Sunday December 25, 2016 Christmas: “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”

Gospel Luke 2:15-20

When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went in haste 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.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

525 Jesus was born in a humble stable, into a poor family. Simple shepherds were the first witnesses to the event. In this poverty, heaven’s glory was made manifest. The Church never tires of singing the glory of this night:

            The Virgin today brings into the world the Eternal

            And the earth offers a cave to the inaccessible.

            The angels and shepherds praise Him, and the magi advance

            With the star, for you are born for us, Little Child, God eternal.

 From “The Door to Heaven” Testimony of Catalina Rivas (DH 22:7, 102a:3)

22:7) … For men of faith, My Eucharistic form is a gateway to Bethlehem where they adore Me, like the angels, the shepherds and the Magi. For those enlightened with the brilliance of the faith, in each altar where sacrifice is elevated, a new Calvary is raised and with feelings of profound adoration, those words are repeated: “Truly, here is the Son of God.”

102a:3) If My children give of themselves at Christmas, how much more will I give Myself with deepest thanks to them. Let us work; go to the place of prayer.

From “The Great Crusade of Salvation” Testimony of Catalina Rivas (CS 94:5)

94:5) The night that we fled for Egypt, Mary and Joseph had food for only two days. Everything had to converge to give the minimum appearance to My birth. And if there was a manifestation of shepherds and Magi, that was due to My pre-established Will, directed to giving mankind a sure testimony of Me.

From “The Ark of the Covenant” Testimony of Catalina Rivas (ARK 106:12)

106:12) For the love of the Jews, I reveal Myself to the shepherds and for the love of the gentiles, I reveal Myself to the magi. In this way, the Church forms around My Heart, like surrounding a divine center and at the same time born among the pagans and the Jews, whose destiny will embrace all time and all places.

Each week we will be presenting a portion of the following Sunday’s readings, and linking it to relevant parts of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and messages from the Testimony of Catalina.  Pay special attention to the italicized sections.  This week we see John the Baptist as more than a prophet, and learn that he knew Jesus, but not as The One. We hope this is inspiring and educational. Any comments you have are certainly welcomed.

Each week we will be presenting a portion of the following Sunday’s readings, and linking it to relevant parts of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and messages from the Testimony of Catalina. Pay special attention to the italicized sections. This week we consider “Who will be first or last, humility and God’s Will.” We hope this is inspiring and educational. Any comments you have are certainly welcomed.