0202 Reflection -- Luke 2:22-40

The Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Friday 2 February 2018

•♤♡♡♤♤♤◇♤♤•♧•♤♤◇♤♤♤♡♡♤•

Luke 2:22-40 (NRSV)
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, Jesus’ parents brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

•♤♡♡♤♤♤◇♤♤•♧•♤♤◇♤♤♤♡♡♤

I love this reading! It is the source of the Song of Simeon, one of the great canticles of the Church. This feast is a wonderful time to focus on Simeon and Anna, and to enter their praise. It is a wonderful time to share the ponderings of the Blessed Mother as she witnesses this praise. And what must Joseph thought? Oh how often we forget Joseph. All that this Gospel contains is fulfilling the Law. That doesn't mean a lot to us who are not of the Law. But for us who live under the Gospel, the praise offered to God in adoration of Christ is certainly something to embrace and show forth in our own day and generation.

•♤♡♡♤♤♤◇♤♤•♧•♤♤◇♤♤♤♡♡♤

                                          Fr. Timothy Alleman

0202 Reflection -- Hebrews 2:14-18

The Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Friday 2 February 2018

•♤♡♡♤♤♤◇♤♤•♧•♤♤◇♤♤♤♡♡♤•

Hebrews 2:14-18 (NRSV)
Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

•♤♡♡♤♤♤◇♤♤•♧•♤♤◇♤♤♤♡♡♤

In the Temple, it is shown that Jesus has fully entered as divinity into our humanity. He shares the fullness of human experience. And so this Epistle is very fitting for this feast, especially as by now we are well in a transition from Incarnation to preparing for the Paschal Feast. This reading links the whole of the life of Christ together.

•♤♡♡♤♤♤◇♤♤•♧•♤♤◇♤♤♤♡♡♤

                                          Fr. Timothy Alleman

0202 Reflection -- Malachi 3:1-4

The Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Friday 2 February 2018

•♤♡♡♤♤♤◇♤♤•♧•♤♤◇♤♤♤♡♡♤•

Malachi 3:1-4 (NRSV)
See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

•♤♡♡♤♤♤◇♤♤•♧•♤♤◇♤♤♤♡♡♤

This is an odd reading for the feast of the Presentation. It speaks of the one who will prepare the way for Messiah to come. This feast marks the coming of Messiah and brings the celebration of the birth of the Christ to a close. There is, of course, that piece about finding the Messiah in the Temple. Nonethless, I can't see preaching on this at this feast.

•♤♡♡♤♤♤◇♤♤•♧•♤♤◇♤♤♤♡♡♤

                                          Fr. Timothy Alleman

0106 Reflection -- Ephesians 3:1-12

 

 

Epistle

6 January 2018

 

 

 

 

   The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ                         Ephesians 3:1-12

 

This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles – for surely you have already heard of the commission of God's grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God's grace that was given me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.

 

Paul’s message is a reminder that the Gospel is for Gentiles as well as Jews.  That should be rather obvious given that Paul is writing here to Gentiles.  It is a fitting message as Epiphany is the feast of the Manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles.  That is where the connection to this day ends.  There is something to this reading that may be lost in the midst of Epiphany.  Paul pays a price for taking the Gospel to the Gentiles.  In today’s world in which we don’t speak of “Jews and Gentiles,” we should remember that what all this means is that in the Epiphany, the revealing of Christ, all persons have access and a divine invitation to the Kingdom.  And when we say that all persons are welcome, or rather than God has revealed the Kingdom for the purpose of the salvation and inclusion of all, we mean it, chiefly because God means it first.

 

 

 

Father Timothy+

 

 

 

0106 Reflection -- Isaiah 60:1-6

 

 

Lesson

6 January 2018

 

 

 

 

  The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ        Isaiah 60:1-6

 

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses' arms. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.

 

This reading is obviously assigned to this Feast Day because of the final words that obviously point to the Magi who brought gifts to the child Jesus.  But the beginning of this reading is what is truly important, not because of this feast but rather because of its timeless message.  In the midst of live, overwhelmed by spiritual and emotional darkness, Jesus shines forth as light that is victorious.  And so this reading calls us to be attentive to the light, to stand and acknowledge the presence of Jesus, who is hope and life and light and salvation.

 

 

 

Father Timothy+

 

 

 

1231 Reflection -- Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7

 

 

Epistle

31 December 2017

 

 

 

 

         The First Sunday of Christmas                         Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7

 

Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

 

Christmas is all about the birth of the Christ, and yet it is about so much more.  In this Epistle, Paul reminds us that we have been adopted to be the sons and daughters of God.  The Incarnation, like the Resurrection, gives us a place in the Kingdom.  The nearness of God is for our benefit and that we might have the gift of life.

 

 

 

Father Timothy+

 

 

 

1231 Reflection -- Isaiah 61:10—62:3

The First Sunday of Christmas
                              Sunday 31 December 2017

•♤♡♡♤♤♤◇♤♤•♧•♤♤◇♤♤♤♡♡♤•

Isaiah 61:10—62:3 (NRSV)
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

•♤♡♡♤♤♤◇♤♤•♧•♤♤◇♤♤♤♡♡♤

The prophet rejoices in the work of God. That rejoicing should be inspiring at any time, but especially in the days that we celebrate the birth of Christ, the bridegroom of the Church. Even now in the celebration of the Incarnation we remember the rest of the story, the fullness of the wedding feast that is the Gospel.

•♤♡♡♤♤♤◇♤♤•♧•♤♤◇♤♤♤♡♡♤

                                          Fr. Timothy Alleman

1225 Reflection -- Hebrews 1:1-12

The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
                             Monday 25 December 2017

•♤♡♡♤♤♤◇♤♤•♧•♤♤◇♤♤♤♡♡♤•

Hebrews 1:1-12 (NRSV)
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”? And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire.” But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” And, “In the beginning,Lord, you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like clothing; like a cloak you will roll them up, and like clothing they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will never end.”

•♤♡♡♤♤♤◇♤♤•♧•♤♤◇♤♤♤♡♡♤

This reading goes very well with the opening words of John's Gospel. The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews speaks clearly of the uniqueness of the Christ. He shows Jesus to be the divine response that follows the lineage of the prophets. When even the prophets have failed, God remains faithful. God comes among us to do what we cannot do, to save us from ourselves.

•♤♡♡♤♤♤◇♤♤•♧•♤♤◇♤♤♤♡♡♤

                                          Fr. Timothy Alleman

1224 Reflection -- Titus 2:11-14

The Vigil of the Nativity of Our Lord
Sunday 24 December 2017

•♤♡♡♤♤♤◇♤♤•♧•♤♤◇♤♤♤♡♡♤•

Titus 2:11-14 (NRSV)
The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

•♤♡♡♤♤♤◇♤♤•♧•♤♤◇♤♤♤♡♡♤

This is a "short, sweet and the point" reading. It is a reminder that the presence of Jesus in our midst is always grace among us. Tonight, in the celebration of the holy birth, we are called to focus on that grace among us because God is among us, and ever shall be.

•♤♡♡♤♤♤◇♤♤•♧•♤♤◇♤♤♤♡♡♤

                                          Fr. Timothy Alleman

1225 Reflection -- Isaiah 52:7-10

Lesson

25 December 2017

     The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ        Isaiah 52:7-10

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns." Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy; for in plain sight they see the return of the Lord to Zion. Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

What a powerful reading for Christmas Day!  Christ is the messenger who announces peace, the peace of God that passes all understanding, the peace that God alone can bring.  But today we do well to remember that on this day we as Christians are called to be the messenger, to be like the Christ.  God comforts us by his presence in our midst, and we have the mission of passing on that comfort to a world that needs to be comforted with the hope and the peace that we have received as we celebrate the birth of the holy child that is nothing less than God in our midst.

Father Timothy+

0106 Reflection -- Matthew 2:1-12

Gospel

6 January 2017

      The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ              Matthew 2:1-12

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: `And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

The Feast of the Epiphany is the revealing of the God of Israel as the God of the whole world.  It should not have shocked the early Church, in my opinion, that after the Resurrection it was revealed through the power of the Holy Spirit that the gift of Christ and the life he brought is for Jews and Gentiles alike.  Today we remember that the Christ child drew even the Gentiles to come and offer worship to God.  Today we stand with them, remembering the saying that “Wise Men and Women still seek God” and that those who seek God find in God the promises of life in the knowledge of God that calls us to a living relationship with a living God.

Father Timothy+

1231 Reflection -- John 1:1-18

Gospel

31 December 2017

             The First Sunday of Christmas                                John 1:1-18

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 into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'") From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known.

It is rather ironic that this Gospel, minus the last few verses, is the same exact Gospel assigned to Christmas Day.  If it were not for the fact that Christians tend to go to Christmas Day Mass in shamefully low numbers, it might seem rather redundant and unnecessary.  And since this is the Sunday after Christmas Day, again on this Low Sunday, numbers will likely be sadly low.  But there is something powerful about this message from John that speaks to the truth of the Christmas message that God has broken into the midst of this world.  And given the fact that by this First Sunday, this year the seventh of the twelve days of Christmas, this Gospel is being sounded forth at a time when most of the world has quickly forgotten Christmas and moved on to New Year and all that lies beyond.  Today this Gospel continues to sound forth the true and enduring message that our God is not a distant God, but one who is always in our midst to bring us into a greater knowledge and participation in the Kingdom of God that endures forever.

Father Timothy+

1225 Reflection -- John 1:1-14

Gospel

25 December 2017

  The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ                                John 1:1-14

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 into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.

I love the First Chapter of John.  Luke is wonderful, but the passage of John gives meat to what Luke has to say about the birth of the Christ.  Luke gives us the physical narrative.  John gives us the spiritual narrative.  John never mentions the child.  He reflects on the fact that this Jesus is the one true God who has broken into the very world that he helped create at the beginning of time, who was God from before the beginning of time and who will continue on as God when time ceases to be forevermore, and the Kingdom of God endures forever,  On Christmas Day, we look to the God who is God without end, celebrating the world that is the Kingdom of God that endures forever, into which we are called by Christ, who claims us forever from the depths of the eternal love of God.

Father Timothy+

1224 Reflection -- Luke 2:1-20

Gospel

24 December 2017

                           The Vigil of Christmas                                Luke 2:1-20

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.  In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and 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 heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Tonight, as we begin the celebration of Christmas, we are reminded at what lies at the heart of the celebration.  Nothing else matters except the birth of this child.  Without this birth, there is indeed nothing to celebrate, and there is no Christmas.  Tonight, we stand with the first witnesses of the Incarnation to proclaim in the darkness the Light of the World that shines forth and shows the way on which we as Christians live and move and have our being.  Our God is in our midst, and life is changed forever by the presence of God in human flesh.

Father Timothy+