Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God_New Year's Blessing_010121

Deacon Tom Writes,
“New Year’s Blessing”

Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, Year B 

In today’s First Reading from the Book of Numbers God blesses His people as they journey through the desert headed for the Promised Land. His blessings renew the promises He made to them on Mt. Sinai and instill in their hearts His kindness, His peace and His graciousness.  

One blessing we consider today is that God, in His goodness and mercy, was not satisfied to remain simply an abstract image or a name on the lips of His chosen ones. God planned from the very beginning of time to share in His creation. We are blessed because God revealed Himself to us in the person of Jesus Christ who came to live among us and teach us His ways so that we “may live life to the fullest.”   (JN 10:10)

Today we honor Mary as the Mother of God. We celebrate today what was declared dogma by the Council of Ephesus in the year 431 AD, that Mary IS the Mother of God, Theotokos.  From the earliest days of our faith, people have turned to Mary and sought her intercession.  The Council of Ephesus only confirmed what the people already knew, that Mary was the Mother of God and as such was a refuge for us in our time of need.   

As we turn the page to a new year, one in which we hope the world sees and end to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are profoundly aware of our many needs and those of our families and our world.   Mary, whose love, sacrifice and surrender nurtured the Holy Family, waits for us to turn to her so that she can be an advocate on our behalf. And again, we are so spiritually needy. There is no favor Her Son will not grant her if only we turn to her, for, since the beginning of time, it has been upon her that His favor rests.  

Through the intercessions of Mary, may……
The Lord bless us and keep us!
The Lord let his face shine upon us and be gracious to us!
The Lord look upon us kindly and give us peace!

Wishing you and your families a…Happy, Holy, and Healthy New Year‼!

Deacon Tom 

The Epiphany of the Lord - Hearts That Throb and Overflow_010321

Deacon Tom Writes,

“Hearts That Throb and Overflow”

The Epiphany of the Lord, Year B

Isaiah gives us a vision of the future to tell us what God has in store us. The only way he can describe it is to describe our reaction to the things God is planning. This is how he sums it up, he says that,“(y)our hearts will throb and overflow…at what we see.”

We have just celebrated Christmas, the birth of Christ, our Savior. The most ancient of prophecies has been fulfilled, and we have joined in the festivities. The good news has gone out to all the earth, into every nook and cranny, carried in the hearts and minds of believers throughout the ages. Christ came to restore what was lost – our union with the divine. As our Covid-19 curtailed celebrations wind down, we can ask ourselves these few questions. Are our hearts throbbing?  Are we overflowing with joy, peace, a clam inner spirit? Are we rejoicing because “the glory of the Lord” is shining in us? That’s what we celebrate today, God’ faithfulness to His promises of old, by repairing the breach that separated creatures from the creator, the human from the divine. What profound reasons for our joyous celebration!

The Spirit of Epiphany is one of an awakening to all that surrounds us. Epiphany happens each and every day we chose to surrender ourselves to God and let Him guide our way, our thoughts and our actions. This is what gets our hearts into a constant state of throbbing and keeps them that way. Yes, a new house….exciting for a while; a new car… fun, until the first dinger; the beach house…that will get the blood flowing during the summer. But where can we find the one thing that will fill all of our hearts desires and keep it throbbing? In the most unlikely place possible… in the very quiet within each of us; that place where God most high has chosen to dwell among us.  

May the Spirit of Christ dwelling within us cause our hearts to throb and overflow as we begin this New Year. And may the love within us reach out to others giving them comfort, hope and joy so that their hearts may throb and overflow with the love of the Christ child too.     

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Deacon Tom

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph - Family Life or Family Strife_122720

Deacon Tom Writes,

Family Life or Family Strife?

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Year B

You can’t expect to be on a championship team if you aren’t willing to give it all you’ve got…. plus some. Anyone who’s played sports or whose kids are athletes has heard the coach say, “Give me 120%”!!! Those who want to make the team bad enough will strive to increase their performance so they can achieve their goal. Our human nature is such that we will do whatever it takes to get whatever we want, if, that is, we want it bad enough. 

St Paul’s Letter to the Colossians envisions a quality of life so desirous that we are willing to give everything we’ve got, plus some, to attain it. He is giving us incredible insight on how to live wholesome, faith-filled lives rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ, a life that yields peace, thankfulness, gratitude and harmony for ourselves and those with whom we share our lives, starting with our own family. 

Paul is creating within us the desire to be God’s family. He is giving us the image of what it is like to accept this generous invitation. In a world that was brutal, suspicious, violent, insensitive, uncaring, (gee, it seems nothing has changed!) Paul offers a vision of hope that flows from our identity of being a part of God’s family. He says, “Put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. (We must) bear with one another…forgive one another…settle disputes justly”. What an alternative vision compared to the harsh world around them and the world around us today. Is it any wonder why Christianity grew so rapidly?    

“I have set before you life and death”, we read in the Book of Deuteronomy. “Choose life”, we are commanded. That life that we are called to imitate is modeled after the Holy Family. That is where Jesus came to know and experience the love of a mother and of a father. That is where Jesus came to know of God’s love for Him. Amid the day-to-day life of the Holy Family, Jesus’ conscience was shaped, His love and dependency on God fashioned, His love for God’s Holy People realized. In the safety and security of the Holy Family, Jesus was able to discern the Father’s call. 

As we celebrate this Feast of the Holy Family, let us strive to create an environment for our children and one another that is healthy, safe, loving, respectful, joy-filled, generous, and full of laughter. Let us give our children and one another the space and atmosphere where we can all come to know God’s love, hear His call, and grow together as His children, members of God’s Holy Family. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Deacon Tom