THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD, 2025 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 27:7-10; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40

Mary and Joseph had two reasons in mind when they took Jesus to the temple. The first reason was according to Exodus 13:1-2, “The Lord spoke to Moses and said: Consecrate to me every firstborn; whatever opens the womb among the Israelites, whether of human being or beast, belongs to me.” And Numbers 18:15-16, “Every living thing that opens the womb, human being and beast alike, such are to be offered to the Lord...” This is in today’s gospel.

The second reason, not in today’s gospel, was according to Leviticus 12:1-8, “When a woman has a child, giving birth to a boy, she shall be unclean for seven days, … she shall not touch anything sacred nor enter the sanctuary till the days of her purification are fulfilled. If she gives birth to a girl, for fourteen days, she shall be as unclean…. When the days of her purification for a son or for a daughter are fulfilled, she shall bring to the priest … a yearling lamb for a burnt offering and a pigeon or a turtledove for a purification offering. The priest shall offer them before the Lord to make atonement for her, and thus she will be clean again….”

Mary and Joseph were in the temple solely “to perform the custom of the law.” The last thing they expected was the presence of Simeon and Anna, and their prophecies and revelations about Jesus and Mary. That was why Joseph and Mary were amazed at what Simeon and Anna said.

In addition to the visit of the Magi and the Baptism of Jesus, the event of the presentation of the Lord is another Epiphany or revealing of the Lord. In the gospel, Simeon calls Jesus a light for the revelation of the Gentiles and the glory for Israel. Anna speaks of Jesus as the redeemer of Jerusalem. The second reading tells us that Jesus is our expiator who purifies us from our sins. “Therefore, he had to become like his brothers in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17).  Today, Jesus is presented to us as our light, glory, redeemer, and the expiator who takes our sins away. 

There is something else to ponder concerning Simeon’s and Anna’s relationship with God. Simeon remained “righteous and devout” till his ripe old age. Anna “never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.” God rewarded them by revealing Jesus to them when he was born. This encourages us not to relent in our effort to have a close and lasting relationship with God, and never leave the temple. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” God speaks in Jeremiah 29:13-14, “When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me.” In other words, if we present ourselves to God, he will present himself to us. 

Simeon and Anna recognized Jesus in the temple. We pray that we, too, may recognize Jesus in our worship, in the Eucharist, and the word of God presented to us. 

I would like to conclude with a summarized version of a story by an unknown author, which captures the message in the first reading.

A Bible study group studied Malachi 3:3, “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” A puzzled lady kept pondering what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

She decided to find out the process of refining silver. She went to a silversmith without disclosing the main reason for her visit, except that she wanted to see the process of refining silver.

As she watched, the silversmith held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. He not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The lady asked the silversmith, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?” He smiled and answered, “Oh, that's easy—when I see my image in it.”

The lady thought to herself, that is what God does. He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver. He made us in his image and likeness and continues to refine us to become our original self.

May the word of God and the Eucharist refine us so that God sees his image in us and people also see the image of God in us. Amen.

THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C, 2025 (THE SUNDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD) BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

 Nehemiah 8:2-6, 8-10; Psalm 19:8-10, 15; 1 Corinthians 12:12-30; Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21

Last Sunday, we reflected on the desolate situation of the Israelites when they returned from the Babylonian captivity. They found Jerusalem in ruins. Its temple, walls, and buildings were razed to the ground. God assured them through Prophet Isaiah that he, their Builder, would not be silent. He would rebuild them in such a way that they would be called by a new name. At that time, Nehemiah was their governor, and Ezra was their priest. While the structural reconstruction and restoration were going on, Ezra led the people to a spiritual restoration. Spiritual restoration was necessary because the Israelites were exposed to the worship of other gods in Babylon, which produced a generation that did not properly follow the covenant between God and their ancestors.

A major part of the renewal of the covenant was the reading of the Book of the Law to the people. The assembly was made up of young and old. Ezra read the word of God to the assembly from morning to midday. When the people heard the story of God’s relationship with their ancestors and how they, themselves, had violated the covenant and disconnected themselves from God, they wept in sorrow and repentance.

In the same way, we also need to reflect on our relationship with God. An honest reflection will help us to see God’s faithfulness and our unfaithfulness, and the areas of our disconnection from him. At the beginning of a new year, one of our primary concerns should be to resolve to renew our covenant with God and have a closer relationship with him.

Ezra read out the word of God from daybreak till midday “and all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.” Do we have the Bible? How much time do we spend reading it? How attentive are we to the word? Many people do not mind the time, the energy, and the resources they spend on worldly activities while they are very slow concerning spiritual matters.

This Sunday, the Church marks the sixth Sunday of the Word of God, a day instituted by Pope Francis on September 30, 2019, to emphasize the significance of the Sacred Scripture. The theme for this year is taken from the Psalms: “I hope in Your Word” (Psalm 119:81). The Sunday of the Word of God draws our attention to Lectio Divina, meaning, divine reading which involves reading the word, reflecting on the word, and praying with the word. The celebration today offers Christians an opportunity to renew their commitment to reading and meditating on the Bible as a fundamental tool for growth in faith and spiritual life, as well as a source of hope.

A very noticeable expression of the close the relationship of our ancestors and God and the Church is the names of some countries, states, counties, towns, institutions, children, festivals, programs, and so on.  While many of us have continued such close relationship, we have a generation, not only that they distaste God and the Church, they insist on taking down the expressions of the relationship.

While the first reading invites us to renew our relationship with God, St. Paul invites us in the second reading to examine our relationship with our fellow human beings and restore the unhealthy ones. “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. This is the commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother” (1 John 4:20-21).

St. Paul writes in the second reading, “But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I do not need you,’ nor again the head to the feet, ‘I do not need you.’ … So that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy” (1 Corinthians 12:24-26).

In the gospel, Jesus declares his mission by reading from the scroll of Prophet Isaiah. The gospel invites us to continue Jesus’ mission to bring good tidings to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives, bring recovery to the blind, and set the oppressed free. Among us and around us are the poor who need assistance, people who are going through various types of afflictions that need support, and cases of injustice that need to be addressed. As we begin a new year, it would be good to include in our resolutions to participate in Jesus’ mission beginning from our environment. Charity begins at home.

The readings of this Sunday properly address the Sunday of the Word of God, which we celebrate today. In the first reading, Ezra read the word of God to the assembly. In the second reading, St. Paul urges us to live out the word in our relationship with one another. In the gospel, Jesus read the word of God to the assembly, and we are challenged to continue the mission of Jesus. May God’s word penetrate our hearts and restore us. May God’s word give us joy and move us to become disciples of Jesus who joyfully and actively continue his mission wherever we are. May the joy of the Lord be our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Amen.

SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C, 2025 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

 Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 96:1-3, 7-10; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 2:1-11

This year’s liturgical calendar is different. Last Sunday, the First Sunday in Ordinary Time, we celebrated the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. In two weeks, we will punctuate the Ordinary Time to celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

The Ordinary Time refers to those periods that fall outside of the major liturgical seasons like Advent and Christmas seasons, and Lent and Easter seasons. The Church uses green vestments and decorations during the Ordinary Time to symbolize that we are alive in Christ and that we are on an ongoing journey of faith. We can liken the seasons of Advent and Christmas and the seasons of Lent and Easter to be seasons of sowing while the Ordinary Time season to be the season of sprouting, nurturing, blooming, flowering, and bearing fruits. We pray for one another that the graces we received during the Advent and Christmas seasons do not die out but sprout, nurtured, bloom, flower, and bear lasting fruit. Green means alive, active, proceed, etc. We can apply the meanings to our spiritual life.

The background of the first reading is that when the Jews returned from the Babylonian exile (538 B.C.), they found Jerusalem in ruins. Its temple, walls, and buildings were razed to the ground. Desolation was everywhere. The sight of this left the returnees in distress and despair. God sent Prophet Isaiah to console the people. God promised through Isaiah: “I will not keep silent. I will not be quiet… You shall be called by a new name pronounced by the mouth of God… You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the Lord. A royal diadem held by your God… No more shall people call you ‘Forsaken,’ or your land ‘Desolate,’ but you shall be called ‘My Delight’…” As we begin a new year, these words and promises are for each one of us, especially for those going through grief and desolation. Hebrews 1:3 says that God sustains us “by his powerful word.” Another translation says, “by his powerful command.”

It is relevant at the beginning of the year that St. Paul reminds us in the second reading that God has blessed each of us with spiritual gifts for the benefit of all and the Church. St. Paul writes, “To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit” (1 Corinthians 12:7). There is no gift-less individual. Our spiritual gifts are not supposed to be hidden. They are supposed to manifest. Can I identify my gifts? Do my gifts manifest? Can I identify where my gift manifest? What are the impacts of their manifestation? We are invited to reflect over these questions, as we begin a new year. Someone says, “Do not go to the grave with your song unsung.”

Also, today’s gospel is very relevant for our reflection as we begin a new year. One can only imagine how the wedding reception could have continued with no wine. The role Mary played in saving the couple from confusion and embarrassment is very important. She said to Jesus, “They have no wine.” Jesus clearly stated that his hour had not yet come. But, because Mary interceded for the couple, his hour began at that moment. He changed water into wine.

Mary instructed the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” The servers filled six stone jars with water as Jesus directed them. I wonder what was on the minds of the servers as they filled the stone jars with water. It would have been absurd for them to be told to fill stone jars with water when the problem was lack of wine. Nonetheless, they followed the instructions given by Mary and Jesus. The servers’ obedience to Mary and to Jesus enabled the miracle. The servers’ obedience teaches us to trust God even when from human reasoning, it appears meaningless to trust him.

It is significant that the gospel states that Mary and Jesus were invited to the wedding (John 2:1). If they were not invited, the wedding reception would have ended badly. This passage, also, teaches us that where Jesus and Mary are invited ‘wine’ will never run out. Let us invite them through our prayers to everything that is going on in our lives. Mary is the Mother of Perpetual Help. Her powerful intercession opens the doors of Divine Mercy.

We celebrated Epiphany when the Magi revealed Jesus, and his Baptism when God revealed him. Today, Jesus reveals himself through the miracle of changing of water into wine. Today’s gospel concludes, “Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him” (John 2:11). We pray that Jesus, also, reveals his glory to us by performing signs in our various areas of need. May he change our ‘water’ into ‘wine.’ Amen.

BAPTISM OF THE LORD YEAR C, 2025 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Psalm 29:1-3, 9-10; Acts 10:34-38; Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

Last Sunday was the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord. Epiphany means the revelation of Jesus to the world. The revelation continues today with the Baptism of Jesus.

As we read in today’s gospel, God himself and the Holy Spirit are the witnesses to Jesus’ revelation. God makes a public declaration about Jesus, not through any prophet, not through any angel, not through the shepherds, not through the Magi, not through Simeon and Anna, not through John the Baptist, but by himself and in the presence of the Holy Spirit. The gospel says, “After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased’” (Luke 3:21-22).

Last Sunday, I mentioned that the Magi prophetically brought gifts to Jesus foreshadowing his messianic mission: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Gold symbolizes Jesus’ kingship, frankincense his priesthood, and myrrh his death. In the same way, an earlier revelation of Jesus’ mission was prophesied by Isaiah as we read in the first reading, “Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased. Upon him I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations. … [He is] a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness” (Isaiah 42:1, 6-7). As we begin the second week of the year, we pray that the light of Jesus lights our way and dispels every darkness of the past year. May we be healed from every blindness of the past year. May we be released from every confinement and dungeon of the past year. Amen. As Advent and Christmas decorations are taken down from today, let us not take down the graces of Advent and Christmas that we have received.

In the second reading, we read, “[Jesus] went about doing good and healing all those possessed by the devil, for God was with him” (Acts 10:38). We pray that in the new year, we will experience Jesus’ goodness, healing, and deliverance in abundance. Amen.

Catholic catechism teaches that Baptism is a Sacrament through which we are cleansed from original sin. Through Baptism, we become followers of Christ, children of God, and members of the Church. Some people ask, “If Baptism cleanses us from original sin, why, then, was it necessary that Jesus was baptized although he was sinless?” Maximus of Turin explains, “Christ is baptized, not that he may be sanctified in the waters, but that he himself may sanctify the waters… For when the Savior is washed, then already for our Baptism all water is cleansed and the fount purified… Christ therefore takes the lead in Baptism, so that Christian people may follow after him with confidence.”

By his Baptism, Jesus incarnates himself into humanity. He fulfills all requirements of identifying with sinners. According to St. Athanasius, “He became what we are, so that he might make us what he is.” We, therefore, become recipients of his incarnation by our own Baptism. Hence, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1272, teaches, “Incorporated into Christ by Baptism, the person baptized is configured to Christ. Baptism seals the Christian with the indelible spiritual mark (character) of his belonging to Christ. No sin can erase this mark, even if sin prevents Baptism from bearing the fruits of salvation. Given once for all, Baptism cannot be repeated.” 

Today’s celebration reminds us of the importance of our own Baptism and baptismal promises. The baptismal promises are to reject Satan, and all his works, and all his empty promises, and to believe in God, in Jesus Christ, in the Holy Spirit, and in the Church. 

Today, we are invited to remember the great day we were initiated into the membership of the Church and christened as followers of Christ. We are invited to rediscover the importance of our Baptism to our journey of faith. As we begin the new year, let us renew our baptismal promises, and make an effort to keep them. By this, we become God’s beloved children and pleasing to him. God says of Jesus in today’s gospel, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Can God say the same about each of us?

Baptism is not a Christian naming ceremony, as some people wrongly perceive it. It is the spiritual and mystical foundation of other Sacraments and our spiritual lives. It is the beginning of our Christian dignity. If the baptismal foundation is absent, there is nothing spiritual to build on. If the baptismal foundation becomes weak at any stage, the spiritual building becomes weak. If baptismal promises collapse, the spiritual dwelling collapses.

Finally, let us pray for the church or parish where we were baptized, the priest who baptized us, our parents and our godparents, and all those who assisted us and are assisting us on spiritual journeys. Since we do not have the tradition of celebrating the day of our Baptism, today is a good day to celebrate it.

EPIPHANY OF THE LORD YEAR C, 2025 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13; Ephesians 32-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12

The word Epiphany comes from the Greek word 'epiphania,' meaning revelation or manifestation. Before the arrival of the Magi (also called the wise men), it was only the shepherds and those the shepherds told who knew about the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:17-18). As we have read in today’s gospel, it was the Magi who announced the birth of Jesus to King Herod and his officials. From then, the news became public. This is one of the reasons why the visit of the Magi is called Epiphany; meaning the disclosure or revelation of the Lord.

Matthew 2:1 informs us that the Magi came from the East to Jerusalem. It has been suggested that the East was, perhaps, within the region of the present-day Iran. It is very sad that where Jesus was born and where the Magi came from are among the most troubled parts of the world now. It is very sad that the Middle East, the home of three major world religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, remains in conflict and wars. We pray for peace in the Middle East and around the world.

The Magi saw a spectacular star, which they, rightly, interpreted to signify the birth of the Messiah. They prophetically brought gifts to Jesus according to his messianic mission: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Gold symbolizes Jesus’ kingship, frankincense his priesthood, and myrrh his death.

The Magi were non-Jews. It was God’s plan that through their visit, the birth of Jesus was, also, revealed to the non-Jewish world. The Magi, no doubt, returned to the East with the news of the birth of Jesus.

It was not only the Magi that saw the spectacular star. Some people saw it, admired it, but it meant nothing to them. Some people saw it, knew that it signified something special but did nothing about it. Only the Magi, after seeing the star, followed it until it stopped over the place Jesus was born. The Magi’s journey took them months through hills, deserts, and rivers. Not even Herod could stop their mission. This means that the level of perseverance and passion determines the level of success. The Magi teach us that by determination, perseverance, and goodwill, we will accomplish our mission. We pray that God may send us the ‘star’ that will guide us and that we may recognize and follow the guiding ‘star.’ The Magi teach us to see something and do something; not see, talk, and do nothing. “Talk the talk and walk the walk!”

May we experience our own epiphany, which is a new revelation and a new manifestation of the presence and the power of Jesus in our desires, decisions, plans, and lives. We pray that the Spirit of Jesus opens the eyes of our minds and hearts and reveals to us hidden things. St. Ignatius asks us to pray, “To come to know Christ more intimately, love him more ardently and follow him more closely.” Someone refers to such a spiritual state as “wrapped up in Jesus.”

The Magi’s journey teaches us that the Christian journey is a journey of hope. The Magi’s journey helps us to appreciate 2025 as the Holy Year of Hope, declared by Pope Francis. The Pope writes in the Papal Bull he issued on May 9, 2024, “Often, we come across people who are discouraged, pessimistic, and cynical about the future, as if nothing could possibly bring them happiness. For all of us, may the Jubilee Year be an opportunity to be renewed in hope. God’s word helps us find reasons for that hope.” Renewed hope means renewed spiritual strength. The Magi’s hope did not disappoint them. Our hope in Jesus will not disappoint us (Romans 5:5).

The Magi brought gifts to Jesus. What gifts do we bring to Jesus during the Year of Hope? The greatest gift we can bring to Jesus is to become stewards of God’s graces and givers of hope to people. By doing so, we become co-partners of Jesus, as St. Paul challenges us in the second reading (Ephesians 3:2, 6).

The birth of Jesus made the angels sing, made the shepherds rejoice, and made the Magi come all the way from the East in wonder and adoration. But it made King Herod to become deeply troubled; and he, immediately, planned to kill Jesus. Of course, Jesus was not to become an earthly king and was not to take over Herod’s temporal kingdom. Herod represents the worst and extreme cases of jealousy and envy. There are ‘herods’ who are deeply saddened by other people’s accomplishments to frustrate or destroy the accomplishment. We are invited to become stewards of God’s graces and blessings, givers of hope, and sons and daughters of encouragement rather than tools of discouragement and tools of destruction. May our ‘stars’ keep shining. May God shield our ‘stars’ from ‘herod’s’ forces of destruction!

Lastly, the Magi did not return to Herod, as Herod requested. They listened to God’s warning and departed by another way. We pray that we may have listening ears and seeing eyes to follow the new ways God has opened for us in the New Year. Let us embrace 2025 with renewed hope and renewed strength.

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD, January 1, 2025 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

 Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 67:2-3, 5-8; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21

The Catholic Church begins the year, every year, by invoking the Blessed Virgin Mary’s intercession for the world. The Church honors her today by her highest title, The Mother of God, in Greek, _Theotokos_ , meaning “God-bearer.” The Incarnation, the Word became flesh, took place in her womb. She gave birth to God the Son. John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and *THE WORD WAS GOD.* ” Luke 1:41-43, “Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that *THE MOTHER OF MY LORD* should come to me?” Colossians 2:9, “In Him dwells *ALL THE FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD* bodily.” Being the Mother of God means that she is the mother of all. As we invoke her, may she intercede for us as she interceded for the couple during the wedding banquet at Cana (John 2:1-12). As we begin 2025, may Jesus change our water into wine. May our anxious moments become joyful moments. May we become bearers of God as Mary was.

Today is a day of thanksgiving. We thank God for keeping us alive, keeping us together, and bringing us to 2025. We thank God for the gift of one another, and for the gift of family and friends. We thank God for what we are, who we are, all he has given to us, and for his countless blessings. None is by our power nor by our might. Only the fool says that there is no God (Psalm 14:1).

It is a special day to gather in God’s sanctuary to receive his blessings, which launch us into the new year. The first reading is God’s blessings on us:

May the Lord bless us and keep us. Amen.

May the Lord let his face shine upon us and be gracious to us. Amen.

May the Lord look upon us kindly and give us peace. Amen.

(Numbers 6:22-27).

It is a day to thank God for giving us another opportunity. That we are alive today is not because we are better behaved than those who passed on. It is by God’s grace. Therefore, 2025 is God’s new chance for each one of us! The question is, what am I going to do with this new chance God is giving to me? Sometimes, when a gadget malfunctions, a good solution is to shut it down and restart it. Many of us need a restart. Malfunction does not mean crash. We may only need to delete some virus apps.

Very importantly, it is a day of reflection. Jesus’ Parable of the Net in Matthew 13:47-48 encourages us to put what is good into buckets and throw away what is bad. As we begin 2025, let us throw away what has not helped and will not help. Let us keep and improve on what has helped and will continue to help.

It is, also, a day of prayer of committing and surrendering everything about us to God to take charge and be in complete control in 2025. We pray that he will shelter us with his pinions, and under his wings we will take refuge; that his faithfulness will be our protecting shield; and that he will command his angels with regard to us, to guard us wherever we go (Psalm 91). Amen. 

I wrote a piece that can be a spiritual guide. The title is, *WHAT WE CELEBRATE, MULTIPLIES* .

If we celebrate positive thoughts and positive actions, God multiplies them.

If we celebrate negative thoughts and negative actions, the Evil One multiplies them.

If we celebrate faith and courage, God multiplies them.

If we celebrate doubt and fear, the Evil One multiplies them.

If we celebrate trust and confidence, God multiplies them.

If we celebrate distrust and suspicion, the Evil One multiplies them.

If we celebrate love and acceptance, God multiplies them.

If we celebrate hate and violence, the Evil One multiplies them.

If we celebrate understanding and harmony, God multiplies them.

If we celebrate discord and disagreement, the Evil One multiplies them.

If we celebrate self-control and peace, God multiplies them.

If we celebrate anger and revenge, the Evil One multiplies them.

If we celebrate forgiveness and reconciliation, God multiplies them.

If we celebrate resentment and unforgiveness, the Evil One multiplies them.

If we celebrate uprightness and integrity, God multiplies them.

If we celebrate dishonesty and deceit, the Evil One multiplies them. 

If we celebrate generosity and hospitality, God multiplies them.

If we celebrate meanness and unfriendliness, the Evil One multiplies them.

If we celebrate kindness and upliftment, God multiplies them.

If we celebrate unkindness and pulling down, the Evil One multiplies them.

If we celebrate gratitude and thanksgiving, God multiplies them.

If we celebrate ingratitude and ungratefulness, the Evil One multiplies them.

If we celebrate virtue and goodness, God multiplies them.

If we celebrate weakness and sin, the Evil One multiplies them.

Indeed, what we celebrate, multiplies! Therefore, let us celebrate God’s blessings, and may he multiply them

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, and our mother intercede for us.

Happy New Year to you all!

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY, YEAR C, 2024 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14; Psalm 128:1-5; Colossians 3:12-21; Luke 2:41-52

Today’s feast is of utmost importance to all of us since we all belong to families; and the family is the first and the greatest institution God created. No doubt, we are passing through a difficult time whereby many families are fractured, hurting, and disordered in one way or another. Since families are the foundations and the constituents of societies, fractured, hurting, and disordered families mean fractured, hurting, and disordered societies. Therefore, the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph is a model for all families.

Being a holy family did not mean that everything was well and smooth for them. It was a lowly family with many ups and downs. Mary’s pregnancy brought a troubling situation for both Mary and Joseph. However, they accepted the situation when each of them was ministered to by the angel of the Lord. Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). As for Joseph, “When he awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded and took his wife into his home” (Matthew 1:24-25).

Mary gave birth to Jesus in a very difficult circumstance. After a long journey on foot from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the census, a distance of about 100 miles (161 kilometers), there was no inn. They went to a shed on a farm where Mary gave birth to Jesus. It was not recorded that any nurse or midwife was available to help. We can only imagine how tough it was for the two of them all alone.

During the presentation of Jesus in the temple, Simeon prophesied to Mary that a sword would pierce her heart. The first experience of a sword piercing her heart was when the family fled to Egypt to save Jesus from being murdered by Herod. A sword pierced her heart when Jesus got separated from her and Joseph after the feast of Passover in Jerusalem. Mary and Joseph found Jesus in the temple after searching for him for three days, as we read in today’s gospel. Finally, a sword pierced Mary’s heart when she witnessed Jesus carrying the cross, his crucifixion, his death, and his burial.

As for Jesus, he “grew under them and became strong, filled with wisdom; and God’s favor rested upon him” (Luke 2:40). As we can see, the Holy Family was not spared from earthly troubles.

Therefore, we have so much to learn from the Holy Family that can help us to keep our families from falling apart. Pope Paul VI describes the Holy Family as a school of Nazareth where we learn true science of life and the higher wisdom of divine truth. We draw courage and wisdom from the Holy Family’s experience when we think we have done everything right, yet misfortunes happen to us.

The first reading reminds us that, “God sets a father in honor over his children; a mother’s authority over her [children].” Unfortunately, many parents have handed over this God-given authority to their children. The reverse has become the case; whereby many children have authority over their parents and are able to control and manipulate their parents as they wish. Sadly, the God-given authority has been snatched from many parents by governments, social media, and gadgets. Proverbs 22:15 says, “Folly is bound to the heart of a youth, but the rod of discipline will drive it out.” And Proverbs 13:24 says, “Whoever spares the rod hates the child, but whoever loves will apply discipline.” We are seeing what the society is becoming as we do not apply discipline on our children. One obvious result is that we have a generation that is spiritually hollow, unable to see meaning in hard work and perseverance, and incapable of prevailing in hardship.

The first reading contains blessings for children who honor their parents and who take care of their parents in their old age. However, Sirach 3:16 warns children who disrespect their parents and who abandon their parents in their old age: “Those who neglect their father are like blasphemers; those who provoke their mother are accursed by their Creator”. On the other hand, the second reading challenges parents not to maltreat their children so that they may not become discouraged (Colossians 3:21).

There is no perfect family. Turning on one another and violence to one another make matters worse. For this reason, the second reading encourages us on how to cope with family imperfections to avoid disorderliness, breakdowns, and disintegrations. The reading says, “Put on … heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another. … And over all these, put on love…. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, … And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:12-17). Also, it is important that family members pray together. “A family that prays together stays together.”

Our reflection today goes beyond our biological families. It extends to the external families we belong to: church family, religious family, business family, groups, associations, and so on.

May the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph pray for us and for our families. Amen.