“Suddenly there were two men there talking to him; they were Moses and Elijah appearing in glory, and they were speaking of his passing which he was to accomplish in Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:30 – 31)

In this week’s Gospel, the 2^nd Sunday of Lent, Jesus is accompanied up the mountain by Peter, James and John where his whole appearance becomes dazzlingly white. Moses appears and so does Elijah.

Moses represents the Jewish law and Elijah, the greatest of the Old Testament prophets. Jesus is the fulfilment of the law and the prophets. They spoke of what would happen to Jesus in Jerusalem. The voice of God was heard. “This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.”

The disciples are understandably awestruck and Peter speaks about making three tents, one for Jesus and one each for Moses and Elijah.

Being caught up in the glory of God is an amazing experience for them. They do not want to come down from the mountain and back to “reality.” Yet did this signify something more real?

Moses and Elijah were with God. Jesus by what he was about to accomplish by his death on the cross will open the way for human kind to “Our Father in Heaven..” To have eternity in the presence and light of God which is the real life. The life God has planned from the beginning. Nothing compares to this.

Even the best of what can be in this life is only a shadow of all that will be. Jesus has paid the price for all those willing accept the immense love of God. The price for our sinfulness is paid by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

“Hallowed be thy name. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

On Ash Wednesday Christians have ashes put on their foreheads in the sign of the cross. What does this mean?

“Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit through the wilderness, being tempted there by the devil for forty days.” Luke 4: 1 – 13

We now in the Lent period leading up to Easter. A time for personal renewal through prayer, fasting and abstinence intertwined with almsgiving.

In the Gospel for next Sunday, the first Sunday in Lent, we hear about Jesus in the desert. After his baptism by John the Baptist in the river Jordan, the Holy Spirit leads Jesus there to prepare for his ministry.

What form will his ministry take?

Jesus is hungry; the devil invites Jesus to turn a stone into bread. Jesus quotes from scripture and says: “man does not live by bread alone.”

The devil then shows Jesus the kingdoms of the world and says if Jesus would worship him all this could be his. Jesus again replies with scripture: “you must worship the Lord your God, and serve him alone.”

Lastly, the devil invites Jesus to throw himself from the Temple in Jerusalem. The devil, quoting scripture, says the angels will look after him, Jesus once again replies with scripture: “you must not put God to the test.”    

Jesus shows in his answers his ministry is not simply about people’s needs, or being the warrior king messiah expected by the Jews or a wonder worker.

Jesus’ mission on earth is to be a servant king, bringing God’s love and salvation to all humanity for all time.

When we look around the world at international affairs the temptation is to bemoan what we see; the suffering, the wars, the dictatorships and yes we should regret this and want to see it changed, but history is littered with tyrants who have sought to impose their will on others. Here today gone tomorrow.

In the film Jesus of Nazareth Herod is trying to bribe John the Baptist in prison and we hear John saying,” “before kingdoms change men must change.” 

Lent is about taking stock. How can I be the person God has called me to be? What definite service am I called to? Lent is an inner journey which will have positive outcomes for those around me.

The key is prayerfully discerning God’s call. This is why this Sunday gospel is so important and we are invited to follow in the footsteps of Jesus in the desert. Try “The Servant King” by Graham Kendrick.     

On Candlemas Sunday, we hear in the Gospel about the Presentation of Jesus by Mary and Joseph in the Temple. The offering of the first born son. Simeon guided by the Holy Spirit to the Temple recognises Jesus as the light for the revelation to the Gentiles, that’s us, and we hear the famous prayer to this effect as Simeon takes Jesus into his arms – the Canticle of Simeon (Luke 2.32).

“Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace,

just as you promised;

because my eyes have seen the salvation

which you have prepared for all the nations to see,

a light to enlighten the pagans

and the glory of your people Israel.”

Candles are blessed and taken home. This reminds us that Jesus is the true light of the world. Light is a profound symbol in catholic Tradition. Christians are called to be lights to the world in how we live in our everyday lives.

Christians are called to be counter cultural in our secular society and suffer persecution as a result but the joy and happiness of knowing Jesus as brother friend and Saviour more than compensates.

Recent theories and ideologies including those which are against marriage and family life and contradict the immutable laws of nature in God’s beautiful creation, though permeating our institutions and popular consciousness, cannot stand.

The light of Christ is truth revealing and life giving for all time.

What can be learnt from last Sunday’s Gospel of the Marriage at Cana in Galilee where Jesus changed water into wine after it had run out?

It was Mary mother of Jesus who first noticed.
This was the first miracle of Jesus. Mary requested Jesus do something to help and Jesus replied, “My hour has not come yet.” Mary takes no notice and says to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:5)

Jesus was part of the community or he would not have been present and was enjoying himself along with the other guests.

Jesus tells the servants to fill six water jars, draw some out and take it to the steward. The bridegroom is then complimented for saving the best wine until last – all 880 litres!

We might think Jesus was always serious but here he is at a party, smiling, chatting and having a good time. But this is not any party – it is a wedding. Later in his teaching Jesus talks about the importance of marriage.  

When asked by the Pharisees whether divorce is permissible Jesus relied quoting Genesis 1:27; 2:24

“But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female. This is why a man must leave his father and mother, and the two become one body. They are no longer two, therefore, but one body. So then, what God has united, man must not divide. (Mark 10. 6 – 10).

What does this story mean for us? Yes the sacredness of marriage and family life. But also Jesus liked to have a good time and Mary his mother is always ready to go to Jesus on our behalf as our mother too. Sometimes it feels easier to go to mother.

The rosary is an ideal prayer for this.

This Sunday was Peace Sunday when the Church worldwide prays for peace.

Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be children of God. (Matthew 5:9)  

Families can provide the nurture and love which promotes holistic well being and launches us into life.

It is to our detriment as individuals and to the world when family living is dysfunctional according to the loving plan of God.

Families can be the building blocks of a caring, well ordered and peaceful world where the needs of all are met. But what should good family life look like? Or to put it another way, what is God’s plan for family living?

In Genesis we read

“God created man in the image of himself,

in the image of God he created him,

Male and female he created them.” Gen. 1:27

And again, “This is why a man leaves his father and mother and joins himself to his wife, and they become one body.” Gen: 2 24

Jesus refers to these verses when questioned about divorce in Matthew’s Gospel. Matt: 19. 4-6 and concludes, “They are no longer two, therefore, but one body. So then, what God has united man must not divide.”

 And so we see marriage in God’s plan is between one man and one woman in a lifelong and exclusive loving union which welcomes children.

In a loving stable family children grow and start out in life to become all they can be with a good sense of their personal self worth.

In the Gospel this Sunday after the baptism of Jesus we catch a glimpse of the Trinity.

 “While Jesus after his own baptism was at prayer, heaven opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily shape, like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, You are my Son, the Beloved: my favour rests on you.” (Luke 3:15-16, 21 -22)

Christians become members of God’s family through baptism with the pouring of the water and the words, “I baptise you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

When we receive the Holy Spirit at Baptism and are made adopted sons and daughters of God.

Baptised members of families are animated by the Holy Spirit, fully functioning and life transforming – and world transforming.  

The sense and reality of belonging to the divine family is shown by Christians in making the sign of the cross. The most powerful sign of love there is. The cross makes authentic family life and marriage possible and is a pathway to the heavenly family to which all who profess the name of Jesus are bound.

Today we celebrate the Holy Family of Jesus. In the Gospel we hear, “Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the doctors listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies.”(Luke 2: 46-47)

Mary and Joseph had travelled to Jerusalem as they did each year for the Passover. This was a three day journey and they travelled with a large group of relatives and acquaintances. On their way back they found Jesus was missing, so they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.

“And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, ‘Son why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” Jesus replied, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know I must be in my Father’s house?” Then we hear Jesus went back with them and lived under their authority.

Mary and Joseph did what any good parents would do.

Jesus was questioning and looking for answers which is what all teenagers do.

Our concern for our own families should extend to other families in difficulties; struggling with poverty abuse and alcohol addiction. Society has a duty of care.

Jesus was part of an extended family and leading a normal life.

Joseph was a carpenter or builder and Jesus learnt the trade while Mary did what all mothers did, caring for the family and the home.

These days families are fortunate if the mother can fulfil her primary role of nurture and care for the family and home, at least while the children are young albeit with possibilities for personal development in working part time or full time later on. Fathers living with their families fulfil their primary role as protectors and providers but with ‘hands on’ in the family ideally. Job shares, part time working and variable hours can help a great deal with family cohesion.  

Free enterprise economics often give little or no consideration to the family.

The Holy Family account gives us the Judeo-Christian family model which harmonises with nature.

In a Pastoral letter from Bishop John Wilson, Archdiocese of Southwark he reminds us; “See what kind of love the Father has given us to us that we should be called children of God.”(1 John 3:1) He continues, “Our identity as the beloved children of God is the foundation of our discipleship as the family of God. The Lord Jesus came into the world in the embrace of a family. Through him, we are drawn into the very life of God as brothers and sisters in Christ”.

In the Gospel reading for the fourth week of Advent (last Sunday) we hear the words spoken by Elizabeth the cousin of Mary. “Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” (Luke 1.42)

God’s plan for saving humanity depended upon Mary’s “YES” to God’s messenger, the angel Gabriel.

“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be according to your word.” (Luke1: 26 – 38)

Creation was waiting to hear these words.

Each of us is unique. There has never been anyone like us and there never will be again. Our gifts and talents; our personality, equip us for a vocation and mission which is irreplaceable.

But how do we discover our calling? By looking to God. We are his beloved children. Our loving Father God desires our happiness and fulfilment and that we should play our part in society and the world.

We are called and chosen like Mary and have our YES to speak. This begins in the here and now – the ordinary everyday circumstances and situations of daily living. The teaching of Jesus and of his Body the Church, show us how.

On this Christmas day made possible by Mary’s YES we celebrate the birth of Jesus who has come to show us who we really are in God’s plan, in the present time and for eternity.

Nothing will ever be the same again.     

What a wonderful day.

In the Gospel for this Sunday, the third week of advent, we hear about the powerful proclamation of John the Baptist the last and greatest of the Old Testament prophets.

“I baptise you with water, but someone is coming, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Luke3:16)

In the Gospel reading last week we heard how John called people to repentance meaning a complete change of heart. We hear in this Gospel people asking what must they do. Share with those in need says John and he tells the tax collectors and soldiers to be honest and just in their dealings with others and be content with what they have.

People were so impressed by John’s teaching that they thought John might be the Christ but John tells them no. I baptise you with water but the one who is coming will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.

John shed a light on the way many were living. The greed of the tax collectors and the cruelty of the Roman soldiers. They recognised the truth of what John was saying.

To be close to God means to be happy. They were not happy. They were faced with a decision. John’s baptism was a sign of a repentant heart and a new beginning; they were washed clean.

But John was preparing them for the arrival of Jesus. Advent is a time of preparation for the birthday of Jesus which changed everything.

Jesus by his death and Resurrection opens the way for a new life in the Holy Spirit for those baptised in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

What can we do to be closer to God this Advent? An Advent gift to those in need through an agency such as CAFOD perhaps? To be kinder, more gentle with those around us? To forgive anyone we have not yet forgiven?

Peace on earth and goodwill to all is a fitting way to describe the Christmas message.  

What must WE do?

“A voice cries in the wilderness: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley will be filled in, every mountain and hill be made low.”

These words from Isaiah are part of this Sunday’s Gospel and describe the mission of John the Baptist, the last and greatest of the Old Testament prophets. Luke 3:1-6

John proclaimed “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”

The Gospel opens with the historian gospel writer Luke, outlining the political situation at the time of Jesus.

Jesus lived at a particular time in a particular geographic area in a particular social and political setting.

But was Jesus not only a real historical figure but the Son of God? This is the all important and key question?

If Jesus was a good and wise man who cared for the poor and those looked down upon in his day; a man who did amazing things, then we can move on with our lives. There have been many such people.

But if Jesus was the Christ, the anointed sent by God as Saviour of humankind, whose birthday we celebrate at Christmas, then this changes everything for the world for all time and is totally life changing for each person individually.

Understanding what Jesus said and did while on earth is essential, indispensable and crucial for our lives. Namely the gospel teaching, healing and other miracles, and the death of Jesus on the cross and above all his Resurrection from the dead.

God has a plan for our eternal destiny, that we should be with him forever.

It all starts with repentance as John the Baptist taught. Metanoia – a complete change of heart; becoming who we are truly meant to be in God’s sight; the Father’s plan for us since the beginning of time and from our mother’s womb.  

Dear Jesus may I see more clearly who you really are this Christmas and in so doing discover who I am.

Amen

Advent comes from the Latin word Adventus meaning coming or arrival.

The arrival of a Saviour has been predicted over millennia. Much can be found in the Old Testament especially in the book of Isaiah (7.14).

Fantastic, unbelievable. This is the story of Christmas; that God our Creator sent to earth a Saviour Jesus who would totally change everything for all time.

This is worth celebrating and Advent also reminds us of the second coming of Jesus which is what this Sunday gospel is all about.

“Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and stand with confidence before the Son of Man.”  (Luke 21 :36)

This is not what the shops or media tell us – or the endless back to back American films on TV all of which have the same template for the Christmas story most without Christ.

Peace and goodwill on earth are hard won as is also peace within ourselves. Only Jesus can deliver and we need to turn to him for our hope to be realised. It cannot happen without a Saviour.

God sends his only begotten Son to bring new life to all.

A time of preparation, a new beginning starting again, a way forward.

It starts with peace offered to all.