St. Mary's Church Elizabeth, IL

12/28

Holy Family

As once more we consider the mystery of our Savior's birth, we could say, in a way, it was easy for the Word of God to become one of us, because we are made in God's image.  In another way, it was hard for him to come to us, because we are broken by sin and sorT of unrecognizable as his own.  "He was in the world; the world was there through him and yet the world did net even notice.  He came to his own people, but they did not want him"  (John 1:10-11).  We had turned away from him.  He in turn, had identified with sinners in order to accept and welcome him.  To remedy this alienation Jesus had to die shamefully on the cross, redeeming pride and rebelliousness with his humility and obedience.  Religious leaders of old said, that at Christmas we celebrate three births.  First, the Word, the Son, eternally begotten in the heart of the Father; then that Word took human flesh, born of Mary, and thirdly, God born in the hearts of believers every day and every hour.  The Fathers of the Church declared that the Son of God became one of us that we might become one with him.

Today, Jesus says to us in a special way: "Behold, I stand at the door and knowck" (Revelation 3:20). Do we really welcome him? "To all who did accept him, he gave the right to become God's children" (John 1:12).

Is the room in the inn our hearts?  Is there enough humility in us to realize our need for him and for all the gifts he brings?

The words Ben Sira and Saint Paul use sound too good to be possible: honor, reverence, consideration, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience.  Yes, they are ideals and sometime we fall short, therefore Paul writes that we must bear with one another and forgive one another, as the Lord has forgiven us again and again.  Forgiveness restore our relationships, no matter who is at fault or more to blame.  Our love for each other can make forgiveness easier and more desirable, leading us to reconcilation more easily.

Today, we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family and he knows the conditions of this kind of life because God chose to be born into a family. May God be with us in this reality today.

In a few days, we will be celebrating the start of a new year, and the Blessed Virgin Mary in her role as the Mother of God. Let us celebrate the Incarnation, the Son of God as true God and true man, and the Blessed Mother's essential role in it.

                                                           MAY ALL HAVE A BLESSED NEW YEAR!         

Fr. Joachim

SPECIAL MASS TIME AS FOLLOWS:

JANUARY 1st ST. MARY'S IN ELIZABETH AT 8:30am

JANUARY 1st ST. JOHN'S IN HANOVER AT 10:15am