Friars Corner: Alive and shining with Jesus

Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29; Rom 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38

I AM PRAYING THAT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HAVE A SAFE AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS AND HOLY SEASON. PEACE AND GREAT JOY.

This year Sunday is the only day of the fourth week of Advent. The readings go back to the covenant God made to give King David, a successor who would rule as Lord and King over all the earth forever. The ancient prophecies are fulfilled in the role a young virgin, Mary, of Nazareth. She would give the human race the Son of God, a human body through which to redirect the human race to God’s plan. Jesus would heal, teach God’s plan and die on a cross to atone for the sins of all humanity.

The birth of this child would not be from a man but the overshadowing of God’s Holy Spirit. This child would be called Son of God and king forever. Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to tell Mary of this good news. His greeting was amazing to Mary. Yet as we meditate on that greeting, we also become amazed, Gabriel says to each of us baptized members of God’s kingdom, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”

Alive with us

Once God’s Son came to earth, He really has not left us, Emmanuel, God with us. Though His resurrected body went back to heaven at His ascension, He found many ways to offer Himself to us each day. At baptism the whole Trinity came to live in us. The more we realize that, the more goodness we possess and can radiate to others.

With Christmas we are celebrating the “birthday” of the greatest person who ever lived on earth. He accomplished the greatest effect in humanity, Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior of the entire human race. What other person’s “birthday” is celebrated almost across the world for almost two thousand years? No one.

Wonder and joy

As we realize and participate in celebrating this great gift, are we more filled with His wonder and joy. Not just on Christmas but every day He wants to draw us closer to His heart of unimaginable love for each of us. That realization can and should electrify us. As it does, our joy and His divine light become more intense in us. We become alive in Christ. Amen! Joy to the world. And with countless angels we can still sing, Glory to God in the highest. O, come let us adore Him, Christ our Lord.

With this great joy filling us, can we help Jesus make our families, parishes, towns, cities, states and nation more “Alive for Jesus?” Let us together make that not just our Christmas and New Years resolution but also the resolution for the rest of our lives. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to set us on fire with more of the intense love of Jesus. Amen. Alleluia!

“Onward Christian soldiers marching as to war, with the” Light of Jesus, going on before. Have a safe and awesome Christmas accepting more of His gifts this year.

Peace and all good,

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Nancy Ward

Nancy Ward writes about conversion, Christian community, and Catholicism. After earning a journalism degree, she worked for the Diocese of Dallas newspaper and the Archbishop Sheen Center for Evangelization, then began her own editing service. She’s a regular contributor to CatholicMom.com, SpiritualDirection.com, CatholicWritersGuild.com, NewEvangelizers.com and a contributing author to The Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion. Now, through her Sharing Your Catholic Faith Story: Tools, Tips, and Testimonies workshops, retreats, book, and DVD, she shares her conversion story at Catholic parishes and conferences, equipping others to share their own stories.

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