Wednesday Morning Connection

For Sunday, December 27, 2009

Feast of the Holy Family
1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28
1 John 3:1-2, 21-24
Luke 2:41-52

This weekend’s Gospel presents us with a twelve year-old Jesus, a quick growth spurt from the celebration of his birth just a day or two ago. Of course liturgical time is not linear time, and even biblical time is not wholly agreeable with a strictly chronological sequence of events. (We’ll especially see that this year as we read from Luke’s Gospel, which relies on the literary construct of a journey to Jerusalem, more than trying to be a diary in the life of Jesus and his disciples.)

In the story we hear this weekend, Luke presents the twelve year-old Jesus as doing his Father’s will. It’s a theme already made explicit in Luke’s infancy narrative-Mary says, “Let it be done to me according to your word”-as well as a concept that will surface throughout Luke’s writing. For Luke, God has a plan-the establishment of his kingdom-and it will be accomplished by those who act in accordance with God’s will.

At Christmas, children often take center stage. You’ll often hear people in news reports exclaim, “Well, Christmas is for children, after all.” That’s especially true in the stories that describe the needs of so many charities at this time of year that try to assist families with gifts for children. There’s the story of a man whose founded a charity to distribute coats to children in Philadelphia (http://www.philly.com/philly/living/79784137.html); and one about the Fr. Woody [Msgr. Charles Woodrich] Christmas party for homeless children in Denver (http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_14039395); and another story about the annual ride by thousands of bikers through Broward County, Florida, to raise money and donate toys to needy children (http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/story/1369323.html). The list of stories could go on and on, with every city and town registering at least one piece of news about the desire to help others, especially children, at this time of year.

When we celebrate Christmas or this weekend’s feast of the Holy Family, we may find ourselves most focused on the crèche tableaux of Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus. But the second reading for the weekend invites us to deepen our understanding of what we are celebrating these days. The writer of the first letter of John reminds us, “Beloved, we are God’s children now.” The feasts this week are less about what happened over two thousand years ago, and more about what is taking place in our hearts today.

Through the birth of the Savior, we are made God’s children. As children of the same Father we are all brothers and sisters. The family to which we belong is God’s family, a holy family of all humankind. And if we are to do God’s will it means that we will take to heart for ourselves the stories of helping children in need not just at this time of year, but always. We are called to act upon those stories of need to the extent that we can, even giving of ourselves for another member of the family of humankind.

Welcome to the family!

Paul Michaels

Prayer

God and Father of us all,
we honor the family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
who were a sign of your eternal love.
May our desire to follow their example
grow ever stronger in our hearts
so that your love may be seen in this world
through the actions of those who believe in you.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

Notices

CARING FOR CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
There are many groups that care for needy children and families. Several well-recognized ones are: Catholic Relief Services (http://crs.org/), the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (http://www.cnewa.org/home-us.aspx), and the Holy Childhood Association (http://www.propfaith.org/hca.html). Consider making one of these groups a regular part of your family through viewing their Web site and participating in their work.

JANUARY 1, WORLD DAY OF PEACE
Pope Benedict’s message for the World Day of Peace is available on the Vatican Web site at: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/peace/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20091208_xliii-world-day-peace_en.html. Some parishes make copies of the Holy Father’s message available; others include excerpts in the church bulletin throughout the year. Consider publishing the web address in your bulletin and even including a link on your parish Web site.

ONLINE CHRISTMAS RESOURCES
The online resources from the USCCB continue through the Christmas season. Promote the Christmas resources to your congregation by including the web address in your bulletin: http://www.usccb.org/advent/christmas_index.shtml.

For Sunday, December 13, 2009

3rd Sunday of Advent
Zephaniah 3:14-18a
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:10-18

This week and next the news online, in the papers, and broadcast on radio or television will include regular reports from Copenhagen. This isn’t happening because the Danes have suddenly done something extraordinary to make themselves the focus of international media. Rather, the media are camped out in Copenhagen because the United Nations Conference on Climate Change is being hosted by the Danish government in its capital city. Day by day briefings and articles will be found in a special section of the New York Times web site: http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/u/united_nations_framework_convention_on_climate_change/index.html.

Today, the BBC reported on the divisions that exist after documents of a proposed deal were leaked (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8402502.stm). And National Public Radio (NPR) suggested what it foresaw as a possible outcome of the talks (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121220373) which will conclude on December 18 with President Obama and many other world leaders in attendance.

The conference itself is under intense scrutiny, with many feeling that the run-up to the event boasted a lot of conversation and dialog but very little in the way of concrete action that would actually address the issue of climate change.

In a similar manner, one might criticize Luke for his description of John the Baptist in last Sunday’s Gospel. There was a lot promised, but very little in the way of concrete action. Luke quoted the prophet Isaiah, describing John as one crying out in the desert, “Prepare the way of the Lord.”

OK, a lot of flash and sizzle, but now what? What comes next?

This Sunday’s Gospel-a continuation of last Sunday’s selection-provides some very concrete actions that can be taken. Luke is the only one of the evangelists that portrays John as offering some specific directions in what to do in response to the coming of the Messiah. And the actions in Luke are based on his awareness of the poor and his concern for justice: If you have two coats, share with the person who has none. If you have food, do the same. Don’t cheat anyone. Don’t extort or falsely accuse someone.

We can actually see some of these concrete preparations for the coming of the Messiah acted upon in our own day. How many churches take up collections to support the needy? How many individuals make donations to charities for the poor at this time of year? And how many people work for justice through advocacy with civic leaders? People really do these things. Some people take to heart John’s words in preparation for the Savior’s birth.

More than any decorations we may display or parties we may attend, activities such as these are really preparing the way of the Lord.

Paul Michaels

Prayer

God of justice and truth,
rouse your power and come to save your people.
Let your light shine on those in darkness,
and bless with your abundance those in need.
May your justice vanquish the oppressor
and raise up those who are bowed down.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

Notices

THE DATE OF CHRISTMAS
The commemoration of the Savior’s birth offers the opportunity to once again help congregations understand that the festival itself has deeper meaning than a simple “birthday” celebration. A recent article by Andrew McGowan in Biblical Archaeology Review provides a good refresher for understanding how the date of Christmas came to be and its intimate relation to the death and resurrection of Christ. See: http://www.bib-arch.org/e-features/christmas.asp.

ANNUAL APPEAL - RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS
Many dioceses will take up the annual collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious on the second weekend of December. Collection information, stories, and resources are available from the National Religious Retirement Office web site at: http://www.usccb.org/nrro/.

ONLINE ADVENT-CHRISTMAS RESOURCES
The USCCB is again offering online resources for the Advent-Christmas season, including an online Advent calendar. The calendar includes prayers, reflections, and suggested activities day-by-day for the whole family. Promote the Advent-Christmas resources to your congregation by including the web address in your bulletin: http://www.usccb.org/advent/index.shtml.

For Sunday, October 25, 2009

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jeremiah 31:7-9
Hebrews 5:1-6
Mark 10:46-52

International terrorism has been around for a long time. Unfortunately, one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter.

Last week saw the 150th anniversary of the raid on the arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia by John Brown and his band of abolitionists. Condemned as an anarchist, John Brown was hanged just six weeks later, convicted of treason against the state of Virginia and of murder.

This past weekend saw descendants of the raiders gathered at Harpers Ferry to honor those who were judged criminals 150 years ago (See: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113911976). Scholars today assess Brown’s actions (and the reaction to it) as contributing significantly to the beginning of the Civil War.

The last five decades has seen their own cavalcade of terrorist activities: airplanes high-jacked, the kidnappings at the 1972 Munich Olympics, the 1985 seizure of the Achille Lauro, the Tamil Tiger insurgency, suicide bombings in Spain, Britain, Israel, Indonesia, Pakistan, and a dozen other countries, and of course the events of 9/11 in the United States. All of these acts, and many more, were carried out in hopes of being noticed. Unfortunately, they are hopeless acts.

Now comes the news of double suicide bombings at the International Islamic University in Islamabad, Pakistan (http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/10/20/world/AP-AS-Pakistan.html?scp=1&sq=pakistan%20university&st=cse). This school, popular with foreigners, has over 18,000 students. It is a seat of Islamic learning, and revered by many. The bombings are considered retaliation for the Pakistani government’s recent moves to end the inroads made by terrorists in the restive tribal regions near Afghanistan.

Incidents like this are sure to make the news. That’s why terrorists carry them out. They want to be heard!

Unfortunately, in today’s world, the terrorists’ bellows drown out wails of another kind: the cries of the poor, the oppressed, and the down-trodden. Like Bartimaeus in this weekend’s Gospel, these people in need also cry out. Jesus was able to hear Bartimaeus over the objections of many in the crowd. And in hearing him, he was able to help.

When we hear the clamorous news of all that is happening in the world, and take note of the hopeless actions of those who would make themselves known with a bomb or a gun, it might be good to open our ears just a little more-to listen attentively to hear the cries of those in need. We won’t be able to cure every blind man, nor will we be able to secure peace in every land. But we can each do a little bit to console, as the vision of Jeremiah in the first reading promises. Whether it is helping the victims of typhoons, supporting education efforts for the poor, or feeding the hungry through a donation to the local food pantry, we can be attentive to the cry of the blind beggar who once cried out, “Son of David, have pity on me,” and who cries out today for us to have pity as well.

Paul Michaels

Prayer

Provident God,
you give us a rich and abundant harvest
and bless us with every good gift.
May we use what you have given us
for our own good,
and for the benefit of others.
Open our ears to hear the cry of the poor,
and open our hearts to share the blessings
you have bestowed on us.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

Notices

CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES RESPONDS TO FOUR EMERGENCIES
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is responding to four emergencies in the Asia Pacific region. The Philippines and Vietnam have been hit by typhoon Ketsana, while a tsunami struck Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga, and an earthquake affected the island of Sumatra. CRS is working with Caritas Internationalis to plan for the long-term reconstruction vital to recovery efforts even while providing immediate emergency relief. For more information, and to learn how you can encourage parishioners to help, visit: http://crs.org/.

CATHOLIC NEAR EAST WELFARE ASSOCIATION
For more than 75 years, CNEWA has provided education, health care, relief services, and pastoral support in the Near East. This papal agency works quietly, often behind the scenes, to assist in places where others may not be able to go. To learn more visit: http://www.cnewa.org.

CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
This collection will be taken up in many dioceses the weekend of November 21-22. For more information about CCHD visit: http://www.usccb.org/cchd/. Liturgical Publications Inc (LPi) has clip art and announcements from the USSCB for use in parish bulletins and newsletters. To learn how your parish can receive free access to these materials, click here.