These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. (Lk 2:36-40)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/123024.cfm
For those of us who are “advanced in years,” we have a special role to play in the story of salvation. With our wisdom and experience, we simply point out where God is already at work in the world and in the lives of our younger loved ones, and we serve God in prayer. Today's carol is El Niño Pobre (Christmas of the Poor).
Jesus went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man. (Lk 2:41-52)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122924.cfm
The Holy Family of Nazareth invites all of us to belong. Imagine a family where no one is kicked out, the door is always open for strangers to join, there’s always a place at the table for everyone, and no one leaves the table hungry. Today’s photo is of the Holy Family in Cages. The carol today is called The Whiskers of Saint Joseph.
When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him." Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son. (Mt 2:13-18) https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122824.cfm
The feast of the Holy Innocents reminds us of the ongoing tragic consequences of war and violence have on children and their parents. Those who believe in massive deportations would condemn the Christ Child to certain death. In Colombia the Feast of the Holy Innocents is a day for good natured jokes and gags among friends. The traditional Colombian holiday dessert is natilla & buñuelos. It’s so important they even made a Christmas carol about the making of natilla.
What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life — for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it. (1 Jn 1:1-4)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122724.cfm
In this Octave of Christmas, we celebrate today the Fourth Gospel, the one we call “according to John.” As the gospel itself testifies, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14). Today’s carol (villancico) is very popular in Colombia, Colibrí Navideño (the Hummingbird Carol). Today's photo is of my grandmother's favorite image of the Nativity which she decoupaged.
Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." (Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122624.cfm
“This Christmas, at the beginning of the Jubilee Year, I invite every individual, and all peoples and nations, to find the courage needed to walk through that Door, to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the sound of arms and overcome divisions!” (“URBI ET ORBI" MESSAGE OF POPE FRANCIS, CHRISTMAS 2024). Today we celebrate the heavenly birthday of the first martyr for Christ, Saint Stephen. Today I remember my uncle, +Percy Irving Torp, who was born on this day in 1936 and died on December 30, 1985. Uncle Percy was always a "pilgrim of hope" for me.
