After the fall of our first parents, Adam and Eve, that harmonious relationship with God which existed was broken. Perfect harmony was also lost in relationships among human beings. In addition, man’s relationship with the created world and material creation was damaged. Adam and Eve were not the only ones affected by the result of sin, however, but each of us as well, as we have descended from them. Simply taking a look around us and even within our own hearts, we see the effects of original sin still present.

            Because of our wounded human nature, it very easy for us to fall into personal sin, becoming slaves to the passions of the flesh and enemies of God. Sadly, there was nothing we could do to rectify this situation on our own. We needed God’s forgiveness and grace.

            Ultimately, it was because of God’s great love for us that he became incarnate in the person of Jesus Christ. He took on our human nature and suffered a most agonizing death to save us from our sins and to open the gates of heaven for us, those to whom paradise had been closed off since the fall.

            Looking at the readings from Midnight Mass gives us a good glimpse of this great mystery of our faith, from the prophecies of the Messiah in the Old Testament to their fulfillment in the incarnation and birth of Christ.  In the book of the prophet Isaiah, we hear: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who have dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone” (Isaiah 9:2). There is a tone of rejoicing in this statement as the people hear the prophecy that the rod of their oppressor is broken. Literally, the oppressors of the Northern Kingdom of Israel at this time were the Assyrians.

             Despite the threats from the oppressor, hope is given as “a child is born.” This was not just any child, but one in which the government would be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Further, it is revealed that “of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end.” The people have seen a great light as this child to be born is the light of the world, who came to reconcile the world to God through his passion, death and resurrection and to bring us true and lasting peace, the peace that only the Prince of Peace can give.

            Ephrem the Syrian comments on the description of the child as ‘Wonderful’ stating: “for a wonder it is that God should reveal himself as a baby.” Think about that. The all-powerful and infinite God coming to us as a weak and defenseless little baby. As one priest has written, if I can believe that the all powerful God became a little baby, I can easily believe all the other miracles that Christ performed – including giving Himself to us under the form of bread and wine and rising from the dead!

            Theodoret of Cyr also points out how this prophecy of Isaiah can be used as an apologetic for the divine maternity of Mary. He simply states that if the child is called “Mighty God,” then it makes perfect sense that his mother would be called the “mother of God.” For “the mother shares the honor of her offspring, and the Virgin is both the mother of the Lord Christ as man and again is his servant as Lord and Creator and God.”

            Psalm 96 continues this joyful tone by declaring that one ought to sing to the Lord a new song. “Let the heavens and the earth rejoice.” “Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes.” The Lord comes…as a little child. The Lord comes at every Mass under the form of bread and wine!

            St. Paul’s letter to Titus again explains the reason for Christ’s coming among us sinners. Jesus Christ “gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.” By taking on human flesh and becoming a little child, He is able to give himself up for love us and to reconcile us to Himself.

            After the birth of Jesus, as recounted in St. Luke’s gospel, we hear that he was laid in a manger. This was the sign that the shepherds were to witness: “a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” We are very familiar with this image so it might not strike us as out of the ordinary, but in fact, as a feeding trough for animals, the manger was no ordinary crib for an infant. Jesus, the Bread of Life, born in Bethlehem, which means “House of Bread,” was laid in a feeding trough. Does this bring any Eucharistic imagery to mind? “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood will have eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:53). This Jesus, who was the king of kings and Lord of Lords and who came to save us from our sins, was not born in a palace and laid in a fancy bed, but rather in a manger. He was rich and yet became poor for our sakes, so that by his poverty, we might become rich. Though he was rich he became poor, to teach us that by being poor in spirit, we might win the kingdom of heaven.

            So what does all of this mean for us today? This historical event of the birth of Christ took place over 2,000 years ago! By reflecting on this great mystery of our faith, we can cultivate gratitude for the work of redemption accomplished by God becoming man for our sakes. Yes, we still deal with the effects of original sin, but we are not doomed to eternal misery, but rather have the opportunity now, thanks to our God becoming man and laying down his life for us, to enjoy eternal happiness with Him. This cultivation of gratitude can be a foretaste of the gratitude with which we will praise God for ever with all the saints in heaven.

By Rev. Br. Patrick Mary

              There is almost nothing more disarming in the world than a new-born infant.  Even a stone cold heart shatters in the vicinity of a helpless, tiny babe.  Why?  Why do babies have this “power” to make us feel incredibly small?  Perhaps we might think, “We too were once that small.”  We are reminded that this child before us is totally dependent on others and utterly helpless on its own.  Our own fragility is placed before our eyes.  Are we any different than this child?  The Christmas Crèche reminds us this profound reality that He who seems so distant at times, He who we think does not understand us in fact became a humble child so that we might approach Him in a child-like manner.

            We are all invited once again to consider the poverty of Bethlehem.  In a world that is war stricken, the message of the Incarnation, God-with-us, is the same.  In a world where family life is threatened and perhaps your own family is experiencing difficulty, the message of the Christ-Child is the same.  The angel’s hymn, Gloria in Excelsis Deo, gives us the message of peace and goodwill toward men. (Lk. 2:14)  This Child was born to bring peace into every human heart afflicted with sin.

             The Lord Jesus came in the humility of a child to disarm our preconceived notion of God.  He does not come as the political ruler that the chosen people were expecting.  Caesar Augustus imposed peace by force, but the peace and reconciliation that this humble baby would bring was brought about through love and forgiveness.[1]  Pope Benedict XVI said “In that Child… God comes without weapons, without force, because he does not want to conquer, so to speak, from the outside, but rather wants to be freely received by the human being.  God makes himself a defenseless Child to overcome pride, violence and the human desire to possess.”[2] 

                The Psalmist says “He comes to judge the earth.  He will judge the world with righteousness and the people with his truth.” (Ps. 96)  His very first throne he judged upon was the humble manger in Bethlehem, a feeding trough for animals.  Cyril of Alexandria said “He is laid in a manger like fodder for a people who act like beasts.”[3]  The same God who created and rules the universe made Himself helpless and vulnerable “to teach people a new way of living and loving.”[4] 

                “Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Mt. 18:3)  Our God was serious in this statement.  God the Son was born for us (Is. 9:6; Lk. 2:7), in poverty, wrapped in swaddling clothes, which symbolizes our release from the bands of sin that bind us (Bede and John the Monk).[5]  The poverty of the birth of Christ teaches us just how far God is willing to stoop to our level to identify with us. 

                 Everybody’s favorite Saint, yours and mine, St. Francis of Assisi, brought to the forefront of the Church’s piety this profound truth of the humility of God in the Incarnation.  His emphasis on the Sacred Humanity of Christ brought warmth and “heartbeat” back into Christian devotion.  St. Francis knew that you cannot love anything that ultimately you cannot get your arms around.  We cannot love abstractions, only persons.  He wanted the faithful to know that God truly became Emmanuel, God-with-us, and that each of us can experience His closeness if we let down our walls and approach Him as a child.  The humility and closeness of our God is a lesson each of us can benefit.

               Are we willing to welcome the poor Christ Child into our hearts?  Are we going to be like the innkeeper who denied because there was no room? (Lk. 2:7)  St. Jerome says “The entire human race had a place, and the Lord about to be born had none.  He found no room among men.”[6]  Are things any different today?  He who has created each of us individually comes to the door of our own “inn,” our own heart to seek entrance.  Will we turn Him away as well?

               GK “Chesterton noted than Jesus disclosed himself to the humble who knew they knew little and then to the learned who appreciated they did not know everything.”[7]  

               The whole reason we celebrate Christmas is to approach that new-born baby once again and to remind ourselves God is very close to us.  Our God became touchable, huggable and tangible for the sake of you and me.

By Br. John Paul Zeller, MFVA

[2] Pope Benedict XVI, “On the Meaning of Christmas,” Eternal Word Television Network, http://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/b16meaningxmas.htm (accessed February 2, 2011).

[3] Arthur Just Jr., ed., Luke (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture), 35.

[4] Pope Benedict XVI, “On the Meaning of Christmas.

[5] Arthur Just Jr., ed., Luke (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture), 35.

[6] Ibid., 39.

[7] Alfred McBride, How to Make Homilies Better, Briefer, and Bolder: Tips from a Master Homilist (San Francisco: Our Sunday Visitor, 2007), 116.

Our Lady appeared to Saint Juan Diego in 1531 as the Mother of the people of the Americas.  She has by her prayers and motherly comfort always enfolded this people in her mantle.

The retreat presented an opportunity for employees of the network to prepare for the coming of Our Lord at Christmas.  Employees and their spouses were invited to attend the retreat and spend time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.  They also had the opportunity to meet with the Poor Clare nuns in the parlor. It was a grace-filled time for all participants including those friars who attended.

The quotes are intended to be something that the friar can meditate on throughout the year, the saints will be their patrons for the year, and the friar’s name is someone to be prayed for. The drawing of quotes can be quite amusing as they seem to usually befit the friar who draws them.

Candidacy is the final step on the way to deaconate ordination and the point when the deacons-to-be formally announce their intention to approach God’s altar by declaring themselves as candidates for ordination. Father Joseph and Father Dominic were able to join with the Mount St Mary’s community in congratulating these men who will be ordained in just a few short months.

In a brief but prayerful admission ceremony the two men new received the blessing of our Community Servant Fr. Anthony Mary and were given the San Damiano Postulant Cross.

Both men bring to the community a variety of gifts and talents.  Randon comes from Warner Robins, Georgia and John from Long Island, New York.   God willing, Randon and John will receive the habit of St. Francis of Assisi and enter the novitiate in August of 2012.  Please join us in welcoming and praying for our new postulants.

During the summer, Rev. Brs. Leonard and Patrick as well as Br. John Paul were involved in weekend parish ministry in Diocese of Birmingham, Alabama.  As part of their formation as deacons and future priests, each friar was assigned to a different parish and became involved in various ways.  Brs. Leonard served at Holy Infant of Prague Parish in Trussville, Alabama and Patrick at St. Francis Xavier in the City of Birmingham.  Both participated in the Sunday Masses, preached homilies, performed baptisms, visited the sick and elderly, and assisted with funerals and weddings.  Br. John Paul was assigned to Our Lady of the Valley in Birmingham, Alabama.  There he brought communion to the sick, gave ferverinos, and assisted with a catechism class.

All seminarians in theology have a pastoral field assignment during the academic year.  This year Rev. Br. Leonard is assigned to St. Benedicts Parish in Baltimore, Maryland.  Rev. Br. Patrick serves at St. Joseph’s Parish in Frederick, Maryland.  Br. John Paul is assigned to St. Andrew’s Parish in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania and Br. Paschal teaches RCIA.  Upon completion of the 2011/ 2012 academic year, Br. Leonard & Patrick God willing will be ordained to the priesthood and Br. John Paul and Br. Paschal to the diaconate.

Please pray that our seminarians become holy priests like Jesus Christ our great high priest.  If you would like to give toward their seminary education please click here:

http://www.franciscanmissionaries.com/become-part-of-our-mission/

On Friday the memorial of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major, Br. Paul Mary of St. Joseph the Protector made his first profession of vows.  He spent his novitiate year in Hanceville under the guidance, direction, and instruction of Fr. Miguel Marie.

On Saturday the feast of the Transfiguration, Br. Paschal Mary of the Nativity made his final profession of vows.  For the past two years, Br. Paschal has been attending Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and will, God-willing, be ordained a deacon next year and then a priest the following year.  He will be returning to seminary this month along with four other friar-seminarians which includes the latest addition of Br. Matthew.

We give praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God for these vocations and for the families of the friars who are offering their sons to the Lord!