Domingo de la Sagrada Familia: Proteger nuestras familias del peligro

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La Sagrada Familia, Año A: 26 Diciembre 2010
Sir 3, 3-7.14-17; Sal 127; Col 3, 12-21; Mat 2, 13-15.19-23

En las fiestas de Navidad, celebramos la verdad que el Hijo de Dios, nacido del Padre antes de todos los siglos, asumió la naturaleza humana nuestra en la Encarnación y nació en Belén hace 2000 años. Nuestro Señor se hizo como nosotros en todo menos el pecado; inclusive en crecer en una familia humana. Por eso, dentro de la Octava de Navidad, celebramos la fiesta de la Sagrada Familia: la Sagrada Familia de Jesús y Santa María y San José.

Meditemos un rato en este aspecto del gran misterio de la Encarnación; y veamos cómo podemos hacer nuestras familias semejantes a la Sagrada Familia.

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Holy Family Sunday: Protecting our families from danger

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Holy Family Sunday, Year A: Dec. 26, 2010
Sir 3:2-6, 12-14; Ps 128:1-5; Col 3:12-17; Matt 2:13-15, 19-23

At Christmas we celebrate the truth that the Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, took on our human nature in the Incarnation and was born a baby in Bethlehem some 2000 years ago. Our Lord Jesus became like us in all things but sin. And that includes growing up in a family. And so each year, within this Christmas Octave, usually on Sunday, we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family: celebrating that fact, celebrating that family, with Mary as Jesus’ mother and Joseph as his foster father. And so we take time to meditate upon this aspect of the great mystery of the Incarnation—and also to see how we may model our own families upon the Holy Family.

Can you honor Christmas in your heart, and keep it all the year?

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Christmas, Vigil Mass: December 24, 2010
Isa 62:1-5; Ps 89; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Matt 1:18-25

My brothers and sisters, Merry Christmas!

What a remarkable time of year this is! At what other time throughout the year does everyone, all at once: stop working and take time off, even a whole week or two; travel far away to visit relatives; or host relatives who came a long way to visit them; go to stores that they don’t normally go to; then what they buy they wrap up in colored paper and ribbons; go to lots of parties, including at work; and eat strange food and drink like fruitcake and eggnog?

What a time of year this is. And, in the midst of all this unusual activity, the focus is often on the children.

St. Joseph and the fears of Christmas

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4th Sunday of Advent, Year A: December 18-19, 2010
Isa 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-6; Rom 1:1-7; Matt 1:18-24

The virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” But St. Joseph is afraid, very afraid, early in today’s Gospel reading. He was confused. He didn’t know what to do. The news he had received certainly wasn’t “tidings of comfort and joy” for him. Instead, we might say it was an earthquake.

Why was that? Why was he afraid? Three reasons. First, St. Joseph, we might say, was a man who was born with a target on his back. Because he was a “son of David.” He was a direct descendant of David, who had been king over Israel about 1000 years before that.

The Person of Jesus Christ

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Faith Seeks Understanding: The Truth at the Heart of Christmas, 2 of 3

Father Dan continues a series of classes on the truths at the heart of Christmas (and indeed of our Catholic faith and practice) by unfolding key teaching regarding the Person of Jesus Christ. Our Lord Jesus is true God from true God, consubstantial with the Father; yet also truly became man. Explore how the early ecumenical councils unfolded these truths about our Savior.

Gaudete Sunday: Joy in the waiting

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3rd Sunday of Advent, Year A: Dec. 12, 2010
Isa 35:1-6, 10; Ps 146:6-10; James 5:7-10; Matt 11:2-11

Last Sunday we heard the preaching of John the Baptist in the wilderness. He was baptizing and preaching repentance, to prepare for the coming Messiah. And a big part of his message, you remember, was that there was a judgment coming, with both rewards and punishments: the coming wrath, he said, when the Messiah would gather his wheat into his barn, but burn the chaff with unquenchable fire. [Matt 3:7, 12]

Now today we see John again, but now some time has passed, and he is being held in prison by Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch of Galilee. John could face execution at any time. And from his prison cell he has a question for Jesus: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”

Advent Day of Recollection

In these talks from a Day of Recollection, Father Dan takes John the Baptist as model and guide for us in preparing for the coming of Christ. “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths!”

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1: Called and Prepared (20:28)
2: Friend of the Bridegroom (20:53)
3: Preacher of Repentance (26:01)
4: Faithful to the End (21:34)
5: A Light to the Nations (10:12)

Confession

Audio only: Listen to mp3 file (Length: 58:55) (RCIA)

Father Dan explores many aspects of this Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation: how we feel about it; how and why Christ instituted it; what it means to be contrite; what we need to confess; how penance works; whether there are any sins a priest cannot forgive; and how confession can change your life.

The Holy Trinity

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Faith Seeks Understanding: The Truth at the Heart of Christmas, 1 of 3

Father Dan begins a series of classes on the truths at the heart of Christmas (and indeed of our Catholic faith and practice) by unfolding the dogma of the Holy Trinity. God is one and God is three; but in what respects? Join him on a journey into the very deep waters of getting to know the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

An explanatory Mass in Advent

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During the Advent Season we prepare for the Second Coming of Christ. In talks from an explanatory Mass, Father Dan explores how the Mass is a “pledge of the glory to come” and a participation in the worship of heaven; and how “ad orientem” celebration fits well with Advent. He also introduces us to the sacred vessels and cloths used in the Mass, and ties it all together with a homily on John the Baptist’s message to us.