Author: yuengerwv

Sirach reminds us that “If we choose, we can keep the commandments”, “if we trust in God, we too shall live”. How often have we made “bad” choices in our lives? Some today want to say there is no sin, everything we do is good. They lie. They lie. They lie. Some people do not want true freedom, they want license. They want to be able to do whatever they desire and sin however they choose without consequences. They get upset when the Church says they are sinning! The bible is quite clear on what behaviors we are to avoid. Fortunately, we have the sacrament of Penance. Do we take advantage of it often? Do we strive to do the good, or do we just say, “it is too much”, “this is the way I am, if you don’t like it too bad!”? Some consider the church too conservative and not responsive to the realities of “today”! They forget they Church is here to help us and guide us and to sometimes correct us if we but listen.
God speaks with a wisdom that is not “of this age”. Do we choose to listen to “the rulers of this age who are passing away”, movie stars, pop icons, those who promote a lifestyle not in union with God’s design?
Some have said the Bible is antiquated and not in touch with the new realities of the new Christian life. Yet Jesus himself said, “1 have not come to abolish the Jaw or the prophets.”
He reminds us that “Whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.” In another passage, he says such persons would be better off with a millstone around their neck and cast into the sea. How many of today’s leaders promote, support, and even encourage the evils proclaimed in the Bible in the name of freedom and equality. To listen to them is to make the choice for hell.

The four readings from scripture this weekend have the happy occurrence of sharing the same basic theme, that of how we live out our faith in relations with our neighbors. The first reading goes to the heart of Abraham’s concept of hospitality. How do we respond to those around us in need? Do we assist them or turn our backs on them? How would we want to be treated if we were in a similar situation as our neighbor? Or do we only see our neighbors as those who live in my same suburb or development? Isaiah tells us that if we do not turn our backs then we shall be like a light breaking forth at dawn. But how quick are we to remove accusations, malicious speech, greed, envy, lust, gluttony and other sins from our treatment of others?
The Psalm reminds us that our actions are seen by others. Do we spread darkness or are we a light to others? Paul tells us he set an example for us. What kind of example are we setting for others?
Jesus challenges us that if we do not live as good disciples, we will cease to be disciples and of what good will we be. Calling ourselves disciples, without being a light to others, we deserve to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. But being a light is not something for ourselves. Being a light has the primary purpose of giving glo to God. By living our lives as good disciples and being a light to others, they then can respond to God’s blessings and give glory to the Father. Remember the old catechism that said we are here to know Him, to love Him, to serve Him. Doing such is not a simple task, but it is an essential task for those who call themselves disciples.

Have you ever been humbled? Some of us in our culture see being humble as a negative characteristic. We seem to think that a humble person is one of low stature and who deserved to be walked over and taken advantage of Yet without humility all we have left is ego. A true balance of self-worth does nor inflate nor deflate our true value as children of God. This theme is continued in the second reading where we hear that no human being might boast before God. Before him none are powerful, none are strong, none of us are wise, none of us count for anyrhiJ1g. All we have and are, are gifts from God, therefore, “Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord,” not in ourselves.
Someone once called the sayings in today’s Gospel the “BE Attitudes”. Jesus reminds us that the way the world sees things is not the way God sees things. How do we view the world and our place in it? What kind of attitude do we have when we sec others? When we sec injustice? When we see those who have suffered loss of a loved one. How do we treat those who have lost their employment? How do we respond when we are persecuted for the sake of righteousness? How do we respond when people insult you and persecute you because of our faith in Jesus?

Have you ever been depressed? Have you walked in darkness and distress and gloom? Even though we are Christians we can still be lost and have difficulties and burdens. This passage reminds us that even in our darkness, gloom, and despair God can still reach us and shatter such as simply as light shatters the darkness. God can remove our yokes and transform us, if we allow him. No one says to do such is easy and simple, but it is possible with God.
How often are we divided into groups? From the moment of birth, we are grouped. By Family. By gender. By weight. By illnesses. By the finances of our parents. By our nationality. By our race. By the religious faith of our parents, or lack thereof. Paul reminds us such arbitrary divisions are not what Christ intended. We are brothers and sister, children of God. First, foremost, always.
In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus’ first response to the execution of John was to get out of harm’s way. To leave the area. But even as he left the area, he was compelled to proclaim the Good News. He not only left the area he invited others to join with him in his ministry. It says that when they were invited “immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.” How quick are we to let go of our comforts and possessions to be Jesus’ disciples? Are we willing to put our relationship with him above everyone and everything in our lives? Such is certainly not a simple task nor an easy one.

I heard someone once say, “Before I was born God gave me certain things to accomplish in my life. Now I am so far behind, I will never die!” When we talk to young people often, we ask them “What would you like to be when you grow up?” Do we even ask ourselves what does God want me to be when I grow up? The prophet said he was formed as his servant from the womb. What jobs, or ministries, or service has God given to me? Have I even considered God in the equation?
Paul points out he was called to be an apostle. How is God calling us? Are we even concerned with God’s call? The Gospel has John pointing the way to Jesus. How much humility did that take? After all people were coming to see John from all over the area. He was the popular “go to” man of his time. Do we have the humility to point to others and say, “I am not the one you seek.” To do such requires an honest appraisal of ourselves and who we are before God, as well as the mission we have been given. Can we be humble like John to point the way to Jesus, without getting our ego involved?

In the first reading the prophet refers to a shining light arriving in Jerusalem. He states that all nations will stream to give glory and praise to the LORD. This is further emphasized with references to the gold and frankincense being offered. Do we treat Jesus as the shining light in our life? Do we offer him the best we have, or do we give him the leftovers? In the Gospel reading we have the civil administration upset at the news of a new king. Sometimes in our world our governments do not like anything or anyone usurping the power they have acquired. Like Herod they will do all they can to suppress the message of the Gospel. Do we continue forward in faith, or do we follow the government leaders blindly?

The first reading tells Moses how the priests are to bless the people. How often do we offer a blessing for those arow1d us? Do parents bless their children each day? Do children bless their parents? I heard a story one time about a woman who lived in a neighborhood in which the homes were being robbed. As she backed out of the drive each day, she would reach out the car window to bless her house and ask God to keep it safe. Her house was the only one in the neighborhood that wasn’t robbed! Many people ask the priest to bless things but do we, as a priestly people, bless each other? Perhaps this New Year is a good time to remember to bless others and ask for their blessings too.

Paul’s letter reminds us we are children of God, heirs to me kingdom. Do we respond as grateful children? Or do we behave like spoiled entitled brats? We remember today Mary as me mother of God. Being a child of God should be a humbling experience. Do we have Mary’s humility?

We have heard the message of Jesus, just as the shepherds did. Do we go forth as me shepherds glorifying and praising God for all we have heard and seen? Or do we keep things to ourselves, saying our faith is a private matter. The Gospel is not intended to be for us as individuals but for us as a community, as a family. Do we share the good news with others?

There are four sets of readings for Christmas.  This is based upon “At the Vigil Mass”.

How many of us have struggled with an important decision? How many of us have asked God to guide us? How many of us were still unsure and asked God for a sign, so we would know His will for us? If we didn’t like the sign. did we then say two out of three? Ahaz, as worried as he was, decided it was better to not tempt the LORD. He had good reason, remember Saul was unwilling to trust in God and paid the price? The world is full of uncertainty and in many cases, even with prayer, fasting and almsgiving, we may not have all the answers we desire. When we do discern, are we paying attention to what God has told us? Do we freeze in our tracks and refuse to budge? Do we second guess ourselves and turn back? Do we move forward anyway? It is not easy when the going gets tough to question a well discerned decision.
The prophet proclaims he will not be silent.  God desires to relate with his people as intimately as a husband his spouse.  Paul provides a synopsis of salvation history, emphasizing that Jesus is the capstone of such.  The Gospel brings out this question to the point of, how do we respond to God’s call in our lives. Joseph is invited to respond, to commit himself to Jesus. First John, who prepared the way. Then Mary who accepted her call. Now Joseph. All three were willing to sacrifice themselves for the call God gave them. What sacrifices are we willing to make to respond to God’s call, or are we Christians of convenience?

How many of us have struggled with an important decision? How many of us have asked God to guide us? How many of us were still unsure and asked God for a sign so we would know His will for us? Tf we didn’t like the sign, did we then say two out of three? Ahaz, as worried as he was, decided it was better to not tempt the LORD. He had good reason, remember Saul \vas unwilling to trust in God and paid the price? The world is full of uncertainty and in many cases, even with prayer, fasting and almsgiving, we may not have all the answers we desire. When we do discern, are we paying attention to what God has told us? Do we freeze in our tracks and refuse to budge? Do we second guess ourselves and turn back? Do we move forward anyway? It is not easy when the going gets tough to question a well discerned decision.
Paul calls himself “a slave of Christ Jesus,” while in our culture today to use the term slave is politically [incorrect, yet the bond that Paul sees is quite correct. We all are called to be slaves for Jesus. Do we do what he has asked for us, regardless of the profit we may seem appropriate? Do we own ourselves, or are we baptized into the body of Jesus? Do we look to see what is best for His body or ours? Do we do things for the sake of His name, or for our glory?
The Gospel brings out this question to the point of how we respond to God’s call in our lives. Joseph is invited to respond as the third person on earth co commit themselves co Jesus. First John, who prepared the way. Then Mary who accepted her call. Now Joseph. All three were willing to sacrifice themselves for the call God gave them, what sacrifices are we willing to make to respond co God’s call, or are we Christians of convenience?

The prophet tells us to, “Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not!” Do we Support and affirm our brothers and sisters in Christ to persevere even when the world seems to want us destroyed? How many Christians are persecuted in our world for their faith? How many in our own country are persecuted for striving to live the Life of a true Christian? Do we support those struggling to live their faith? Here the prophet reminds us it is not just “me and God” it is “us and God”. We are responsible to provide support for our brothers and sisters, encouraging them on the way.
To this end James reminds us to be patient. We must make our hearts firm and support the weak hearts of our neighbors. Do we do the good without complaining?
John heard of Jesus and sent his disciples to check out Jesus. Jesus responded that his works speak for themselves. How many people are attracted only to those who appear successful? John would have attracted many, until he became a political liability. Even as a liability he continued to proclaim the truth. Many in our culture are attracted to those who are successful, rich, and seemingly powerful in the eyes of the world. Do we allow ourselves to be blinded by the worldly success of others?