Apologetics 101: Christmas Edition!

This week, Father Federico and Victoria welcome Regis to our team. We share one thing we want for the Church or for the world or for ourselves.

Victoria would like from Santa:

· I would people to think of God more often.

Regis would like from Santa:

· I would like to win my Fantasy Football Championship (the league which Father Federico has already been eliminated from, just saying).

Father Federico would like from Santa:

· That everyone in our families who has left the Catholic Church or stopped practicing their faith would ‘come home to Rome’ and discover the compassionate heart of the Father which awaits them!

What Would Others Think?

We are often driven by this question. When we are dealing with trivial things is driven from a sense of competition and we strive to have the best in order to portray a sense of perfection. When it comes to more complex situations or things outside of our control, we are often ashamed of almost being normal. We actually tend to hide those things that makes us human because of the fear of what others judgement will be towards us.

When reading today’s gospel, I continued to think Wow! Joseph was so normal! Times were different back then so it says a lot when he knew that Mary was bearing a child that wasn’t his and he was still willing to not expose her publicly. Although he was still planning to divorce her quietly, Joseph was lucky and blessed to have an angel appear to him and provide him with the most amazing news ever. Mary was bearing the most amazing gift given to us all, Jesus our savior! I think we can all say we are happy Joseph didn’t follow a different direction based on what others would think, right?

We may not be as lucky as Joseph as to have an angel appear and speak directly to us and tell us to not be ashamed of doing the right thing. We must know that if we start making God our number one priority, we will stop living with the enormous pressure of other’s opinions and start living a more fulfilled catholic life.

Carolina Ramirez-Blier, St. Bridget of Sweden Parishioner and St Bridget School Parent

Joy and Sandals

As I was reflecting on the readings for today, I kept going back to the Alleluia –

“Raise your voice and tell the Good News”

Behold, the Lord comes with power.”

In the first reading the Prophet Isaiah lays it all out for us. He explains just who God is and how we must respond to Him.

God is “the Lord, there is no other.” He is the Creator of all things, the ONLY just and saving God.

Our response to this loving and just Creator, Designer of the earth, the place designed to be lived in- not to be a waste, should be to turn to Him and be safe. Every knee should bend and every tongue proclaim His name.

All we need to do is simply look around us to see His power and majesty. I left the house very early this morning. As I was driving through the deserted streets, above the houses I was able to view the most beautiful sunrise. The sky in varying shades of pinks and purples was not only a gift but a wonderful reminder of the extraordinary world God has given us, certainly not a wasteland! Something that urges us to proclaim the Good News to others.

Even with beautiful sunrises and sunsets, sometimes, like John the Baptist, we ask “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”

During Advent, as we prepare for the coming of the One that John the Baptist feels unworthy to “Loose the thongs of His sandals” we need to set aside the commercial trappings and gifts of Christmas and try to focus on the best gift we could ever receive – Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

Once we have received this gift what are we to do with it? As the Alleluia proclaims “Raise your voice and tell the Good News.” We must proclaim the Goods News by the way we live. Let people see that we work for justice and equality, speak only the truth and treat all people with kindness. Live out the message of JOY – Jesus first, Others second and Yourself last. This is the way we can show the world that we have listened to the message of Jesus and know Him to be the Son of the Most High, the one the world of John’s time was waiting for. The One whose return we anxiously await.

Donna Yatcko