Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (2012)


once again, the priests must insist on the need to pray, to light our soul, to be more and more spiritual. The world, though not bad, sometimes tends many traps and temptations and leads us in a superficial world that we cannot find God. We are here this morning NOT because we receive an order, but because we love and we want to celebrate the central mystery of our Catholic faith.
We have a beautiful nativity scene, and on it are Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus. Take a look at our St. Joseph, if you will…

His face is both serene and quiet. He is peaceful because he takes care of the Son of God; he is quite tranquil and yet very serious. Joseph is serene because he has heard the Lord say to his people: No more shall people call you ‘Forsaken,' (…) for the LORD delights in you[1]. Joseph rejoices and yet he is serene because he knows the very reason this Savior has come: he has come to die for his people.

Looking at Joseph's face he seems perhaps a bit sad. I wonder if he is not sad because of how we receive his son, because of how we follow him… I wonder if Joseph does not ask what Pope Benedict recently asked: «Does humanity of our time need a Savior? The impression is that many think that God is foreign to their own interests. It would seem they have no need of Him; they live as if he did not exist and, worse still, as if He were an "obstacle" that must be removed so they can be fulfilled. Even among believers, we are certain, some allow themselves to be drawn by seductive fantasies and distracted by doctrines which propose false shortcuts to attain happiness»[2].

However, despite its contradictions, anxieties and dramas, and perhaps because of them, today's humanity seeks a way of renewal, of salvation, a Savior, and awaits the coming of the Lord who renews the world and our lives; the coming of Christ, the only true Redeemer of man and of all men… Yes: it is true: false prophets continue to propose a "cheap" salvation, which always ends by causing harsh deceptions, but we have a good choice, we have faith in the Son of God…And here we are this morning celebrating Mass and giving thanks, this is the most important activity of all these days, nothing is bigger than the Mass and receiving the body and blood of the Lord.

I ask you then this morning: Are you happy? Are you fulfilled? Are you at peace and filled with joy? What do you lack? Think about all this at the time of Communion. Think about your relationship with Jesus Christ. Think about what you need to be a better Christian, a better father, a better mom, a better brother, etc…

Let us look at the Nativity scene again and let us hear the words of Saint Augustine: «See, O man, what God has become for you! Take to heart the lesson of this great humility (…) He, obedient, came as a mortal man to a poor, tiny place to stay that by dying He might save the whole humankind…»[3].

Look then, my brother, my sister, to the humility of God born in the manger. Look to God who is love and see this day your salvation! Amen!■


[1] Isaiah 62:4
[2] Pope Benedict XVI, Wednesday Audience Address, 20 December 2006
[3] Saint Augustine, Sermo 6.2. In Johannes Quasten, ed., Ancient Christian Writers: The Works of the Fathers in Translation, Vol. 15, St. Augustine: Sermons for Christmas and Epiphany, trans., Thomas Comerford Lawler (Newman Press: New York, 1952), 93-94.

Y entonces uno se queda con la Iglesia, que me ofrece lo único que debe ofrecerme la Iglesia: el conocimiento de que ya estamos salvados –porque esa es la primera misión de la Iglesia, el anunciar la salvación gracias a Jesucristo- y el camino para alcanzar la alegría, pero sin exclusividades de buen pastor, a través de esa maravilla que es la confesión y los sacramentos. La Iglesia, sin partecitas.

laus deo virginique matris


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