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.
I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time. (Lk 1:5-25)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121924.cfm
What a perfect punishment for a priest . . . Zechariah will be mute until the birth of John the Baptist! As we continue to read the Infancy Gospels in Matthew and Luke in this last part of Advent, the time of the O Antiphons, we hear again the promise that God fulfills in the coming of the Christ. In honor of the Root of Jesse, today’s photo is of the Duffee Oak in Mobile, Alabama.
Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 72)
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
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.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121824.cfm
In a world run by billionaires, justice for the poor has never been very popular. Yet, it is precisely the poor, the lowly and the afflicted who have the heart of the One whose coming we await. Perhaps this Season of Advent offers us the opportunity to open our hearts as well.
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. (Mt 1:1-17)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121724.cfm
Today begins the second part of Advent, the time of the O Antiphons. I remember one of the catechists in Mexico whose last name was very liturgical: De la O (of the O Antiphons!). Doing the family genealogy is always fascinating and sometimes shocking because of the little details that are discovered. Even the Lord has grandparents, great grandparents and great great grandparents with stories to tell! Today's photo is of my family tree.
The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor, the utterance of the man whose eye is true, The utterance of one who hears what God says, and knows what the Most High knows, Of one who sees what the Almighty sees, enraptured, and with eyes unveiled. I see him, though not now; I behold him, though not near: A star shall advance from Jacob, and a staff shall rise from Israel. (Num 24:2-7, 15-17a)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121624.cfm
As far back as the Book of Numbers we encounter these haunting words of Balaam about a star and the one whose coming the star announces. As we come to these final days of Advent, the Star becomes a sign of the one we await.
Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:4-7)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121524.cfm
In the midst of Advent waiting, the liturgy invites us to rejoice because the Lord is near. In many countries the Novena for Christmas or Las Posadas are about to begin. Everyone is making final preparations for the great feast. Saint Paul has some good suggestions for us in these final days of Advent: Be kind, Don’t be anxious, Pray and ask for what you need, and Give thanks.
