Experience Emmanuel this Christmas.

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.” (Matthew 1: 23 NABRE)

But Jesus is also God in us and for us.  How do you experience Emmanuel?  Joseph had a sudden inspiration in a dream and realized the presence of God.  Jacob wrestled with God in a dream and woke up to realize that God was with him in that place.  (Genesis 32: 22 -  32)

At a moment of great crisis, I was inspired to read Exodus 14: 13-14.  I did and realized that God was with me.  God is the Unseen Actor.  He wanted me to be a spectator.

We can experience God when we read devout books.  When you pray, you speak to God.  When you read, God speaks to you.  (St Vincent de Paul)
You can experience Emmanuel when you receive the Eucharist and when you sit quietly before the Blessed Sacrament.

Come O Emmanuel, God with us.

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Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church.

"The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." (Matthew 1: 1 NABRE)

In the final week of Advent, the Church throughout the world listens to the Genealogy of Jesus Christ according to Matthew.   (Matthew 1: 1 - 17)  What lessons does this contain?

#1.  The men and women that made up the ancestry of Jesus were not perfect.  There were murderers, adulterers, liars, etc.
#2.  God was faithful to His plan to form a family in spite of human weaknesses.
#3.  Jesus Christ is faithful to the New Family of God, the Church in spite of the foibles of the men and women that made up the Church.
#4. Jesus protected the integrity of the Church by an Oath:  THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST THE CHURCH.  (Matthew 16: 18)
#5. The Holy Spirit will lead and guide the Church always, Jesus Christ promises.
#6.  The Church therefore cannot fail.  If the Church fails, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit have failed.
#7.  Is there any good reason for the existence of over 60,000 churches?
See the Prayer of Jesus for Unity of His Family.  (John 17)

Come O Head of the Church.

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The Sunday Rest is a Rehearsal for Eternal Rest.

"Blessed are all those who are careful to do this.
Blessed are those who honor my Sabbath days of rest and keep themselves from doing wrong."  (Isaiah 56: 2 NLT)

What is your attitude to the third Commandment?  "Thou shall keep holy the Sabbath day."
Why is this Commandment loaded with so many blessings in Sacred Scripture?  The Sabbath day comes once a week and reminds us of creation and the Resurrection of Jesus in a weekly rhythm that forces us to pause our hectic addiction to activity.  The Sabbath Rest is a rehearsal for Eternal Rest.

He who keeps holy the Lord's Day is blessed in accordance with the promises.  He who fails to observe it has nobody to blame but himself.

Come O Lord of the Sabbath.

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I promise to be your strength in proportion to the trust you place on me.

"Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you."  (Isaiah 54: 9 NIV)

Wow!  Wow!  Wow!  Lord God of Hosts.  You blow our mind with this tremendous promise.  We respond by saying:
"Sing praise to the Lord, you His faithful ones, and give thanks to His holy Name.  For His anger lasts but a moment; a lifetime His good will."

Come O Most Merciful Savior.

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Come O Son of the Eternal Father.

"I am the Lord, there is no other.
I form the light, and create the darkness, I make well being  and create woe; I, the Lord, do all these things."  (Isaiah 45:  6 -  8 NABRE)

The Bible is the Text Book of God who teaches us what is good for us.  (Isaiah 48: 17)

Many places in the Bible, Abba Father reveals Himself as in Isaiah 45: 8 above.    In Exodus 34: 6, He describes Himself thus: The Lord, the Lord, a God gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding  in love and fidelity."  And in Psalm 145: 8,  "The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in mercy."  In Psalm 103: 8, "Merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger, abounding in mercy."

The self-revelation of Abba Father goes on and on throughout Scripture.  Why?  He wants His children to know Him well and stop fearing Him.  God created us to know Him, to love Him and to serve Him so that we can live with Him forever.

Come O Little One of Bethlehem.

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Come and set us free O Face of the Mercy of God.

"She hears no voice,
accepts no correction;
In the Lord she has not trusted,
to her God she has not drawn near."  (Zephaniah 3: 1-2 RM)

The Prophet Zephaniah castigates the rebellious and polluted city with woes.  The "city" is you and I.  Then the prophet painted her ugly character.  She is deaf to admonition and rejects every correction.  She trusts in princes and flatterers rather than the Lord.  As the Lord calls her, she runs further and further from Him.

Do you know anybody like this?   This is Advent.  A time of repentance and grace.  The Lord is waiting today in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.   O that today you will hear His voice, harden not your heart.  (Psalm 95:  8)

Come O Face of Divine Mercy.

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Let it be done to me according to Your promise.

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”  (Luke 1: 38 NIV)

What will you do if God gives you a very big job or mission, so big that you consider yourself totally unqualified for it.  You would consider it reasonable to decline.  But God is not put off by your self deprecation.  He pursues you.  He piles up the arguments:  The Holy Spirit will help you.  (Luke 1: 35)  Nothing is impossible for God.  (Luke 1: 37)  The battle is not yours but the Lord's.  (2 Chronicles 20: 15)  At last you succumbed to the charm offensive of God.  And bowing your head you murmured "You have spoken Lord, now let it be done.  (Cf Luke 1: 38)

God spoke.  Mary believed.  Filled with the Holy Spirit, she predicted "All generations shall call me blessed."  True or false?

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Happy Feast Day, O Patroness of the Americas.

Come O rising Sun.

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You too can be patient.

"Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials."  (James 1: 2 NABRE)

Is it possible to consider troubles pure joy?  Well the scripture says so.

I finished reading recently a book about the lives of 35 men and women who are Doctors of the Church.  These people shaped the doctrines that Christians believe today.  In my opinion, they are the greatest and brightest.  One day, I asked myself:  "What is the common factor among these 35 Greats?

Each of them suffered horribly in body, mind or soul.  We still remember the sufferings of Pope St John Paul II and Mother St Teresa?  Now consider this act of Divine Providence:  Each of these 35 Greats accomplished their destiny in spite of their terrible sufferings.

Suffering did not prevent Jesus Christ or St John the Baptist from accomplishing what God planned and willed for their lives.  No amount of suffering can prevent us from fulfilling our destiny.

Come O Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.

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Come and show us Your face, O Lord.

'Behold, I am coming soon
and my recompense is with me, says the Lord,
to bestow a reward according to the deeds of each."  (Revelation 22: 12  RM)

What deeds will be the basis of the reward of Jesus?

Feeding the hungry
Clothing the naked
Sheltering the homeless
Visiting the sick and the imprisoned
Admonishing the sinner
Forgiving offenses willingly
Comforting the afflicted  (Cf Matthew 25: 34 - 46)

Lord Jesus, do not judge us according to our deeds or merits but according to your unfailing Mercy.

Come O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law. 

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I promise to prosper the work of your hands if you learn my lessons.

“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow."  (Isaiah 48: 17 NLT)

Abba Father provides all that we need.  But He is also our Teacher.  How does Abba Father teach us His children?

#1.  Through His word.
#2.  Through our daily experiences especially our trials. (Hebrews 12: 7)
#3.  Through the authoritative teaching of the Church.

What are the rewards for learning the lessons?
#1.  "Your prosperity would be like a river, and your vindication like the waves of the sea."  (Isaiah 48: 18)
#2. You will be like a tree planted near running water certain to yield its fruit in due season.  (Psalm 1: 3)
#3.  God will prosper the work of your hands.  (Psalm 1:  3)

Is God a man to lie or is anything too difficult for God?

Come O Prince of Peace.

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Happy Feast Day O Mother and Queen! We love you so much.

"I will rejoice heartily in the Lord,
my being exults in my God;
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation, and wrapped me in a robe of justice,
Like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."  (Isaiah 61: 10  NABRE)

Today the Church throughout the world celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Jesus created her Mother so beautiful, so graceful and so loving.  On the cross, Jesus said, "Behold your Mother."  (John 19: 17)  Thank You Jesus.   Let us join all generations in calling Mary blessed.  (Luke 1: 48)

Happy Feast Day, O Mother and Queen!  We your grateful children love you so much.

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Has my God forgotten me?

"They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  "(Isaiah 40: 31 NABRE)

Like many of us, the Israelites were no strangers to discouragement in their Journey of Faith.  Listen to their complaint:  “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”?  And on another occasion: 
"But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.”  (Isaiah 49: 14)

God is consummate patience and answered them:  "Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb?
Even should she forget, I will never forget you."  (Isaiah 49: 14 - 15)

God knows exactly where we are, what we need and when we need it.
Be confident and wait for the Lord.

Come O Sun that never sets.

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The Day of the Lord is near.

“All flesh is grass, and all their glory like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower wilts,
when the breath of the LORD blows upon it. So then, the people is the grass.
Though the grass withers and the flower wilts, the word of our God stands forever.”  (Isaiah 40: 6 - 7 NABRE)

If you are like myself, you seek and appreciate some stability in life.   Have you been able to find it in anything?  A new car quickly goes out of fashion.  A new home becomes creaky.  The beauty and innocence of the little child turns into a vicious teenager.   "Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity."  (Ecclesiastes 1: 2)

The grass may wither and the flowers wilt, but we are certain that the word of God will never change.

Come O Morning Star.

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Rejoice with joyful song O People.

"Strengthen hands that are feeble,
 make firm knees that are weak,
 Say to the fearful of heart:
 Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
With divine recompense
he comes to save you."   (Isaiah 35: 3-4 NABRE)

Hear the word of God, O People!

Are you weary, heavy of heart or afraid?  Do you want to experience the simple joys of Christmas like a child?  Open your heart and mind to Jesus in faith and prayer.

Come O Dawn from on High.

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Come O Lamb of God, Savior and Redeemer.

"In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea [and] saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”  (Matthew 3: 1-2 NABRE)

Who is John the Baptist?
Isaiah describes him as “A voice of one crying out in the desert,
‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths."  (Isaiah 40: 30)

John the Baptist has a simple profile.  Although born into the priestly nobility, he forsook the privileges that were his by birth to serve Jesus.
"John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey."  (Matthew 3: 4) In order not to compromise his mission, he took extraordinary steps to safeguard his independence.
He was direct and bold in his preaching, fearing no one.
"Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance."  (Matthew 3: 8) He urged the great and the powerful who came to him at the River Jordan.  His humility was profound.
"I am not worthy to carry his sandals."  (Matthew 3: 11) He said of Jesus.  Jesus returned the compliments by calling John the greatest of the prophets.

Lord Jesus grant us the singleness of purpose, courage and humility of John the Baptist.

Come O Lamb of God, Savior and Redeemer.

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I will bear witness to You in the world O Lord.

 “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few." (Matthew 9: 37 NABRE)

The world needs desperately the word of God.  How do I know?  Listen to Jesus:  "At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd."  (Matthew 9: 36)

Isaiah wrote: 
"The Lord will give you bread in adversity and water in affliction." (Isaiah 30: 20 NABRE)  But how can we hear of this promise if there is no one to preach and teach the word?  How can one preach or teach unless he is sent?  How can one be sent unless his heart is open and generous?

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"  (Isaiah 52: 7)

 "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion."  (Hebrews 3: 15)

Come O Sign of God's love.

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Do you believe that I can do this?

“Let it be done for you according to your faith.”  (Matthew 9: 29 NABRE)

Jesus touched the eyes of two blind men with the above words and they recovered their sight. 
What is the greatest desire of your heart at this moment?  “Do you believe that I can do this?” Jesus asks you.  What if your faith does not measure up?
Then pray the following or similar prayer:
"Be pleased, O Lord, with our humble prayers, and since we have no merits to plead our cause, come, we pray, to our rescue with the protection of your mercy."

When merits fail, always trust Mercy.

Come O Son of God and Son of Mary.

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It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock."  (Matthew 7: 24 NABRE)

Several places in His teaching, Jesus stresses that what brings life, healing, prosperity and salvation is not hearing the word of God, or knowing or teaching the word.  It is doing or acting on the word.  Why?  Because it is not what you know that transforms you.  It is what you do daily.  Salvation comes from conversion which happens every day.  The will of the Father must be obeyed not just every Sunday, or once a month but daily.  This is what opens the door of the Kingdom of heaven.  (Matthew 7: 21)

God keeps in peace a person of firm purpose.  This person trusts in the Lord forever as eternal Rock.  (Isaiah 26: 4)

Come O Lamb whom John proclaimed.

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Yes Lord, here I am.

"Come after me, says the Lord,
and I will make you fishers of men."  (Matthew 4: 19 NABRE)

What does it take to become a fisher of men?  
"Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ." (Romans 10: 17)   You have heard the invitation from Jesus.  What is keeping you from saying Yes?

Some are called to be full time evangelist.  Others are called to be part-time.  Everyone is called to spread the word of God.  Start small.  Grow steadily.  Become a pro.  Start by forwarding scripture verses that touch your heart to family and friends.  Then create a group list.  Go to social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc.  Not difficult.  All you need is faith and yes to Jesus.
All things are possible to one who has faith.  (Mark 9: 23)

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He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of His mouth.

"The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him."  (Isaiah 11: 2 NABRE)

Seven hundred years before Jesus was born, the Prophet Isaiah sketched accurately His profile.  One attribute or sign marked Jesus above others.  Jesus possessed the fullness of the Holy Spirit.  But that is not all.  The Spirit He is endowed is  "a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord,
and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord."   (Isaiah 11: 2 - 3 NABRE)

As we wait for the Coming of Jesus at Christmas, let us remember that we too are blessed with the indwelling Holy Spirit.  Without the Spirit, it is impossible to live the Christian life.  This season of Advent is the right time to be refreshed with the Holy Spirit so that buds shall blossom from withered stumps.

Come O Root of David!

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