Wednesday, December 6, 2017, St. Nicholas
Isaiah 25:6-10, Psalm 23:1-6, Matthew 15:29-37
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/120617.cfm
DO YOU BELIEVE IN CHRISTMAS?
"This is the Lord for Whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that He has saved us!" -Isaiah 25:9
Christmas is not merely a memory or symbol. It is a real coming of Jesus Christ. We know Jesus has already come and is present everywhere, but we also believe He will come again to us this Christmas.
How will we know when He comes? Will we see Him? Many people have had visions of Jesus (e.g. Acts 9:3ff; 18:9; Rv 1:10ff), but this does not always help them love Christ. Christmas, like life, is not a matter of seeing, but of believing. "Although you have never seen Him, you love Him, and without seeing you now believe in Him, and rejoice with inexpressible joy touched with glory because you are achieving faith's goal, your salvation" (1 Pt 1:8-9). The inexpressible joy of Christmas comes from meeting Jesus, our Savior, through faith.
The real Christmas is a matter of faith. By faith, we can receive and give the following Christmas gifts:
* death destroyed forever (Is 25:8),
* tears wiped away (Is 25:8),
* our reproach removed (Is 25:8),
* salvation (Is 25:9),
* "the mute speaking" (Mt 15:31),
* "the deformed made sound" (Mt 15:31),
* "cripples walking about" (Mt 15:31),
* "the blind seeing" (Mt 15:31), and
* the multiplication of our limited resources (Mt 15:36ff).
Jesus repeatedly said: "Your faith has been your salvation" (e.g. Lk 17:19). It can also be said: "Your faith has been your Christmas."
Prayer: Father, may Your Word help me to hear You. May hearing You strengthen my faith in You and in Christmas (see Rm 10:17).
Promise: "My heart is moved with pity for the crowd." -Mt 15:32
Praise: John was healed of back pain on St. Nicholas Day.
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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from December 1, 2017 through January 31, 2018
?Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 3, 2017
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.
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