MONDAY AFTER EPIPHANY, THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS JANUARY 3, 2021

MASS READINGS

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mt 4:12-17, 23-25

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them. And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.

REFLECTION

"The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen."

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," a quiet voice beside him said. (From the book The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern) The quiet voice had kind beautiful blue eyes and knew a lot about George. George did not know himself nor what he had done for others. He was sullen and angry and worst of all, ready to call it quits as his mood grew darker and the world colder. He thought never having been born was better than all his present difficulties. And the kind man (his guardian angel) grants him his wish.

And slowly he realizes that the old oak tree did not have a car damaged scar, the bank had gone belly up when MJ stole $50,000, and his mother had only one child who had drowned years ago. His wife had a miserable life, and his children were horrid.

Then the miracle happens....having been allowed to see what life would be like without him, he now begs to be back in the present.

This is the original short story version of the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life" Every Christmas, many watch this movie of love, freedom, honesty, friendship and service. But most of all we are reminded of what a wonderful life we have inspite of the difficulties we encounter and suffer through. Our lives are gifts God has given us.

The main theme of the book was that no one was born to be a failure and that no one is poor who has friends. The Greatest Gift, as well as the movie, was a story of a man who thought he was a failure and was "given the opportunity to come back and see the world as it would have been had he not been born." The movie is now a Christmas classic.

Have you ever imagined what life would be like if Jesus had not come into this world, assumed a human nature and brought us salvation? Would we be in despair, no worth in our lives? Would anger, darkness, selfishness prevail? Would love be nowhere to be found? Without God in our lives would we be an insignificant human being?

Sometimes when we feel like failures, when all seems to go wrong, or when our faith doesn't help us, we need others to show us the way. We prosper in a community where faith is born by others and for others.

When our priests work with a hardened church, or met with complaints about this or that, or if the singing is too loud, not loud enough, sermons too long or too short, have not seen their family, or if they are lonely, we should have kindness in our eyes and help the priests live out their priestly duties. Or if we see that one in our community is hurting, together we are called to work for Christ and what He wants us to do.

Pray for priests and for each other to receive God's grace by doing or being who God wills for us. Welcome the Holy Spirit so that many souls may reach heaven.

Visit our website, PAPAmio.org for many devotions, prayers for priests, novenas and many ways to sustain our faith and the faith of others.

God Bless You