Who are the Jews?

By Fr. Victor Feltes

“What’s a Jew,” I asked my dad as a boy. “Where did you hear that,” he countered. I had seen a TV news report about Palestinians in a street slinging rocks at Israeli soldiers. I recalled this memory recently when two parishioners called to ask the same question I once had. So who are the Jews?

We read in the Old Testament about God making covenants with Abraham and his descendants. God changed the name of Abraham’s grandson Jacob to Israel and from his sons come “The Twelve Tribes of Israel.” God used Moses to lead these tribes from Egypt into the land which is now the country of Israel. From one of those twelve tribes, Judah, the Jewish religion (Judaism) and Jewish people (Jews) have their names.

Jesus, Mary his mother, his apostles, and his earliest followers were Jewish. Many Jews believed Jesus was their long-awaited “Anointed One” or Christ. Other Jews, however, rejected him. The Jewish leaders conspired and pushed the Romans to crucify him, yet Jesus died due to the sins of all mankind. After his resurrection, the Jews and non-Jews with faith in Jesus Christ came to be called “Christians.”

In our day, a person could be Jewish in two ways: religiously Jewish, Jewish by descent, or both. Someone now identifying as religiously Jewish believes in the Old Testament and the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but does not believe that Jesus was the Christ, God’s eternally-begotten Son, or that he rose again from the dead. Religious Jews are usually of the Jewish race as well, since Judaism draws few converts. On the other hand, a person may be racially Jewish and not practice Judaism. This is how it is possible for someone to be, for example, a Jewish atheist or a Jewish Christian.

All peoples are called to the New Covenant in Christ and his Church. St. Peter preached Jesus as Christ and Lord and risen from the dead to the Jews at Pentecost: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins…” The Vatican II document on non-Christian religions, Nostra Aetate, notes, “Jerusalem did not recognize the time of her visitation, nor did the Jews in large number accept the Gospel… Nevertheless, God holds the Jews most dear for the sake of their Fathers…” If the world seems to bear irrational hatred towards Jews, Catholics, and other Christians, perhaps this is because we are God’s people in special ways.

St. Paul’s Vestibule Renovation’s Before Photos

This is what the back of St. Paul’s Church looked like before our renovation began fifty-seven days ago. Attend St. Paul’s Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday) this week to experience our new, expanded vestibule.

The Meaning of Malchus

By Fr. Victor Feltes

Judas Iscariot came to the Garden of Gethsemane with soldiers and guards who carried swords and clubs, lanterns and torches. Jesus’ disciples realized what was about to happen and asked, “Lord, shall we strike with a sword?” When one struck the high priest’s slave, cutting off his right ear, Jesus shouted, “Stop, no more of this!” Jesus then touched the man’s ear and healed him. All four gospels record the event but only St. John reveals it was St. Peter who had wielded the sword. Perhaps there was no longer a need to conceal his role in this violent episode once Peter had been martyred. St. John also tells us the wounded man was named Malchus.

Why did Peter strike at Malchus? It’s hard to imagine Peter attacking him if Malchus were unarmed and posed no immediate threat. That Peter slashed at him suggests Malchus was one of the most aggressive among those threatening to capture Jesus dead or alive. Why do all four gospels note that Malchus’ wound was his ear? Perhaps this is highlighting the truth that it’s harder for people to hear the Good News when the use of violence deafens them. Christ converts through loving persuasion, not force.

Given the apparent zealousness with which this slave served his master, risking life and limb to achieve Jesus’ quick arrest, Malchus may have been the kind of slave described in Deuteronomy 15. A Hebrew could sell himself into slavery but it was not automatically for life. The Old Covenant said: “If your kin, a Hebrew man or woman, sells himself or herself to you, he or she is to serve you for six years, but in the seventh year you shall release him or her as a free person. However, if your slave says to you, ‘I do not wish to leave you,’ because he loves you and your household, since he is well off with you, you shall take an awl and put it through his ear into the door, and he shall be your slave forever.” An awl resembles an icepick, a small pointed tool typically used to pierce holes through leather or wood. A Hebrew slave whose devotion was such that he wished to permanently serve the same household would get his ear pierced in this way. The hole in the servant’s ear and the matching imprint and blood stain on the house’s wooden door would be visible signs of the servant’s permanent commitment.

To whom did Malchus belong? Whether his ear had been awl-pierced or not, Malchus was enslaved to the high priest. “Malchus” comes from the Hebrew word for “King,” with sources saying the name means “My King.” His name providentially pointed to whom he truly belonged. Like everyone, Malchus rightfully belongs to Christ our King. Perhaps Jesus restored the ear of Malchus renewed, healed unpierced as a sign, since Christ through his Passion was setting him free. Jesus Christ is the Suffering Servant foretold of by Isaiah the Prophet. Jesus, because he loves you and your household, freely chose to dedicate himself to us forever. His body still bears the marks where we pierced him. And the wood of his Cross, which bears puncture holes and Christ’s blood stains, is our doorway to salvation—to living together with him forever.

St. Paul’s Vestibule Renovation (Day 51)

The tiling and carpeting of our new vestibule continues this week. (Click Images to Enlarge)

St. Paul’s Vestibule Renovation (Day 44)

The flooring crew has arrived onsite and tiled our new bathroom. Today, Craig Zwiefelhofer and a few Knights of Columbus volunteers painted the bathroom and some vestibule walls.
(Click Images to Enlarge)

 

St. Paul’s Vestibule Renovation (Day 38)

Exciting changes on display! Flooring crews are reportedly expected next week. (Click Images to Enlarge)

The Mother & The Governor

By Fr. Victor Feltes

We say their names at every Sunday Mass. We recall them at the start of every Rosary. They are the only two, non-divine persons referred to by name in the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds. They are the Virgin Mary and Pontius Pilate.

“For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”

Consider how many other figures from salvation history could have been justifiably cited in these creeds; from Adam and Eve to Peter and Paul. Yet only Mary and Pilate are mentioned. Why? At the heart of human history, where on our timeline B.C. becomes A.D., the eternal Son of God became man. Our Savior lives not “Once upon a time.” He is born, suffers, dies, and rises in flesh and blood reality. Mary, the woman who gave him life and Pilate, the man who put him to death, ground Jesus Christ, our Gospel, and our salvation in real human history.

Mary and Pilate are not merely historical figures but also archetypes. They represent two patterns, two types of people we can learn from: Mary, whose good example we should follow, and Pilate, whose bad example we should avoid. Recounting the gospel accounts of the Roman trial during Christ’s Passion, let us compare, contrast, and profit from contemplating Governor Pontius Pilate and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Consider to these reflections for what lessons you can gain.

On Good Friday morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.

Confronted with Jesus the Christ, all four Gospels record Pilate asking this pivotal question: “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus responds affirmatively that it is so. At the Annunciation, after greeting and reassuring Mary, St. Gabriel the Archangel said, “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” When the Virgin Mary is confronted with Jesus the Christ, the king of the Jews, she asks a clarifying question too. She said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?”

Pilate and Mary have this in common: they both ask serious questions about Jesus Christ seeking to better understand. It is good for us ask honest questions about Jesus Christ, about God, or about our Catholic Faith. Jesus says, “Whoever asks, receives,” and “whoever seeks, finds.” But when we receive our answer, when we find the truth, how will we respond to the Word? Here we see a difference between Mary and Pilate.

Pilate then addressed the chief priests and the crowds, “I find this man not guilty.” But they were adamant and said, “He is inciting the people with his teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to here.” On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean; and upon learning that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod who was in Jerusalem at that time.

After questioning Jesus, Pilate finds him not guilty of any crime. Realize that Pontius Pilate does not want to kill Jesus; however, the governor would be very glad to be rid of him. Jesus has done nothing worthy of punishment, but Pilate wants to keep those who hate their Roman governor at bay while avoiding making new enemies. He declares Christ not guilty but refuses to set him free. As soon as Pilate sees an opportunity to pawn off Jesus the Nazarene to King Herod across town, he does so. Rather than doing something brave and good, Pilate punts. In contrast, at the Annunciation, when Mary is first presented with Jesus Christ, she does not ask the angel if someone else could be given this task. She does not refuse to do something righteous and courageous. Mary lovingly receives Christ through her “fiat,” saying, “Let it be done to me according to your will.”

King Herod had been eager to meet Jesus and questioned him. Yet the Lord gave him no reply, even as the chief priests and scribes stood by accusing him harshly. Herod does not hold Jesus in prison or behead him as he did with St. John the Baptist. Instead, having grown tired of Jesus, Herod sends Jesus back to Pilate dressed in resplendent garb like a king as a joke. Even though Herod and Pilate had previously been enemies, St. Luke records that the two became friends that day. This shows you that neither ruler saw Jesus as much of a threat. The worldly, like Pilate, will judge by appearances, but the godly, like Mary, can be granted the gift to see deeper realities. When Jesus gets brought back to Pilate’s praetorium doorstep, the governor must deal with this problem anew.

Pilate said to him, “Then you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” And Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” When he had said this, he again went out to the Jews and said to them, “I find no guilt in him.”

Our styles and technologies have changed since ancient times, generations and great empires have come and gone, but human nature remains the same. Pilate is a moral relativist, a postmodern man in the ancient world. “What is truth” he scoffs at Jesus, turns his back on Truth Incarnate, and walks away. He thinks that truth cannot be known, except for those “truths” which we choose for ourselves or impose upon others.

Later in the Passion, Pilate provokes Jesus’ enemies with the sign he orders to be posted above Jesus’ head on the Cross. When the chief priests complain to Pilate saying, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that “He said ‘I am the King of the Jews.’” Pilate replies dismissively, “What I have written, I have written.” Pilate does not believe in truth but serves the truth despite himself. The Virgin Mary believes in truth, belongs to the truth, and cooperates with the truth: “Let it be done to me according to your word.” Jesus says everyone who belongs to the truth listens to his voice.

Pilate knows worldly wisdom, he is clever and cunning.
Mary knows God’s wisdom, and she is truly wise.

Pilate seeks the glory of men.
Mary seeks the glory of God.

Pilate, despite all his worldly power, is ruled by fear.
Mary, despite her natural weakness, is freed from fear.

Pilate is the secular Man of the World.
Mary is the devoted Disciple of Christ.

While Governor Pilate was still seated on the judge’s bench, his wife sent him a message, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man. I suffered much in a dream today because of him.”

This is another similarity between Pilate and Mary: both of their spouses experienced prophetic dreams. St. Matthew recounts how Mary’s husband, St. Joseph, had at least four inspired dreams. One dream reassured him to take Mary into his home, one told him to flee with his family into Egypt, another later told him to return them to the land of Israel, and one more dream which led him to resettle them in Nazareth. Matthew likewise records the dream of Pontius Pilate’s wife, and her urging her husband to “have nothing to do with that righteous man.” Mary listened to her spouse and was blessed. Pilate did not heed his wife and walked into disaster. God gave spouses to each other as helpmates, and the Lord sometimes gives authentic mystical experiences to guide us. Now spouses are not always right and some dreams are just dreams—some fears and some visions are merely imagined. But it is wise not to dismiss out of hand the input of your helpmate or the possibility of mystical experiences from God.

The Jews answered Pilate, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.” Now when Pilate heard this statement, he became even more afraid and went back into the praetorium and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” Jesus did not answer him. So Pilate said to him, “Do you not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you and I have power to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above. For this reason the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.”

Both Mary and Pilate were entrusted with power over Jesus from above. After Mary and Joseph found the boy Jesus at the temple, “He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them.” And Jesus told Pilate, “You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above.” When the Son of Man comes in his glory and the sheep are separated from the goats, we will be judged in part on whether we did what good was in our power: “Amen, I say to you, what you did [or did] not do for one of these least ones, you [did or] did not do for me.” Jesus says, “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.” Who and what has been entrusted to you? How are you using your power?

The gospels show how Pilate knows that Jesus Christ is innocent, or at least believes he poses no real threat to society, yet Pilate is willing to have this innocent man whipped and even killed when that becomes the most expedient thing to do.

When Pilate saw that he was not succeeding at all, but that a riot was breaking out instead, he took water and washed his hands in the sight of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. Look to it yourselves.” … Then he handed him over to be crucified.

Governor Pilate washes his hands, as if he had no hand in Jesus’ death. He washes his hands as a sign to say ‘my hands are clean in this injustice.’ Yet all our sins caused Jesus Christ to die. Though Mother Mary was free from sin and her hands were truly clean, Christ’s sacrifice was for her too. The First Letter of St. John says if you or I say, “‘We are without sin,’ we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing. If we say, ‘We have not sinned,’ we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” If we go looking for excuses for our sinful behavior, we will always find them. Instead, let us repent of sin and live in the truth.

Pilate had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews.” Now many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek.

Sometimes you will see this titulus sign depicted at the top of crucifixes featuring the letters “INRI.” This is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase “Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum,” or “Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews.” It was the Romans’ custom to display upon condemned persons’ crosses the crime for which they were being executed. As I said before, through this inscription, Pilate was antagonizing or trolling the Jewish religious leaders. Pilate does not truly believe that Jesus is a king, the Jewish Messiah or the Christ. Yet he accurately identifies the reason for Jesus Christ’s death: Jesus was killed for being who he was, he was killed for being the Christ. St. John’s Gospel says, “He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name.”

On Good Friday, Pilate wrote his sign’s message in three common languages of that day for all the world to see. In the centuries since, when Mary has appeared in various apparitions around the world, she speaks in the native tongue of the visionaries in order for her messages pointing to her Son to be better understood by all. God never directly wills evil. Sins are something which we freely choose. But God writes straight with crooked lines. In the end, all of us, both God’s friends and his enemies, will have been agents of God’s will. Some, like Mary, will cooperate with him willingly. Others, like Pilate, will serve him unwittingly.

Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

So where are Pilate and Mary now?
The last became first and the first became last.

She who wept, now laughs.
He who laughed, now weeps.

He was Roman governor of Judea.
She is now queen of heaven and earth.

He took root in the desert for self-glory, but was barren and uprooted.
She was planted beside the flowing waters of her Son, and endured, bore fruit, and shares in God’s glory.

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

Mary and Pilate: the one who gives Christ life and the one who puts him to death, the one who serves the Lord and the one who serves himself, the faithful one and the faithless one. Are we Pilate or are we Mary? At different times, in different ways, we may be like one or the other. During this Lenten season, let us examine and discern who we are. “How and when am I like Pilate? Where and how am I like Mary?” May we reject his bad example and follow her good leading to draw closer to Jesus Christ and share in his rewards and glory.

St. Paul’s Vestibule Renovation (Day 30)

Our vestibule’s support beam is two-thirds installed, our new bathroom’s drywall is up, and our stained boards await their installation. (Click Images to Enlarge)

St. Paul’s Vestibule Renovation (Day 24)

Our plumbing and electrical installation has progressed and the installation of our varnished trim nears. (Click Images to Enlarge)

St. Paul’s Vestibule Renovation (Day 16)

There’s progress in our plumbing and electrical work while Dell Construction is fashioning our wood trim at their shop.
(Click Images to Enlarge)

St. Paul’s Vestibule Renovation (Day 9)

Our back wall’s demolition has begun and wood frames for our vestibule new wall and 1st floor bathroom are installed. Our carpet has been taken-up, revealing the very old tile beneath. Stay tuned for further updates. We plan to have a renewed and expanded vestibule by the Wednesday of Holy Week. (Click Images to Enlarge)

The Angels & The Shepherds

By Fr. Chinnappan Pelavendran

(Luke 2:8) Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. These shepherds were watching Passover lambs, which would be sacrificed later that year. So it is appropriate that they are about to go look at another Passover Lamb who will also be sacrificed later in His life.

(Luke 2:9) And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. (Luke 2:10-12) Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

The angel tells the shepherds about the birth of Christ, that He will be the Savior of the world. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” The angels proclaim Christ will bring peace. Peace does not come through money and power of the Emperor, but through humility and service. Moreover, the all-important peace with God comes only to those who believe in Jesus for eternal life. Only through Christ can you have true and lasting peace. That is the message the angels proclaim. You see, in Isaiah 48:22, God says that there is no peace for the wicked. We live in a wicked, sinful world. Those who live in wickedness and sin will never have peace. If, however, you are one of those who have come to know Jesus Christ as your Savior by believing in Him alone for eternal life, then you can know this peace the angels proclaim. Romans 5:1 states, “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Peace is available to you today if you are a person of God’s will. What is God’s will? To believe in Jesus Christ for eternal life. In John chapter 6, some people come to Jesus and ask him, “What must we do to do the works of God? What is His will?” Moreover, Jesus said, “This is the will of my Father, that you believe on Him whom the Father has sent.” (John 6:28-29) That is it. Believe in Jesus for eternal life. Do you want to have the peace the angels proclaim here? You need to be a man or a woman of God’s will; you need to do God’s will, which is to believe in Jesus for eternal life. However, if you reject Him, you also reject peace. There can be no peace in this world without Him.

(Luke 2:15-16) So it was when the angels had gone away from them into heaven that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.

It says they came with haste. This was the first Christmas rush, but certainly different from the Christmas rush we are familiar with. They were rushing to see Jesus. I wish we all were more like these shepherds. They heard the Word of God spoken here by angels, and they immediately acted upon it. They did not wait around until it was morning. They did not ask for better directions. They received by faith the message God sent to them and then responded with immediate obedience. I am sure they knew where all the stables were, so they just checked around until they found the one Mary, Joseph and Jesus were in.

We should also note that the angels did not appear to kings. They did not appear to the mayor of Bethlehem. They did not appear to the religious leaders in Bethlehem. They appeared to be shepherds. Just humble shepherds out in the field. Shepherds were outcasts in Israel. Mary’s song pointed out back in Luke 1:51-53 that this would be a pattern in the life of Christ, and it has already begun here. (1 Cor. 1:26-29) It seems that the poor and the people who are nobodies are often the ones whom God gives special attention to.

(Luke 2:17) Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. The shepherds became the first Christian evangelists. The first witnesses to spread the good news of the Messiah. When they saw Jesus Christ, they could not help but keep silent about Him. They told everyone they met. Again, they are a lesson for us. Not only did they obey God’s Word immediately, but they also went beyond that and told others about Jesus. Once you have seen Jesus, it is a privilege, it is an honor, it is a necessity to tell others about Him. Once you have seen Jesus, you can’t keep from talking about Him even if you tried. The shepherds were so excited about what they had seen and heard, they just had to tell everybody.

(Luke 2:18) And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. This is a key idea after all that we have seen today. Things did not go as planned for Mary and Joseph. They had experienced more trouble than they should have. And rather than complain, rather than criticize, they quietly accepted what God was doing. Joseph could have blown his own horn and demanded he get what he deserved as a descendant of King David. But he didn’t. Mary could have gone around bragging that she was carrying the promised Messiah and as a result, she could have demanded that she be given the best room in the inn – for free, and the innkeeper should kick out whoever was there. But she didn’t.

Mary and Joseph chose to humbly accept the trials and troubles that God sent their way, and as a result, God lifted them up. He raised them up. He sent angels to blow the trumpet for them, and shepherds to pass the word for them about who they were, and what kind of child they had been blessed with. Mary and Joseph chose not to blow their own horn. Instead, they let God do it for them. When credit comes to you for the ministry and talents and abilities you have, let it be God and others who bring it rather than yourself.

(Luke 2:19-20) But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. Mary was not the one to go around and tell people about how great she was, and how much God had blessed her. Instead, she just kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. God used the shepherds to tell the world about Mary and her newborn baby. Instead, like Mary and Joseph, quietly and humbly accept whatever position and privilege God has placed you in, and as you prove yourself faithful with a little, He will give you more. Don’t blow your own horn. Let God blow it for you in his perfect timing.

All of us need to learn from Mary and Joseph that our sufferings, our troubles, and our trials in life are tools in the hand of God to mold us shape us, and make us into something beyond our imagination. When trials and troubles come into your life, God is making you into something great. In whatever trials you are facing, ask God these kinds of questions: Say, “Father, what are you trying to teach me in this situation? How can this trial make me more like Jesus Christ?” God wants to change your troubles into trumpets if you will only let him perform His work in you.

God brought the first message of the birth of Jesus to ordinary people rather than to princes and kings. God spoke through His holy angel to the shepherds who were keeping sheep in the fields. This was a lowly occupation, so shepherds were not well educated. But Mary tells us the true story: “He has put down the mighty from their thrones; and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away, empty.” (Luke 1:52–53)

What was the message of the angel to the shepherds? First, he told them not to be afraid. Repeatedly, the presence of angels was frightening to those to whom they came. However, unless they came in judgment, the angels spoke a word of reassurance. They calmed the people to whom they came.

“Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11) The good tidings were that the Savior had come. The people needed somebody who could bring them back into fellowship with God because the blood sacrifices could not do this in any permanent way. The Lord had visited His people with salvation.

Another lesson we can learn from the shepherds at Jesus’ birth is that ordinary people can tell others about the Savior. Once the shepherds made it to Bethlehem and saw the Savior, “they spread the word concerning what had been told them this child. And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” In their joy and praise, they could not refrain from telling others about their experience.

These ordinary shepherds, who were outcasts among their people, were the first to hear of Jesus’ birth and to spread that news. They did not wait until they had extensive theological training to tell others. Instead, they went out and told people about their experience of hearing the message of the angel and seeing the Savior. We can do the same.

Many of us will think that we need more effective in sharing the gospel once we have read a book or the Holy bible or taken a course on the bible. Books and courses are helpful resources, but all believers can tell others about how Jesus saved them. We do not have to wait until we feel qualified enough, because we can all testify about Christ’s saving work in our lives.

If the shepherds, who were outcasts in society, could spread the good news about Jesus’ birth, then we can certainly tell others about how Jesus saved us. The shepherds also remind us of the need to listen to the Lord and obey Him, that ordinary people can spread the good news of Jesus, and that worship should be our response to Jesus’ saving work.

The Magi & King Herod

By Fr. Victor Feltes

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”

This is how the second chapter of St. Matthew’s Gospel introduces us to the noble Magi and the infamous King Herod. Their good and bad examples in the story of Christmas present much for us to learn from and reflect on.

The gospel tells us the Magi were astrologers from the East who saw a celestial sign which firmly convinced them the heir to the Jewish throne was born. The Magi were so convinced by this sign that they packed up valuable gifts and traveled far from their home to honor this newborn king. What are magi? “Magus” is the title which ancient civilizations east of Israel, such as the Persians and the Babylonians (or Chaldeans), bestowed upon their individual men of wisdom. These experts, their various teachers, priests, physicians, astrologers, soothsayers, Magicians, or interpreters of dreams, were collectively called magi.

How did the Magi who journeyed to Herod know how to recognize Heaven’s sign? In the 6th century before Christ., King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came and laid siege to Jerusalem. In response to his people’s unfaithfulness, God permitted them to be conquered and many Jews were taken east into Babylonian Captivity. The Babylonians reasoned that conquered peoples were more productive alive than dead and less likely to stage a successful rebellion when resettled outside of their homeland. Thus the Jews’ relocation deeper into the Babylonian Empire.

At that time, King Nebuchadnezzar told his chief chamberlain to bring in some of the Israelites of the royal line and of the nobility. He said, “They should be young men without any defect, handsome, proficient in wisdom, well informed, and insightful, such as could take their place in the king’s palace.” He was to teach them the language and literature of the Chaldeans. Among these chosen young men was the Prophet Daniel, who would go on to give prophesies about the coming of Christ recorded in the Old Testament book which bears his name.

Impressed by Daniel’s wisdom, Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar “advanced Daniel to a high post… made him ruler of the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.” Perhaps Daniel’s prophetic wisdom, handed down for centuries, enabled these wise Magi from the East to recognize the significance of the starry sign and inspired them to journey to Jerusalem. The Bible does not record the Magi’s names, but a tradition hands down their names to us as Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar.

Behold, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

More than thirty years prior to the arrival of the Magi, the pagan Roman Senate had appointed Herod as the region’s king. He is known as “Herod the Great” because of his vast territories and many building projects, including new cities, massive fortresses, and a complete renovation of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. Herod heightened the architectural beauty of the temple to such greatness like it had in the days of King Solomon. However, Herod was not greatly loved.

He imposed extremely harsh taxes for the ancient world and ruled ruthlessly, executing many of his political opponents and family relatives, including three of his sons and at least one of his ten wives. No one ever mistook him for being the Messiah; besides being more of a pagan king than a Jewish one, Herod was not a descendant of Kind David like Scripture said the Christ would be. So when foreign Magi came to Jerusalem seeking the Messiah, word got around and King Herod became greatly troubled and all Jerusalem with him.

Why were the whole of Jerusalem troubled (that is, “stirred or agitated as in roiling water”) along with King Herod by this news of Christ’s possible coming? Because they knew Herod better than the foreign Magi did. The Magi had swooped in as innocent doves, but Herod was a cunning serpent. The Jews of Jerusalem realized King Herod was not eager to freely hand over power. Even if the Messiah had indeed been born, violence or a civil war would likely follow.

Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, [King Herod] inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”

There is a Jewish joke that two rabbis together produces three opinions, but here all of the priests and scribes assembled by King Herod cite the Old Testament Prophet Micah to identify Bethlehem as the promised Messiah’s birthplace. Maybe Herod asked them subtly amongst many other questions, inquiring about the Messiah’s birth in such a way that they did not suspect his motives. But if they grasped what Herod was after and why, then this was the first time Jewish religious leaders betrayed the Christ. Perhaps they reasoned that if God’s Anointed One had indeed been born in Bethlehem, then God would protect him, “For if the righteous one is the son of God, God will help him and deliver him from the hand of his foes.” God did protect the Infant Jesus, but Herod ended the precious lives of innocents in the little town of Bethlehem.

Our God will win in the end, all evil will ultimately be defeated, but we must not go along to get along in this world by cravenly cooperating with evil. Imagine if those religious leaders had refused to tell wicked Herod where the Messiah would be born; then they might now be celebrated throughout Heaven and earth as men who defended and died for Christ, instead of Bethlehem’s baby boys. We are all called to practice courage as Catholic Christians. Remember that it is better to innocently suffer or even die for Christ than to die as one of his enemies or betrayers.

I do not know whether the chief priests and scribes of the people knowingly betrayed the infant Christ, but there is no record in the Gospels of any of them going in search of the child. The Magi traveled hundreds of miles to find him, but it appears the priests and scribes never went the six miles from Jerusalem to Bethlehem in search of him. Beware of practicing your faith so feebly that you forego making the simplest sacrifices in service of Christ.

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.

What was the star which the Magi saw? There are several interesting theories. It may have been one of the planets in a meaningful position, or perhaps a pair of planets combining their light. This is a possibility since the ancients deemed the other planets in our Solar System to be ‘wandering stars.’ Our word “planet” comes from the Greek word for “wanderer,” because the planets wander across the constellations. Some have suggested the Christmas star was a comet or a star’s supernova, but whatever the star was it was something too subtle for Herod to recall. In the ancient world, comets were regarded as foreboding omens and some supernovas have been notably bright to eye at night in recorded human history; however, the star which arose at Jesus’ birth was not of particular note to Herod and his royal counselors. This is why Herod must ascertain from the Magi the time of the star’s appearance.

As God once said, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” This world and worldly people miss what is important, and what the world pays attention to are often fleeting things. So many things talked about today will be forgotten by next week, discarded like last week’s newspaper. Sports, movies, music, TV, social media, advertising, celebrities, politicians, and even much of the 24-hour news cycle will not show you what really matters. God tells us through St. Paul, “Do not conform yourselves to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” If you follow the nightly news you might naturally conclude that nothing good is happening anywhere, but remember that God is always quietly at work. I believe that many of the most important things which happened in the world today are good things, and things which the world will not notice, like the appearance of the star which announced our Savior’s birth, or a caravan of Magi beginning a journey west to meet God.

Herod called the Magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.”

Though their meeting was secret, Jesus says “nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known.” Looking back, we can see that the Magi were sincere and faithful and sought to honor the Christ Child, while Herod was a cynical liar who sought to destroy him. No good or bad secret, of yours or mine or others’, will not be revealed in the end. St. Peter writes that “the day of the Lord will come like a thief… and the earth and everything done on it will be found out. Since everything is to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be? Conducting yourselves in holiness and devotion.” At the Presentation in the Temple, Simeon had told Mary that through her Son ‘the thoughts of many hearts would be revealed.’ That was true in the lives of King Herod and the Magi. In your personal response to Jesus Christ, your own heart is revealed, too.

After their audience with the king [the Magi] set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother.

Notice that the Holy Family is no longer dwelling in a cave or a barn, but inside a house. This was not Christmas night but at least forty days later. We know this because when Joseph and Mary came to present Jesus at the temple, to offer a sacrifice God’s law required following the birth of a firstborn son, they could not afford a yearling lamb, so they offered “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons” instead, as the law of God permitted. And their humble gift pleased God. If the Magi had already visited them and provided their gift of gold, the Holy Family would have had the ability to purchase the more expensive lamb instead. The Magi arrived in Bethlehem between forty days and two years after Christmas. We know that upper bound from the cruel command which Herod issues later in hopes of destroying the Christ Child, targeting baby boys “two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the Magi.”

Upon entering the house the Magi unsurprisingly find the child with Mary his mother. She is the Lord’s new ark, his throne, the seat of Wisdom Incarnate. Sadly, some Christians consider her a harmful distraction from Jesus. However, the mother of the Christ is no hindrance to Jesus, for when you meet Mary she will joyfully show her Son to you.

[The Magi] prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Unlike Herod, who grasps and clutches what he has, the Magi freely give gifts to Jesus. Three gifts of the Magi are mentioned by St. Matthew since they reveal who Jesus is; gold for a king, frankincense for a high priest and the true God, and myrrh resin used for external embalming, for one who has come to die. But the Magi’s best gift was the gift of themselves. What Christmas gift will you prepare for Jesus this Advent?

The Magi prostrated themselves, laying down on the floor with their faces towards the ground before Little Jesus in homage. Did they feel embarrassed to be bowing down to a baby, a child of poor parents in a humble house, far from the trappings of obvious power and glory? The Magi had deep faith in who Jesus was and faith in his future glory so they did not refuse to be seen paying him respect and honor. Do you feel embarrassed to be seen praying or honoring Jesus? Jesus says, “Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.” Let us not be ashamed to acknowledge Jesus in others’ presence.

Having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, [the Magi] departed for their country by another way.

These Magi took signs seriously. They previously followed such one sign hundreds of miles from home and it led them to the Christ Child. So they heed this message and bypass Herod on their trip back home. In that dream, the Magi might not have been warned that the Christ Child was in danger. Recall how Bethlehem is only six miles away from Jerusalem, just a two or three hour walk. If the Magi had sensed that Jesus was in danger, wouldn’t they have warned the Holy Family before they departed to caravan back east? Perhaps they did warn the Holy Family of possible danger, but Joseph and Mary simply did not know what to do next. But if this inspired dream told the Magi not to return to Herod without revealing the reason why, the Magi’s obedience provides a beautiful lesson for us.

Jesus and his Church teach us many precepts about what we must or must not do, what we should or should not do. There are good reasons behind these commands, and it is good to explore these teachings and ask questions to better understand them, but there will be times in your life when you are called to be faithfully obedient even before you fully understand. The Magi’s obedience served Jesus and likely saved the Magi’s lives. Your obedience to God will bless you, and more than you may realize.

[The Magi] departed for their country by another way.

They came to Jesus from one direction, but they departed for their country by another way. Servant of God Bishop Fulton Sheen makes a famous observation about this fact. He writes that it is fitting that the Magi left this way, since “no one who ever meets Christ with a good will returns the same way as he came.”

When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the Magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the Magi.

Did Herod actually believe that the Christ Child has been born in Bethlehem? Probably not, but he was afraid that other people would believe it, rally around this child, and attempt to overthrow him. He reasoned that, ‘If all the baby boys in Bethlehem are dead, none of them can rise up against me as a rival.’

His calculation is like that of Pharaoh’s at the start of the Book of Exodus. Pharaoh said to his people in Egypt, “See! The Israelite people have multiplied and become more numerous than we are! Come, let us deal shrewdly with them to stop their increase; otherwise, in time of war they too may join our enemies to fight against us….” After enslaving the Hebrews, Pharaoh commanded all his people to “throw into the Nile every boy that is born, but you may let all the girls live.” Both Herod and Pharaoh aimed to prevent a future rebellion through the murder of baby boys. As ancient Machiavellians, they were willing to do great evils in hope of gaining good outcomes.

To the Romans, St. Paul records that ‘we are accused and some claim we say that we should do evil that good may come of it.’ Denying their false charge, he says, “Their penalty is what they deserve.” Remember that Christians are never allowed to do evil or sin in the hopes that good things will result. Good ends do not justify sinful means. Beware of how readily any evil deed can and will be justified with practical arguments.

When [the Magi] had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophets might be fulfilled, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

The Holy Family remained in Egypt until Herod’s death. Then Herod’s kingdom was divided among three of his sons: Archelaus who ruled Samaria and Judaea, Philip who ruled the Golan Heights, and Herod Antipas who ruled Galilee and the east bank of the Jordan River. This Herod Antipas is the Herod who would go on to murder St. John the Baptist and meet Jesus during the Passion, mocking him, dressing him in a splendid robe, and sending him back to Pilate. Fathers are important. I like to believe the sons of the Magi went on to find saving faith in Jesus Christ, then these sons would have born fruit following the example modeled by their fathers.

In conclusion, I invite you to take one or two of these ideas to contemplate and pray with. “Do not conform yourselves to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” What worldly things do you need to pay less attention to? What heavenly things do you need to pay more attention to? “The day of the Lord will come like a thief… and the earth and everything done on it will be found out.” So “what sort of persons ought you to be? Do not do evils in the hope that goods will follow. Do not justify your sins with rationalizations like Herod. Anyone searching for excuses can easily find them forever. Remember how simple obedience saved and blessed the Magi. We are called to be courageous and go extra miles for Christ. How can you better acknowledge him before others? In your personal response to Jesus, your heart will be revealed. Ask Mary’s help in this, for believers draw closer to her Son with her. What Christmas gift will you prepare for Jesus this Advent? Remember that the greatest gift to him is yourself. Embrace this Advent season with our Lord, for “no one who ever meets Christ with a good will returns the same way as he came.”

St. Elizabeth & The Innkeeper

By Fr. Chinnappan Pelavendran

Christmas is a time for joy, cheer, and festivities. It is a time when we gather around the Christmas tree to share our joy. For many of us, each year, around this time we pull out our Bible and read the classic story of the true meaning of Christmas. Luke 2:1–21 tells us the story of Jesus Christ being born unto this world to save us all from our sins. However, today we are going to meditate about the Elizabeth and the Innkeeper.

Among the gospels, only St. Luke recorded the real songs of Christmas, sung by Elizabeth, Mary, Zacharias, Simeon, the angel Gabriel, and the angelic host. Beginning with one older woman who understood something of the mystery of what was happening in her womb and the womb of her young relative from Galilee named Mary. After the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, she traveled from Galilee to the hill country of Judah, to the home of Zacharias and Elizabeth. Gabriel had told her about Elizabeth’s miracle pregnancy (Luke 1:36). Now Mary needed human help, someone to talk to, and someone who would listen to her with understanding. Who was there better to do that than Elizabeth?

God’s timing is perfect. In the Gospel of St. Luke, we see the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah who were well advanced in years. They were a couple who loved the Lord and went about Kingdom work here on earth. We know them for their righteousness, and for being barren. “And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.” (Luke 1:6) Elizabeth and Zacharias were waiting. A priest has been chosen to serve in the holy of holies only once in his lifetime and Zacharias is advanced in years. Elizabeth dearly longed to be chosen to bear a child, but she was beyond childbearing when God called her to bear the prophet in her womb. With all this waiting, they remained faithful to God’s commandments and statutes, unwavering in faith.

Elizabeth fully saw the hand of God in her life and rejoiced over His plan for her. Elizabeth could have complained that God waited too long. She could have thought that it would be harder to raise a child. She could have even balked at the plans God had for her child’s life. However, she did not do any of those things. Rather she turned and offered her praise back to God. She rejoiced over the blessing she was given and gave glory to God.

This is the lesson we learn from Elizabeth. Even into our advanced age, God can bring life into the world through each one of us. God does not favor the young or the old. Mary was a young and, adolescent virgin, and Elizabeth was advanced in years. Through each woman, young and old, He brought life that contributed to His plan of redemption. Elizabeth testifies to all of us that faithfulness does not go unseen by our God, nor unrewarded. Though the wait may be long, God will fulfill His purpose for each of us. We can pray with the Psalmist, “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me, your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” (Ps 138:8) Just as Elizabeth was in His sights, so are we.

Elizabeth was a woman of God, and we know that all her life she devoted herself to serving God. Despite not being able to bear children, she still held on to her faith in God. Elizabeth must have honored God with her life. As you walk close to the Lord he will do the same for you, your faith will move the mountains in your life. Both Zechariah and, Elizabeth show us that God can be trusted. God was merciful to her. Elizabeth believed and bore a son in her old age, which was a miraculous blessing from God. The message that Elizabeth taught, is to believe what God says He is going to do even if it seems impossible.

Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth, the Mother of John the Baptist, were both exceptional women who were chosen to play important roles in salvation history. Both were filled with the Holy Spirit which empowered them to the fulfill mission entrusted to them. We can only imagine the internal anxiety that Mary went through upon knowing that she would be pregnant without having a relationship with a man. There was of course the very harsh punishment that was awaiting her yet she trusted in God’s will and power. For Elizabeth, we can only imagine how she coped with barrenness and insults; moreover, it was not easy to bear a child in old age, and There were no medical experts to help. She, too, gave her full trust in the goodness and mercy of God.

The foundation of the Christian life is the gift of faith that we freely receive by asking Jesus into our hearts. Believers should look for the hand of God in every circumstance. Recognizing God’s supernatural intervention and purpose comes with spiritual maturity. The Bible says that believers who have yet to see God’s involvement in their lives but still believe will be rewarded for their patience and unquestioning faith. However, in reality, becoming a Christian is evidence of a divine revelation in every believer’s life.

What should we conclude from Elizabeth’s life of faith? First, God was merciful to her. Elizabeth believed and bore a son in her old age, which was a miraculous blessing from God. The message that Elizabeth taught, the lesson that God recorded in the Bible, is to believe what God says He is going to do even if it seems impossible. She also taught the message that if you do what God says to do and believe, you will be blessed by seeing the fulfillment of what was promised.

God chose a woman of faith and obedience to rear and teach an important prophet. It is by the Holy Spirit and by the Word of God, that one is to teach and to inspire others. As parents, all of us should have that same desire to teach and inspire our children in the ways of God. John the Baptist was indeed special, and there was none like him—the greatest of all the prophets—but there is a lesson here for all of us. Both Elizabeth and Zacharias taught their son about God and the role and mission God wanted him to fulfill. Are we doing that with our children? Do our children know the ways of God and do they know why they were born? This is the time we follow the example set by Elizabeth and Zacharias.

Luke 2:7 says she brought forth her firstborn Son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn. “No room in the inn” became prophetic words of the truth that “He came unto His own and His own received Him not.” (John 1:11) They experienced so many troubles here, that I am not sure I can list them all. First, they went out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem. They have to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem; Now Mary is nine months pregnant. This is not the ideal time to go on a long journey. The journey went much slower than normal; they arrived in Bethlehem long after everybody else. Which means there was no place for them to stay. All the inns were full. The end of Luke 2:7 says, “there was no room for them in the inn.”

Joseph has to leave his home, he has to close his shop, has to travel a long way, he feels bad he has to take his pregnant wife when they arrive in Bethlehem, he realizes all the inns are full, and he forgets to make reservations. He does not know what to do. He feels ashamed and depressed. He sometimes feels angry with Caesar Augustus for making him do this. Other times he feels angry with God for allowing this to happen. He knows that God still loves him and is somehow going to work things out for good because He is still in control.

God had His reasons and His purposes for having His Son born in a lonely and dirty stable. Moreover, the baby Jesus was born there. It appears from the verses that she did not have any help. No doctors. No midwives. Just Mary and the animals. It appears that Joseph was not even there. Maybe he was out looking for a midwife, or a better place to stay. There is a lot of loneliness in Jesus’ birth. It happened that way. According to Luke 2:7, “Mary wrapped the newborn baby in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger.” Again, a manger is not the best crib. It did not have any safety features. No soft mattress.

Is there room in my heart for Jesus? Some hearts never welcome Jesus, not because of hatred toward Him, but simply because their hearts are already overcrowded with thoughts of riches, honor, prestige, pleasure, business affairs, etc. No room. No time to reflect on His will, no desire to go out of their way to do what will please Him.

It would be Easy to Miss Jesus if the innkeeper had understood who Jesus was, and then he would have made different arrangements. He would have kicked out some of his other guests to make room for the savior of the world. We can make the same mistake as the innkeeper. We see Jesus all over the place during Christmas; on cards, on wrapping paper, in carols, and in nativity scenes. But do we understand who Jesus is? He is God in the flesh. He is the savior of the world. It is easy to miss Jesus because we do not expect God to arrive as a baby, born to a poor family in some part of the earth. Yet, this is what happened.

The innkeeper teaches us about the danger of judging people and events without having all the facts and letting our imaginations run wild. When we judge other people or assess events without knowing the truth, the results can be unfair, dangerous, damaging, and destructive. Suspect that we have treated the innkeeper unfairly.

The Power of Anointing

By Joan Herrmann

Fr. Victor Feltes with his aunt and godmother, Joan Herrmann, at his priestly ordination party in 2009.

When I was due to have my first lithotripsy (a non-invasive procedure using shock waves to break down my rather ginormous kidney stones) – they discovered that I had a pericardial effusion, that is, fluid around my heart.

Over several months, I had to see a cardiologist, and they monitored the effusion to see if it would go away on its own. It did not. So, I was scheduled for a pericardiocentesis, in which they use a needle to drain the fluid.

A visiting specialist in this arena was called in to do the procedure. I was in an operating room with a team of six hovering about and prepping me, and the doctor started checking out the area with an ultrasound. He asked the attendants for a history of the images of the effusion around my heart – the last one was from a week earlier, showing a large fluid buildup.

He looked at me and said, “Joan, this is your lucky day, I am sending you home – there is no fluid surrounding your heart.” Honestly, he seemed a bit annoyed and disappointed that his skills were not necessary that morning! I had to “recover” for a bit as they had already administered some meds to make me woozy… all the time wondering at this miraculous turn of events and so very relieved that I did not have a heart issue!

The most intriguing part of my story: I had attended the funeral of my Aunt Irene (my dad’s sister) just three days earlier. My godson, Father Victor, said the funeral Mass. Afterwards he asked me how I was doing, and I mentioned the procedure that was coming up. He asked for details, and then asked if he could pray over me.

It was just he and I in the church vestibule, the rest of the family and attendees had left for the funeral luncheon. He asked the church attendant who was still there for some blessed oil – and then he prayed, laid his hands on me, and anointed me. I seriously felt at peace afterward, knowing that the procedure and potential heart issue was in God’s hands. Then and there, I just let go of the anxiety. Based on the doctor’s perplexity, I know that I was a recipient of a miracle that day.

I celebrate and acknowledge September 26th, 2016 every year, when God’s providence and grace made itself known to me in a very personal and tangible way. That it was my nephew and godson who prayed over me and was the conduit to God’s saving grace and mercy – all the more profound!