Monthly Archives: January 2021

Marriage: A Sacrament of Service

31 Sunday Jan 2021

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Wedding Rings on Bible

In the Catholic Church, there are seven Sacraments. A Sacrament is a visible sign of an invisible reality, instituted by Christ, which imparts grace. There are:

Three Sacraments of Christian Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist.

Two Sacraments of Healing: Penance and the Anointing of the Sick.

Two Sacraments of Service: Holy Orders and Matrimony.[1]

The first thing you should notice is that marriage is a Sacrament of Service. That should get your attention. Marriage is to be other-focused, the pouring out of your life for the good of your spouse and any children with which you may be blessed.

All other Sacraments were instituted by Christ, whereas marriage was elevated by Christ to a Sacrament. It is the “primordial” Sacrament being created by God (see Genesis 1 and 2). The Catechism of the Catholic Church says “Christian spouses are fortified and, as it were, consecrated for the duties and dignity of their state”[2] by the Sacrament.

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Feast of the Espousals of Mary and Joseph

23 Saturday Jan 2021

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Espousal of Joseph and Mary

Marriage of Mary
Domenico Ghirlandaio, c. 1486 – 1490
Santa Maria Novella Basilica, Florence, Italy

You give the Church the joy of celebrating the feast of the Holy Spouses, Mary and Joseph: in her, full of grace and worthy Mother of your Son, you signify the beginning of the Church, the resplendently beautiful bride of Christ; you chose him, the wise and faithful servant, as Husband of the Virgin Mother of God, and made him head of your family, to guard as a father your only Son, conceived by the work of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Preface to the Mass, Feast of the Espousals of Mary and Joseph

Today is the lesser-known Feast of the Espousals of Mary and Joseph. It is also known as the Feast of the Holy Spouses.

This feast was first celebrated on August 29, 1517, when Pope Leo X granted the Nuns of the Annunciation permission to do so. In the 19th and 20th century, permission was given for this feast to be celebrated on January 23, though this varies in different parts of the world. This feast is not on the universal liturgical calendar of the Church and is typically celebrated at various shrines dedicated to St Joseph.

St John Paul II, in his apostolic exhortation, Redemptoris Custos, discusses the importance of St Joseph in the Holy Family. The marriage of Joseph and Mary is the prototype and model of Christian marriage and an example of the profound union of hearts and spousal self-gift that is meant to be the reality of all married couples.

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Pray for Our Nation and Our Families

17 Sunday Jan 2021

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heal-our-land

We are living in tumultuous times in the United States. We are a divided nation; there is no common ground to rally around. The very existence of our country as founded is on shaky ground. Our nation has been besieged by unrest and rioting. A dark cloud of division and strife is covering our land. Families are crumbing at an alarming rate. We are living in a time of despair, despondency, and hopelessness. Let us rise up and call out to God to heal our nation and our families.

And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” Matthew 8:23-25

This story from scripture is not about the storm. As in our lives, the biggest issue is not the crisis. The issue at hand is whether we are trusting in the Lord to bring us through the storms of life. An even bigger issue is whether we can trust in Jesus for his protection and care even when He does not appear to be paying attention to our needs.

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The Baptism of the Lord

10 Sunday Jan 2021

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The Baptism of the Christ
Andrea del Verrocchio and Leonardo da Vinci, c. 1475

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Mark 1:9-11

Today the Church celebrates the Baptism of the Lord. Jesus humbled himself to receive John’s baptism of repentance not to purify himself but to purify you and me. Because of Jesus’ baptism, you can be confident that God has “grasped you by the hand” (Isa 42:6 – 1st reading at today’s Mass), saving you from the oppression of Satan, sin, and death. Through this act, we too are made beloved sons and daughters of the heavenly King, pleasing to Him.

In our restoration work with couples who are struggling in their marriages, we see many individuals with father wounds. These wounds effect their understanding of God the Father’s incredible love for them. It is through our earthly father’s love, mercy, and forgiveness that we come to know who God the Father is. If we have not received these from our earthly father, our view of God is distorted. If our father was harsh, critical, or overbearing, this will be our image of God the Father.

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Families: An Epiphany of the Lord

03 Sunday Jan 2021

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Adoration of the Magi_Fabriano_c1423

Adoration of the Magi, Gentile da Fabriano, c. 1423

“I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6

Today the Church celebrates the Epiphany of the Lord, which commemorates the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child. Epiphany means manifestation. What the Church celebrates today is the manifestation of our Lord to the whole world. After having been made known to the shepherds of Bethlehem, Jesus is revealed to the Magi. They have come from the East to adore the Christ Child.

Christian tradition sees in the Magi “the first fruits of the Gentiles.”[1] Epiphany is an affirmation of universal salvation as prophesied in Isaiah in the Old Testament. The adoration of the Magi is the beginning of the Christian faith among Gentiles.

May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him! Psalm 72:11

Christian families also have the task of manifesting the light of Christ to the world. Through their example of holiness, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, give witness to the love of Christ in a world living in darkness, sin, and despair. You are to be a daily “epiphany” of the Lord to your children, extended family, neighbors, co-workers, and the world. You could not find a more noble task.

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Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

01 Friday Jan 2021

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Theotokos, the Inexhaustible Cup, Russian Icon

Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. The origin of the title “Mother of God” dates back to the third or fourth century. In 431, the Council of Ephesus officially declared Mary as the “Mother of God” or Theotokos (Greek term meaning “The God-bearer”). This is the first Marian dogma of the Church. As we begin the new year, the Church invites us to contemplate the divine maternity of Mary as an icon of peace.

Pope Paul VI, in his apostolic exhortation Marialis Cultus, said…

It is likewise a fitting occasion for renewing adoration of the newborn Prince of Peace, for listening once more to the glad tidings of the angels (cf. Lk. 2:14), and for imploring from God, through the Queen of Peace, the supreme gift of peace. It is for this reason that, in the happy concurrence of the Octave of Christmas and the first day of the year, we have instituted the World Day of Peace, an occasion that is gaining increasing support and already bringing forth fruits of peace in the hearts of many.[1]

In these unsettled times, it is fitting that we start this new year focusing on the fruits of peace brought to us in Jesus through His mother Mary. The year gone by was rife with fear, uncertainty, unrest, despair, and hopelessness. It behooves us to take time today to pray to the Mother of God for peace in our hearts, our homes, our neighborhoods, and throughout the world.

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