Author: James T.

Do not be afraid to take Mary into your home. | Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent

Today’s antiphon, O Adonai: O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power! (Isaiah 11:4–5; 33:22)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 1:18-25)

Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew’s account of the birth of Jesus gives us a glimpse into Joseph’s submission to God’s will. Under the circumstances, his intention was to divorce Mary quietly until the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. Among his first words after identifying Joseph by his Davidic lineage, the angel tells him not to be afraid. Surely, he must have been greatly relieved—overjoyed—to hear that the woman he loved, to whom he is betrothed, remained a virgin. Matthew tells us that all this took place to fulfill what had been said through the prophet, “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel.” When Joseph awakes, he does what the angel commands him and takes Mary into his home. Jesus, Son of God and son of the Virgin Mary, is born to the world fully divine and fully human.

God, help me see Joseph as a model of obedience to your will. Although silent and docile, Joseph speaks clearly as he moves from deciding to divorce Mary quietly to taking his wife into his home as the angel commanded. The transformation he experienced is one that I can seek today and every day, allowing my plans to become overshadowed by God’s. The plans I make, the things I decide, are bound ultimately to fail unless I allow you to do your will through me. “If the Lord does not build the house,” the psalmist prays, “in vain do its builders labor.” Give me the grace, Lord, to know your will and carry it out joyfully.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

“Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.” | Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent

Today’s antiphon, O Sapientia: O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge! (Isaiah 11:2–3; 28:29)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 1:1-17)

Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Presenting the genealogy of Jesus Christ, Matthew traces the lineage of Jesus from Abraham through David to Joseph, the husband of Mary. By his direct connection from Abraham and David, from David to the exile in Babylon, and from the exile to Jesus, Matthew provides a genealogy that establishes Jesus as the Messiah in fulfilling all of God’s promises to the patriarchs. These are the credentials of Jesus the Messiah, establishing his identity. In other words, Jesus is in truth who he claims to be. By including a long list of names, forty-two generations, Matthew provides not only a historical account but also the context of Jesus’ birth within all the breadth of salvation history.

God, you are Wisdom Most High who guides all of creation by your power and love. Teach me the path to knowledge of you. What is there in human wisdom that could compare with yours? Give me the grace to hear and receive your wisdom through scriptures, through the Holy Spirit, and through the sacraments of the Church. You are love itself. Guide me today in your love and make me your instrument; teach me to depend on you, trusting in the way you lead.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

“Where was John’s baptism from?” | Monday of the Third Week of Advent

From the responsorial psalm: “Your ways, O LORD, make known to me; teach me your paths, Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior. Teach me your ways, O Lord.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 21:23-27)

Jesus said to them in reply, “I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things. Where was John’s baptism from? Was it of heavenly or of human origin?”

Jesus is teaching in the temple when the chief priests and elders approach and question him. He responds with another question. The chief priests and elders deliberate among themselves as they face a dilemma. Through his questioning, Jesus reveals their hypocrisy and the complexities they wrestle with in recognizing divine authority, setting the stage for the continuing conflict that would lead to Jesus’ passion and death. Ultimately, the leaders say, “We do not know.” This reflects their inability to see the truth about John and Jesus.

God, help me see clearly in these remaining days of Advent that true authority rests in Jesus Christ your Son. The false authority of consumerism and innumerable media distractions would have me believe I can have at will a joyous Christmas season, and these falsehoods put Christmas ahead of Advent and not the other way. Give me the grace to recognize my true longing for Jesus, who comes as a child in a manger and definitively at the Second Coming on a cloud of glory with the authority to bring a new heaven and a new earth. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” | Third Sunday of Advent

From the responsorial psalm: “God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 3:10-18)

Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

Today we hear the voice of the one who prepares the way of the Lord. Crowds come to John the Baptist asking what they should do. John tells them to be generous with the poor, not to be greedy, and to treat others and oneself justly. The good news that John preaches to the people fills them with hope and expectation, but John is not the Messiah. John baptizes with water, but one mightier than himself will come. The one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire will, as John says, “gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” John prepares the way for Jesus, the one Zephaniah speaks of in the first reading: “The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love.”

“God is indeed my savior,” the psalmist prays, “I am confident and unafraid.” How is it, Lord, that I can make this prayer my prayer? Discouragement comes, but I hear in the first reading don’t be afraid and “be not discouraged.” Saint Paul recognizes anxiety by naming it, not denying it, “but in everything,” he says, “by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.” Lord, you know me and know my needs. Grant me the peace and joy of knowing you are in my midst, a mighty savior who is nearer than I can comprehend. Throughout the day, let me rest with this and trust in it: “My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior.” Come, Holy Spirit, come!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church

From the responsorial psalm: “Once again, O LORD of hosts, look down from heaven, and see; Take care of this vine, and protect what your right hand has planted, the son of man whom you yourself made strong. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 17:9a, 10-13)

As they were coming down from the mountain, the disciples asked Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

Jesus speaks to the disciples immediately after his transformation on the mountain, where Moses and Elijah appear to him. According to Jewish belief, Elijah would appear again before the coming of the Messiah. Jesus makes clear that Elijah has appeared again, referring to John the Baptist and his message of repentance and baptism. Just as people failed to listen to John, they will fail to listen to Jesus, rejecting him and putting him to death on a cross. In indicating that the disciples understand Jesus, Matthew expresses in his account that John brings to fulfillment the role of Elijah in the continuity between the greatest of prophets and the mission of Jesus.

God, help me understand more deeply that regardless of what reality looks like on the surface, you have a plan. Jesus reveals this to the disciples, and in revealing it to them, reveals it to me. As the psalmist prays, in turning to you, we see your face and are saved. “Take care of this vine, and protect what your right hand has planted. . . .” In today’s Gospel, Peter, James, and John had just witnessed the Transfiguration, and they were full of questions. In pondering your glory, Lord, help me turn more and more to your saving power, your plan for me; let me see your face. Saint John of the Cross, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

“To what shall I compare this generation?” | Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr

From the responsorial psalm: “Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked Nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, But delights in the law of the LORD and meditates on his law day and night. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 11:16-19)

Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.'”

Jesus describes to the crowds two depictions of the kingdom of God. In neither of them do people of his generation participate in the revelation of God’s presence. They regarded John’s ascetism as insane and the full participation of Jesus within the community as sinful and indulgent. That leaves for them by their own choice an existence in limbo, neither here nor there. “But wisdom is vindicated by her works,” Jesus tells them. And Isaiah, speaking the word of the LORD, says, “If you would hearken to my commandments, your prosperity would be like a river, and your vindication like the waves of the sea.” To be forgotten by God is to choose to live apart from him in an oblivion that willfully stands outside of his presence.

God, help me listen to your commandments. As you say through Isaiah, teach me what is for my good, and lead me on the way I should go. If the hope of prosperity isn’t enough to lead me on or seems uncertain, give me the grace to desire always to remain in your presence. You, the Holy One of Israel, sent Jesus your Son as incarnate wisdom to lead us out of darkness and into the light of your face. Isn’t that enough to follow where he goes? Saint Lucy, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

“Hail, full of grace!” | Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

From the responsorial psalm: “Blessed are you, daughter, by the Most High God, above all the women on earth; and blessed be the LORD God, the creator of heaven and earth. You are the highest honor of our race.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 1:26-38)

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.”

When the angel Gabriel visits Mary, she has been from the moment of her conception, full of grace. Mary is troubled to receive the message that she will bear a son, that she will name Jesus, and that he will be called Son of the Most High. A virgin, Mary questions how this can be, and Gabriel explains to her that the power of the Most High will overshadow her. In Mary’s fiat, accepting God’s will without fully understanding how his overshadowing will unfold, we have an example of one who is full of Grace and accepts God’s will, letting it be done according to his word. Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Mother, said this to Juan Diego and comes to all of us through his account of the apparitions: “Hear me and understand well, my little son, that nothing should frighten or grieve you. Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who is your Mother?”

God, help me trust you through the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Troubles come, troubling events unfold. Yet, Mary shows me how to respond to all the troubles the world can mount upon me in full force. Because she trusts in you and is completely obedient to your will, she is confident in your love and able to say, “Let not your heart be disturbed.” And so that I can ask her to intercede for me in full confidence, who does Mary say that she is? In her words, she is “in person, the ever-virgin Holy Mary, Mother of God.” Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

“You will find rest for yourselves.” | Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent

From the responsorial psalm: “Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.  O bless the Lord, my soul!”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 11:28-30)

Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

The Lord who invites us to come to him when we are burdened and need rest is the same one in whom Isaiah tells us, “They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength. . . . They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.” And this is the same one we hear of in the Gospel acclamation: “Behold, the Lord comes to save his people; blessed are those prepared to meet him.” So when the labor and burden and weariness do come, we have a source of infinite strength in the Lord who asks us to take up his yoke and find rest.

God, it would seem easy for me to remember to come to you today as the day wears on and I grow tired. But it’s often the opposite. I try harder to make the best of time, eagerly using the gifts and opportunities you give me, just as I should. Yet, why is it so hard to pause and allow myself to learn from you and to recognize that if I let you, you will be beside me to consecrate every effort and to consecrate time itself as your work unfolds? Give me the grace to pause throughout the day, attentive to the way and the truth and the life who invites me to rest in him.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

Parable of the Lost Sheep | Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent

From the responsorial psalm: “Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound; let the plains be joyful and all that is in them! Then let all the trees of the forest rejoice. The Lord our God comes with power.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 18:12-14)

Jesus said to his disciples: “What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.”

In the familiar Parable of the Lost Sheep, Jesus sets an example for the disciples to seek out the sheep that go astray and bring back what was lost with great joy. By asking the opinion of the disciples, and all who hear him, the hypothetical question engages the missionary muscle of the disciples and puts them in the place of their master and teacher. In doing as the Good Shepherd does, the disciples follow God’s will and act through his grace so that not one of these little ones will be lost.

God, help me understand the compassion of Jesus in seeking out the lost sheep. It is both a glimpse into your infinite mercy and example of how to care for others who stray from you, “the little ones.” Isaiah describes the same shepherd who comes to rule us with tenderness and strength: “Here is your God! . . . Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, Carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.” Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.” | Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

From the responsorial psalm: “All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 1:26-38)

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” With these words, the angel Gabriel addresses Mary, telling her not to be afraid and announcing that she will bear a son and name him Jesus, the Son of the Most High. Mary asks how this is possible since she has no relations with a man, and Gabriel explains to her that the “Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” Saying “Nothing will be impossible for God,” Gabriel then hears Mary’s great fiat as she says, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church says this about Mary’s Immaculate Conception: “Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, ‘full of grace’ through God, was redeemed from the moment of her conception.”

God, strengthen my faith. In the Annunciation, your overshadowing love through the Holy Spirit makes possible the redemption of all who call on the name of Jesus Christ, Son of God and son of Mary. Freely choosing to do your will, Mary becomes the vessel of your incarnation that brings to fulfillment all of your promises. If I remember only two lessons from the Annunciation, help me always be unafraid to say yes to your will; and in doing your will, help me live courageously in the realization that through your overshadowing love, nothing is impossible. Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament