And so it is. In the whirlwind of a moment, Christmas is over. I think it funny that we are so diligent in choosing the perfect gifts and getting them beautifully wrapped and it all gets ripped apart and thrown away in an instant. Such is the fleeting nature of things.
While many families may begin to de-Christmas their homes this week, for us it has just begun. The Christmas Season lasts until January 9th this year, and I hope to make the most of it!
Today we observe the Feast of the Holy Family. This is a reminder to us of the importance not only of family, which does seem more prominent at this time of the year, but of striving to be a holy family. While we can never attain the sanctity of The Holy Family, through our concentration of prioritizing faith, we can strive to be holy. There is an adage, with multiple citations, “that the family that prays together stays together.” Perhaps we can make, as a New Year’s resolution, that simple daily practice.
Speaking of New Year’s, certainly as we reflect on the ups and downs of 2021, our thoughts turn with hope to 2022. Let us all pray that the coming year will be one filled with grace and blessings for all of us. Hopefully we will see the waning of the pandemic and a return to living life less on edge and with a more positive expression. Sadly, I think I also said this last year.
The days after Christmas celebrate some very significant feasts, many of which we overlook because we’re not focused on them as much. Today, if it were not a busy Sunday, we would celebrate the Feast of Saint Stephen the first martyr in the life of the church. Tomorrow, December 27th we celebrate the Feast of SaintJohn, the beloved apostle. And on Tuesday, December 28th we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Innocents. These feasts traditionally celebrated after Christmas, remind us of some different phases of the life of discipleship. Two of the celebrations are of martyrs. Saint Stephen, was the first to give his life for the gospel. We read about his life and sacrifice in the Acts of the Apostles. The other feast, which comes from the Gospel according to Saint Matthew, is of the Holy Innocents -the little boys, under the age of two, who were slaughtered in the search for the infant Jesus. While we do not know exactly how many children this entailed, it is a reminder to us of the importance of our care and concern for children. It reminds us also of the suffering of young children throughout the world.
Saint John the Evangelist, often called the beloved disciple, is noted for his absolute and steadfast faith in the Lord. The only one of the apostles not to die a martyr, Saint John is the source of our understanding of the meaning of the incarnation. The latin version of his beautiful prologue to the gospel stands by our tabernacle door this Christmas Season in the silver frame.
While I would like to continue to focus on the esoteric, the real world interrupts my thoughts. As you all now are no doubt aware, I was admitted to the hospital on December 7th and had surgery on December 15th. I thank you all for the kindness of your thoughts and prayers.
I know this was a difficult time of the year to do this, but I was not in control. I am grateful to Father AL and to the entire staff for their quick and generous response to step up and make sure that everything continues to run with great aplomb at Saint Benedict Church and School.
Grateful for the many gifts of the Lord gives to each and every one of us, may this last week of the year be filled with his grace and blessings.