PEACE AS A JOURNEY OF HOPE

MARY, MOTHER OF GOD - Luke 2:16-21

We start the New Year in the company of Mary, the mother of the Lord, to whom we dedicate this first day of the year, putting ourselves under her protection so that she intercedes for us as she did in the wedding at Cana. Today, we celebrate Mary as the Mother of God - or THEOTOKOS, an old title accepted in the Ecumenical Council of Ephesus. It is a title of honour that is an affirmation of her son’s divinity. Jesus is divine because he is the Son of God incarnate. Thus, we start the New Year in the company of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Prince of Peace.

 In this first day of the year, we pray in a very special way for peace. Every year, the Pope addresses a message to the Church and the world, pleading for peace and inviting us to reflect on the attitudes necessary for peace. This year, Pope Francis presents us with the theme: PEACE AS A JOURNEY OF HOPE: DIALOGUE, RECONCILIATION AND ECOLOGICAL CONVERSION.

1. Peace, a journey of listening based on memory, solidarity and fraternity. We must bring to memory the violence, the destruction and death suffered by countless people because of so many wars. We must learn with the past so that we do not repeat it. And we must commit ourselves to work hard on the building of peace. “The peace process thus requires enduring commitment. It is a patient effort to seek truth and justice, to honour the memory of victims and to open the way, step by step, to a shared hope stronger than the desire for vengeance. In a state based on law, democracy can be an important paradigm of this process, provided it is grounded in justice and a commitment to protect the rights of every person, especially the weak and marginalised, in a constant search for truth.[6] This is a social undertaking, an ongoing work in which each individual makes his or her contribution responsibly, at every level of the local, national and global community.” (Pope Francis).
2. Peace, a journey of reconciliation in fraternal communion. “The Bible, especially in the words of the Prophets, reminds individuals and peoples of God’s covenant with humanity, which entails renouncing our desire to dominate others and learning to see one another as persons, sons and daughters of God, brothers and sisters. We should never encapsulate others in what they may have said or done, but value them for the promise that they embody. Only by choosing the path of respect can we break the spiral of vengeance and set out on the journey of hope.” (Pope Francis)
3. Peace, a journey of ecological conversion. “If a mistaken understanding of our own principles has at times led us to justify mistreating nature, to exercise tyranny over creation, to engage in war, injustice and acts of violence, we believers should acknowledge that by so doing we were not faithful to the treasures of wisdom which we have been called to protect and preserve.” (Pope Francis).

“May the God of peace bless us and come to our aid. 

May Mary, Mother of the Prince of Peace and Mother of all the peoples of the earth, accompany and sustain us at every step of our journey of reconciliation. 

And may all men and women who come into this world experience a life of peace and develop fully the promise of life and love dwelling in their heart.” (Pope Francis)

May the Lord bestow his blessings on all of you.

Have a happy and blessed New Year.

SUPPORT YOUR PARENTS IN THEIR OLD AGE

THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY - Sirach 3:2-6,12-14

There is a Bemba proverb, widely used, that summarises the traditional wisdom about the relationship between parents and children. Mayo mpâpa, na ine nkakupâpa, that is: Mother carry me and I will carry you. Towards their children, the parents have the duty of protecting and caring for them. They must provide the most basic things until they can stand on their own and take responsibility for their own lives. To bring up children is a burdensome work for the parents. However, the love they have for their children gives them the strength to endure all difficulties. As the children grow, the parents must step back and allow them the freedom to find their way. Some parents go on treating their children as babies, thus keeping them dependent and unable to stand on their own and make their own decisions. However, when the parents truly love their children, they have to let them go and become themselves. That’s why, as they grow up, all children pass through a phase of revolt, in which they affirm themselves. The parents who are attentive and care for their children know that their relationship towards their children has to change into a strong bond of friendship between adults. And then the time will come when the children will have to carry their parents because they became sick or weak with old age. The book of Sirach deals very clearly with the duty of the children towards their parents:

“Whoever respects his father is atoning for his sins, he who honours his mother is like someone amassing a fortune.” (Sir 3:3-4)

“My son, support your father in his old age,

  do not grieve him during his life.

Even if his mind should fail, show him sympathy,

  do not despise him in your health and strength” (Sir 3:12-13).

Nowadays, it is easy to find many parents who are completely abandoned by their children. To care for their old parents is seen as a costly burden, which they are not ready to carry.

In the gospel (Mt 2:13-15,19-23), we hear how Joseph and Mary were ready for all kinds of hardships to protect the life of the child Jesus. In the middle of the night, they had to run away, so that they would not be caught by Herod’s soldiers. And they went to Egypt as refugees in a foreign land. Maybe, as a carpenter, Joseph was able to earn some money for the family to survive; but he could have faced as well the jealousy of the local people who could not be pleased with a foreigner taking their job. As soon as Herod died, they went back to their homeland, setting their house in Nazareth, in Galilee. There, Jesus grew up, learning with Joseph the trade of carpentry.

LET US SING WITH THE ANGELS

CHRISTMAS DAY - Luke 2:1-14

Why should the birth of a humble child be the point of reference of human history? How did he become a source of hope for so many? 

Jesus' crib in Casa Diocesana do Vilar, Porto

He was born somewhere in Bethlehem, far from his parents home. And there was no place for him. But with him came a promise and the fulfilment of that promise. Trembling with fear, the powerful used violence in an attempt to silence the Promise, to destroy hope and to annihilate life. Those were times when people “walked in darkness” and lived in a “land of deep shadow” (Is 9:2). Those were violent times when the poor were trampled upon as if they were worth nothing. The wealthy, the powerful, the arrogant and the violent dominated the earth. The descendants of Cain seem to have taken over the earth. Like him, they are dominated by pride, envy, jealousy, hatred and a deep thirst for revenge. That’s why human beings never get tired of wars, which they combat with an unimaginable ferocity. It is in such a world soiled by sin that the Son of God comes to live, being born as a humble child in Bethlehem. In him, we find all the beauty of life, a life that is God’s presence in our midst. Even though death seems to claim victory, life comes back always stronger and the birth of any child is an affirmation of life which will overcome all difficulties. With the birth of Jesus, our hope is renewed. Becoming one like us, the Son of God restores our dignity. In spite of poverty, injustice, oppression and violence, our life is worth living. In him, we find a purpose and a reason for living. Indeed, “For there is a child born for us, a son given to us and dominion is laid on his shoulders; and this is the name they give him: Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God, Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace.” (Is 9:6).

Jesus' crib in Seminário da Boa Nova, Valadares

At Christmas, we celebrate the great mystery of Incarnation, that is the Son of God came to be Emanuel, God-with-us, so that in him we may find the way to life and salvation.

Let us sing with the angels 

Glory to God in the highest, 

to Him who by His great love 

sent us his Son, 

born poor in Bethlehem, 

so that the poor and humiliated 

become God’s children. 

To Him, we sing songs of praise, 

as we approach the Child Jesus with joy.

From him, we receive peace without measure.

 Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among those 

with whom he is pleased!

JOSEPH WAS A MAN OF HONOUR

IV SUNDAY OF ADVENT - Matthew 1:18-24

The Gospels present two narratives of annunciation: one centred on Mary (Lk 1:26-38) and the other centred on Joseph (Mt 1:18-24). We may say that the Gospel of Matthew presents the birth of Jesus seen from Joseph's perspective. In the gospels, we are told very little about Joseph. He belonged to the house of David (Mt 1:20; Lk 1:27; 2:4) and he was living in Nazareth (Lk 2:4) and earning his living as a carpenter (Mt 13:55). Jesus was known as “the son of Joseph” (Jn 1:45; 6:42). He played his role as father and husband, protecting both the mother and the child when Herod threatened the baby Jesus’ life (Mt 1:13-15). And then he fell into obscurity as if he were present only when he was needed. His character is described in a simple but strong brush stroke: he was a "just man” or a “man of honour”. And his attitudes were determined by his righteousness. Having found out that Mary was pregnant, he was faced with a big dilemma. He was sure of one thing: the pregnancy was not his. Thus, filled with anger, jealousy and frustration, he could denounce Mary and have her punished for her supposed misbehaviour. If he did that, Mary would be stoned to death. However, he could not bring himself to such an outcome. He shivered at the thought of having his beloved’s blood on his hands. On the other hand, he could not see himself, accepting Mary as if nothing had happened. So the only solution that seemed reasonable to him was to disappear in secret, and all the blame would fall on him. He preferred this last solution, which was not a solution since he was running away from a very difficult situation. It was then that God came to his rescue, making it known to him that the promise of the Saviour was going to be fulfilled and that this fulfilment would pass through Mary: "She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.” Joseph was called to assume an important role in the life of the Messiah and he accepted it in all obedience and humility. And he did “what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home.” He provided a loving, secure and stable home for Jesus, in such a way that Jesus came to be known as the “carpenter’s son” (Mt 13:55). Joseph accepted God’s ways and put himself at the service of His will.

Psalm 24 helps us to reflect on people like Joseph. Indeed “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Mt 5:8) 

Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord?

  Who shall stand in his holy place?

The man with clean hands and pure heart,

  who desires not worthless things.

Let the Lord enter! He is the king of glory.

He shall receive blessings from the Lord

  and reward from the God who saves him.

Such are the men who seek him,

  seek the face of the God of Jacob. (Psalm 24)

JOHN WAS MUCH MORE THAN A PROPHET

III SUNDAY OF ADVENT - Matthew 11:2-11

John had been arrested because, in an act of extraordinary boldness, he dared to denounce the immoral behaviour of Herod Antipas, who was living in concubinage with his sister-in-law Herodias. While in prison, he heard many things about Jesus, that Jesus whom he had pointed out to his disciples as the Lamb of God. From what he heard, he was puzzled, for Jesus was not behaving in the way he had predicted, and a doubt aroused in his mind: was he the Messiah or he had been misled about Jesus whom he considered far greater than him? He announced that the Messiah would bring God's judgment by cutting off the dry branches, separating the grain from the straw, and burning the useless stubble to offer God a righteous and holy people. But Jesus was not doing that. He mixed with everybody and feel at ease in the company of sinners. Therefore, John felt the need of obtaining confirmation: is he the Messiah or not? “And he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or have we got to wait for someone else?’. In his response, Jesus presented the great signs of the Messiah, as announced principally by the prophet Isaiah (Is 29:18; 35:5-6). n fact, Jesus’ response was very similar to the text of Isaiah (see Lk 4:18) that he read in the synagogue of Nazareth. Jesus came to bring the Good News to the poor. He came to save, not to condemn.

As soon as John's disciples left, Jesus praised John as the greatest of human beings. Indeed, being the "messenger" who came to prepare the way of the Lord, he is much greater than the prophets. Jesus presents John as a man of integrity, who does not turn according to the wind. He is incorruptible, for wealth, power, and glory mean nothing to him. From the way he lived, we might think of John as a madman. However, the people recognised in him the wisdom manifested in God's madness and rushed to listen to his message. His voice coming from the desert still reverberates and its echoes can still be heard. He spoke as a free man and his strong, vigorous and fearless voice goes on disturbing our deceptive stillness, throwing up challenges and provocations to the false well-being in which we have settled. Today as well, we need men of integrity in the manner of John, who by their lifestyle are a denunciation and a challenge to our behaviour centred on merriness, the unbridled search for wealth and the oppressive affirmation of power. We need courageous voices that do not allow themselves to be gagged and that boldly point out the path that leads to salvation.

Even though John was already on the threshold, he still belonged to the Old Testament and therefore "the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.” We who in Christ receive the Spirit that makes us children of God belong to a new age that surpasses all expectations.

JOHN’S MESSAGE: REPENT, FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS CLOSE AT HAND

II SUNDAY OF ADVENT - Matthew 3:1-12

John the Baptist is a central figure of the Advent. He appeared on the threshold of the New Testament. He came with the mission of calling people to repent and turn to the Lord, thus preparing themselves to welcome the Messiah. He went to live in the wilderness, becoming by his way of life a symbol of protest against the luxury and the vice of the city dwellers. Very soon, people realised that John was a man touched by God and sent by him to proclaim his word. His message was simple and straightforward and could be summarised in a few short sentences: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand”. The promises made through the prophets are going to be fulfilled - that is the time of salvation in which God makes peace and harmony among all creatures possible. However, to have a part in God’s kingdom, one has to change his way of life and walk on the path of righteousness set out by God.

John addressed his message mainly to the common people. They were the majority of those who came to him and accepted to be baptised by him as a sign of repentance. When he became well known, the influential people from Jerusalem started coming as well. John received them with scorn: “Brood of vipers, who warned you to fly from the retribution that is coming? But if you are repentant, produce the appropriate fruit.” Repentance implies conversion, that is a change of behaviour; it cannot be only a question of appearances. And he warns them not to fall into any delusion. It is useless to claim that we are the children of Abraham. If we believe, we belong to the family of Abraham, our father in faith, but faith implies a way of life in a permanent relationship with God. So it was with Abraham, who put his life in the hands of God and lived accordingly. The kingdom of God is coming for all those who entrust themselves to God and allow him to decide of their lives. Without putting ourselves in the hands of God, we will be left out, that is, we will be excluded.

As a prophet, John proved to be hard and demanding on himself and on all those who came to him. The time of fulfilment will be as well a time of judgement: “Even now the axe is laid to the roots of the trees, so that any tree which fails to produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown on the fire.”

John makes it clear that is role is just of preparation and announcement. He does not pretend to be what he is not. He is true to himself and to those who come to him. He is not a deluded man, but someone who with humility is well aware of his position: “I baptise you in water for repentance” and “the one who follows me is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to carry his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” The Messiah, who will baptise with the Holy Spirit, will force us to choose our destiny: if we produce well, we will be kept for God; if we are only useless chaff, then we will be burnt “in a fire that will never go out”. God must be taken seriously.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

The Immaculate Conception is traditionally celebrated on the 8th of December, but as it falls on Sunday, this year it will be celebrated on Monday, 9th of December.

My soul glorifies the Lord,

  my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour.

He looks on his servant in her lowliness;

  henceforth all ages will call me blessed.

The Almighty works marvels for me.

  Holy his name!

His mercy is from age to age,

  on those who fear him.

He puts forth his arm in strength

  and scatters the proud-hearted.

He casts the mighty from their thrones

  and raises the lowly.

He fills the starving with good things,

  sends the rich away empty.

He protects Israel, his servant,

  remembering his mercy,

the mercy promised to our fathers,

  to Abraham and his sons for ever.