Tag: Christmas

“And he saw and believed.” | Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 20:1a and 2-8)

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.

When Mary Magdalene tells Peter and John that the tomb is empty, they both run to it. John, the disciple whom Jesus loved and a younger man, runs faster than Peter. Do they run because they know they will find Jesus risen from the dead or because, like Mary Magdalene, they don’t know where Jesus’ body has been taken. They run, knowing that Jesus is no longer in the one place they believed he remained: dead in the tomb. But when they arrive, they find the burial cloths and the cloth that covered Jesus’ head rolled up in a separate place. John tells us this as an answer to their bewilderment, how they each came to believe in the resurrection. In John’s own words as he speaks about what he witnessed: “Then the other disciple went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed.”

Father in heaven, you made visible the Word of life in Jesus your Son. This is the meaning of Christmas, that the Word became incarnate to make all who believe his adopted sons and daughters. Yet, here is the story of the resurrection, a leap from Christmas to Easter, from birth to death to resurrection. The burial cloths, not unlike the swaddling clothes of the infant Jesus, a necessity for the care of a body placed in the tomb, the place where corpses are placed. But Jesus casts off the ritual trappings of death to rise to new life, not for himself only but for all who believe. Help me, God, take this in today; give me the grace to see and believe as Peter and John saw and believed.

From the Gospel acclamation: “We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord;
the glorious company of Apostles praise you.” Saint John, 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.

The Octave Day of Christmas Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.

Today’s Gospel reading follows the passage that describes the appearance of an angel of the Lord to the shepherds. The angel found them keeping watch over their flock and told them: “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” The angel told them that a sign for them would be that of finding Jesus in Bethlehem wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Luke says that all at once there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on who his favor rests.” The shepherds went in haste to find Jesus and told Mary the message of the angel. And Luke tells us Mary’s response: “And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” The shepherds then returned, glorifying and praising God for what they had heard and seen. This Advent and Christmas, I have also been a witness to these things. Now, how do I keep all these things, and what is the way to go about sharing the joy of this message?

God, through the Blessed Virgin Mary—through her yes—marvelous wonders from heaven have been brought to earth. At the announcement of an angel, a multitude of the heavenly host appeared in the sky and gave you the highest praise and glory, “and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” In the first reading, we see this same peace that God bestowed on the Israelites when he said to Moses: “The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!” Give me the grace, Lord, to know and receive your blessing.

The shepherds made known the message to Mary. Merciful Lord, be with me today to make me a messenger of your peace and mercy. “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Let me remember the words of the psalmist: “May God bless us in his mercy.”

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.

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