Gospel for December 12 2021 – Luke 3:10-18
Gospel Reflections for December 12 2021
A new Christmas gift idea!
Is your Christmas shopping done? If not, the Gospel suggests a wonderful and unexpected gift. Jesus speaks to three different groups of people about what they can give others.
To the crowd: If you have a lot of nice things, help those who don’t.
To Tax Collectors: Be fair, and don’t overcharge poor people.
To Roman Soldiers: Don’t use your power to intimidate people.
Jesus says they must each give what is just and due to the people they meet.
Give to the poor, real and practical help.
Give to taxpayers, fairness in assessing taxes.
Give to people under Roman oppression, restore peace and protection
This is the very definition of justice …that people receive what is their due. If you steal five dollars from someone, justice demands you give those five dollars back. If you steal respect, fairness, or dignity, you must restore them as well. That is all well and good.
But what if these are all new behaviors? What if it is the first time that people ever help the poor, or tax collectors are fair, or Roman soldiers ensure peace?
Now Our Lord is talking about giving the gift …“of a changed life.” You are offering …a new you! What a surprise gift that might be to your family and friends!
Now you have moved from justice to love, an even more profound and meaningful gift! This could include these behaviors…
While before I never noticed your needs, now I will pay more attention and offer real help.
While before I used to take advantage of your weakness, now I will strengthen you.
While before I used to start arguments, now I will bring reconciliation and peace.
While a gift under the tree at Christmas can bring joy for the moment, the gift of a changed and better life for your loved ones can last for a much longer time. I am sure your loved ones will appreciate it more as well.
No need to go shopping for this gift of a new life. Just model your life on Our Lord. Every Sunday Mass can be your weekly lesson on how to do just that.
The birth of Jesus at Christmas adds love to our relationships, where we actively try to help make the people around us even happier and even more fulfilled.
That is a welcome gift!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
I am now working on this and it feels so rewarding.
I am very glad to hear that!
“Add more love to our relationships” as our Christmas gift. Nothing simpler or more important for our family and friends….and US!
Thanks Fr. Dave
You are welcome!
Thank you Fr. Dave for another thoughtful reflection. I’ve been praying for the love of God to guide me lately more than ever and it has definitely produced good fruit. I’d like to share one example; but first, I’ll start with a quote from your article.
“Now Our Lord is talking about giving the gift …’of a changed life.’ You are offering …a new you! What a surprise gift that might be to your family and friends!
“Now you have moved from justice to love, an even more profound and meaningful gift!”
After I read this, I thought: True and perfect love comes from God and is often overlooked. Yet every day we’re given the opportunity with the help of the Holy Spirit and the Grace of God to put it into practice and experience a “changed life”.
Here’s an example:
Last week, I was in a rush to get to my doctor’s office. The parking structure was very crowded and there was a long line of cars trying to find a parking space. I prayed, “Lord, please help me find a parking space so I can get to the office quickly.” As I turned to the right, approaching the next level, I saw a car pulling out of a space reserved for the handicapped. I don’t have a handicap placard and I wasn’t able to park there; but the thought occurred to me, “What is the most loving thing to do?” Although I was in a hurry, I knew what I had to do; so I stopped and let the car pull out of the space. To my surprise, during the time it took for them to pull their car out of that space, another person in a car a few spaces down was also able to pull out into the crowded parking lot. Since I was the first in line, I was able to pull into that space. Two drivers benefited and my prayer was answered through an act of love.
What a great story for this time of year! Thank you for sharing it. Your thoughtfulness about that parking space turned around as a blessing for you.
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it a new me in the beautiful love of our Jesus!!! A most precious beautiful Christmas to you our father Dave!! we soooooooooooooooooooo love you and your love for our Jesus!! You are our Christmas gift of love to us and to everyone!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
Thank you!
Fr Dave,
Thank you for reminding us what a powerful & loving gift to our family & friends it would be if we let go of our destructive behaviors. & show love, kindness, consideration, & joy instead.
Blessings,
Sherrie
Letting go of bad behaviors and adding good ones. That is what Advent is all about.
Just finished watching your Feature on “COVID AND THE MASS”. One of the best explanations of what the Mass represents and is all about. Friends and Family Members are given a copy of that piece any time they ask for sn explanation of why I Attend Mass. Thanks for a wonderful explanation of why I find Mass so worthwhile. May we all grow in the light of Christ during this Advent Season.
So glad that you found and liked that video. I think it is one of the most important things I have ever done. We have a printed copy of the text on large cards placed in all the pews as well so that people can read it before Mass begins, or even take it home with them if they want. Thanks for spreading the word about it too.
Great reflection!!
I am so happy to be a follower of Jesus.
The way that our music choir concert next week can be streamed to those who need to stay home is such a blessing.
I love the idea of “a changed & better life “ & more love in all of our relationship as our gift to family this year!!
Merry Christmas &
God Bless everyone!!
Jane
I hope your Christmas Concert will be a blessing to everyone!
I’m not aware of the video about “ Covid and the Mass ”. I’m interested in knowing more. I love attending mass but that’s not the best explanation when my grandchildren beg the question.
Happy New Year Father Dave.
Kathleen
The 20 minute video I made on “Covid and the Mass” is available at my website at daveheney.com, or at my parish website at stbrunochurch.org. Hope you like it.