Friar’s Corner: The joy we proclaim is Christ Jesus always with us. Alleluia!
Micah 5:1-4a; Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19; Hebrews 10:5-10 Luke 1:39-45
In a little town of Bethlehem our new king was born almost two thousand years ago. The Jewish community had been pointing to the coming Messiah some 500 years before his birth. And we the disciples and followers of Jesus have been proclaiming him for almost 2,000 years. Praise God! God’s Son came to earth taking on our human form to show us how much our God loves us. Once Jesus came to earth he has never left us, Emmanuel, God always with us, Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23. He comes to show us the joy of knowing him and living more fully in his kingdom each day. He is Prince of Peace and eternal, all-powerful King and Lord forever. Every knee shall bend and every tongue proclaim, Jesus Christ is Lord.
The first reading for this Fourth Sunday of Lent speaks of Jesus as being the king in King David’s line who will shepherd his flock by the strength of God. Psalm 80 calls upon the shepherd to come forth in power to save us. We want to stay firmly tied into Christ, the true vine, as his branches bearing fruits of peace, justice and love throughout the world for all peoples. Amen!
In the gospel of St. Luke today the mother of John the Baptism rejoices when she hears Mary’s greeting. John in her womb leapt for joy at Christ’s presence. He would later proclaim Jesus in the true Lamb of God. Mary experienced Jesus living and growing inside her for nine months. Yet we also have a very small "portion" of the Holy Trinity living inside us from our baptism. Unless, however, we tell them to leave through serious sin.
St. John’s first letter begins with an awesome sentence.
"This is what we proclaim to you:
what existed from the beginning,
what we have heard,
what we have seen with our own eyes,
what we have looked upon and touched with our own hands –
we are speaking of the Word of Life, (Christ, our Lord). (1 John 1:1)
In theaters across the country the new Star Wars opened. It is expected to be one of the highest grossing firms. Have we met Jesus in a personal and spiritual way? Do we recognize him in the "breaking of the bread," consecration at every Mass all over the world 24×7? Jesus comes to teach us his love and show us how to love others. He is the best meal on earth, which no money can buy. During this Holy Year of Mercy we are going to be hearing about how our world needs his merciful love. Let us continue to daily pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy begging Jesus to pour out his merciful love on all the terrorists in the world. God’s force is with and within us. Let us beg him to truly activate his divine force within us so we too can be ambassadors of his peace and joy. I shall be praying for you and your families and friends for a great awakening of the real force behind us and åall of creation.
Have a truly blessed and joyful Christmas with Jesus as your most cherished gift.
+ Fr. Bob Hilßz
(© 2015 Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR)
