Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz: Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God; let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky! But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the Lord!” Then he said: “Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary men, must you also weary God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel,” Is. 7:10-14.
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. 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. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this! Is. 9:5-6
For he who has become your husband is your Maker; his name is the Lord of hosts; Your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, called God of all the earth. Is. 54:5
“But even now if my people would listen, if Israel would walk in my paths, in a moment I would subdue their foes, against their enemies unleash my hand. Those who hate the Lord would tremble, their doom sealed forever. But Israel I would feed with the finest wheat, satisfy them with honey from the rock.” Ps. 81:14-17.
So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem [meaning – house of bread], because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his be-trothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to their firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:3-7
After their audience with the king, they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Mt. 2:9-11.
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on be-half of many for the forgiveness of sins. Mt. 26:26-28
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race: the light
shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Jn. 1:1-5
The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us [his] flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you… Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven… whoever eats this bread will live for-ever.” Jn.6:52-58 [While in the state of grace – not aware of any unconfessed mortal sins after an examination of con-science – when a practicing Catholic receives Holy Commun-ion while loving God above all else, and perseveres in this grace-filled relationship, that person will not die a spiritual death (not repent of mortal sin) and thus will live forever.]
When he had said this, he showed them [Peter and the faithful apostles] his hands and his side. The disciples re-joiced when they saw the Lord. [Jesus] said to them again, “peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sin you for-give are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are re-tained.” Jn. 20:20-23. [Talk about 20/20 vision! The night of Christ’s resurrection – proving that he has conquered sin and death as the Lord of life and salvation – Jesus institutes the Sacrament of Confession - a shower for the soul].
When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled [fifty days after Christ rose from the dead] they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. Acts of the Apostles (Acts) 2:1-4
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other apostles, “What are we to do, my brothers?” Peter [said] to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins: and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”… Those who accepted this message were baptized and about three thousand persons were added that day. They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.” Acts 2:37-43.
And so the Church of Jesus Christ, the Mystical Body of the Crucified and Risen Lord, born of Mary, continues God’s ministry fully and substantially through his Catholic Church until he comes again in glory!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Fr. Thomas McCabe
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