Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious

“Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton “ 
Artist and Date are UNKNOWN

Biographical Information about St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Alternate Readings for the Memorial of St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton may be taken from the Common of Holy Men and Women.

 

For those who celebrate Epiphany on January 6^th, Mass readings are taken from January 4^th, Christmas Weekday (#208)

 

Readings for Monday following Epiphany[1][2]

 

Readings from the Jerusalem Bible

 

Commentary:

 

Reading 1: 1 John 3:22–4:6

 

Commentary on 1 Jn 3:22–4:6

 

The ending of Chapter 3 from St. John’s first epistle speaks of Christians living a life of faith in Jesus, and how, in that faith, they are assured, through mutual love, that we are in the Lord and the Lord also resides in us. In adhering to this most important of commandments, the Lord becomes indwelling. As a consequence of our obedience, the love of Christ and love of each other naturally follows.

 

The beginning of Chapter 4 (“Beloved, do not trust every spirit…”) returns to the central theme of St. John’s letter, “false teachers.” “Deception is possible in spiritual phenomena and may be tested by its relation to Christian doctrine (cf 1 Corinthians 12:3): those who fail to acknowledge Jesus Christ in the flesh are false prophets and belong to the antichrist. Even though these false prophets are well received in the world, the Christian who belongs to God has a greater power in the truth.”[4]

 

CCC: 1 Jn 3:19-24 2845; 1 Jn 3:22 2631; 1 Jn 4 2822; 1 Jn 4:2-3 465; 1 Jn 4:2 423, 463; 1 Jn 4:3 672

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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 2:7bc-8, 10-12a

 

R. (8ab) I will give you all the nations for an inheritance.

 

Commentary on Ps 2:7bc-8, 10-12a

 

Psalm 2 is one of the “Royal Psalms.” In this passage we are reminded that God has adopted us as His sons and daughters. The language used is the formal adoption language of the time. The second strophe gives force to the service to God required by that adoption.

 

CCC:  Ps 2:7-8 2606; Ps 2:7 441, 653, 2836

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Gospel: Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25

 

Commentary on Mt 4:12-17, 23-25

 

The events in this Gospel passage take place just following Jesus’ trial in the desert. St. John the Baptist has accomplished his mission in baptizing Jesus and has been arrested. Jesus now takes up his mission, proclaiming the Kingdom of God. The Gospel quotes Isaiah (Isaiah 8:22-9:1) to emphasize that the messianic mission and prophecy are being fulfilled. The key elements of the mission are laid out as he reveals God’s love. These elements are teaching, proclaiming the gospel (the Good News of the Kingdom of God), and healing.

 

The summary provided serves as an introduction to the Sermon on the Mount which follows in the next section. Omitted from this part of the Gospel, in verses 18-22, is the call of the first disciples.

 

CCC: Mt 4:17 1720, 1989; Mt 4:24 1503

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Reflection:

 

Mercy Theme: Counseling the doubtful

 

We have, to be somewhat clichéd, “seen the light”.  The guiding star, that morning star that never sets, has led the Magi to the manger. Light has burst upon the world as the Savior is worshiped by the contingent of gentile leaders representing the entire non-Jewish world.

 

The scripture provided today catapults us forward in time to the period immediately following the Lord’s trial in the desert, which in turn followed his baptism by the Baptist in the Jordan.  We are told that John the Baptist was arrested.  In all of the Gospels, this is like a starter’s pistol going off.  From that moment, the Lord begins his spectacular, but short, public ministry.  For those reading this story for the first time, the fate of John the Baptists would feel like a warning of things to come for Jesus, and they would be right.  Some of the same forces that snatched John away from his ministry of calling the people to repentance would later be marshaled against Jesus himself. 

 

What message do we take away from this flow of events?  We are still rejoicing in the warmth of Christmas and recharged in the Epiphany.  The season is not over yet.  The Baptism of the Lord which we will celebrate next Sunday actually launches us into Ordinary (extraordinary) Time.

 

Perhaps we would best look at St. John’s first letter for a more pragmatic instruction.  He makes it clear that our call is to be faithful to the first and greatest commandment of Jesus: Love God and love one another.  Anyone who tells us that this is not the most important imperative of our lives is leading us down dark paths.  And in this season of joy, St. John once more reminds us that the one who came from the virgin’s womb came so that the love of God might be revealed through him.  In that love, demonstrated so clearly in the mission summarized by Saint Matthew, we see not only our call but our hope. 

 

Today let us rededicate ourselves to the mission of Christ who came to show the Love of God to the world.  Let us be instruments of that love and echo the Lord’s divine revelation to all we meet.

 

Pax

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[1] S.S. Commemoratio

[2] The picture is “Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton “ Artist and Date are UNKNOWN

[4] See NAB footnote on 1 John 4:1-6

The Epiphany of the Lord

 

Outside the United States where The Epiphany is celebrated on January 6, the Second Sunday after Christmas is celebrated.

 

Catechism Links[1]

CCC 528, 724: the Epiphany

CCC 280, 529, 748, 1165, 2466, 2715: Christ the light of the nations

CCC 60, 442, 674, 755, 767, 774-776, 781, 831: the Church, sacrament of human unity

“Adoration of the Magi” by Bartolomeo Biscaino, c. 1650

 

Readings for the Feast of the Epiphany[2][3]

 

Readings from the Jerusalem Bible

 

 

Commentary:

 

Reading I: Isaiah 60:1-6

 

Commentary on Is 60:1-6

 

The Church sees, in the images of Isaiah’s prophecy, symbols of her universality. We hear echoes of Isaiah’s prophetic vision of the coming of Christ and what that means (“See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the Lord shines, and over you appears his glory.”) Verses 5 and 6 give clear reference to the arrival of the Magi as the Prophet envisions the gifts of gold and frankincense being brought from the east in praise of the Lord.

 

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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13

 

R. (cf. 11)  Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

 

Commentary on Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13

 

Psalm 72 is one of the Royal Psalms. The psalmist exhorts God to bless the king and his dynasty ("...and with your justice, the king’s son"). References are made to messianic peace which will be a perpetual blessing for a land ruled by God's justice. In the third strophe, the singer describes kings bringing gifts, and finally in the fourth strophe we see another image of the messianic kingdom of peace and justice, care for the poor. Seen in the context of the incarnation of the Messiah, the song is prophetic, announcing the coming Savior and providing an early image of the Magi.

 

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Reading II: Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6

 

Commentary on Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6

 

Paul, in his Letter to the Ephesians, makes reference to the revelation by God of his Only Begotten Son through various means to all peoples. He mentions specifically that the Apostles and prophets have been lead to enlightenment by the Holy Spirit and now the Gentiles (see Acts 9:15) . The reference traces the predictive revelation from the prophets who foresaw the coming of the Messiah, to the Apostles who walked with him, to Paul whose mission to the Gentiles fulfills the global mission of Jesus.

 

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Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

 

Commentary on Mt 2:1-12

 

Matthew's Gospel tells the story of the Magi (whom tradition holds were named Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar) coming to pay homage to Jesus. The story holds significance not only as a principal event in the life of Jesus, but also as a symbol of the Lord’s universal revelation. Scripture and tradition teach that the Magi were from Persia and were not Hebrew. Their participation in the revelation of the Messiah provides a global element to the coming of Christ.

 

Scriptural references would have held importance for the Jewish readers of St. Matthew’s Gospel. They would have recognized the reference to “his star at its rising” as being a reference to Numbers 24:17; his star rising from Jacob – a reference to the coming of the Davidic King – the Messiah. The Gospel supports this idea, citing Micah 5:1-3 which in turn is coupled with 2 Samuel 5:2, confirming the kingship of the coming Messiah.

 

While this story provides depth and meaning to the coming of Christ as a universal symbol of salvation, it also sets the stage for other events in the life of Jesus. Had Herod not been made aware of the prophecy, he would not later have dispatched his solders to Bethlehem to slaughter the Holy Innocents, and Joseph would not have been forced to flee to Egypt with a babe in arms.

 

CCC: Mt 2:1-12 486; Mt 2:1 528; Mt 2:2 439, 528; Mt 2:4-6 528; Mt 2:11 724

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Homily:

 

Less than two weeks ago we were full of anticipation as we waited for the birth of “baby Jesus” and the grand celebration that took place.  For most of the Christians in the United States, that day, Christmas Day, marked the beginning and end of the celebration of our Lord’s incarnation.  Most protestant traditions do not mark the feasts the Catholic Church celebrates in the Christmas season.

 

Lest we forget, here is what has happened so far this year:

 

·         December 26^th, Feast of St. Stephen- First martyr of the Church and one of the first Deacons.

·         December 27^th, Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph- remembering the sacrifices and trials of the earthly parents of the Savior; celebrating their lives.

·         December 28^th, Feast of The Holy Innocents- Memorializing the infants slaughtered in Bethlehem by Herod in an attempt to kill the newborn King.

·         January 1^st, The Solemnity of Mary – the Octave Day of Christmas- where we celebrate in a special way the Mother of God, Mary Most Holy and her witness to God in the world.

 

Following the Octave of Christmas which was packed with the power of God’s revelation, we continued our celebration of Christmas in the balance of the week remembering especially two great saints of the Church

 

·         Sts. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen from the 4^th century;

 

While many of brothers and sisters celebrate this weekend as a time when Christmas decorations come down, we recall another momentous sign that salvation has come into the world; the Feast of the Epiphany.

 

Indeed today we think about the symbol that tells the world that Jesus did not come just for the Jewish people, but for all people of all nations.  Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, the Three Kings, represent all of us and today we consider their legacy.

 

As we pray about the trek of Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, we are reminded how difficult that journey must have been. We forget how difficult travel was in the past.  When our three “Wise men” set out following the Morning Star, they did not know how long they would be gone.  They did not know what difficulties they would face along the way.  They must have prepared very well, not just physically, but mentally as well.  What we know for sure is they were compelled to go by a belief in what they would find.  Do you think, as they sat so many nights out in the deserted lands they passed through, they ever thought; “What am I doing here?”  If they had lesser convictions in the hope they took on their journey they would have turned back or stopped.

 

Their success in arriving at the manger is a testament to their faith.  They brought gifts of homage to help the Holy Family who would soon flee to Egypt to avoid Herod’s hatred that would spill the blood of many children in that little hamlet of Bethlehem.  What we know for sure, because we have seen the man Jesus would later become, is that the gift treasured most by the infant savior was the gift of their faith in him.

 

As we consider these remarkable travelers, we must also consider our journey of faith as analogous to theirs.  We are on a journey of unknown duration and distance.  If we are faithful in our trek, as Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar were in theirs, we will face challenges and dangers along the way.  They prepared for a difficult journey and so must we.

 

Our Holy Father established a Jubilee Year of Mercy.  Less than a month ago he opened the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica on December 8^th, 2015.  In doing so he established a special time for us.  We are called to show mercy to others and to take solace as mercy is shown to us.

 

Often we do not listen carefully to the Psalm sung during the Mass.  We are too busy trying to remember our response.  Today, in the final strophe of Psalm 72 (one of the Royal Psalms) we heard these words:

 

For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,

and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.

He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;

the lives of the poor he shall save.

 

King David sang this song prophetically, looking ahead to a time when God’s justice and mercy would prevail over all the earth.  Now, at the Epiphany of the Lord, we prepare to follow in the footsteps of Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar in our own journey to the Lord.  In doing so we remember that our faith calls upon us to practice the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy:

 

(In case anyone can’t remember them, we will remind you.  Oh, and notice I am reading them, not reciting them from memory.  One of my resolutions this year is to dedicate one week to each of them.  That way I will develop the Jesus reflex, acting as the Lord would without thinking.)

  

The Spiritual Works of Mercy are:

 

·         Counseling the doubtful

·         Instructing the ignorant

·         Admonishing the sinner

·         Comforting the sorrowful

·         Forgiving injuries

·         Bearing wrongs patiently

·         Praying for the living and the dead

 

The Corporal Works of Mercy are:

 

·         Feed the hungry

·         Give drink to the thirsty

·         Shelter the homeless

·         Visit the sick

·         Visit the prisoners

·         Bury the dead

·         Give alms to the poor

 

Whatever the obstacles, we must be prepared. Our dialogue with God in prayer will help us. Following Christ’s example of mercy will strengthen us.

 

Today we pause once more to remember that heartwarming scene: Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus resting in a manger, welcoming the Magi as they honor and worship the young Messiah.  We rejoice with them, hoping our own journey will find the same great prize waiting for us at its end, our Lord, welcoming us into his heavenly kingdom.

 

Pax

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[1] Catechism links are taken from the Homiletic Directory, Published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 29 June 2014

[2] S.S. Commemoratio

[3] The picture is “Adoration of the Magi” by Bartolomeo Biscaino, c. 1650

 

Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Saint Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church

 

 

“Saints Basil and Gregory” 
Artist and Date UNKNOWN

 Proper for the Memorial of Sts. Basil the Great

And Gregory Nazianzen

 

Readings for January 2^nd[1][2]

 

Readings from the Jerusalem Bible

 

Commentary:

 

Reading 1: 1 John 2:22-28

 

Commentary on 1 Jn 2:22-28

 

The first paragraph of this reading from St. John’s first epistle is important in that it clearly establishes the sameness of essence in God the Father and God the Son. Anyone who denies one denies both, and anyone who teaches that either one or the other does not exist is a “False Teacher.”

 

St. John continues encouraging his followers to remain faithful to what they were taught about the Father and the Son. In doing so they open the door to eternal life, in doing so they may stand with confidence before the Son when he returns on the last day.

 

There is in the selection regarding false teaching a definition of the antichrist as one who denies the Father and the Son. This would seem to indicate that the Johannine community was being assailed by teachers of false doctrines. St. John goes on to encourage them to remember that Jesus is the Son of God, the Anointed One, and that they in turn have been anointed in His name. There is the implication, although not an explicit definition, of the Holy Spirit as well: “...his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not false.”

 

CCC: 1 Jn 2:22 675; 1 Jn 2:23 454; 1 Jn 2:27 91, 695; 1 Jn 2:28 2778

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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4

 

R. (3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

 

Commentary on Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4

 

Psalm 98 is a song of praise and thanksgiving. We see in this selection how God is praised for the strength he lends his people, and the salvation he brings to those who are faithful. The psalm rejoices in God’s salvation. The Lord has revealed his compassion toward the people and they sing his praises in response. The Hebrews saw this as salvation for the people of Israel from its enemies. Christians see the deeper expression of God’s love as he sent his Son for salvation and justice for the whole world.

 

Used during the Christmas season, the New Song is sung. This is an excellent example of how Christians, heirs to the Judeo-Christian truth, can see clearly in these ancient texts the references to the Christ: “The Lord has made his salvation known.” It is this event about which we “sing joyfully to the Lord.”

 

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Gospel: John 1:19-28

 

Commentary on Jn 1:19-28

 

This is the formal introduction to St. John’s Gospel. In it the author addresses the question of St. John the Baptist’s role in God’s plan. The Jews from Jerusalem (Priests and Levites from the Temple) ask the Baptist who he is. It is John’s humility, or perhaps his own lack of understanding, that he does not even admit to being a prophet (although the language did say “The Prophet, most likely Moses). In one breath he denies the title, and in the very next he quotes the Prophet Isaiah as being one sent to herald the coming of the Messiah. (It is almost certain that, given the Baptist’s appearance and demeanor, some of the Jews from Jerusalem were convinced he was Elijah, whose coming was thought to be the sign that the Messiah was at hand. Malachi 3:23)

 

In union with the synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, John’s Gospel now relates how the Baptist informed those who question him that there was one coming after him who was greater than he. The one who follows, the Messiah, comes with a better baptism. He does not say, as the synoptic Gospels do, that the Christ will baptize with the Holy Spirit.

 

CCC: Jn 1:19 575, 613; Jn 1:23 719

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Reflection:

 

For many of us, today is the day we go back to the routine interrupted by our anticipation, preparation, and celebration of the events of a week ago. The Church continues to celebrate the Nativity event, holding on to the joy that is the birth of our Lord until we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany.

 

While the Church continues its celebration, we face our work, home, or school with renewed vigor and some resolutions for the New Year. With any luck, our Advent exercise let us know we needed to include some spiritual element with the weight loss, spend less, or save more resolutions so popular and so difficult to follow through on.

 

It is rather appropriate that we are given, on this first day following the great Solemnity of Mary, what seems to be a Gospel story about the very beginning. St. John the Baptist’s mission leads us, almost immediately, to the Baptism of the Lord (we will celebrate that event a week from this Sunday’s Epiphany). With the Baptism of the Lord, we are launched into Jesus’ formal ministry as an adult. All that we promised we would do during Advent must be acted upon the as we liturgically move through the winter months.  Hopefully, we will have held true to our promises until we reach our Lenten celebration, where the snow will melt and new crops will be planted. We are in training, like athletes before the big game. Let us take pages from the books of the Saints like Gregory and Basil, the two friends whose feast day we celebrate.  In their honor we conclude our reflection today with the concluding prayer for companions in Christ as presented in the Liturgy of the Hours:

 

God our Father,

you inspired the Church

with the example and teaching of your saints Basil and Gregory. 

In humility may we come to know your truth

and put it into action with faith and love.

 

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God for ever and ever. – Amen

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[1] S.S. Commemoratio

[2] The icon is “Saints Basil and Gregory” Artist and Date UNKNOWN