Jan 3-8: Kindly click onhttps://frtonyshomilies.com/ for missed Sunday and weekday homilies, RCIA & Faith formation classes: Click on the link given after the name of the saint ,for a short biography: Jan 3 Monday (The Most Holy Name of Jesus): https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/most-holy-name-of-jesusMt 4: 12-17, 23-25:Jan 3: Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus: Importance: The Holy Name of Jesus is Yeshua, in Aramaic. It was not chosen by Mary and Joseph but given by the angel Gabriel from God: And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus (Lk 1:31). It reveals Jesus’ mission. He was sent from heaven to save and redeem mankind. That is why John the Baptist introduced Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” The Holy Name of Jesus is so great that it is repeated 977 times in the New Testament. St. Paul writes: “Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil 2: 9-11).
Objectives: Today’s feast calls us to a renewed respect and reverence for, and a deeper devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus to challenge and make reparation for all the blasphemous curses and abuses the name of Jesus suffers in our world. This devotion also helps us to appreciate all that Jesus means in our life and to develop a personal relationship with him. That is why there is both a Litany to Jesus Christ and a Litany to the Holy Name of Jesus in the Book of Blessings. Prayers in the name of Jesus “animate and transfigure every action in Christ Jesus.” (C.C.C. # 2668). In addition, “whoever invokes the name of Jesus is welcoming the Son of God who loved him and who gave himself up for him.” (C.C.C. 2666). Further, “the sweet Name of Jesus produces in us holy thoughts, fills the soul with noble sentiments, strengthens virtue, begets good works, and nourishes pure affections.” (St. Bernard (A.D. 1090-1153). The holy name of Jesus permeates the whole Christian life. The believer begins his journey through faith in Jesus by receiving the Sacrament of Baptism in Jesus’ name. He dies with Jesus, is buried with Jesus and is raised as a new creation with Jesus. Believers live their faith in Jesus by manifesting love towards their brothers and sisters in Christ.
History: The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus is associated with the Feast of the Circumcision. In accord with first century Jewish culture a male child became a full member of his family when he was circumcised, at which time he received his name. The Holy See officially granted the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus to the Franciscans on February 25, 1530. The Franciscans, the Carmelites, and the Augustinians kept this Feast on January 14th and the Dominicans on January 15. The New Revised edition of the Sacramentary restored the feast to January 3rd, between the Feast of Mary, the Mother of God on January 1st and the feast of the Baptism of Jesus.
Life messages: 1) Let us begin our day’s works offering them to Jesus for the glory of God and the salvation of souls and conclude the day’s works in the name of Jesus, asking his pardon and forgiveness for our sins of the day. 2) Let us always use the name of Jesus reverently and use it as a source of power in our temptations. (Fr. Tony) 2022
Regular reading: Mt 4: 12-17, 23-25: 12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; 13 and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulon and Naphtali, 14 that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 “The land of Zebulon and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles — 16 the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, 11 proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. 24 12 His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them. 25 And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, 13 Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him. Additional reflections: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections
The context: Today’s Gospel describes the beginning of Jesus’ mission of preaching and healing in Galilee, an ideal spot because it was the most fertile land in Palestine and well-populated with 204 villages around the Sea of Galilee housing Jews and Gentiles. The Jews there largely belonged to the tribes of Asher, Naphtali, and Zebulon. The people were open to new ideas because they had been exposed to various religious beliefs and the culture of traders from all over the known world.
Preaching the Good News: Jesus started preaching the Good News about God the Father and about God’s Kingdom. Since it was God the King’s message, it carried God’s authority and certainty; it was “Good News” because Jesus introduced the hearers to God His Father as a loving, merciful, providing, and forgiving Father Who wanted to save everyone from the bondage of sin. The message also gave the listeners the “Good News” of the Kingdom of God or the rule of God in human lives. Continuation John’s message, Jesus, too, invited the hearers to repentance and the renewal of their lives so that God might start ruling their lives. Matthew identified Jesus’ preaching and healing ministry in Galilee as the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah — Light to people living in darkness.
Life messages: 1) As Christians we have been given Jesus’ mission to continue. 2) Hence, our exemplary, transparent lives must be and so carry our message radiating the light of Christ’s love, mercy, forgiveness, and spirit of humble and committed service. (Fr. Tony) (https://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/22
Jan 4 Tuesday (St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, USA , Religious) https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-elizabeth-ann-seton : Mk 6: 34-44: 34 As he went ashore he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. 35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a lonely place, and the hour is now late; 36 send them away, to go into the country and villages round about and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves have you? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he commanded them all to sit down by companies upon the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men. Additional reflections: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections
The context: Today’s Gospel describes Jesus’ miraculous feeding of a great multitude. The story is told in all four Gospels and serves as Jesus’ way of introducing to those present a merciful and providing God. Through God’s power, Elijah gave the widow, each day, just enough to meet her needs (1 Kgs 17:13-16). Jesus, on the other hand, gives generously and abundantly. This miraculous feeding was meant to remind people of God’s provision of manna in the wilderness and to prefigure the true Heavenly Bread, which Jesus would offer His followers, for Jesus performed this miracle just before promising the Sacrament of the Eucharist for our spiritual feeding.
While teaching, Jesus took pity on the growing physical hunger of those listening, and challenged the apostles to feed them. But they had with them only five loaves of bread and two dried fish. Jesus took these, said a prayer of blessing, broke them, and asked the apostles to distribute them till the hungry people were fully satisfied. Since it was mid-April, springtime in Israel, the people could sit comfortably on green grass in their groups of hundreds and fifties. After serving a generous meal which satisfied all, the Apostles collected twelve wicker baskets of leftover bread and fish pieces, a vivid proof and reminder of God’s generosity in giving and a warning to all of us not to waste God’s blessings.
Life messages: 1) We may not be able to feed the hungry millions in the world, but today’s Gospel challenges us to do our humble share in alleviating hunger and poverty in our neighborhood. God will amplify our little contributions and reward our good will and generosity. 2) We need to be thankful to God for miraculously giving us our daily spiritual bread in the Holy Eucharist Fr. Tony(https://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/22
Jan 5 Wednesday (St. John Neumann, U. S. A., Bishop) https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-john-neumann: Mk 6: 45-52: 45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw him, and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.” 51 And he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. Additional reflections: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections
The context: The event presented by today’s Gospel is the scene immediately following Jesus’ miraculous feeding of the five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish. Sensing the danger of being seized by the people and “made King” to lead a revolt against the Romans, Jesus promptly instructed the apostles to leave the place by boat, then dismissed the crowd and went to the mountain to pray in solitude.
A double miracle in the sea: When the apostles in the boat were several furlongs away from the shore, they faced an unexpected storm on the sea, caused by the rush of hot wind from the desert blowing through the gaps of the Golan Heights onto the Sea of Galilee. Recognizing His Apostles’ danger, Jesus went toward their boat, walking on the stormy sea. Jesus calmed the frightened disciples and approached the boat. As soon as Jesus got into the boat, the storm ceased miraculously, to the great astonishment of the apostles.
Life messages: 1) Let us approach Jesus with strong Faith in His ability and availability to calm the storms in our lives and in the life of the Church. Church history shows us how Jesus saved the Church from the storms of persecution in the first three centuries, from the storms of heresies in the fifth and sixth centuries, from the storms of moral degradation and the Protestant reformation movement in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and from the storms of clergy sex-abuse scandals in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
2) Let us ask Jesus to protect us when we face storms of strong temptations, storms of doubts about our religious beliefs, and storms of fear, anxiety, and worries in our personal lives. Experiencing Jesus’ presence in our lives, let us confess our Faith and call out for Jesus’ help and protection Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/22
Jan 6 Thursday (St. Andre Bessette, Religious, U. S. A.) https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-andre-bessette :Lk 4: 14-22: Jesus in the synagogue at Nazareth 14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and a report concerning him went out through all the surrounding country. 15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. 16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up; and he went to the synagogue, as his custom was, on the Sabbath day. And he stood up to read; 17 and there was given to him the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened the book and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” 20 And he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 And all spoke well of him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth; and they said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” Additional reflections: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections
Scripture explained: Today’s Gospel describes how Jesus participated in the Sabbath prayer of the synagogue in Nazareth (Jesus’ hometown) with a band of disciples. The Synagogue Sabbath service always began with the “Shema’’ prayer followed by the recital of the “Eighteen Blessings,” praising and thanking God. Then four passages from the “Torah” the book of Law were read and explained by a priest, followed by a selection from the Prophets, which was read and interpreted by an invited scholar, guest, or volunteer. Finally, the prayer was concluded with a priest or the synagogue president blessing the assembly, using the blessing from the Book of Numbers (6:22 ff). Popular as a miracle working preacher in Capernaum, Jesus was asked to read from the Book of the Prophets and to interpret the Scripture. Jesus, handed the Scroll of the prophet Isaiah, opened it and read the prophecy on the mission of the expected Messiah. Surprising everyone, Jesus declared, “Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing,” meaning that Jesus was the One sent “to bring glad tidings to the poor, liberation to captives, recovery of sight to the blind and freedom for the oppressed”—language that reflects the Biblical year of Jubilee. The townsfolk were greatly amazed, and many were unable to accept that the prophet Isaiah was foretelling and describing Jesus’ Messianic mission and ministry. As Messiah of the Lord God, Jesus’ mission was to give liberation to everyone who would listen to God’s “Good News,” accept it and put it into practice. Luke reports that the initial reaction of the people was surprise at the power and eloquence of this son of their soil; the next response of a large group was to try, unsuccessfully, to throw Jesus over the cliff on which the city was built.
Life messages: 1) We need to receive Christ’s freedom, live it and pass it on to others: As members of Christ’s Mystical Body, we share in the freeing, saving mission of Jesus. But we are captives of sin. We need Christ to set us free. We are often blinded by our evil habits, addictions and need for financial security. Once we receive true liberation from Christ, we are meant to share it with those we encounter in our daily lives, families, neighborhoods, parishes and workplaces. 2) We need to let the power of the Holy Spirit fill us, and stay ready to have miracles done through us. Today’s Gospel tells us that Jesus performed miracles because He was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Let us be ready to become Spirit-filled instruments of Christ’s saving freedom. Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/22
Jan 7 Friday (St. Raymond, Penyafort, Priest) https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-raymond-of-penafort : Lk 5: 12-16: 12 While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and besought him, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 13 And he stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him. 14 And he charged him to tell no one; but “go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to the people.” 15 But so much the more the report went abroad concerning him; and great multitudes gathered to hear and to be healed of their infirmities. 16 But he withdrew to the wilderness and prayed. Additional reflections: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections
The context: Today’s Gospel shows us Jesus touching a man sick with a severe case of leprosy and healing him instantly. Biblical “leprosy” rarely indicated Hansen’s disease (leprosy proper); mostly, the term referred to skin diseases like ringworm, psoriasis, leukoderma, vitiligo, and some types of skin cancer.The suffering of lepers in Biblical times was chiefly due to the way they were treated by the religious society of the day (Interpreter’s Bible); lepers were treated as sinners deserving no mercy, because they were seen as being punished by God with their contagious disease. The leprosy given by God as a punishment to Moses’ complaining sister Miriam (Nm 12:10-15), to Gehazi, the greedy servant of the prophet Elisha (2 Kgs 5:20 ff), and to the proud the King Uzziah (2 Kgs 15:5; 2 Chr 26:16-21), supported the Jewish belief that leprosy was God’s punishment for sins. Lepers, like sinners, were deemed unclean, unfit to be counted among a people who considered themselves “a kingdom of priests, a holy nation” (Ex 19:6). “Leprosy” was also a terrible disease becauseits victims were separated from their families and society. Mosaic restrictions on lepers: The Mosaic Law, as given in Leviticus, demanded that, first, the priest declare the leper unclean, and then that the leper should a) keep his garments rent and his head bare, b) muffle his beard, c) cry out, “Unclean, unclean,” and d) dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp. As a rule, when a Jewish leper was healed, he had to go to the local priest for confirmation that he was now clean and was permitted to mix with the general public.
Life Messages: 1) The strong Faith of the sick man prompted him to violate the Mosaic Law prohibiting him from joining a crowd and approaching Jesus. The sympathy and mercy of Jesus prompted Jesus to violate the Mosaic Law which forbade anyone to touch an untouchable leper. Thus, Jesus teaches the lesson that the essence of Christianity is to touch the untouchable, to love the unlovable, and to forgive the unforgivable. 2) By sending the cured man to the priests to get their certification of his freedom from disease, Jesus teaches us that we should pray for healing and, at the same time, go to the doctors who share God’s wisdom in healing. Healing normally happens when man’s skill combines with God’s grace. Fr. tony(https://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/22
Jan 8 Saturday:Jn 3:22-30: 22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judea; there he remained with them and baptized. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people came and were baptized. 24 For John had not yet been put in prison. 25 Now a discussion arose between John’s disciples and a Jew over purifying. 26 And they came to John, and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you bore witness, here he is, baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “No one can receive anything except what is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness that I said, I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him. 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice; therefore, this joy of mine is now full. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.” Additional reflections: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections
The context: Today’s Gospel passage shows the loveliness of John the Baptist’s humility. John was responding to his disciples who complained that many among them were deserting John to join the new preacher, Jesus, whom John had baptized.
John’s explanation: John told them plainly who he really was and what his mission was. He told them that he was only a forerunner of the Messiah and that his mission was to prepare a people for the Messiah by preaching repentance. He was challenging his hearers to receive the baptism of repentance as their first step in renewing their lives, so they could welcome Jesus the Messiah into their lives. John explained further that his role was to be the “friend of the Bridegroom” (shoshben); the Bridegroom was Jesus. As the shoshben arranges the meeting of the bride and groom, arranges the details of the wedding, presides over the wedding, guards the bridal chamber and leaves happily, John prepared the Bride, namely, the Jewish nation, for receiving her Bridegroom, Jesus the Messiah, by baptizing the people who were willing to repent and then baptizing Jesus and introducing Jesus to the people as the “Lamb of God.”
Life messages: 1) Our mission, as St. Francis de Sales puts it, is to “bloom where we are planted.” God has given a unique mission to each one of us, and we are expected to accomplish that unique mission by receiving God’s strength through the various means Jesus has instituted in his Church. “No one can receive anything except what has been given from Heaven.” 2)True humility and trusting Faith in God are necessary for us to accomplish our life’s mission by using God’s freely given gifts. Fr. Tony; (https://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/21
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