Gospel Reflections for December 31 2017
A Perfect Family?
Looking at the statues of the Holy Family in our Nativity Scene can be inspirational …and intimidating. They all look so perfect and holy, and perhaps …so different from our family. What makes them so holy?
There were actually many problems Mary and Joseph faced. They had every reason to be stressed out, like so many families today. After all, Mary conceived a child outside the normal way, and perhaps not entirely understood by all her relatives. They had a difficult journey to Bethlehem and were not greeted with much hospitality there. King Herod was jealous and sought their harm. Yet they all seem so serene in our Nativity scene. Perhaps looking closely at our statues reveals the secret to happiness.
Mary and Joseph, the Shepherds, and even the Magi are all focused on Jesus.
That is the answer. Keep your attention focused on Our Lord. Only He can show us how to live well. Jesus came precisely to show us how to be a fulfilled human person. Who else would know how a human being should live and behave than God who created us …and He lovingly sent His Son to show us just how a human life should be lived. Jesus was always at peace.
At St. Bruno, we only want to show you this authentic person of Jesus, so that you will know how to find peace as well. We have a number of programs coming up to do just that.
JANUARY 20TH THE UNIVERSITY SERIES CATALOG DISTRIBUTION. Every year, we host a large multi-parish adult education program during Lent that connects our faith with real life called “The University Series.” Last year, attendance was over 3500 people. On that Sunday you’ll receive the University Series catalog, with more than 50 sessions on topics of our faith from highly motivated speakers. This year, we welcome St. Bruno, St. Mary, and now Beatitudes parishes to the program.
JANUARY 28TH: ST. BRUNO SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE. Meeting Our Lord and receiving a first-rate education is the purpose of our school. St. Bruno has one of the largest single class elementary schools in the Archdiocese, and we welcome you to tour our wonderful facilities. You should see the latest in Catholic school education that day!
Let’s make this New Year a time to meet Our Lord in new and powerful ways!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
What better way to meet our Lord than through education! We have to study his Word in order to know his teaching and imitate him. Congratulations to St. Bruno Parish for the University Series and the St. Bruno School!
Dear Father Dave,
I, too, join Wes Stupar in congratulating your parish Catholic School and you for your tireless work in illuminating our faith.
To maintain, no matter what, a focus on Jesus, His life and teachings, takes prayer and practice, but I know it can be done. It has been an enormous comfort in the recent loss of our grandson.
God bless you now and always.
Kathleen
A great reflection and insight on the creche, Mary, Joseph, kings and shepherds….”focus on Jesus.” Through Catholic Bible Study, I am learning and loving Jesus more all the time. He is always the One I am thankful for every day. I am nothing without Him.
Love your beautiful words Father Dave!!! Jesus is our life!! Life is soooooooooooooooooooooo beautiful because our Jesus taught us the meaning of love!!!To share His love with others helps to create a precious world of loving, caring and sharing!! Love your University series and Dick and I are honored to be presenting “Mary, A Woman In Love” once again!!! Love sharing our Jesus’ and our Blessed Mother’s love to everyone!!! Your Catholic School sounds fabulous!!! Do you need a Kindergarten teacher? I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed teaching Kindergarten at St. Judes for 20 years!!!Loved bringing the love of Jesus and Mary to our children!!! I always say our faith is sooooooooooooooooooooooo beautiful!!! Bishop Sheen said soooooooooooooo lovingly “When heaven touched earth, love was boen, salvation became a reality, forgiveness of sin was granted to us, our precious Holy Eucharist was gifted to us, Love became a way of life, all given to us in a beautiful baby,” Jesus”!!! who would give His life and change our world and grant us eternity!!! if we live in LOVE!! Loveeeeee it!
A most lovely,, blessed New Year to you for our Jesus lives preciously in You and you share His love with others sooooooooooooooooooooooo beautifully!!
With much loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!
Loveeeeeeeeee, franca and Dick
Eyes on Jesus. An inspiring mantra.
Great article Father Dave – especially where you state:
and He lovingly sent His Son to show us just how a human life should be lived. Jesus was always at peace.
Thanks for your insight – Happy New Year!
I am glad you liked the article. You recognized the most important line too!
Thanks for the reminder to always keep our eyes on Jesus. We tend to look at things the way they are happening and not looking to the one with the answer. Jesus is the only one who can help us through it all. Here Mary and Joseph had it so tough and still focused on the Lord. We in our day and in our country can’t fantom what they went through.
Great reminder. Thanks.
Yes, it is hard to imagine what they went through but still a rich source of insight to do so.
Yes, Yes, Yes, stay focused on Jesus our Lord and savior. Even as our liturgy takes us once again, as he is born as the Christ child through his life, ministry, passion, death, and resurrection to always stay focused on him our Lord.
Thank God he is Prince of Peace.
Well said!
It is difficult to make a direct comparison between the Holy Family and families today.
But reflecting on the roles of Mary as mother, Joseph as father and Jesus as child
gives us a spiritual perspective that can shape our understanding of our roles
in the family
I like your inspirational thought, Fr. Dave.
“Let’s make this New Year a time to meet our Lord in new and powerful ways!”.
.
Happy New Year!
Focus on Jesus, I like that. But Father what makes us disappoint Jesus? Aside from sinning constantly, is Jesus displeased if we turn down an offer to help during offertory by assisting in the collection–I know that if we run away with the collection money God will really be displeased, but by just not wanting to help is that a big deal to our Lord who gave us everything we’ve asked for in our prayers?
Sometimes I feel not so happy every time I say no to KC guys.
Thanks for your question. You certainly do not have to feel bad at all about not wanting to help with the collection. That is extra activity and above and beyond what is necessary. If you would rather stay in your pew and participate in prayer with the offertory prayers of the priest, that is perfectly okay. Hope that helps!