The Nativity of the Lord Christmas

We gather this morning in silence and prayer to contemplate the center event of God’s creation. This is the Christ event. All creation leads to Jesus Christ. All creation takes its meaning from Jesus Christ, and the Christ event begins with the Nativity of the Lord, Christmas, and concludes with His sharing His Spirit and the Spirit of the Father on Pentecost.

My brother, my sister, Jesus Christ enters into our world to draw us into His Presence. Shepherds and Kings, pagans and Jews are drawn into the Presence, the Presence in Bethlehem. And, we, whether we be rich or poor by the world’s standards, whether we be weak or powerful by the world’s standards, we are drawn into His Presence. This is simply wonderful.

Today, Christmas day, we are separated from the emptiness of a world that rejects God. We are called away. We are called to holiness; for to be holy is to be separate for the Lord.

Yes, you and I can be holy. We can be His People. The Divine Presence that gives meaning to our lives also gives us the power, the courage, the strength to live for others. When we choose to put others before ourselves, we choose lives that reflect the Presence of Love Incarnate, the Presence of Jesus Christ.

Whether there are angels calling shepherds or a star appearing to Kings, or reports of people in dire need a continent away or in the house next door, or in our own homes, we are called to step away from our comforts and selfishness and step into the Presence of the Lord I mean Christ identifies with those who are suffering: I was hungry, or thirsty, a stranger, or naked, sick or imprisoned… We are called to him. We are called to holiness.

Who is it in our families who need special care? Is it an elderly relative, sick, impatient, helpless? Is it a husband or wife, brother or sister who is unsettled with life? Is it a teen with difficult challenges or a child with special needs? They are there. Every family has members calling out to the rest for help, calling others into holiness.

Who is it in our parish who draw us to sacrifice and to service? Is it the poor who come to our office, the community who calls us to share our talents in music ministry and other liturgical ministries? There are many who are calling us to be stewards of the treasures of our parish, calling us into holiness.

St. Francis of Assisi understood the message of the manger clearer than most. The world had little compassion for a young girl in labor. She was offered a spot in a stable, with… the animals. There was no semblance of royalty about the scene. And, you know, the King of Kings was born into poverty to draw us away from the riches of the world and into His Presence. St. Francis saw this birth as a call to holiness, a call away from the world’s riches and a call to the wealth of the Lord. It was, of course, St. Francis who constructed the first nativity scene.

This morning we greet one another by saying “Merry Christmas.”, and its ok, be merry, celebrate the birth of the Lord. Be joyful, BUT not just because a baby was born 2,000 years ago, but because God has entered into our world to draw us into His Presence.

Dear brothers and sisters, today the Word became flesh; he came to dwell among us; he is Emmanuel, the God who became close to us. Together let us contemplate this great mystery of love; let our hearts be filled with the light which shines in the stable of Bethlehem!

To everyone, a Merry Christmas!■

Mis queridos parishioners en el sencillo folleto que hemos distribuido con los horarios de las distintas celebraciones de los tiempos de Adviento y Navidad habrán notado que el sábado 25 de Diciembre y el sábado 1 de Enero NO tendremos la celebración de las 5p.m. como es habitual. La razón –pastoral- es sencilla: queremos que los fieles no pierdan el sentido de la celebración del día, es decir, de las solemnidades de la Natividad del Señor y de Santa María, Madre de Dios, respectivamente. La Sagrada Congregación para el Culto Divino, en el n. 28 de su instrucción Eucharisticum Mysterium nos anima a los pastores a instruir “con cuidado a los fieles sobre la significación de la concesión (de celebrar el sábado por la tarde) y procuren que no se pierda con eso el sentido del domingo”. Con las misas del sábado 25 de Diciembre a las 10 a.m. y las 12 p.m. celebraremos la Solemnidad de la Natividad del Señor. Al día siguiente, Domingo 26, celebraremos la fiesta de la Sagrada Familia en los horarios habituales de domingo.

Con las misas del sábado 1 de Enero a las 10 a.m. y a las 12p.m., celebraremos la Solemnidad de Santa María, Madre de Dios (éste año, por caer en sábado NO es fiesta de precepto). Al día siguiente, Domingo 2 de enero celebraremos la Solemnidad de la Epifanía del Señor. El siguiente fin de semana -9 de enero, fiesta del Bautismo del Señor- volveremos al horario habitual de los sábados: Confesiones de 3p.m. a 5p.m. y luego la santa Misa 5p.m.

Con éstos horarios queremos dar a cada día, a cada solemnidad, a cada acto litúrgico su propio peso y medida, altura y profundidad.

Por otro lado, también queremos decir que ésta semana enviamos ya al Sr. Arzobispo una carta en la que pedimos su autorización y su bendición para iniciar una serie de reparaciones importantes que necesita nuestra parroquia. Tan pronto recibamos su respuesta, haremos saber a la comunidad parroquial con todo detalle de qué se trata, mientras tanto les pedimos su oración para que podamos completarlas exitosamente y ésta casa de Dios en la que nos reunimos para adorarlo Domingo a Domingo continúe en buenas condiciones por muchos años más.

Que éstas últimas dos semanas del tiempo de Adviento estén llenas de paz y serenidad para cada uno, que nos recojamos interiormente para escuchar al Señor que viene y así, en silencio y orantes nos encuentre el día de su llegada.

Con un abrazo y la bendición para cada uno,

P. Agustin

My dear parishioners, in the bulletin that was distributed, which has the times for the celebrations of Advent and Christmas, you may have noted that on Saturday 25 December and on Saturday January 1 we will not celebrate the 5 p.m. Mass as we usually do. The pastoral reason for this is easy to understand: it is the desire of the Church that the faithful not lose the awareness of the meaning of the celebration of that day, the celebration of the solemnities of the Nativity of our Lord, and of Holy Mary, Mother of God, respectively. The Sacred Congregation of Rites, in the n. 28 of its instruction on the Eucharisticum Mysterium encourages us, pastors, to explain carefully to the faithful the meaning of the permission to fulfill the Sunday obligation by participating in the celebration of the Mass on Saturday, to ensure that the significance of Sunday is not thereby obscured. “The purpose of this concession is in fact to enable the Christians of today to celebrate more easily the day of the resurrection of the Lord.”

We will celebrate the Solemnity of the Nativity of our Lord during the Masses of Saturday 25 of December at 10 a.m. and 12 noon. The following day, Sunday 26, we will celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Family during the Masses in accordance with the usual Sunday schedule. We will celebrate the Solemnity of Holy Mary, Mother of God, on Saturday 1 January, during the Masses at 10 a.m. and 12 noon (this year it is not a holiday of obligation because it falls on a Saturday). The following day, Sunday 2 January, we will celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord in accordance with the usual Sunday schedule. The following weekend, 9 January – the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord – we will return to our usual Saturday schedule: Confessions from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and then the holy Mass at 5 p.m. With these changes we desire to give each day, each solemnity and each liturgy its own weight, measure, height and depth.

On another matter, we want to share with you that this week we sent  a letter to our beloved Archbishop requesting his authorization to begin a series of important repairs that are needed by our parish facilities. As soon as we receive his reply we will explain to the entire parish community what these repairs entail; in the meanwhile we ask for your prayers so that we may complete them successfully, and that this House of God where we come together to adore him, Sunday after Sunday, continues to be in good condition for many more years.

That these last two weeks of the Season of Advent be full of peace and serenity for each of you, and that retreat toward our interiority to listen to the Lord, who is coming, and there, in silence and prayer, we may be found on the day of his arrival.

With an embrace and a blessing for each of you,

Fr. Agustin

Fourth Sunday of Advent (A)

My dear brothers and sisters, in the week before Christmas, I invite all of you to consider a beautiful tradition in the Catholic Church: The O Antiphons. It refers to the seven antiphons that are recited (or chanted) preceding the Magnificat during Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours. They cover the special period of Advent preparation known as the Octave before Christmas, Dec. 17-23, with Dec. 24 being Christmas Eve and Vespers for that evening being for the Christmas Vigil. The exact origin of the “O Antiphons” is not known. Boethius (c. 480-524) made a slight reference to them, thereby suggesting their presence at that time. At the Benedictine abbey of Fleury (now Saint-Benoit-sur-Loire), these antiphons were recited by the abbot and other abbey leaders in descending rank, and then a gift was given to each member of the community. By the eighth century, they are in use in the liturgical celebrations in Rome. The usage of the “O Antiphons” was so prevalent in monasteries that the phrases, “Keep your O” and “The Great O Antiphons” were common parlance. One may thereby conclude that in some fashion the “O Antiphons” have been part of our liturgical tradition since the very early Church. The importance of “O Antiphons” is twofold: Each one highlights a title for the Messiah: O Sapientia (O Wisdom), O Adonai (O Lord), O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse), O Clavis David (O Key of David), O Oriens (O Rising Sun), O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations), and O Emmanuel. Also, each one refers to the prophecy of Isaiah of the coming of the Messiah. Let’s now look at each antiphon with just a sample of Isaiah’s related prophecies:

O Sapientia: “O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation.” Isaiah had prophesied, “The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord.” (11:2-3), and “Wonderful is His counsel and great is His wisdom.” (28:29).

O Adonai: “O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.” Isaiah had prophesied, “But He shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land’s afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.” (11:4-5); and “Indeed the Lord will be there with us, majestic; yes the Lord our judge, the Lord our lawgiver, the Lord our king, he it is who will save us.” (33:22).

O Radix Jesse: “O Flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.” Isaiah had prophesied, “But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.” (11:1), and A On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious.” (11:10). Remember also that Jesse was the father of King David, and Micah had prophesied that the Messiah would be of the house and lineage of David and be born in David’s city, Bethlehem (Micah 5:1).

O Clavis David: “O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of Heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom.” Isaiah had prophesied, AI will place the Key of the House of David on His shoulder; when he opens, no one will shut, when he shuts, no one will open.” (22:22), and “His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over His kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever.” (9:6).

O Oriens: “O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.” Isaiah had prophesied, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shown.” (9:1).

O Rex Gentium: “O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.” Isaiah had prophesied, “For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.” (9:5), and “He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.” (2:4).

O Emmanuel: “O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.” Isaiah had prophesied, “The Lord himself will give you this sign: the Virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.” (7:14). Remember “Emmanuel” means “God is with us.” Probably the Benedictine monks arranged these antiphons with a definite purpose. If one starts with the last title and takes the first letter of each one -   Emmanuel, Rex, Oriens, Clavis, Radix, Adonai, Sapientia- the Latin words ero cras are formed, meaning, “Tomorrow, I will come.” Therefore, the Lord Jesus, whose coming we have prepared for in Advent and whom we have addressed in these seven Messianic titles, now speaks to us, “Tomorrow, I will come.” So the “O Antiphons” not only bring intensity to our Advent preparation, but bring it to a joyful conclusion ■  Fr. Agustin, Pastor. 

IV Domingo de Adviento (A)

Mis queridos hermanos y hermanas en el Señor, ya muy cerca de la Solemnidad de la Natividad del Señor, y para calmar el la impaciencia de nuestro espíritu, la Iglesia, que es Madre y Maestra, nos regala la alegre fiesta de la Expectación del parto o la espera del divino alumbramiento. Esta fiesta fijada en el 16 de diciembre, continúa hasta Navidad, sin embargo a partir de éste día la Iglesia canta en las Vísperas las grandes antífonas. Se llaman popularmente antífonas de la O, o las O de Navidad, porque principian con esta invocación. Estas antífonas expresan por su variedad las diferentes cualidades del Mesías y las diversas necesidades del linaje humano.

El hombre está, desde la caída de Adán y Eva, privado casi de razón y sin gusto hacia los verdaderos bienes; su conducta inspira compasión y necesita la sabiduría, así la Iglesia la pide para él con la primera antífona: O Sapientia: ¡Oh Sabiduría que saliste de la boca del Altísimo, que alcanzas tu fin con fuerza, y dispones todas las cosas con dulzura! Ven a enseñarnos la senda de la prudencia”.

El hombre es desde su caída esclavo del demonio, y tiene necesidad de un poderoso Libertador. La Iglesia lo pide para él con la segunda antífona: O Adonai: "¡Oh Dios poderoso y guía de la casa de Israel, que te mostraste a Moisés en la zarza encendida y le diste a ley del Sinaí!"Ven a rescatarnos con el poder de tu brazo”.

El hombre desde su caída necesita un Redentor. La Iglesia lo pide para él en la tercera Antífona: O radix Jesé: “¡Oh raíz de Jesé, que está expuesta como una bandera a los ojos de las naciones, ante la cual guardarán silencio los reyes, y a la que ofrecerán los gentiles sus oraciones! ven a rescatarnos, no tardes”.

El  hombre es desde su caída preso del error y de la muerte, y necesita una llave para salir. La Iglesia la pide con la cuarta antífona: O clavis David: “¡Oh llave de David, que abres y nadie cierra, que cierras y nadie abre! Ven y saca al preso de la cárcel, al desgraciado que yace en las tinieblas a la sombra de la muerte”.

El hombre está ciego desde su caída, y necesita un sol que le ilumine. La Iglesia lo pide para él con co la quinta antífona: O Oriens; ¡Oh Oriente, esplendor de la luz eterna y sol de justicia! Ven y alumbra a los que yacen en las tinieblas y en la sombra de la muerte.”

El hombre desde su caída necesita un santificador, un fuego que lo purifique. La Iglesia lo pide por él con la sexta antífona: O Sancte Sanctorum: ¡Oh Santo de los Santos, espejo sin mancha de la majestad de Dios e imagen de su bondad! Ven a destruir la iniquidad y traer la justicia eterna”.

El hombre desde su necesita un restaurador, alguien que lo restañe. La Iglesia lo pide para él con la séptima antífona: O Rex gentium: ¡Oh Rey de las naciones, Dios y Salvador de Israel, piedra angular que unes en un solo edificio a los Judíos y a los gentiles! Ven y salva al hombre que has formado del barro de la tierra”.

El hombre desde su caída  ha doblegado la cabeza bajo el yugo de todas las tiranías, y tiene necesidad de un legislador equitativo. La Iglesia lo pide para él con le octava antífona: O Emmanuel: “¡Oh Emmanuel, nuestro rey y Legislador, expectación de las naciones y objeto de sus deseos! Ven a salvarnos, Señor Dios nuestro”.

El hombre desde su caída es una oveja expuesta al furor de los lobos, y necesita un Pastor que le defienda y le guíe a buenos pastos. La Iglesia lo pide para él con la novena antífona: O Pastor Israel: “¡Oh Pastor y dominador de la casa de David! Tú que eras en el principio desde el día de la eternidad, ven a apacentar a tu pueblo en toda la extensión de tu poder, y reina sobre él en la justicia y la sabiduría!”

Una de las mejores preparaciones para la fiesta de Navidad es el repetir con frecuencia estas bellas antífonas, empapándonos en los sentimientos que expresan. Si queremos pasar santamente el tiempo del Adviento, unamos nuestros suspirosa los de la Iglesia, los Patriarcas, los Profetas y justos d la antigua Ley; adoptemos alguna de sus ardientes palabras; que sea nuestra oración jaculatoria de cada día, y si es posible, de cada hora del día.  Unamos a la oración u recogimiento mayor, una vigilancia mas continua; descendamos con más frecuencia al fondo de nuestra alma, a fin de purificarla y embellecerla pensando que debe ser la cuna del Niño divino. Sin embargo, la gran preparación es renunciar al pecado, al pecado mortal especialmente, pues ¿qué puede haber de común entre el Hijo de María y un corazón manchado de iniquidades?

Escuchemos a san Carlos exhortando a su pueblo a santificar el Adviento, y apropiémonos de las palabras del gran Arzobispo: “Durante el Adviento debemos prepararnos para recibir al Hijo de Dios que abandona el seno de su Padre para hacerse hombre, y platicar nosotros; es preciso destinar un poco del tiempo que consagramos a nuestras ocupaciones a meditar en silencio sobre las preguntas siguientes: ¿Quién es el que viene? ¿De dónde viene? ¿Cómo viene? ¿Cuáles son los hombres para los que viene? ¿Cuáles son los motivos y cuál debe ser el fruto de su venida? Cifremos en él nuestras aspiraciones todas a imitación de los justos y Profetas del Antiguo Testamento que por tanto tiempo le esperaron, y para abrirle el camino de nuestro corazón purifiquémonos por medio de la confesión, el ayuno y de la comunión”.

Con la esperanza alegre de la venida de nuestro Señor les envío un cálido abrazo y la bendición para cada uno y sus familias ■ Fr. Agustín, Párroco.