Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: All

December 2016

Pope's Intentions

Universal: End to Child-Soldiers -- That the scandal of child-soldiers may be eliminated the world over.

Evangelization: Europe -- That the peoples of Europe may rediscover the beauty, goodness, and truth of the Gospel which gives joy and hope to life.


23 posted on 12/24/2016 9:25:01 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies ]


To: All
Daily Gospel Commentary

Christmas (Mass of the day)
Commentary of the day
Saint Basil (c.330-379), monk and Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, Doctor of the Church
Homily on the birth of Christ; PG 31, 1471f.

"We saw his glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son"

“The magi were overjoyed at seeing the star” (Mt 2,10). Let us, too, today, welcome this great joy into our hearts, the joy the angels announced to the shepherds. Let us adore with the magi, rejoice with the shepherds, sing with the angels: “Today a savior has been born for us who is Christ the Lord; the Lord God has appeared to us”. . .

This feast is held in common by the whole creation: stars traverse the heavens, magi arrive from foreign lands, earth receives him in a cave. There is nothing that does not add to this feast, nothing that does not come to it with full hands. Let us, too, ring out a song of joy. . .; let us celebrate the world's salvation, the day of humanity's birth. Today the punishment that struck down Adam is abolished. Let no one any longer say: “You are dirt and to dirt you shall return” (Gn 3,19), but: “United to him who comes down from heaven you will be raised up into heaven”. . .

“A child is born to us, a son is given us; his dominion is vast” (Is 9,5.6). . .  What an abyss of goodness and love for humankind! So unite yourself to those who receive their Lord descending from heaven with joy and who adore the Great God in this little child. God's power is manifested in this body as light through a window and it shines on the eyes of those who are pure of heart (Mt 5,8). So together with them we will be able “with unveiled face, gaze as in a mirror on the glory of the Lord and ourselves be transformed from glory to glory” (cf. 2Cor 3,18) through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and his love for us.

24 posted on 12/24/2016 9:28:56 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson