Words of Spirit and Life

Theme: GOD BECAME MAN, GOD BECAME FOOD FOR MAN, GOD BECAME FOOD FOR SINFUL MAN.

• Luke 2:1-14;
• John 1:1-18 (or 1:1-5. 9-14);
• Hebrews 1:1-6.

1. A happy and blessed Christmas to all of you! Tonight we celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ our Savior! The gospel tonight tells us of the birth of Jesus Christ our Savior! The gospel tells us that Caesar Augustus is not the bringer of peace, nor the savior of the world, nor god; but Jesus Christ is the bringer of peace and the Savior of the world, and God! Peace (shalom) and Salvation do not come from the political, economic and military power of Caesar Augustus, but from the moral and spiritual power of Jesus Christ! In fact, political, economic and military power, without moral and spiritual power leads to corruption, cronyism, injustices, exploitation, oppression, war, abortion, etc.!

    The gospel also tells us that God has become man, God has become food for man, and God has become food for sinful man! It is hard to believe that God has become man, it is harder to believe that God has become food for man, and it is hardest to believe that God has become food for sinful man! But the question is, “Do you believe in a God of law, justice, punishment and damnation; or do you believe in a God of love, mercy, forgiveness and salvation?”! Look at the cross of Jesus Christ! Look at the Christmas Crib/Crèche! The Christmas Crib/Crèche is a model of the gospel tonight!   

    The gospel tonight tells us that the baby Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes (became man), laid in a manger (became food for man), and revealed to shepherds (sinful man)! Finally, the gospel tells us to give praise to God, because salvation comes from the favor, grace and blessing of God as a free gift of God! Thus the song of the angels at the end of the gospel: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace (shalom/salvation) to men who enjoy his favor”! (CSB/NJBC/Fuller) Praise the Lord!

    For the details of the Nativity, we have to read the gospel tonight and visit the Christmas crib/crèche!

Theme: GOD REVEALS HIMSELF IN CREATION, GOD REVEALS HIMSELF

 IN HUMAN BEINGS, GOD REVEALS HIMSELF IN OTHER

 RELIGIONS, AND GOD REVEALS HIMSELF IN JESUS CHRIST

2. “Christmas”, “Epiphany”, and “The Baptism of the Lord” which is the last day of the Christmas season are all about the manifestation or revelation of God! The gospel and second reading for the Christmas “Mass During the Day” tell us that: (1) God reveals himself in creation, (2) God reveals himself in human beings, (3) God reveals himself in Judaism and by analogy in other religions, and (4) God reveals himself fully, completely and finally in Jesus Christ! (Fuller) Jesus Christ is the fullness of “grace and truth” (Jn 1:14. 17), that is, the fullness of “love and faithfulness” (NJB), that is, even if you do not love him, he still loves you, even if you are not faithful to him, he is still faithful to you!   

    (i) God reveals himself in creation! We have therefore to take care of creation! We have to protect the environment! The late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s message for WORLD PEACE DAY on New Year’s Day 2010 was on the protection of the environment! The theme was: “If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation”! Our late Pope concludes his message with these words:

    “Protecting the natural environment in order to build a world of peace is thus a duty incumbent upon each and all. It is an urgent challenge, one to be faced with renewed and concerted commitment; it is also a providential opportunity to hand down to coming generations the prospect of a better future for all. May this be clear to world leaders and those at every level who are concerned for the future of humanity: the protection of creation and peacemaking are profoundly linked! For this reason, I invite all believers to raise a fervent prayer to God, the all-powerful Creator and the Father of mercies, so that all men and women may take to heart the urgent appeal: If you want to cultivate peace, protect creation.”      

    (ii) God reveals himself in human beings! We have therefore to dialogue with philosophy! Our priests study two years of philosophy! We have to dialogue with science! The Vatican has an Observatory to look at the planets, stars, galaxies, etc.! We have to dialogue with culture! Inculturation of the liturgy and of theology!  

    (iii) God reveals himself in Judaism and by extension in other religions! We have therefore to dialogue with other religions! We have to understand other religions! We have to respect other religions! Besides building BECs (Basic Ecclesial Communities), we have to build BRCs (Basic Religious Communities) with other religions and BHCs (Basic Human Communities) with all of humanity!

    (iv) God reveals himself fully, completely, perfectly and finally in Jesus Christ! Jesus Christ is the fullness of “grace and truth”, that is, the fullness of “love and faithfulness”! Love and faithfulness was also revealed in the Old Testament, but it is revealed fully and completely in the New Testament in Jesus Christ! We have therefore to proclaim the Good News of Christmas to all the nations!       

3. Today in the Eucharist, we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and we eat his body and drink his blood, and the Risen Lord will give us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will help us give praise and thanks to God for Christmas, that is, for the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit will help us protect creation. The Holy Spirit will help us dialogue with human philosophy, science and culture! The Holy Spirit will help us dialogue with other religions. And the Holy Spirit will help us proclaim the Good News to all the nations! Again, a happy and blessed Christmas to all of you!

Amen!