Sunday Sermon

"For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise."

The Wise Men brought gifts unto the Christ child: Gold, as befits the King; Frankincense, as befits the Eternal High Priest; and myrrh, as befits the Divine Victim.

Each of us should follow the example of St. John the Baptist by preparing the way for the Lord. We do this by introducing others around us to Jesus. How do we introduce others to Our Blessed Saviour?

On the Sunday before the Nativity, we call to mind the ancestors of Christ from the time of Abraham until the advent of our Lord. Just as these forbears prepared the way of the Lord, so also are we called to prepare His way into our hearts.

Today, Satan cannot attack the Risen Christ. His attacks are therefore directed at Christ's Body, the Church. Victory over Satan is possible only as we stand united against him, as a Body under the Headship of our Lord and His true Vicar, His representative here on earth.

In our day, so many find themselves feeling as if they have no connection with anyone: family, friends, neighbors. It is a source of lasting sadness. In the Gospel we hear the invitation of the Lord that we be members of His family through grace, and that we fill His house with charity and joy.

“And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him” (St. Luke 2:45) We seek after the things which we desire. We seek after the things which are important to us. We seek after the things we need. We should desire God and seek after Him for He seeks after us.

Surely one of the great stories of Christmas is the story of the visit of the Wise Men from the East to the Home of the Holy Family where they found Jesus. My question to you is...What if the Magi showed up at your house, what would they fine?

We prepare ourselves for the memorial of our Lord's Nativity that we may hear His invitation to us. Let us not become distracted by even good things, lest we miss the call of our Lord to that which is best.

Feast of St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr, December 26th, 2021 “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God”. (Acts 7:55)