Today at Holy Mass in the Gospel of St Luke we hear the story about how John the Baptist was born…How his father who was a very old man heard the voice of an angel that told him about what was to take place…John the Baptist’s father (Zechariah), not only did not believe the angel but was afraid by the angel’s presence before him - Why do you think that was the case - Why was he afraid?…….”Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering, the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John.”………The same Scripture passage tells us that Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth were very prayerful and holy people - Yet Zechariah was afraid when he had an encounter with God….Scripture also tells us about Peter, James and John - When Christ was transfigured before them, they too were afraid - Why?…..And again, when Moses saw God in the burning bush - He too was afraid……This should tell us all something…All these men were holy, yet when they stood in the presence of God, they were terrified!…Why?…Because in the presence of the perfect, no matter “how good” you think you are….All our sins are put before our eyes…That is why they were terrified…..Also notice in the pages of Scripture - When the angel Gabriel appeared before Mary to tell her she was to bear a son…Mary was not afraid like the other men I just noted - Why?…Because Mary was pure and perfect - Conceived without sin…..Each and everyone of us is a sinner…And the only way to remedy that situation is by and through Sacramental grace……Catholic tradition, as well as many saints over the centuries have stated that before Christ returns, there will be throughout the world what is referred to as an Illumination of Conscience. This will be our last chance to prepare for the coming of Christ…When this takes place, we will see ourselves as we truly are in the eyes of God - Warts and all….And this period will be permitted by God to encourage the world to repent.
Friday, December 19, 2025
Death has no sting when we are prepared - So prepare
“Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety, for you are my rock and my fortress. O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked.”
If you have ever been in the presence of a very holy person, you will find that such a person almost “looks through you”…..Over the years of working with the Missionaries of Charity, I have found that to be true…..Such a holy person, when you stand in front of them, makes you “see yourself” in a way you don’t usually do…That is why saints make other saints…Each of us were born to be a holy but sadly we get “caught up” in the world…That is why we must strive as Catholics to be holy people….Why? - Because only saints change the world and they do it just by being and walking among the others…..One Good Friday in the Bronx many years ago I was waiting for the afternoon service to begin….Just before it began, I had to go to the bathroom and as I was running back to my pew, the Missionaries of Charity were coming into the Church…..One of the sisters was so old, she was well into her 80’s…..As I was running into the Church, I literally almost knocked her over…And just before our “collision” happened, we stood face to face…Her eyes were on fire!!!!! - They were the eyes of a very young person but her body was broken and so old….The sight of her eyes and the smile on her face, literally stopped me in my tracks like a deer caught in headlights…..Once I got to me seat in the Church, the Good Friday Service began…I watched this old nun when it came time to venerate the cross slowly walk up the aisle…As I watched her, I literally began to weep…I can’t really explain why but just the sight of her made me cry - Looking back I think it was because I saw God in this old nun so clearly but her body was so broken and old…..I share this with you because this is what happens when we are confronted with holiness…Its shocking!!!...And if we are serious as Catholics about impacting the world around us - Our primary concern is to strive with all our strengthen to become holy ourselves…..This is how we will reach those who are unreachable - Its the only way
“I will treat of the mighty works of the LORD; O God, I will tell of your singular justice. O God, you have taught me from my youth, and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds”
Today we are told at Mass how John the Baptist’s father was terrified by the voice of the angel Gabriel......Most people don’t think of being in the presence of God and being afraid….But the reality is, when we stand before the perfect, we see ourselves to be who we truly are - Sinners in need of repentance…That is each of us - No exceptions to the rule!……I have a homework assignment for the readers of this reflection - Look up the warnings about the Illumination of Conscience, which date back to the time of Edmond Campion (1540-1581) and Blessed Anna Taigi (1769-1837). In addition to that, look into what St. Faustina (1905-1938) wrote in her diary......
St. Faustina wrote in her Diary that Jesus told her:
“Write this: before I come as the just Judge, I am coming first as the King of Mercy. Before the day of justice arrives, there will be given to people a sign in the heavens of this sort: All light in the heavens will be extinguished, and there will be great darkness over the whole earth. Then the sign of the cross will be seen in the sky, and from the openings where the hands and the feet of the Savior were nailed will come forth great lights which will light up the earth for a period of time. This will take place shortly before the last day.” (Section 83)
God desires everyone to enter heaven…But realize this - We don’t just “float into heaven” like the world tells us and / or we tell ourself……We must repent of our sins….God gives us every chance to do this over the course of our lifetime - Take him up on his offer before this Christmas!……If we repent of our sins - we will not be afraid at the hour of death….Death will simply be like going from one room in the house to another - Death has no sting when we are prepared - So prepare……………….JMJ
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