Christmas Reflection

Christmas 2013 Reflection By Rev. Fr. Bob Johnnene OFD Mission Sts. Sergius and Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy An All Inclusive and Welcoming Old Catholic Parish and Ministry Of the Independent Catholic Church of the Americas Link to Mission Web Site: www.missionstsergius.org Christmas REFLECTIONS TV show http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA_VcfN6y8M Link to St. Joseph Cupertino Parish: http://stjosephcupertino.com/index.html Link to Franciscans of Divine Mercy Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/FranciscansDivineMercy?fref=ts Link to Franciscans of Divine Mercy Web Site: www.franciscansdivinemercy.org Link to the Independent Catholic Church of the Americas http://www.iccamericas.org/ Link to All Reflections TV Shows; http://www.youtube.com/user/RevBobJohn Email Address: Divinemercyparish@msn.com And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.(John 1:14) Glory to God in the highest, and peace to all people on earth with whom He is Pleased. Today is born unto us a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (John 2:14, 11) His name will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6) And Mary brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, see, the angel of the Lord came on them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said to them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign to you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”.(Luke2:7-14) When Jesus came to earth in goodness and loving kindness He saved us by the virtue of His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which was poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we might be justified by His grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:4-7) What a glorious gift was given to us on that night when our savior was born in a simple stable. The King of Kings, Lord of Lords was not born in a palatial palace. He was not born in the warmth comfort of a home or inn. No, he was born in a humble stable surrounded not by nurses and doctors and relatives but by Mary and Joseph, his parents, who had accepted God’s will for them even though it could have left them open to criticism. They were there with only God‘s other creations, the animals of the barn. Jesus first visitors were simple shepherds, not the elite of the world. God has given us a sign by this choice for His only son’s birth. God is trying to tell us to live our lives simply and not by seeking fame or fortune. We have been given a message that the simple things in life are what count. Not riches, fame, fortune, but the simple things of life like family, friends, and the beauty of nature. In every event recorded of Christ’s life in scripture, we find a message of acceptance, compassion and forgiveness. Christ welcomed all who came to him. He sat and ate with those considered sinners. Christ is referred to as “The Light of the World” which means He was sent to light the way for us, like a brilliant beacon that guides ships away from dangerous shoals and reefs toward a safe harbor, Christ showed and taught us how we need to live our life. Christ was born to clarify God’s will for us and dispel the darkness that prevailed and still causes so much pain and suffering. Christ came to comfort us in times of distress by assuring us that there is a great reward awaiting us at the end of our earthly life if we follow his example. The miraculous birth we celebrate today is that of God made flesh. God gave us a human image to equate to; a human being that had to endure all the human feelings, emotions, problems and joys that each of us has to experience in our journey of life. Christ endured the pain of a loss of a parent and friends; He experienced the joy of a wedding of a friend. He became angry at the greed and callousness of the priests and temple employees. Christ also told us how to live a life that would insure everlasting peace. His message was one of Love, forgiveness, compassion, mercy and generosity. On this day that we celebrate God’s gift to us of His only son and God’s promise of salvation to all his children, let us present an offering to Him that reflects the way of life He advised us to lead. Let us begin to be more compassionate to those who are suffering from hunger, illnesses such as AIDS and cancer, poverty, substandard housing, and discrimination. Let us work hard to eliminate these ills of our society and bring about a time of equality and justice for ALL God’s children. On this day that we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace let us make a concerted effort to bring peace into the world beginning with our own families, friends and neighbors whom we might be have hurt in some way. If all of us begin toward this goal, we can make a huge difference in the world. As Neil Armstrong said upon landing on the moon, “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” By our taking that small step in the direction of bringing peace into our own lives we might prod other people to do the same and eventually this “Virus of Peace” could envelope the whole world. "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." (John 14:27) With these words of Jesus I end this joyous message of Christmas and pray that the Peace and infinite love of Christ will invade your hearts today and all the days of your life. Merry Christmas and May God grant us a peaceful and joyous New Year. On this day I leave you with this prayer and my personal wish that you all find comfort and peace within your life. Have a blessed Christmas , A Peace Prayer By Father Robert Johnnene OFD O Lord Jesus Christ, Prince of peace, we cry out to you to put an end to all the strife and destruction that is tearing apart this planet earth which your heavenly father, Almighty God, created. All across this planet innocent men women and children of God are being slaughtered, starved and deprived of the basics of life because of mans desire for power, greed and control. Even some religious denominations, who proclaim you as their messiah and redeemer, are being torn apart because of discrimination and the need to enforce man made rules created only to segregate and insure wealth, power and domination. We beg you to intervene and send Your Holy Spirit down upon all those individuals in positions of power, infusing within their hearts and minds the need to find ways to put to an end this destruction, discrimination, and desire for domination and end the needless suffering and pain being caused by their actions. We come to you, Lord Jesus, because you have promised us peace with these words; “Peace I leave you, My peace I give unto you” (John 14:27) and we beg you to proclaim as the angels did on the night of Your birth “Glory to God in the Highest and Peace to His people on Earth” AMEN