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JUBILEE TEACHING

Christmas is the ‘Mass of Christ’

JUBILEE TEACHING FOR DECEMBER 23, 2007 | FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

JUBILEE INFORMATION

GOD THE SON

Catholics believe that Jesus of Nazareth, the carpenter who was born in Bethlehem during the time of King Herod the Great and who was crucified under the procurator Pontius Pilate, is also the second person of the Trinity. The Gospel of Matthew relates that St. Peter once told Jesus, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Mt 16:16). Catholics believe that Jesus was the Son of the Father; he suffered and died for mankind, arose and lives with men forever. That message is at the heart of all the church’s teachings.

In the context of the Old Testament, the chosen people (and also the angels) are “sons of God.” However, Jesus is the true Son of God, not only metaphorically. In the Gospels, God calls Jesus his “beloved Son” and Jesus refers to himself as the “only Son of God.”

A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

JUBILEE TEACHING FOR DECEMBER 25, 2007 | FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD

The word Christmas is derived from the phrase “Mass of Christ” because the church holds special Masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. Catholics celebrate Christmas, or the Nativity of Jesus, on Dec. 25. However, the actual date of Jesus’ birthday is not known. One of the explanations for why the church chose this particular day is that in the early days of the church, some of the feast days were appropriated from earlier pagan celebrations. In the case of Christmas, this particular date was also chosen because it is also the time of the winter solstice.

Some theologians attribute the formation of the Nativity festival to an attempt by the Catholic Church to foster Catholic belief in the humanity of Jesus Christ and as a way to counter an early heresy called docetism, which denied Jesus’ human nature.

Christmas is followed by Epiphany, which is celebrated Jan. 6. Epiphany commemorates the arrival of the three Wise Men who came bearing gifts to honor the Christ Child in the manger. The Christmas cycle ends on the third Sunday after Christmas. A period of ordinary time ensues that lasts until the day after Mardi Gras, the beginning of the Easter cycle.

SUNDAY SCRIPTURE AT HOME

JUBILEE TEACHING FOR DECEMBER 30, 2007 | FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY

Many people find it helpful to pray over the Sunday Scripture readings at home before going to church. The practice puts them in touch with the church’s prayer, helps them listen as the readings are proclaimed at Mass, prepares them to hear the homily and engages them personally in the word of God.

Create some time and space for this prayer. If you do it alone, remove yourself from other activities. Choose a place where you can center yourself. Open the Scriptures and read over them. You might keep a journal and jot down some thoughts that come to you. Ask yourself some questions such as these: What is going on in this reading? Is something similar happening in my life? What is God saying to me this week?

If you pray with others, choose a time when everyone is together. You could pray in the living room at the end of the day or around the table before a meal. Someone reads the Scripture aloud. All think about it. Then each shares a few thoughts. Read the passage again. You may choose one or more readings at a time. The exercise can be repeated throughout the week. God’s word is able to go as deep inside you as you give it time and room.

When you get to church, don’t read along while the readings are proclaimed. Lift your head and open you ears and heart to the word of God.

PRAY FOR WORLD PEACE

JUBILEE TEACHING FOR JANUARY 1, 2008 | FEAST OF MARY THE MOTHER OF GOD

Jan. 1 is New Year’s Day to most of the world, but in the Catholic Church it is also the solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. This is a relatively new title for the day. Older Catholics will remember that we used to call Jan. 1 the feast of the circumcision.

Circumcision may not seem like much to have a feast about. But the day commemorated an event in the life of Jesus, just as we have days for his conception, birth, presentation in the temple, baptism, transfiguration, death, and resurrection. Luke specifically mentions the circumcision of Jesus. It took place, according to the custom, on the eighth day after his birth. That is why the feast commemorating the event fell on the eighth day of Christmas. It just happened to be New Year’s Day. The same passage from Luke says Jesus then received his name. That is why the old calendar celebrated the Most Holy Name of Jesus on the Sunday between the feasts of the circumcision and the Epiphany.

In present times, the Gospel passage for Jan. 1 still refers to the circumcision, but the new title for the feast seems to have another verse in mind, Luke 2:19. There we hear that Mary treasured all the things that happened and the words that were said and pondered them in her heart. On the octave day of the birth of Jesus, we celebrate Mary, who bore him.

On Jan. 1 we are also expected to pray for world peace. In the United States, this day is a holy day of obligation unless it falls on a Monday or a Saturday.

EPIPHANY CHALK

JUBILEE TEACHING FOR JANUARY 6, 2008 | SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY

Some Christians bless their homes on Epiphany each year. With chalk, they write an inscription on the inside lintel above the front door. The series of numbers, letters and crosses changes only slightly from year to year. For example, at the start of the 2008, the line will read as follows: 20+C+M+B+08.

The four digits designating the new year appear at the beginning and end of the line. In 2009, for example, the last number changes to 9. Because Epiphany comes so near the beginning of the new year, the numbers represent an annual renewal of God’s blessing.

The letters have two meanings. They are the initials of the traditional names of the Magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, and they also abbreviate the Latin words Christus mansionem benedicat (May Christ bless the house). The letters recall the day on which the inscription is made, as well as the purpose of blessing.

The crosses represent Christ, whom we invoke, and the saintliness of the Magi. The inscription is made above the front door, so that all who enter and depart this year may enjoy God’s blessing. The month of January still bears the name of the Roman god Janus, the doorkeeper of heaven and patron of the beginning and end of things. This blessing adds a Christian dimension to the traditional observance of the first month. The inscription is made of chalk, a product of clay, which recalls the human nature taken by God’s eternal Word in this holy season.

If you want to bless your home this Epiphany, read the opening verses of John’s Gospel, pray the Lord’s Prayer, then write the inscription for this year above your front door with chalk.

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Christmas is the ‘Mass of Christ’

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