The Holy Family

At Mass today, we recognized the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

Alicia, Lorenzo, Lily and I went to Mass together. As I was listening to the Liturgy of the Word and the homily, I was also watching Lily sleeping in her infant seat and thinking, “This is probably the same feeling of love that Mary and Joseph had for the baby born in the stable.”

As I meditated further on this today, it hit me. As much as I love Lily and my own children, Mary and Joseph’s love for Jesus was so much more. After all, they had it on good authority (the Angel Gabriel) that their Son was the Son of God.

Further, Mary’s love must have been bittersweet. On one hand, she knew that her Son was destined to bring salvation to the world. On the other hand, she also knew the scriptures and that Jesus was to be killed to bring that salvation. No parent wants to lose a child. So when Simeon told her that her heart would be pierced with sorrow, I think that she was not surprised, but dismayed nonetheless.

As we all know, however, it all worked out for the best. (What an understatement that is!)

Pax vobis*

Eternal God, this joyful day is radiant with the brilliance of Your one true light.

May that light illuminate our hearts and shine in our words and deeds.

May the hope, the peace, the joy, and the love represented by the birth in Bethlehem fill our lives and become part of all that we say and do.

May we share the divine life of Your Son, Jesus Christ, even as He humbled Himself to share our humanity.

Bless us all today. Let us be thankful for our families. We are thankful for Your most recent gift to us, Liliana Noelle. We especially thank You, Eternal Father for the one, true gift of Christmas, Your Son.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!!!!!
*Pax Vobis--Peace be with all of you.

"OomPa's" Incredible Adventure or, Who Can Doubt That God Is With Us?

I got to Mom's apartment at 7 o'clock in the morning. She had a few things for me to do before we left for Bob's house in Simi Valley-- A couple of "chores" around the apt. and then a little shopping and a permanent for Mom. We figured on leaving no later than 9:30. Everything went as planned and we were on our way on time. I thought we could stop every couple of hours to stretch our legs and grab a water. Highway 5 would be the quickest way to get to Simi. We wanted to be there by 3pm, visit a bit with Bob, and wait for Marilyn to get home. Then we would go to Mass, eat dinner, and I would head back towards home. If I didn't feel like driving all the way back, my intention was to stay at the apartment that U-Haul has set up for me when I work in Bakersfield, then drive home in the morning refreshed.

We got as far as the Westley rest stop when I saw the "Amber Alert" sign on the highway saying that there was a delay going over the "Grapevine" into LA due to inclement weather. I called Bob and told him I thought we would cut over to the 101 and come down that way, even though it would add an hour or two to the drive. At the same time, I wondered why there was inclement weather on the Grapevine when it was cold, but clear all the way to Kettleman City. Mom and I discussed it and we thought we would play it by ear. We ate lunch in Kettleman City and no sooner left the restaurant when Marilyn (my Marilyn) called and said that Alicia's water had broken and she was in the hospital waiting for our first grandchild. That pretty much made up my mind for me. I was going to go over the Grapevine. That way, I could get back sooner and be on hand for the delivery.

We got to Laval and the snow started coming down--mixed with rain first, then just snow. Lots and lots of snow. Several accidents were strewn all over the highway. I just took it slow and steady. Mom and I decided not to take any chances, and we recited all 4 mysteries of the rosary and the Divine Mercy chaplet, asking Our Lady for her protection from the storm. Yeah, you guessed it. Our "Mom in Heaven" came through again. Not only did we make it without any trouble, it was absolutely beautiful! All of that pure white snow made the drab countryside look as brand new as if God had just created it! We made it to Simi at 3 in the afternoon. I checked in with Marilyn and there was still no change with Alicia. But the CHP closed Interstate 5 just after we went through! (Thank you, Heavenly Mother!) So, I made the decision to go home via the 101. I figured it would take about 6 and a half to 7 and a half hours vs the 5 and half it took to come down, but I had to get back. While it was the right decision, it  took over 8 and half hours--all the traffic that would have been using I-5 was now using 101! It took me 4 and a half hours just to get to Paso Robles! It could have been worse, though. Traffic coming back the other way was bumper to bumper for 23 miles! At least I was moving. I had my rosary to fall back on (as I always do) for the times I got frustrated. So I was able to say 3 or more rosaries when I got really frustrated and I felt better afterward. All I could think about was that Alicia was going to have her baby and I wouldn't be there. I took my vacation this week specifically so I could be with Alicia for the big day. It was So I kept asking our Lord to let her hold on until I got to the hospital. I finally got there at 11:30 pm. There was still no real change in Alicia's condition. I went in and kissed her and asked her how she was doing. She was in a bit of pain (naturally) but excited to get the show on the road. But Lily wasn't ready yet. Marilyn, Sarah, Marilyn's sister Carolyn and her daughter Frankie were there as well. After a few pleasantries we decided we were going to go to the waiting room and try to grab a few z's. Right. I was so keyed up, I must have walked 3 miles pacing back and forth, up and down the hallways and I said (I think) 2 more rosaries asking our Lord to make her labor easier. I tried to lay down, but no use. I finally got so tired I thought I could maybe get to sleep, but the minute I did, Sarah came and got me to tell me Alicia had permission to "push." You know, Alicia is my first baby and it was tearing me apart to hear her screams in labor. After about 45 minutes of agony mixed with laughter (at Lorenzo, who was making some really funny statements throughout the ordeal to keep Alicia's spirits up), I went to sit down and get away from the moans. Again, I no sooner sat down, than Sarah came to tell me that Lily was now crying! After shedding my own silent tear of gratitude with a prayer of thanksgiving, I ran down to see the baby. She is beautiful! It reminds one that, while biology plays a part, only God creates new life. Lorenzo was so excited! It was good to see him so happy and at the same time I think it hit him that he was actually a father with some pretty awsome responsibilities. He seemed nervous in his excitement. I think it was good for him to have so many of us there to support him and Alicia. He kept saying "Oh, my God!" I know he knows exactly what he was saying. He is a pretty devout catholic to be and knows who was really responsible for this life. Sarah, too, was holding Lily and saying, "It's hard to believe that this beautiful little girl was in Alicia's tummy just a few minutes ago!" She didn't come right out and say it, but she was acknowledging the fact that life is a gift from God. Things are good.



ps. I finally got out of the hospital at 6am this morning and decided to skip mass and go home to sleep. It wouldn't have been good to fall asleep in the middle of the homily! I got a couple of hours, then got up, took a shower and headed back to the hospital to see Lily, Alicia and Lorenzo again. When I got there, I was hungry and Lorenzo volunteered to escort me to the cafeteria so I could get a lunch. I know what he's been going through. There were enough women on hand to watch Lily. He is so tired (he's been up for almost two days now) and needs some masculine company...(unfortunately he had to settle for me! lol). On the way back from the cafeteria, we stopped in at the gift shop just to stall going back for a few minutes more and Lorenzo asked me, "How soon should we wait to baptize Lily?" I couldn't have been prouder. Being Catholic is truly a big thing with him (Thank God!). I told him the rule of thumb is to get her baptized as soon as possible. I reminded him that the Godparents must be active Catholics who will take the responsibility seriously, but to check with the priest when he takes Lily out to church the first time. He said Alicia and he had been discussing it already and thought they would asked me to be the Godfather and his sister to be the Godmother. I told him I couldn't think of a higher honor. More to come on this. Sometimes things change. They may actually have other Godparent options they haven't thought of yet. But I will be more than ready to step up to the responsibility if need be. The thing that I am constantly struck by is Lorenzo's commitment to becoming a Catholic...as Darth Vader would say, "The force is strong in this one."

Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

In 1531 a "Lady from Heaven" appeared to a humble Native American at Tepeyac, a hill northwest of what is now Mexico City. She identified herself as the ever virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the True God for whom we live, of the Creator of all things, Lord of heaven and the earth. She made a request for a church to be built on the site, and submitted her wish to the local Bishop. When the Bishop hesitated, and requested her for a sign, the Mother of God obeyed without delay or question to the Church's local Bishop, and sent her native messenger to the top of the hill in mid-December to gather an assorment of roses for the Bishop. After complying to the Bishop's request for a sign, She also left for us an image of herself imprinted miraculously on the native's tilma, a poor quality cactus-cloth, which should have deteriorated in 20 years but shows no sign of decay 476 years later and still defies all scientific explanations of its origin.It apparently even reflects in her eyes what was in front of her in 1531.

Her message of love and compassion, and her universal promise of help and protection to all mankind, as well as the story of the apparitions, are described in the "Nican Mopohua", a 16th century document written in the native Nahuatl language.There is reason to believe that at Tepeyac Mary came in her glorified body, and her actual physical hands rearranged the roses in Juan Diego's tilma, which makes this apparition very special.An incredible list of miracles, cures and interventions are attributed to Her.

Yearly, between 18 - 20 million pilgrims visit the Basilica, making it Christianity's most visited sanctuary.Altogether 25 popes have officially honored Our Lady of Guadalupe. His Holiness John Paul II visited her Sanctuary four times: on his first apostolic trip outside Rome as Pope in 1979, and again in 1990, 1999 and 2002.The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated on December 12th. In 1999, Pope John Paul II, in his homily from the Solemn Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, during his third visit to the sanctuary, declared the date of December the 12th as a Liturgical Holy Day for the whole continent. During the same visit Pope John Paul II entrusted the cause of life to her loving protection, and placed under her motherly care the innocent lives of children, especially those who are in danger of not being born.

At mass yesterday, Father Armistead reminded us that today would be the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and that the celebration would begin with the "procession" at 5am, with a rosary at about 5:30 and mass after the rosary. He said if we showed up at 6:30 for the regular weekday mass, we would miss it. If we didn't want to get up earlier we "should make arrangements to go to the 8:00 am mass at St. Bernadette's. This got a laugh out of the nuns who call St. Bernadette's home, but attend the 6:30 at Annunciation because they also teach and it works better for their schedules. Father said if we didn't want to be late for mass at Annunciation we should be there by 5:45 am. I figured, "what the heck. I'll just go earlier to mass. It will give me an earlier start."

So I got up earlier than usual and got to the Cathedral at 5:35 and the rosary had just begun--in Spanish! It got me thinking. What a truly wonderful Church we have! I can say the rosary, attend mass, pray a novena---whatever the devotion--in any language and still get the same feeling as if I understood the other language. I had the same feeling when I attended mass in Ecuador last year. We all sit, stand, kneel, pray, and praise as a unified body no matter where we are. The only drawback is that I don't understand the homilies! That's not entirely true, though. I have attended enough masses in Spanish over the last couple of years to have picked up some of the more common phrases and words and know their meanings. And at one of the churches, St. Edward's in Stockton, the priest will recognize me in the pew and perform a "Spanglish" mass. He gives two homilies, one in Spanish and the other in English. This makes me feel special, because he looks straight at me when giving the homily in English. The drawback to this mass (if you want to call any worship of Christ a "drawback") is when he says the introductory prayer to the Consecration or asks for the Our Father in English and I am the only one responding. Fortunately, I can have a booming voice when needed. lol.

At mass this morning, it was truly an "ethnic happening". Many in the congregation, from the smallest, youngest child to the oldest adult was dressed in traditional Mexican attire--serapes, flowered dresses, ornate hair ribbons. I was struck by the fact that I seemed to be the only non-Mexican (other than Father Armistead, who speaks fluent Spanish, by the way) in attendance and I was in my usual daily mass attire--my work shirt, pants and boots. The church was filled with hundreds of Mexican(American?) Catholics who share a DEEP devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe. It also occured to me that there is a completley different "attitude" among the Mexican catholics and the rest of us when it comes to how we worship. I am more comfortable when things are quiet in the church, especially right after Communion. Today I was a bit taken aback when, after receiving Communion and walking back to my pew there were families taking pictures(!) of their children in front of the mural of Our Lady. Here we are at the most important part of the mass, and these parents are not paying attention to Christ, but to how pretty their children look all dressed up in their traditional clothing! Not only that, but they are speaking in normal voices, telling their children how to pose for the pictures! Forgive me, Lord, but this irritates the heck out of me! On the other hand, though, at least they really threw a gala event for our Blessed Mother. So all in all it caused confusion in my feelings toward my fellow catholics.

OK, enough ranting for now. May Our Lady of Guadalupe bring our praises and petitions to Our Father through her Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

A Christmas Tradition

When four of Santa's elves got sick, the trainee elves did not produce toys as fast as the regular ones, and Santa began to feel the pre-Christmas pressure.

Then Mrs. Claus announced that her mother was coming to visit, which stressed Santa even more. When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two others had jumped the fence and were out only heaven knows where.

Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the floorboards cracked, the toy bag fell to the ground and all the toys were scattered. Frustrated, Santa went in the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered the elves had drank all the cider and hidden the liquor.

In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider jug and and broke into hundreds of little glass pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found the mice had eaten all the straw off the end of the broom.

Just then the doorbell rang. The irritated Santa marched to the door, yanked it open, and there stood a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.

The angel said very cheerfully, "Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't this a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to stick it?"

And so, my friends, began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.

Hope I got it right! I am pretty sure I did.

I had a 2 hour drive with a good non-catholic Christian friend of mine today. We are also co-workers, so most of our conversations center around work. Today was different.

I don't know what brought it up, but we started talking about the Catholic faith. I was holding my own, talking about those topics I am confident in answering, and telling him I will research and get back to him on those I was unclear on. Then came the "whopper" (in my mind, because I was not prepared to go into heavy duty apologetics.)

We were talking about the similarities of the Anglican church and the Catholic church and out of the blue he asked why women can't be ordained as priests in the Catholic church. I was stumped for a few minutes. I couldn't breathe! I didn't want to get it wrong, because if my friend was really looking for the Truth, I wanted to make sure he got it. I took a deep breath and asked the Holy Spirit to help me.

All of a sudden, it was like the "fog" that had clouded my mind disappeared! I told him the reason why the Catholic Church teaches (and will always hold to the Truth) that women cannot be priests is that:
1. God chose the form of a man for his Incarnation.
2. When dispensing the Sacraments, priests act "in persona Christe". How can a woman act in the "person of Christ" if Christ is a man?
3. Jesus chose only men as his Apostles.

Did I miss anything? Is there a stronger argument? I actually felt pretty good about my answer as my friend reacted with an understanding assent that what I had said made sense.

All in all, it was a pretty good day on the apologetics front for someone not really into the "teaching by words" method. Thank You, Holy Spirit!

A Christmas Story

So there I was this morning--at Mass and "in the zone" (at the end of the Consecration prayer). We all stood up to say the Our Father. The couple in front of me were holding hands (kind of a pet peeve of mine) so I looked around to see who else was holding hands, and who did I see? SANTA CLAUS! in the orans position, reciting the Lord's Prayer with solemnity and conviction. I couldn't stop watching him. He beat his chest humbly while saying "Have mercy on us" during the Agnus Dei. He genuflected before receiving the Eucharist. It was a very poignant moment for me. My first thought was, "Here is the Number One icon for a secular Christmas showing devotion and humility to the True King who is to come and the REAL reason for Christmas! The funniest thing about it is that I didn't see him until just after the Consecration! Did he sneak in? I don't think so. Was it magic? Nah. As I said, I was "in the zone" and paying attention to Christ on the altar and the Crucifix and in the Eucharist until He wanted me to notice that even the make-believe saints love and adore Him.
By the way, this guy was a PERFECT Santa. No extra do-dads or gimmicks. He had the white hair and beard. No hat--showing respect for our Lord. Just the right shape for Santa, if you know what I mean. The belt and the boots were glossy and his cheeks were red (naturally, like he had just come in from the snow). The glasses fit at the tip of his nose just where you would think they should be. He was the right age, too--you know, grandfatherly, but not OLD. He looked like he could circle the globe in a single night pulled by reindeer without breaking a sweat.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!