Gospel Reflections for December 9 2018
Once upon a time…
Can you use some good advice right now, or some helpful wisdom that might make your life happier, or solve some family problem? Who wouldn’t want that?
Centuries ago, people wrote fairy tales for children that offered profound wisdom on how to live a good life or face some challenge successfully. They often began with the famous phrase, “Once upon a time…etc.”
These much beloved stories were placed in some vague time and place in the past. While they might be useful today, they were also, after all, entirely fictional accounts. They never really happened.
Today’s Gospel also presents the person of Jesus Christ, as someone who can solve all your problems. But it begins in a different way that is certainly not about a vague time and place. It begins with specific dates of real people and a real historical events, and a detailed description of factual events surrounding His arrival.
This Gospel means to tell us that Jesus was a real historical figure who lived among real people in an actual time and place. This is no fairy tale!
God wants to help you by sending His Son, Jesus, to live the same life that you live, just as it really is, right here on planet earth and in your home. This affirms that Jesus means to offer real and practical solutions to your life’s issues as you actually face them in your life right now.
This is beautifully proclaimed by John the Baptist in his image of mountains made low and valleys filled in, so that your life’s journey is level, smooth, and easier. Who wouldn’t want that?
Remarkably, God is sending His Son after many centuries of people turning away from faith and living a life of sin. Yet, that kind of sinful life way did not work out so well for them and caused many disappointments. However, rather than coming to earth in anger at their sinfulness, God helpfully sends His Son as an answer to their problems.
Today’s Gospel affirms that these answers came from the real historical person of Jesus Christ. There is no disagreement among scholars today that Jesus actually existed, however, it is still up to us to accept His teachings as the Son of God and follow them.
If you seek answers to your problems, seek out the person God actually sent to do just that!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Love your beautiful words Father Dave!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeee our precious Jesus of love!! We will follow Him forever and share His loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee with everyone!! We are sooooooooooooooooooooo blessed with His love!!! Loveeeee our precious Jesus, loveeeee our loving Faith and loveeeeeeeeeeeee you for giving our Jesus so beautifully to us in the gift of the Holy Eucharist and in the wisdom of your precious words!!! Jesus must loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee you alot for all you do for Him!!!!!!! Have a beautiful Christmas overflowing with our Jesus and our beautiful Blessed Mother’s loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
We loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee you!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
Thank you!
We recently read the book “The Fisherman’s Tomb” by John O’Neil. It is a very easy and entertaining read. It is all about St. Peter’s remains that were excavated under St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. As one interested in archeology, you have probably read the book.
I think this book verifies the actual existence of St. Peter as a person. St. Peter is all about Jesus. I think this is additional evidence of Jesus as a real person. But there is so much more evidence, scientifically and through faith that we are saved from death by a real man who is also God.
Yes, I have read the book, and it is a great and fascinating story. I recommend to to everyone. I am glad that all of the archaeological continues to affirm our faith.
I look at this Gospel message about my own life. He makes straight our paths and deals with the rough edges. Sometimes we need sandpaper to smooth out rough edges on wood, Sometimes things get rough just to get u on the right path. I pray for those rough edges to be made whole.
Well said, The smoothing process can sometimes be difficult but always leads to a happy finish.
Thank you, Fr. Dave, for encouraging us to get off the sidelines, join the winning team
and score a touchdown for Jesus!
‘Glad to hear that the University Series is expanding and visiting new parishes.
We hope to attend some of them.
See you in the University!
Hi Father, I miss seeing you but visit you every week with the readings. Thank you so much for your thoughts and knowledge sharing. Hope you have a very blessed Christmas season. Frances Calfo.
Nice to hear from you. Merry Christmas!
Dear Father Dave,
Your reflection arrived with a powerful message of Jesus.
Thank you so much.
God bless.
Kathleen
You are very welcome!
The greatest story ever told. I always appreciate your insights. Merry Christmas, Argyle
Thank you. Merry Christmas to you as well!