Today’s Thoughts: Our readings today focus on Christology; who Christ is for us. The saints we celebrate today St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory Nazianzen have a smile on their faces as they spent a lot of time talking, writing and defining Christology – the humanness of Christ and the divinity of Christ, or perhaps said differently the mystery of Christ. Who exactly is Christ in our life? How have we come to know him?
For me one of the interesting aspects of our readings is not so much the presentation of Christology, who Christ is but it is the reality of coming to know Christ for ourselves. John the Baptist shows us the way; to know Christ we need to know ourselves, know who we are and who we are not. John knows himself and in knowing who he is, he knows Christ. John the Evangelist in the first reading tells his community to remember who they are and in doing so they will remember and know Christ. It is an age-old process; it is the foundation of our journey of faith – to know ourselves is to know God! Perhaps in these early days of the New Year it might be good to pause and do a little self-reflection, not in a narcissistic way, but in an honest way. Who are we? What do we value? What do we believe? What are our struggles? What are our faults and failings? What are our joys and hopes? As we once again come to recognize and know ourselves, we will once again come to recognize and know our God! Have a holy and blessed Saturday everyone.
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40 Days with St. Paul of the Cross: “I had knowledge of the soul united in a bond of love to the Sacred Humanity and at the same time dissolved and raised to the deep and conscious, felt knowledge of the Divinity. For since Jesus is both God and Man the soul cannot be united in love to the Sacred Humanity without being at the same time dissolved and brought to a deep and conscious, felt knowledge of the Divinity.” (St. Paul of the Cross – January 1, 1721 – Retreat Reflections – Last Day of his 40 Day Retreat)
Today’s Thoughts: All throughout Advent and now into the Christmas season we have been reminded of the story of Mary, a simple woman, blessed, graced by God who when confronted with an opportunity to make a difference in the world did, not just once but again and again. At every turn of life Mary took the opportunity not just to live through but to make a difference, not to waste time but to bring about the loving presence of God. She did it as the Mother of God, she did it as wife to Joseph, she did it as mother to the beloved disciple and she does it as Mother of the Church for us.
Perhaps today is a good day to think about the gift that all mothers give and through the intersession of Mary, the Mother of God, ask God to bless, protect all mothers… Here are a few thoughts from others about mothers... “When you look into your mother’s eyes, you know that is the purest love you can find on this earth.” (Mitch Albom) “Parents rarely let go of their children, so children let go of them. They move on. They move away. The moments that used to define them - a mother's approval, a father's nod - are covered by moments of their own accomplishments. It is not until much later, as the skin sags and the heart weakens, that children understand; their stories, and all their accomplishments, sit atop the stories of their mothers and fathers, stones upon stones, beneath the waters of their lives.” (Mitch Albom) “The truth is, when our mothers held us, rocked us, stroked our heads - none of us ever got enough of that. We all yearn in some way to return to those days when we were completely taken care of - unconditional love, unconditional attention. Most of us didn't get enough.” (Mitch Albom) “There's a story behind everything…but behind all your stories is always your mother's story…because hers is where yours begins.” (Mitch Albom) “I don't know what it is about the food your mother makes for you, especially when it's something that anyone can make - pancakes, meat loaf, tuna salad - but it carries a certain taste of memory.” (Mitch Albom) “Being a mother is an attitude, not a biological relationship.” (Robert A. Heinlein) “When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be. And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be. Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be. Whisper words of wisdom, let it be. (Paul McCartney) "My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (Mary, Mother of Jesus) “In a child's eyes, a mother is a goddess. She can be glorious or terrible, benevolent or filled with wrath, but she commands love either way. I am convinced that this is the greatest power in the universe.” (N.K. Jemisin) “Mothers and their children are in a category all their own. There's no bond so strong in the entire world. No love so instantaneous and forgiving.” (Gail Tsukiyama) Happy Feast of Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God to all mothers, especially expectant mothers! May we also remember all mothers who have passed from us. Happy New Year everyone and have a blessed and joyous 2021. Have a holy and blessed first day of 2021! |
Fr. Paul R. Fagan, C.P. "Preacher on the Run"Just a few thoughts to help you on your journey through life...let me know from time to time what you think... Archives
April 2024
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