Every year, on the first Sunday following Christmas, the Church celebrates the beautiful feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The purpose of this beautiful feast is to remind each and every one of us that the most important place where we are to encounter God’s love for us is within the family. Like all of us, Jesus was born into a human family so that we might all be reminded that it is first and foremost within the family that we are to make Christ’s love present to our brothers and sisters and where we are to encounter the love and acceptance that we all desire and long to know. This beautiful feast is to remind all of us that every family – mine and yours – is a sacred place where God’s love is to be encountered. Continue reading →

My Dear Brothers and Sisters at St. Peter’s Parish:

One of the greatest signs of God’s mercy to all of us is that of the birth of His Son in a poor manger in order that we might all have eternal life. The poverty of the manger and the fact that Christ comes to us as a baby proclaims that God wishes to come to every human being— no matter what their position or status in the world. As a baby, Christ comes so that all might desire to pick Him up and welcome Him into their hearts. No one is afraid of a child. Children are welcomed with love. God who loves us unconditionally wants us to welcome Him without fear and without reservation. His love and mercy is for all people and it comes to us freely in Jesus Christ, whom Pope Francis has called “the face of the Father’s Mercy.” I pray that all of us during the coming Year of Mercy may grow and experience God’s love and mercy for each of us as it comes to us in Christ the Lord. Continue reading →

The Nativity by El Grecco

The Nativity Scene is one of the most beloved symbols in Christianity. It is perhaps one of the most painted scenes in the history of art. At this time of the year, Nativity scenes are set up with great love and devotion in homes and churches around the world. Before the celebration of Jesus’ birth on Christmas Day, the Nativity or empty Manger proclaims the anticipation of a people who await the coming of God’s love in their midst. After the celebration of Christ’s birth, when the baby Jesus is placed in the Manger, the Nativity scene proclaims the presence of a loving God with His people. The birth of Christ into the poverty of the Manger not only proclaims God’s love for us, but it announces boldly the extent to which God goes to show us His love for every single person. Born into absolute poverty, Jesus wishes to show us that there is nothing that will get in the way of His loving us. No matter where we find ourselves in this world, He desire to come among us and be our God. He is truly God with us— or as the scriptures call Him, Emmanuel. Within the context of this Year of Mercy the Manger takes on the significance as that place which can be called no other than The Cradle of God’s Mercy. There is only one sign more powerful for Christians and that is the sign of the Cross, which within the context of this year must be called the Throne of God’s Mercy. Continue reading →