For Isaiah, the sign of the messianic times is that through the Messiah, God will give to his people an abundance of food and drink. People long for life, for peace. Prisoners want to be free, the blind want to see, and the hungry want bread. However, people also hunger for consolation, friendship, forgiveness, understanding,
One of the original group of followers of Ignatius, Francis Xavier became the first and perhaps the greatest missionary of the Jesuits. After sowing the seeds of the gospel in many parts of Southeast Asia, he began the work of the evangelization in Japan, the fruits of which were so cruelly destroyed later. He died
St. Nicholas was bishop of Myra, (in Turkey) in the fourth century. He became one of the most popular saints of the Church. Historically, we know little more about him than that he lived during the time the Church struggled with Arianism. He must have been a very good and generous person, caring for the poor
God will make a new beginning with people in the Messiah, in Jesus. He is the young shoot sprouting from the roots of the stump from the line of David and God’s Spirit rests on him. He will bring peace – not the peace of resignation and the status quo, but the peace and harmony
Today’s message speaks of universal salvation. Isaiah preaches that all are called to believe in God, to worship him, to live according to God’s plans and laws, and to enjoy his peace. Jerusalem stands here for God’s believing people. (In year A, another reading from Isaiah is taken, so as not to duplicate that of
The Lord Comes Christ Brings Us Hope Greeting (See Second Reading) The time has come: you must wake up now, our salvation is near. May the Lord Jesus be with you. R/ And also with you. Introduction by the Celebrant The Lord Comes The Lord comes! He is looking for us. Do we open to
The vision of the author of the Book of Daniel confirms that, however terrifying the persecutions of the Syrian king may be, God has the final say in history, evil will be overcome, and God’s powers of goodness will be victorious. Still, the gospel warns us. We may not choose the easy way of indifference
In the famous chapter 7 of Daniel, a mysterious “Son of Man” (a human being) is announced. Is he an individual or a community? He belongs to both earth and heaven and will inaugurate a kingdom that comes as a gift from God, not as an earthly conquest. Jesus will apply this title to himself
Today’s story of the first reading is not historical but edifying. It applies again to Antiochus IV “Epiphanes,” who obliged the people in his kingdom to pray only to his god, Baal-Zeus, of whom he pretended to be the manifestation. Of course, the Jews (Daniel) contested this order. The destruction of Jerusalem and the signs
The message of hope of the previous days continues in today’s readings. The Syrian king oppressed the Jews and declared himself “Epiphanes,” that is, “God become visible”; God will soon judge him, and his kingdom will come to an end. He appears here disguised, under the name Belshazzar. On the other hand, the persecuted Christians
