the flesh. This great gift, God Incarnate, is given to us. He will die on the tree of the Cross, to free us from the sin committed under the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden.

Let us take time today, please, to sit in wonder. Not at the presents, not at the credit card bill. This day is so often marked by human problems and sin as people fight, or drink or eat to excess. It is up to us Christians to bring human minds back to the source of this day: Jesus is born of the Virgin Mary; Jesus is God in the flesh;  Jesus will give Himself completely at the Last  Supper under the forms of bread and wine (not grape juice!);  Jesus is wrapped in white linens, foreshadowing the wrapping of His body after His death on the Cross which He goes to willingly in order to completely save us; Jesus will rise from the dead in a glorified body, but still the one which He acquired from the Virgin Mary, in order to lead us to divinization; Jesus will send the Holy Spirit to sanctify us and lead us forward in faith.

The Infant blesses with His right hand, spelling out His Name in the Greek initials ICX: Jesus Who will save His people from their sins; Christ, the Anointed One.

The very first prayer of Matins says: Glory and praise to Christ our God Who is born on earth and deifies the human race.  St Athanasius dares to write: “The only begotten Son of God, wanating to make us sharers in His divinity, assumed our nature, so that He made man, might make us gods.”  Thus the writings of the Apostles are fulfilled: John 15:1-4, 1 Corinthians 12, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 2 Peter 1:4, Galatians 4:5-7, 1 Corinthians 6:15, Romans 8:7, Catechism of the Catholic Church:  1129, 1265, 1988, 1391.

Unlike the Protestant reformers who taught that man is corrupt through original sin, because the tendency to evil (concupisence) is insurmountable,  the Catholic Church has taught us always that baptism erases original sin, and imparts the life of Jesus’ grace and turns us back to God as we embark on the spiritual battle to become one again with God! (Catechism 405, 406, 409,457-460.

O joyful Mother of God! Pray for us on this great feast of the birth of your Son, Son of Mary and Son of God, that we will fulfill His plan for us: to be sanctified by the Holy Spirit and be made new in Him so as to partake of the Holy Eucharist and be one with Him.  Blessed Mother of God, O Theotokos: guide us on the way to true life in Jesus Christ, your Son, so that we may open His gift to us today, this day of gift-giving and gift-receiving throughout the world, and become one with Him, through the Sacraments/ the Holy Mysteries of Confession and Eucharist, and participation in His grace, His energies!

O Saint Joseph, protector of the Virgin and the Son of God, your foster-son: show us how to do the will of God immediately as you did so very well (Matthew 1:24, 2:14; 2:21. Ask your foster-Son, who you protected from His enemies and Who you guided to full manhood, teaching Him so well,

-that those who need work in this the Great Recession, will find it, you who are the patron of all workers through your work which was holy in the eyes of God;

-that those struggling with purity and chastity will observe it, through your example of respecting the purity of the ever-virgin Mother of God;

-that those who are close to death will find peace in your example and intercession, you who died in the embrace of Jesus and Mary.

The shepherds were cut off from Israel because they could not fulfill all the obligations of the Law in their constant wandering caring for the flocks but they are the ones whom the angels entrust today with their message: to not only go and find the Babe wrapped snugly in swaddling clothes, and to worship Him, but to do as you did, and joyfully and in the power of God go forth and announce Him to the world as you did to all around Bethelehem (Luke 2:8-17).

 

http://salliesart.blogspot.com/2008_09_01_archive.html