New Year Blessing Reflection

May the Lord Bless and Keep You
A Reflection for January First, The Feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord/ Mary Mother of God
Readings: Numbers 6:22-27, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:16-21,
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus, Holliston, MA
www.Missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry

The Psalm for the liturgy of New Years Day proclaims a message we all should be shouting from the rooftops, “Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of His name; Make His praise glorious. Say to God, How awesome are your works!”
When we couple that with the direction given in the first reading of the day from the book of Numbers chapter 6 verses 22-27 on how to greet people “You shall say to them: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord let his face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord uncover his face to you and bring you peace.” We receive a direction of living our life in accordance with the teachings of Christ and therefore Almighty God.
Our hearts should be filled with the knowledge and love that the King of Glory, Jesus Christ brought to this world. Was not just happenstance, but was part of God’s design from the very beginning of time.
As if to reinforce the truth, that we have all been chosen by God as his children and therefore heirs to the kingdom of heaven we have the words from the second reading found in Galatians 4: “The proof that you are sons is that God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts: the Spirit that cries, ‘Abba, Father’, and it is this that makes you a son, you are not a slave any more; and if God has made you son, then he has made you heir.”The Gospel tell us that the name chosen for the child was not a family mane but that it was given to the infant according to the instructions Mary received from the Angel Gabriel. When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception. "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:22
Besides being the feast of the Circumcision of Jesus, today is also commemorated in the western church to celebrate the motherhood of Mary, “the Theotokos” in Greek meaning mother of God. The Gospel reading reminds us that Mary pondered all that had come to pass and also the things she was told would occur in her heart by the priest “Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." Luke 2: 34-35.
There should be no doubt in anyone mind that Jesus is the promised one of the ages and as such we need to heed the things He has instructed us to do. We also have to keep in mind that through the centuries many things have been added to what Jesus instructed, mainly for the purpose of gaining power and wealth. Those things have very little to do with living our life according to God’s will. Celibacy of clergy was an idea that came many years after Christ, the early church had women deacons, the early church blessed same sex commitment ceremonies, liturgies were celebrated in the language of the people. These are just some of the things that churches enforce that were not defined by Christ.
All the grandeur, splendor, pomp and circumstance that is associated with some churches fly in the face of what Christ taught. By His birth in a simple manger alone; Christ gave us a lesson that He came to give hope and promise to all and that the poor and needy where more acceptable than the rich and powerful. “Do unto others as you would have done unto you” this teaching should cause us to think about how we treat others and is it the same way that we would want to be treated?
Jesus Christ came to earth to save us, to open up the gates of heaven to all people. Almighty God sent us His son in human form to teach us the truth, to lead us in the path of righteousness, and to gain for us eternal salvation.
As we begin a New Year let us make a new beginning in our relationship with Almighty God through His beloved Son, Jesus the Christ. Let us vow to make the changes necessary in our lives so that we come closer to God in all that we do. Let us set aside time each and every day to acknowledge God and ask His help in making us a better and newer person. Let us examine way that we can actively make a difference by our actions and deeds. Can we be more compassionate toward those who are suffering from poverty, hunger, homelessness and serious illness? Can we do more to support the spreading of the Good News of Salvation preached by Jesus Christ? Can we make time in our schedules to pray and receive the bread of life, the Eucharist?
As the sports adage says; “The ball is in our court” how are we going to play it?
May the New Year bring peace to the hearts and minds of all people, May the wisdom of God infuse the inner being of all especially the leaders of the worlds governments and religions so that they find a pathway to peace and unity and bring about the promise of The Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. AMEN

An Idea For A New Year's Resolution

A New Year Prayer, A Resolution for Peace On Earth,
A Reflection for January 1 in the year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Seven
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus, a Franciscans of the Annunciation mission
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry

As we prepare to make our resolutions for the New Year 2007, how about we try this one on for size?
I based this reflection on the words to a once very popular prayer/song “Let There Be Peace On Earth” written and copy written in 1955by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson. In this time of world turmoil I feel we need to focus on the issues that have been tearing nations, churches and people apart and make a resolution to do our part to change the direction the world seems to be headed. Daily we are reminded of all the dissention between the various churches which claim to be Christian and other religious denominations that claim the God of Abraham, Isaac, David and Jacob as their father.
Every day the news is filled with reports throughout the world, of strife, conflicts over territory and in some countries genocide, poverty, and starvation caused by the need of a minority for power, control and greed.
Families have been torn apart over the issue of their child’s sexuality by individuals who claim to represent Christ and have taken upon themselves the role of making judgments that are only God’s right to make.
Did not Christ Himself say “Let those among you that is without sin, cast the first stone” We all are sinners to one degree or another, we need to acknowledge that and be repentant for our own misdeeds and assume we are better than the others.
The words of this wonderful prayer/song are very poignant. It not only makes a request but it points out that it all must start with each of us individually; “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” This is a lesson to us that we cannot wait for others to set the ball in motion, we need it to begin within our selves. We need to make a move in our own lives to settle any disagreements we might have with members of our own family, friends, neighbors or employees. If each and every person would work toward the goal of peace in their own live the result would be like a snowball rolling down a very steep hill, it would keep building and growing larger and faster as it traveled along. Each individual action would cause a similar reaction from others and it could spread throughout the world.
The second line in this message written in 1955 is also powerful as it directs us to the source of all peace; “Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God as our Father.” In order to achieve any kind of lasting and meaningful peace we need to turn to the source, Almighty God. We need to place Him at the center of our lives and live according to the way His beloved son, Jesus Christ instructed us. We need to look around us and be thankful for the gifts we have been given and stop grumbling about the things we think we need. We need to come to the realization that we are all children of the same God and therefore brothers and sisters of each other as the prayer/song explains; “brothers all are we, Let me walk with my brother, in perfect harmony.”
As we contemplate what kind of resolution we are going to make to change our lives in this new year I suggest that each of us place this as number one and that we make sure that we keep this resolution even if all the others are forgotten as the year progresses; “Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now, With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow, To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.”.
Peace is not something to be wished for, it is something one has to work hard to achieve. If these words “ Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me!” are to ever be realized we all have to work together to make it a reality.
We cannot be satisfied as long as there is one child of God that is being oppressed because social or economic status, suffering discrimination for any reason, dying because of lack of proper food or medicine, homeless due to inadequate affordable housing, or being violently murdered over drugs or gang disputes. As children of God and followers of Jesus Christ we are called to live the Gospel message not just preach it.
Let us resolve to begin this New Year with one single purpose, to do our part in bringing about changes that will make this prayer/songs words a reality.

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me,
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God as our Father, brothers all are we,
Let me walk with my brother, in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now,
With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow,
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me! AMEN

I am also adding the prayer of the seraphic father of our order and all the Franciscan orders, Saint Francis which helps us to understand the things we need to do to achieve a true and lasting peace.

Peace Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
when there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand,
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. AMEN

May God fill each and every one with an abundance of His mercy, infinite love and grace throughout the new year and grant you the courage and strength to do what is necessary to bring about changes on this planet so that there will be a new beginning for all and a time of peace and reconciliation.

A New Interpretation To 12 Days Of Christmas

A New Meaning to the Twelve Days of Christmas Song
Day 1 A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE
Jesus, The Son of God
Day 2 2 TURTLE DOVES
The Old and New Testament
Day 3 THREE FRENCH HENS
The Virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity
Day 4 FOUR CALLING BIRDS
The Four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Day 5 FIVE GOLDEN RINGS
The Pentateuch or first five books of the Old Testament
Day 6 SIX GEESE A LAYING
The six days of creation
Day 7 SEVEN SWANS A SWIMMING
The Seven Sacraments
Day 8 EIGHT MAIDS A MILKING
The Eight Beatitudes
Day 9 NINE LADIES DANCING
The nine fruits of the Holy Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”
Day 10 TEN LORDS A LEAPING
The Ten Commandments
Day 11 ELEVEN LORDS A LEAPING
The eleven faithful apostles (excludes Judas)
Day 12 TWELVE DRUMMERS DRUMMING
The Twelve points of doctrine found in the Apostles Creed.
1 I Believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of Heaven and earth
2 I Believe in Jesus Christ the Only Son of the Father
3 He was born of the Virgin Mary
4 He became man
5 He Suffered under Pontius Pilot
6 He Was Crucified, Died and was buried
7 On the Third day he rose again.
8 He ascended into heaven
9 He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
10 I believe in the Holy Spirit
11 I believe in the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church
12 I acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sin.
Rev. Robert Francis Johnnene OFA
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry

Joy To The World, A Christmas Reflection

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!A Christmas Reflection

by Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA,

Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus

Based on the Scriptural Readings from Luke 2:1-14, Titus 2:11-15, Titus 3:4-7, Luke 2:15-20, Hebrews 1:1-12, John 1:1-14

www.MissionStSergius.org

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry

These words of the well know Christmas Carol written by Isaac Watts (1674-1748)“Joy to the World, the Lord has come. Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And Heaven and nature sing” could not express the feeling we all should be having this blessed day nor the mission we have been called to live by the birth of this infant child called Jesus of Nazareth.On Christmas day there are three sets of readings, one for the Midnight Mass, another for the mass at dawn and the third for the later mass of the day. When you combine them all they provide us with the very powerful truth and reason for living according to God‘s will. John 1 begins with these words “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” These words are to remind us that Christ came from and is God and that He took on the human form in the same manner as every other human being ever born or to be born, as an infant. He came into this world in the same way as well, in being born of a woman. Let us try to understand the darkness that seems to encompass so many today.I believe that God chose this way in order to let us know that we are all created in His image and we all have a job do to in this world for God. Of course He has also given us free choice therefore we can not accept the job He wishes us to do. There is so much symbolism in the miracle of Christmas. God chose simple people, not the rich and famous. Christ was born in a poor stable filled with the animals of the farmers and travelers. The announcement of Christ’s birth was not to the great and mighty or the High priests but to simple shepherds. God did this to let us know that it is the average person he calls not necessarily the rich and famous. Didn’t Christ say “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Matthew 19:23-25The readings also provide us with the purpose of Christ’s coming to earth; “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, We are called to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and live sensibly, righteously and goodly. Somehow that message seems to be all together lost on many people today. Everywhere we hear of news of people who steal, rape, murder and let us not forget wage wars all in search of money, power and domination at the expense of others. Only God has the right to dominate things on this earth since He created them and they are His, we are supposed to be the caretakers and we do not even take that God given responsibility seriously. We have been charged by God to care for this planet earth and all God’s creatures yet we are destroying the ecosystem that God created because it is cheaper and more profitable than using alternative energies that are possible. “Christ gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. These things speak and encourage and reprimand all authorities. Let no one take no notice of you.” Titus 2:11-15 Jesus told us He came to clarify the law and to give us a new covenant. He told us the way we should live and prime in that message was “Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, mind, soul and body and love your neighbor as you love yourself” God so loved the world that He gave His only son to us. There is no greater gift anyone could ever receive and how do we repay god for that Gift? We can repay God by living in the manner that Christ instructed us. We can be kind, considerate, loving, caring, forgiving, charitable, and respectful of the differences that God has created in all things. We are called to worship God and be joyful for the things we have been given. The reading from Hebrews lets us know that even the angels are to worship Christ and that His kingdom will last forever."Let all God's angels worship him. In speaking of the angels he says, He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire. But about the Son he says, Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” Hebrews 1:6-9The Introit of the second mass of Christmas is a reading from Isaiah 9: 6-7 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.”On this Christmas day of 2006 let us follow the directions of the angels who announced the Good News to the shepherds watching their flocks. “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." Let us try to be persons with whom God will be pleased, so that we can fully enjoy the peace and joy the birth of God’s son we celebrate this day. Let us return God’s gift to us by being more tolerant of the differences in others, charitable by giving to organizations and people in need, concerned about the homeless, sick, and disabled of the world. Let us speak out against injustice, war, and greed. In short, let us make a difference in the world and make it a better place tomorrow than it is today.By doing this we will affirm that indeed there is “Joy in the world because the Lord has come and instilled in us His way so that we have become His instrument here on earth to bring about the promised peace of Christ.”

A Blessed and joyous Christmas be with you all.

Fr. Bob Johnnene OFA