Reflection Starter from Pope Francis

"Looking at the Nativity scene, we can become a little childlike and allow the wonder of the 'marvellous' way in which God wanted to come into the world to be reborn in us. This will revive tenderness in us; and today we are in great need of tenderness!" - Pope Francis

Tajci: "Keep Your Head Up"

As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of Tatiana "Tajci" Cameron presenting "Keep Your Head Up":

 

Congratulations, Debbie and Josh!!!

Congratulations to niece Debbie Kalita, who married fiancé Josh on Thursday (31 December). May this first year of your marriage be filled with an outpouring of the Lord's special blessings!!!

Anniversary Blessings, Mark and Becky!!!

Belated anniversary greetings to brother Mark and his wife Becky, who recently celebrated their wedding anniversary (on 31 December)!!! May the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of the power of forgiveness.

Loving the Neighbor You Hate

When she was anchoring the early morning news in Dallas during the 1980s, Peggy Wehmeyer went to bed at 8:00 p.m. because she had to get up at 2:30 a.m. But one thing stood between her and a good night's sleep: her neighbor's dog barking loudly outside every evening. Peggy's hatred for the canine and its owner grew so bad that she and her husband filed a noise complaint with the city, which led to bad blood with her neighbor. The case was scheduled to go to court on December 24th.

When Peggy's in-laws arrived for a visit a few days before Christmas, she asked their opinion. Writing in the Washington Post, she recalled her father-in-law saying, "If you're going to be a follower of Jesus, you'll love your enemy, not sue her." Her father-in-law, a former prisoner of war in Japan, had forgiven his captors, so she took his words seriously. Peggy reluctantly knocked on her neighbor's door. The woman, who Peggy dubs "Laura," answered and resentfully asked, "What do you want?" Peggy responded, "I'm sorry I've ramped up this conflict by taking you to court on Christmas Eve. I don't want to fight anymore. If there's anything I can do to be a better neighbor, I hope you'll let me know."

Initially, Peggy felt humiliated. "But as I watched the surprise register on my neighbor's face," she wrote, "something else happened in me. I felt lighter, freer, released from an ugly burden. . . . I glanced past her shoulder into her cluttered living room where a toddler sat coloring. My rage inexplicably gave way to compassion."

That compassion grew a few weeks later when Laura ran out of grocery money for herself and her daughter, Kassie. She asked Peggy if she could borrow a few dollars to tide them over. Peggy lent Laura $20 - and received it back a few days later. More importantly, the two women began talking more frequently - and the dog even stopped barking! "I came to know Laura as a bright and kind woman with a warm smile," wrote Peggy. "I learned that she had been deeply wounded and that she struggled with mental illness, much like my own mother. She told me she had one friend, and it was me."

Peggy and Laura remained neighbors for seven years, until they moved to different parts of town and lost touch. But in 2019, Peggy received a message from Kassie notifying her that Laura was near death in the hospital. Peggy asked if she could visit her, and Kassie responded, "Yes, please come. You were her only friend." When Peggy arrived, Kassie revealed that Laura had attempted suicide due to her depression. Laura was unconscious, but Peggy told her, "You're not alone. I love you. God loves you." Peggy then read Laura some Bible verses.

Peggy recalled, "As she died, Laura handed me a bittersweet gift. Years before we met, my mother, who also battled depression, had taken her life in the same way. . . . I couldn't get to her in time to say goodbye. I never got to stroke my mother's hair or remind her that she was loved. Now, a woman I once called my enemy was freeing me from that long-held regret and sorrow."

​Laura died that night, but Peggy learned a lesson about reversing "the tide of hatred and revenge that is tearing this country apart. Maybe it will have to start with us, walking across the driveways that divide us and knocking on a door."

This essay is a recent "Light One Candle" column written by Tony Rossi, Director of Communications, The Christophers; it is one of a series of weekly columns that deal with a variety of topics and current events.

Background information:

The Christophers

Reflection Starter from St. Basil the Great

"When you sit down to eat, pray. When you eat bread, do so thanking Him for being so generous to you. If you drink wine, be mindful of Him who has given it to you for your pleasure and as a relief in sickness. When you dress, thank Him for His kindness in providing you with clothes. When you look at the sky and the beauty of the stars, throw yourself at God's feet and adore Him who in His wisdom has arranged things in this way. Similarly, when the sun goes down and when it rises, when you are asleep or awake, give thanks to God, who created and arranged all things for your benefit, to have you know, love and praise their Creator." - Saint Basil the Great, whose memory the Church celebrates today (2 January)

"Sing of Mary"

As we continue our Holy Day celebration, I offer this version of the St. Patrick Cathedral Choir (Fort Worth, Texas) presenting "Sing of Mary":

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. The assigned readings are Numbers 6:22-27, Galatians 4:4-7, and Luke 2:16-21. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 67 (Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Psalm 67 – May God bless us in his mercy

The Gospel reading is as follows:

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Reflections related to these readings and this feast day:

Community in Mission: The Many Meanings of January 1st - A Homily (31 DEC 19)

Crossroads Initiative: Mary, the Mother of God? 

The Sacred Page: Mary Mother of God! (29 DEC 20)

Dominicana: Speaking of Mary; Believing in Jesus (1 JAN 21)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessings You have prepared for us in 2021.

Deacon Greg Kandra on New Year's Resolutions for Catholics

"Here's something you might not expect to encounter at Walt Disney World: a father offering a stunning rendition of 'Ave Maria' in the lobby of the Grand Floridian Resort Hotel. It's quickly gone viral - and understandably so, especially when you watch his daughter watching him."

In a recent post, Deacon Greg Kandra reflected on some "ideas and suggestions for helping to step out of the seemingly endless lines of 2020 so we can chart a new path for 2021," including kick-starting one's daily prayer life by resolving to begin and end every day in prayer (with emphasis on prayers of gratitude), getting involved in parish life, and giving time, attention, and a prayer to someone in need.

To access his complete post, please visit:

Our Sunday Visitor: 10 resolutions to kick-start your year (29 DEC 20)

Reflection Starter from Michael Josephson

"Whether we want them or not, the New Year will bring new challenges; whether we seize them or not, the New Year will bring new opportunities." - Michael Josephson