The BreadCast

O blessed martyr who died in the cathedral, murdered by the king of this world as you defended the Chair of Peter and the true faith of the Church – where can we find bishops like yourself; how shall the Church be led without holy apostles willing to give their lives as Christ, in whose place they stand? Pray for us, devout shepherd, that many will be inspired by your example to follow in the footsteps of our Lord and defend the faith even unto the shedding of blood, for what is the shedding of blood in this world compared with the light of Heaven you now know in our Savior's presence? Pray for us and let us pray with you, seeking truth and love in our pilgrimage on this earth.

(1Jn.2:3-11; Ps.96:1-3,5-6,11; Lk.2:22-35) "The way we can be sure we are in union with Him is if one who claims to abide in Him conducts himself just as He did." "The darkness is over and the real light begins to shine," and we must live in that light. "My eyes have witnessed your saving deed displayed for all peoples to see," declares Simeon in his prophecy over the Christ child. "In accord with the dictate in the law of the Lord," though He Himself is God, Mary and Joseph dutifully bring Jesus to the temple to be "consecrated to the Lord" as every first-born male must. And there the "just and pious" Simeon who so patiently "awaited the consolation of Israel," the coming of "the Anointed of the Lord," takes the child "in his arms" and blesses God for His gift, His mercy. Learn from these the attitude all must have. In their faithful observance of the commands of God and the inspiration of the Spirit, they fulfill His Word. And so light dawns for us and we know of its presence in our midst. Now we must continue to "announce His salvation, day after day tell His glory among the nations; among all peoples, His wondrous deeds." Our deeds must mirror His deeds; His light, "a revealing light to the Gentiles, the glory of [His] people Israel," we must shine. The sign has come; the new commandment which has been of old must now be realized in each of us. As a sword has pierced the heart of the Blessed Mother, so it shall pierce the heart of everyone who unites himself to the Blessed Child, who follows in the steps of our blessed Lord. "The thoughts of many hearts [shall] be laid bare." There will be no hiding from this light that has come. If you think you can claim to know Him "without keeping His commandments," without conducting yourself "just as He did," you must know that your lie will be exposed. "The man who continues in the light is the one who loves his brother." Only this will save you, for only love is of light; hatred is only of darkness, and in the Lord there is no darkness. Let us join with Simeon in proclaiming His salvation. Let us join with David in singing of the "splendor and majesty" of the Lord. "Praise and grandeur are in His sanctuary." And let us do this principally with our very lives, becoming as the temple of God who is presented to us this day. ******* O LORD, let the light of your Son be revealed to our eyes, and in our actions. YHWH, your light be revealed in us this day as it was revealed in your Son to the eyes of Simeon. May Jesus live in us and we shine His glory forth, that your Word may indeed be fulfilled in all our lives. We are in darkness, LORD. As we keep not your Word, your Law, your command to love, we stray from right paths and become blind to your presence. If we do not live your presence, if we do not do your will, how can we claim to be of you? How can we say we are your disciples if we do not do the things your Son has done? Take us from the shadows, LORD, and reveal to our eyes the presence of Christ in our midst. Dispel all the dark of hatred and doubt and error by this unending light you shine upon us. And let us truly be transformed by the light of our Savior that we might announce His salvation every day of our lives until our last breath on this earth. Then let us live with you forever.

O three holy persons united as one in the humble home at Nazareth, Mary and Joseph with God's only Son… who became your Son, who became our Son, who became our Brother in all things human and shared with you the food of your table and the dust beneath your feet – you are our model upon this earth; you we should follow to find new birth in the Spirit, to find ourselves sons of the Father, to be as brother to Christ. O Holy Family, what a blessed trinity you form in the love of God and neighbor; pray we not fall short of your grace.

(Sir.3:2-6,12-14; Ps.128:1-5; Col.3:12-21; Mt.2:13-15,19-23) "Let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body." A man is a man, a woman is a woman, and children are children – this does not change with time or culture. All are called to be one in the love and sacrifice of Christ; all are one holy family. Why do we find it necessary to make excuses for Holy Scripture and the "patriarchal family pattern" it reflects and "the subordinationist family ethic of the Biblical culture" (from the commentary of the missal from which I take today's readings)? How is it we have lost the beauty of Paul's words on the complementary nature of the conjugal relationship? How is it the family has become bereft of Christ? One would think Paul states, "Husbands, beat your wives," instead of "Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them," by the way his text is avoided like the plague. Why such ignorance of what is actually present in Scripture? And if the Scripture is perverted, why do we not "in all wisdom... teach and admonish one another," instead of casting the wisdom of the Lord from our presence, or rationalizing it away. Is it a sin for a wife to be submissive, to respect her husband; for children to be obedient toward their parents; for the husband and father to lay down his life for his family? Is power to be defined by the dictates of the world, or by the cross? Do we desire to control, or to love? "Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways!" Here is the key to our roles, in the exclamation of our psalmist. "Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him," Paul summarizes his teaching. Hear in his letter the call to "compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another," even as the Lord has done with us. Be led by the Word of the Lord and His instruction and guidance. You, husbands, do you reflect Joseph's obedience to the Word of God brought by the angel? Do you care for your families as God calls? Are you mothers like Mary, moving according to the protective hand upon your hearth, your house? And children, do you honor your father and mother's authority over you as Jesus, who, though the Son of God, humbled Himself to be the child in this Holy Family? Let us all be as Christ – honoring, obeying, humbling ourselves… in a word, loving one another as He has loved us. Then we will be of the family of God. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Vision of Children" (2nd part) from The Innocent Heart, first album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, call us out of Egypt to your holy land. YHWH, obedient let us be to you, and serve one another. It is your will that we love one another, that we act with humility and patience, always forgiving and living in peace. Indeed, let us reflect the life of the Holy Family. Was not Joseph obedient to your every word, dear LORD? Did he not have in his soul only to protect your Son and His Mother? Did he think of himself at all? O let all fathers lay down their lives in such a complete manner! And was not Mary obedient to Joseph (who was obedient to you)? Did she not recognize, O LORD, that your will was being accomplished through his instruction, through the inspiration upon his soul? Did she stop to question his actions? Did she think herself better qualified, being the Mother of God? O let all wives be so respectful of their husbands! And was Jesus not obedient in all things to Joseph and Mary, He who was Son of God and God Himself? Did He invoke His superiority over them? O God, let all children so honor their mother and father! Let all walk in your ways, in your way of sacrifice, and so be blessed as the Holy Family.

O beloved disciple of the Lord who saw Him and touched Him, who believed in Him with all your being, who loved Him so that no love but His surpassed your own – speak to us this day of the Word of life who has come among us, died for us, and been raised from the grave. Continue to proclaim that love which alone saves men from sin, which alone banishes death from our midst; let us share in your love for Jesus and join you in proclaiming Him who has come in the joy you knew so well. Point us to Him even this day, that we too might see and believe.

(1Jn.1:1-4; Ps.97:1-2,5-6,11-12; Jn.20:2-8) "He saw and believed." And "the eternal life that was present to the Father and became visible to us," which John now proclaims, is Jesus Christ the only Son of God, risen from the dead and present to us now even as He sits with the Father. John has seen Him. He has believed in Him. His "hands have touched" Him and so he "proclaim[s] the word of life" made so real in his midst. What else could he do but declare that which burns in his heart? What else could be the Evangelist's desire but to share the blessing he has known as "the one Jesus loved"? For brimming with love this apostle is, and only in writing of this joy, only proclaiming it to the world and seeing others enter into such selfsame blessing will make his joy complete. To this he has been called by the Lord. "Light dawns for the just," David declares, as if in his psalm to presage the coming of Christ and John's own words on the coming of Light to this earth. And indeed the just shall see Him, and gladness shall be "for the upright of heart." For all the just shall "be glad in the Lord… and give thanks to His holy name," for their souls drink deeply of the salvation in their midst; they know Him whom their hearts love. They see Him, and believe. And I note the special significance "the piece of cloth which had covered the head" of Jesus – which was "not lying with the wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself," as John tells us in his gospel – seems to have as a catalyst to belief. John had seen the wrappings before entering the tomb, but not this cloth, and it is when he enters he sees and believes. It is as if the Lord left it neatly rolled up in a place by itself to indicate to them that He had not "been taken from the tomb" by robbers, as Mary Magdalene (another beloved of Christ) seems to fear. Why would a thief take time to do such a thing? And so, Jesus' touch is upon the cloth. "All peoples see His glory" now, brothers and sisters. By the witness of John and all the apostles, eyes are opened to His presence. Let us see Him with John; let us touch Him… and let us know His touch upon our hearts, and so continue to proclaim His glory. Written, read & chanted by James Kurt; produced by James Kurt. Music by Carie Fortney; used by permission. ******* O LORD, let us rejoice in the presence of your Christ with us this day. YHWH, let all men see your glory in the presence of your risen Son. Let all men come to that glory through faith in Him. Let us hear and believe what John tells us – that He has walked among us in the flesh, that the apostles' hands have touched Him… that our hearts might be touched by His presence, and so your own. With our eyes let us look upon your glory, LORD, we who are so blinded by sin and slow of heart to believe. Let us run to the tomb with your apostles that we may see your Son has been raised from the dead, that death no longer has dominion over us but with Him we have been raised. Let us rejoice at the light that dawns in our midst. You are king over all the earth, LORD, and all the heavens proclaim your justice and your truth. May we join in the choir of your angels and your holy apostles in declaring your glory to the ends of the earth, that all men might be loved by you as was John.

O first martyr, model of Christ's love and bearer of His Holy Spirit in wisdom and in truth, you who spoke as the Lord Himself and died as He died, with the forgiveness of your persecutors upon your lips and utter trust of the Father in your heart – pray that we too will find the grace and strength to commend our lives into the Father's hands, never holding bitterness toward those who destroy the body, who would chain the Word, but ever loving every soul even as you have done. O let our hearts be set on Jesus! let them bleed as His own, that united in Heaven with Him we shall be with you in the glory of God.

(Acts 6:8-10,7:54-59; Ps.31:3-4,6-8,17,21; Mt.10:17-22) "They proved no match for the wisdom and spirit with which he spoke." The world cannot stand up to the Word of God; even death has no power over those who trust themselves to His Spirit. A model of faith is Stephen. A perfect trust in the Lord made this martyr shine before the persecution of men. He made the Lord his "rock of refuge" and so the Lord did "lead and guide" him even unto heaven, hidden in "the shelter of [His] promise from the plottings of men." It is this trust Jesus speaks of in our gospel when He warns His apostles beforehand of the persecution which awaits them. He tells them that when they are dragged before rulers to "give witness… on [His] account": "Do not worry about what you will say or how you will say it… the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you." And it is this trust, even unto death, that Stephen exemplifies so perfectly. David echoes Jesus' words on the cross in our psalm: "Into your hands I commend my spirit," and Stephen lives them in our first reading. While being stoned to death he prays, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit" (and proceeds to forgive those who kill him). And so this feast of our first martyr follows our celebration of the birth of our Lord, for it is in this world we are handed over to death, and it is in this world we must suffer in love. Entirely we must trust ourselves to the care of God to find the vision of heaven – "I see an opening in the sky, and the Son of Man standing at God's right hand" – which becomes Stephen's own. The words we speak, if they are blessed by God, will bring us inevitably unto heaven. If it is the Spirit who works in us, what need we fear? For what is more powerful than He? Where is greater truth to be found? And so, to whom else should we turn? "Whoever holds out till the end will escape death," brothers and sisters. Though "hated by all" for our love of Jesus, if we continue ever to love even those who hate us, His Spirit will lift us unto Him and provide all we need, in words and works, to conquer the evil of this world. May the sweet blood of Jesus cover all His children and bless their witness to Him. Written, read & chanted by James Kurt; produced by Carie Fortney. Music by Carie Fortney; used by permission. ******* O LORD, by your power we escape death and find your glory. YHWH, let us take refuge in you, in your Son, and in the Spirit, and we shall never die but be raised to life in glory with you forevermore. May your Spirit speak through us and we lay down our lives with your Son. A crown awaits those who love as you love, dear LORD, who follow in the way your Son has marked out for us. If we speak your truth, if we trust in you and do your will, you will protect us even from death – you will save us from the plotting of men, and we will stand at your right hand even as the stones rain down upon our heads. St. Stephen, pray for us this day that we will be led by the Spirit of God and be unafraid of speaking before the rulers and kings of this world. May our blood be joined with your own and so we, too, be one with our Savior.

(Is.52:7-10; Ps.98:1-6; Heb.1:1-6; Jn.1:1-18) "You are my Son; this day I have begotten you." The coming of the One prophesied by Isaiah and hailed by John these many days is fulfilled in our midst at this blessed moment in time. And so in our dark world, the light that is God now shines. "Hark! Your sentinels raise a cry, together they shout for joy, for they see directly, before their eyes, the Lord restoring Zion." To "all the ends of the earth" He makes "His salvation known: in the sight of the nations He has revealed His justice." For the Lord God walks among us now as man; He "who is the refulgence of His glory, the very imprint of His being," is now revealed, is now made flesh; "full of grace and truth," He appears in our midst. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." And He through whom "all things came to be," who brought life, "the light of the human race," now shines – and now we come to know Him; now we hear the Word spoken to our ears… now we can say, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." The Word no longer hidden, God no longer speaks "in partial and various ways," but now "through the Son" the fullness of truth, the blessing of peace, is upon us. "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of Him," for He comes "announcing peace… announcing salvation." No longer need we wander in darkness, wondering, Where is our God? He is here. He is Jesus. He washes all darkness from our minds, He accomplishes "purification from sins," and He sits "at the right hand of the Majesty on high," giving power to be like Him, "to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, "who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man's decision but of God." Come, see and know the transcendent glory standing in our midst. And so, what have we to do but rejoice? Though "no one has ever seen God," though He has seemed to us beyond understanding, yet "the only Son… has revealed Him." So let us "sing joyfully before the King, the Lord" "with the harp and melodious song." Let us "break into song" and "sing praise." For He whom "all the angels of God worship" has come for our salvation, and our Christmas should only be merry. God be with you, brothers and sisters. Jesus love you. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Baby Being Born" from The Innocent Heart, first album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, your glory is revealed to us this day, and so let us offer you due praise. YHWH, your Son is born in our midst and so reveals your glory to us. His light now shines in this dark world, and so men are saved from their sins. O let us worship Him who is the very imprint of your Being! who is one with you. You are with us this day in your Son, and what should we do but rejoice. Glory to you, LORD and GOD, for now the feet of Jesus walk among us and peace is proclaimed to the ends of the earth; salvation is ours by the grace and truth He brings to this land. Let all eyes behold the salvation He has wrought in our midst. Let all souls break out in song in praise of His glory. It is our joy to worship you, O LORD, and the only Son whom you have sent. For you are our life; in you we are born – by you all Creation comes to be. And now you are with us in the flesh of your Son; now your dwelling is among us. To us this day please bring your peace.

(Is.9:1-6; Ps.96:1-3,11-13; Ti.2:11-14; Lk.2:1-14) "Today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord." Here is the "infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger"; here is He who saves all from sin, born into our humble humanity. Yes, "a child is born to us, a son is given us," and "upon His shoulder dominion rests." This little one wrapped in our own flesh is indeed named "Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful," for He rules all the earth with His loving justice. And so what should we do but "announce His salvation, day after day"? What can we who are overwhelmed with the joy of His presence in our midst do but "tell His glory among the nations; among all peoples, His wondrous deeds." For He has come for all nations and all people, to live in their hearts this day. "Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice"; and let all mankind join the angels in their song of praise: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests." The Lord has come "to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a people as His own," to bring His surpassing peace to all souls set on His goodness and His glory. So, let us be "eager to do what is good," that we might be as He is, that we might share in His eternal peace. To Bethlehem the Virgin came at the time of the census. There "the time came for her to have her child," He who is our Bread of Life. For He is enrolled among our number now; God has been made man – and nothing could give life to waiting souls like this miracle of new birth in our midst. And so, let us know the humble shepherd's awe; let us hear the word the angel brings, for he "proclaim[s] to [us] good news of great joy that will be for all people." Jesus our Savior is with us today. Written & chanted by James Kurt; read by Sylvia Kurt; produced by Carie Fortney. Music by Carie Fortney; used by permission. ******* O LORD, your glory is revealed to us this day, and so let us offer you due praise. YHWH, your Son is born in our midst and so reveals your glory to us. His light now shines in this dark world, and so men are saved from their sins. O let us worship Him who is the very imprint of your Being! who is one with you. You are with us this day in your Son, and what should we do but rejoice. Glory to you, LORD and GOD, for now the feet of Jesus walk among us and peace is proclaimed to the ends of the earth; salvation is ours by the grace and truth He brings to this land. Let all eyes behold the salvation He has wrought in our midst. Let all souls break out in song in praise of His glory. It is our joy to worship you, O LORD, and the only Son whom you have sent. For you are our life; in you we are born – by you all Creation comes to be. And now you are with us in the flesh of your Son; now your dwelling is among us. To us this day please bring your peace.

(2Sm.7:1-5,8-12,14,16; Ps.89:2-5,27,29; Lk.1:67-79) "Your house and your kingdom will endure forever." The Lord builds a house for us; He is that House. "Forever will I confirm your posterity and establish your throne for all generations," the Lord promises David, and accomplishes His word by Himself entering the line of the king. Thus "He has visited and ransomed His people. He has raised a horn of saving strength for us in the house of David His servant" in the Person of Jesus the Christ. And so we shall find "freedom from [our] sins" and "the kindness of our God" shall remain upon us. "To guide our feet into the way of peace," Jesus has come. To bring "salvation from our enemies and from the hands of all our foes," He stands among us. Zechariah's joy at the birth of John, his son, is really the joy in the coming one, for whom John but "prepare[s] straight paths." The Spirit inspires this old priest to sing primarily of the fulfillment of the promise long held by his people, the promise of Abraham, the promise of David – the promise of finding fulfillment as God's chosen ones, held in His hand, in His temple, in His house, and protected from all harm while worshiping Him in spirit and in truth. This Jesus accomplishes. And so, "we should serve Him devoutly, and through all our days, be holy in His sight," for no greater gift have we than this opportunity for holiness in the one true Son of God and in the House He establishes. Should not the Church be our home? Has not the Lord provided for the building of its walls? Has He not provided His own flesh and blood to be spread upon its altar? Has He not "fix[ed] a place for [His] people Israel… that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance"? Has He not said, "My kindness is established forever," and "in heaven… confirmed [His] faithfulness"? And should we not enter His house, enter His heaven, and praise His holy Name? Here we stand, with His Word, with His Body and Blood. Here we have His teaching and His food. What more need we? And this day the Child who is the House of God approaches. Are we ready now for His coming? ******* O LORD, guide our feet in the way of peace; fulfill your promise and make us your sons. YHWH, we sit in darkness waiting for the coming of your Son; open our eyes to see His light and our mouths to sing of His glory. Let us enter into His way of peace. Deliver us from the enemy, O LORD, from the sin upon our souls. How shall we be made free of our sins, LORD, except that you come to us and fulfill your Covenant with us, that you shall be our Father and we your children? And how shall you accomplish this except by the birth of your Son in our midst? We would have remained ever blind and dumb had Jesus not come to open our eyes and loose our tongues, had you not had such mercy on our souls. A House you established for David, a place we all may dwell. And the birth of this House is upon us now. May we enter in and serve Him, LORD, that with Him we might stand firm forever.

O holy teacher of the faith and pastor of Christ's flock who instructed with wisdom and led by kindness and humility those in your care and all those around you – teach us today not only to know our faith but to practice it by holiness of life as you have done, so simply, so thoroughly as a child of the Lord. Pray for us and pray for our priests, for whom you are a model of perfection. All yourself you have given in imitation of Jesus; may the Lord God be in our hearts and on our lips just so truly as He has been with you, good teacher.

(Mal.3:1-4,23-24; Ps.25:4-5,8-10,14,Lk.21:28; Lk.1:57-66) "His name is John." Yes, "the hand of the Lord [was] upon him," whose name signifies the grace of God, who comes at the end of the age to turn men's hearts back to God, who prepares the way we must walk to find the instruction and purgation of the Lord. We must be purified by "the refiner's fire." We must be purged of all dross "like gold or like silver that [we] may offer due sacrifice to the Lord," that we might be called children of the One God. The Day is coming; the Lord is returning to the temple, and we must be prepared to welcome Him – and so John is born, sent in the spirit of Elijah the prophet to cry out the way in the wilderness of this world. By the Spirit of the Lord, he "shows sinners the way; he guides the humble to justice," leading them to the Son who stands ready in Truth to teach and to save. Well do the people do to wonder at the birth of this holy child, for well will they do to follow his exhortation, and come to praise of the living God. This John leads us to something new, as even the originality of his name among his relatives signifies; he assists us in making the turn, the conversion to the New Covenant in the blood of Christ. From the Old and as a prophet of old, he leads us to the dawn of new light in this world. Jesus he comes to proclaim. Without this grace of God to be washed in the river of our sins, how could we stand on "the great and terrible day" of the Lord's coming? How could we bear His light, His fire? "All the paths of the Lord are kindness and constancy toward those who keep His covenant and His decrees." Praise God we have the instruction of the Lord with us now to guide us to life everlasting; and thank God we have been made ready by "the messenger of the covenant" to stand in the light of that wisdom. The Lord teaches us now, brothers and sisters; the Lord is with us to instruct us in His way and, "like the fuller's lye," to make us white. Let us not make the grace of forgiveness John has wrought by the hand of God among us come to naught – let us listen closely now to the Word of God to which his voice has led us. P.S. Re the Bible, the Word of God – a quote by St. Hippolytus from today's Office: "Sacred Scripture is God's gift to us and it should be understood in the way He intends: we should not do violence to it by interpreting it according to our own preconceived ideas." ******* O LORD, you brought John to birth to prepare the way of your only Son – let us walk that path to you. YHWH, your hand was upon John for our good, to prepare the way for your Son, that we might be prepared to receive the glory of His presence among us. This day may our hearts be ready for His coming. Sinners you show the way, O LORD; you mark out the path we all should tread if we wish to be cleansed of all evil and turn our hearts to you. You are our Father, and all we should desire is to love you – O LORD, lead us in the way to you. Your Son is the way, dear LORD. It is by Him on His terrible Day that we are purged of all dross in the fire of the Holy Spirit and so made pure to stand before you. O holy God, let us be refined like silver or gold that we might shine so brightly in your presence. By your grace only is this accomplished; let all be made new by your hands.

(1Sm.1:24-28; 1Sm.2:1,4-8; Lk.1:46-56) "His mercy is from age to age on those who fear Him." The Magnificat of Mary mirrors but, if I may say, far surpasses the Canticle of Hannah in beauty, in wonder, in grace… even as the perfection of the Son she bears far exceeds the blessing of the prophet Samuel. As Jesus brings to fulfillment the greatness of all who came before Him, so Mary's song expresses that perfection in the light of the same divine mercy. Mercy indeed is infused in each line she utters under the power of the Spirit. Mercy and truth, a love completely open to the blessings of God is hers and is revealed in the words which fall like cleansing rain from her immaculate lips. She is blessed, she knows, and she shall be called blessed; for the truth, the Word of God, cannot be hidden, must be raised to meet the eyes and ears of all who seek His grace. For "the hungry He [gives] every good thing," and the lowly He raises "to high places." She is "His servant in her lowliness" and the joy of such blessing she cannot help but proclaim with all her being. Hannah brings the child she has conceived in answer to her prayer, through the intercession of Eli – by the grace of God – and dedicates him to the Lord, leaving him at the temple. She, too, "exults in the Lord" for the fact that, in the Lord's will, "the barren wife bears seven sons"; for she who was thought sterile has borne the great man of God, Samuel. Mary, in her grateful appreciation for the blessing upon her, will not need to leave her child at the temple, for He has been conceived entirely of the Holy Spirit and is Himself the Temple of the Lord, wholly dedicated to the will of the Father from before the inception of time. As the ancient Israelites found the direction and guidance of God through the ministry of Samuel, as by him they were led to serve the Lord their God, so now in this the end of the age we have Jesus, the perfect light of guidance through the grace and mercy of God, to lead us to the total service of the Lord that Mary embodies so well. God is "mighty," brothers and sisters; "holy is His name." Let us rejoice in Him who "has upheld Israel His servant, ever mindful of His mercy," and let us make that same blessed mercy the leaven that lifts us unto heaven. To Him let us sing our song of praise. ******* O LORD, Mary you have blessed with your very presence, and so she has become the Temple in which you dwell – may we all become as your Temple. YHWH, to the humble you show your mercy; you raise them up to dwell with you. Our Mother Mary is the humblest of our race, and so she is at your side forever in Heaven. O may we be blessed as she! Hannah, too, you blessed, O LORD, she who had borne no children. Samuel, the man of God, you gave to her, for she had promised to give him to you. But the Son of Mary who could give to you, for He is with you always? Let us be with Him this very day, that we might remain in your Temple. O LORD, the proud and the mighty you tear down that they might know they are of the earth. But the meek and humble you raise to high places, even to your presence. Let us leave behind all the riches of this world; help us to escape the trap they are to us, the death they spell to our souls, that with the lowly we might dwell, in your eternal kingdom. O let your servants live!

O great defender of the faith, of the clear waters, the wellspring of salvation that flows from the Sacred Heart of our Savior into His holy Church, thus to nourish the world and fill it with truth and wisdom and love… you whom the Lord inspired with apostolic zeal to teach and lead souls along His holy way – teach us today by your gracious intercession to be faithful, to be obedient to the voice of Jesus and the Spirit speaking in the Mother the Lord God provides His pilgrim people. Let us not be separated from His Word and His precious Body and Blood, but come together as one in His presence.

(Is.7:10-14; Ps.24:1-7,10; Rm.1:1-7; Mt.1:18-24) "God is with us." How shall we "ascend the mountain of the Lord"? How shall we scale the heights and come to know Him as He is, He who "founded [the earth] upon the seas and established it upon the rivers"? Only by the Son, who "will save His people from their sins," are we made ready to stand in His presence. "For it is through the Holy Spirit this child has been conceived," and we are made holy by the blessing of His presence among our kind. He is one like us. Can you believe it? Can you understand it, understand its significance and the grace it is as a gift from God? Joseph struggled, certainly, to believe, to understand, to accept the greatness of this gift to him and to his people. The angel of the Lord had to come to him to convince him to receive such great grace into his life, into his home. But he did. He did believe, and he did fulfill his role in the coming salvation. And, yes, what of us? We "are called to belong to Jesus Christ… called to be holy." Paul answered the call from God to be His apostle and "bring about the obedience of faith"; again, what of us? Do we answer the call to holiness? Do we reflect that obedience? The time is upon us now. The great sign has been fulfilled in our midst. Jesus has been born and stands with us now to lead us to the purity of the Father – are we prepared to make this Child our own? What greater truth can be proclaimed than that God is with us? What greater grace can we receive than the forgiveness of our sins, than the preparation of our hearts for heaven? Jesus accomplishes these blessings now for all who desire to enter the presence of God, for He is the presence of God among us; He Himself is divine grace. His mercy is upon us. "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ," brothers and sisters. The power of the Lord be upon your souls. May the "Spirit of holiness" establish you with the Son as a child of the Father. Be of "the race that seeks for Him," and you shall find Him present, dwelling in your homes. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Vision of Children" (1st part) from The Innocent Heart, first album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, you call us to be holy; let us indeed be as the Virgin Mother of your Son. YHWH, you are with us now in your only Son, who has been born of the womb of the Blessed Virgin. All the earth is yours, and now this Child comes into the world to save it from its sins, from the destruction that is upon it for having turned from you. O let us welcome Him into our homes! O LORD, let us belong to Jesus and so become one with you. May your grace and peace be upon us this day and all the days of our lives. Make us pure as His Mother that your holy mountain we might ascend and gaze upon your face with all your saints. Obedient to your call as Joseph let us be; let us listen to the voice of your angel. You desire us all to stand with you, but our hands must be sinless and our hearts clean. May the Virgin Mary, she who has conceived and borne your Son, pray the Spirit upon us, that our obedience shall be like her own, and so her blessing also. Be with us this day, dear God, and let us be with you.

(Is.7:10-14; Ps.24:1-7,10; Lk.1:26-38) "Blessed are you among women." "The virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and shall name Him Immanuel because 'God is with us.'" "The virgin's name was Mary." And she has given birth to the Savior. "Who may stand in His holy place?" King David sings in our psalm. "Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord?" Clearly Jesus is He. But as clear is that we are all called to be as He, and that she has been, she who is so like Him – she that is indeed His Mother. It is she who "seeks the face of the God of Jacob," she "whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain…" and so she "receive[s] a blessing from the Lord," the greatest blessing: the Son of God. Fearful is she in her great humility in the awesome presence of the Lord. Questioning is she in the perfect innocence of her consecrated virginity. But obedient only is she as she hears of the answer to her devout prayer for the pregnancy of her kinswoman, and so assumes the role most native to her, the one she has promised to fulfill: "the maidservant of the Lord." O glorious Virgin Mary! You who worship so perfectly, so completely, the One who owns "the earth and its fullness, the world and those who dwell in it," and so bring that very fullness to us all, teach us to be like Jesus your Son, whom you imitate so absolutely, so naturally. Teach us to be as He who is flesh of your flesh. Be our Mother as well, that we might be brother and sister and mother to the Lord. Aid us in giving our total consent to the will of God. "O highly favored daughter! The Lord is with you." Pray He be with us now, too. "With that the angel left." Upon receiving her wholehearted acceptance of her call, his mission is finished, and so he goes. Brothers and sisters, may the angel leave our presence so satisfied that the call of the Lord for our lives will be so well answered. Take heart that "nothing is impossible with God" and that as blessed as she is, so blessed does the Lord call you to be – if you but say yes to His word burning in your soul and lay down your life as has the Mother of God. Give the Lord your "yes" this day. ******* O LORD, may the Blessed Virgin Mother of your Son pray for us this day that we shall be pure as she, and so, able to stand in your presence. YHWH, she whom you call to be Mother of your Son is indeed sinless in your sight. Because her heart is clean, she can accept your Word and give birth to our Savior. O may we be of her race! May we with all our souls seek your face and so find the blessing that is upon her. O let us know your only Son in our midst! The blessing you give us we could not imagine – it is beyond our ability to conceive. Yet, LORD, you come to us; you prepare a Virgin from among us that your Son might be with us and so we with you for all ages. O let all be done according to your will! Let us all follow the obedient path of our dear Mother. Let us be her children, O LORD, and so your own. O Mother of our Lord, blessed among women, most blessed of our race, pray for us this dark day that we will hear the Word of God spoken to our hearts. Pray our hearts be pure as your own, that they might receive our Creator.

(Jgs.13:2-7,24-25; Ps.71:3-6,8,16-17; Lk.1:5-25) "From my mother's womb you are my strength." How the above line from our psalm is reflected both in Samson and in John, and how parallel are the lives of these two great men. Of John it is said, "He will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb"; of Samson, "This boy is to be consecrated to God from the womb" and "The Spirit of the Lord began to be with him." The birth of both is announced by an angel of the Lord. Both will be born of women who were barren. Both will be nazirites, who shall "never drink wine or strong drink," and whose head "no razor shall touch." Both come for the deliverance of the people, though Samson only from "the power of the Philistines" while John comes to "prepare for the Lord a people well-disposed," that we might have eternal salvation. Of course, Jesus, too, will have His birth announced by the angel of the Lord; He will be born of a woman from whom it seems no child could come – a consecrated virgin – and this of the Holy Spirit, who is with Him even before time. His is a new testament, however, signified by His birth of a woman of youth and not old age. Though hailed by the old, He brings the newness of God into our midst. His birth fulfills all the births and words and wisdom of the prophets and judges and kings of the Old Testament. But, returning to our psalm and its universal call in the voice of Christ (words which apply to all in their quest for God), we should remember today that for all, God is our "rock of refuge" on whom we "depend from birth." "You have taught me from my youth," the psalmist declares to the Lord, and so it should be true with us all that from the womb "till the present [we] proclaim [His] wondrous deeds." He works in all our lives, brothers and sisters; He has brought us all to birth and is acting now, His Spirit upon us, to see that we are born into His kingdom. The great figures of the Old Testament, and especially John, are models from whom we can all learn, holy men whom we can certainly admire. But as our Lord has stated clearly, none of those born of woman can compare with those born into the kingdom of heaven. And so, let us take our strength for our journey from His prophets and from His Word; from His Spirit let us receive what we need in this life for our journey to His paradise. As strong as were Samson and John, so much stronger can we now be by His Body and His Blood, our holy food on this earth, and by His Spirit upon us. ******* O LORD, it is you who give us life and make us strong – your Spirit be with us. YHWH, your power is upon the mothers of both Samson and John, and so upon their sons. They are born by your will to bring deliverance to the people. As they trusted in you from the womb, so let us be blessed to know you, LORD; let us be blessed to do your will. Strength we should all take in you, O LORD, for you teach us from our youth to this day: the moment we turn to you, you come to us, and from our souls you would never take your leave. O let us trust in you, that in our lives your works might be done. How hard it is for our wounded hearts to believe the glory you bring into our midst, dear LORD. Your presence is overwhelming to us and so difficult to bear. But you would make it easy, if we had but faith. Turn our hearts to the call to serve you, that we might be ready to receive you. O let us speak in your Name!

(Jer.23:5-8; Ps.72:1,7,12-13,18-19; Mt.1:18-24) "He will save His people from their sins." Each of our readings today mentions the salvation of our Lord. The above quote is from our gospel; our psalm states, "The lives of the poor He shall save"; and in our first reading it says, "In His days Judah shall be saved." The very name "Jesus" – as given to Joseph by the angel of the Lord – means "God saves". The great God of the universe, the living God who has brought us all to birth, comes among us, "is with us" ("Emmanuel") to save us, to redeem us, to bring us back to our "own land"… to be again with the Father. And this "righteous shoot to David," this king who "shall reign and govern wisely," who "shall do what is right and just in the land," is born from above, not below. As the angel also tells Joseph, "It is by the Holy Spirit that [Mary] has conceived this child." The Virgin is with child! Alleluia! A greater sign, a more complete love from the Father we could not imagine. And so we sing with our psalmist: "Blessed forever be His glorious name; may the whole earth be filled with His glory." Indeed, all nations, not only Judah, shall be saved by this Blessed Child. "The days are coming," brothers and sisters, and are already here. The Lord walks among us. The Child has been born, and is being born in each of us; and as a people He comes to us. Mary "bore a son"; Joseph named Him "Jesus", as instructed, and Jesus He is – His salvation has come forth. You must receive Him into your home with the Mother who bore Him. You must have faith that He is from above. Let Joseph be your model in care for the Savior, and He shall care for you for all eternity. Like Mary, nourish the Lord every day of your life. His love is growing in us all. His presence is becoming known. The promised of the ages dwells with us with His justice, and His kingdom is being built as we speak. No more will our sins condemn us. No more will we hide our faces from the Lord. We shall be free once more, and this time forever, for the Lord has heard the cry of the poor. ******* O LORD, since your Son is with us, we may now make our home in you – praise you for your justice! YHWH, your Son saves us from our sins. For this you have sent Him among us; for this He has been conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the Virgin Mary – it is for this He has been born a Man. O let be accomplished that for which He has come! From Egypt you rescued your enslaved sons. From the land of the North you brought them back to their home. From all sin you now deliver all men, beginning with the Jew. O LORD, you hear us when we cry out – let us cry out to you that this day we might be saved. Let us welcome your Son into our home, that in Him we might find our eternal union with you. O LORD, let the earth be filled with your glory! This is your will, this is your desire… this is the goal to which all your Creation is straining. Speak to us this day that we might know the way you would lead us, and let us follow the angel's word to freedom in the reign of Jesus.

(Gn.49:2,8-10; Ps.72:3-4,7-8,17; Mt.1:1-17) "May He rule from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth." Since "the scepter shall never depart from Judah," the reign of Jesus, His descendant, His fulfillment, is without end – He is King forever. And so, "tribute is brought to Him, and He receives the peoples' homage," which is in itself their salvation. Who is this Lion of Judah, fulfillment of Jacob's prophetic blessing of his son? What sort of king have we? It is in the words of our psalm we find His kingship revealed: "He shall defend the afflicted among the people, save the children of the poor." For Jesus, though fierce as a lion in His judgment – for there is nothing untrue in Him – reveals primarily the love of God the king must embody. In His reign, "the mountains shall yield peace for the people, and the hills justice." First is the love He brings to this generation; second, its complement, justice. And of what worth is the "family record of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham," we find in our gospel today? Be not overly bored by it, my brothers and sisters, for in its mundaneness it holds the key to our salvation. For it reveals how very real Jesus is, that He is part of our human family; and should this not make us rejoice, that the Son of God is also Son of Man? And though the forty-two or so names may not be familiar to our ears, we should know at least that there are all kinds in this family tree of Jesus, from great men and women of faith humble before their God, to wicked kings and a prostitute. There is thus hope for us all. Jesus is indeed the fulfillment of the promised son of Abraham, and son of David, the king who sits on the throne forever. It was of Mary He was born, and Mary's husband was Joseph. And since husband and wife are one – and though there's was only a spiritual communion, it is in the spiritual communion unity is truly found – we trace His line through this humble man. And we pray we shall enter into communion with the Lord ourselves and live in the reign of this King in whom "all the tribes of the earth shall be blessed." Today we praise our brother in the flesh and pray to be made one in His Spirit. May He indeed rule over all. ******* O LORD, because your Son judges justly, peace shall reign to the ends of the earth – for this He has come among us. YHWH, your Son rules over all; from sea to sea and to the ends of the earth His rule extends, for He has been born into our midst, He has become part of our generation, and so all in our midst, every generation, is under His reign. Alleluia! All the tribes of the earth should rejoice in Him, O LORD. Though David's Son and so of your Chosen people, yet your prophets have foretold that every people shall bow down before Him, even as all David's sons. This Lion of Judah shall govern all with justice, shall bring peace to all who call upon His Name. Alleluia, LORD! For this grace we thank you. Truly the Name of Jesus shall remain as long as the sun – forever His Name shall be blessed in our midst. For He has come among us to save us; He is indeed one of us and brings divine blessings in His wake. O LORD, in every heart let Him reign!