Welcome to this week's edition of Kadishat- our Christmas edition!
On the last Sunday before Christmas, we read the Genealogy of Jesus as written by St Matthew. Jesus' lineage is traced from Abraham, the father of God's chosen people, through the line of David, King of Israel. Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel. And through Jesus, we become sons and daughters of the living God. Do we recognize our own spiritual genealogy and do we accept God as our Father? (Source: rc.net)
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This Tuesday, on the 25th of December, we celebrate the Birth of Jesus. May the child Jesus find room to be born in our hearts and families this year. And may we take time to reflect on the wonderful story of Christmas: God became one of us. He came to us as a poor and weak Baby, not as a tyrant to oppress us. Our minds cannot always comprehend this marvellous work of love. With the angels, we adore and joyfully sing:
Glory to God in the highest heaven and peace on earth to men of good will.
I wish all our community a Blessed and Merry Christmas! May the Child Jesus bring peace and joy to your families and lives.
In God’s Love,
Fr. Dr. Antoine Tarabay
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21st Year—Number 1040 Sunday 23/12/2012
Season of the Birth of Jesus
The Ancestry of Jesus Sunday
Sunday’s Readings: Roma1: 1-12 & Matthew 1: 1-17
Generations Desire
“An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hez-ron the father of Aram, and Aram the father of Aminadab, and Aminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David.
And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph, and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manas-seh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the fa-ther of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel, and Salathiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the fa-ther of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen genera-tions; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen gen-erations. ” Matthew 1: 1-17
Reflection of the Week
What does Christmas mean to you?
For some Christmas might mean Santa – what Santa is going to bring – toys and candy and all the things a child can imagine. That vision of Christmas can excite us.
For others Christmas might mean shopping – getting gifts to give — trying to pick out a “perfect gift” for a friend or loved one. That vision of Christmas can tire us.
For others it might mean family gatherings and good times together. This vision of Christmas is – for the most part – one that warms our hearts.
For many Christmas might mean decorations – houses with bright lights and decorated trees – and these days even decorated yards complete with lights shaped into statues of deer of larger than life inflatable Santas or snowmen.
For others, Christmas has come to mean a celebration of God’s love – and the wonderful fact that God has come into our world through Christ – and continues to come into our world. Christmas is a celebration of love. A celebration of God’s love – a love so great that God did not let us die in sin but provided salvation for us through Jesus Christ – this baby in the manger who became an adult on the cross – and who died for our sins and yet rose again so we can have everlasting life.
The good news the angels brought to the shepherds on that first Christmas night was the news that their lives as the poorest of the poor could be different. God had come – Christ had been born – and
all things could be different.
In the midst of our lives – God has come – and God continues to come and to work in our lives and in our world for His will for salvation and love and justice and healing.
How about you, what does Christmas mean to you?
Is there room in your heart for Jesus?
Jesus does not come where He is not invited. Jesus does not come where there is no room for Him. He is not going to force His way into your life. He says in Rev. 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me.”
Is there room in your heart and life for Jesus this Christmas? There are too many hearts which are too crowded with other things. Some are too busy pursuing money that they have no time for God. Too many are so overcrowded with thoughts of riches, honour, prestige, pleasures, business, affairs, etc., that they have no room for Jesus. Is there room in your heart for Jesus this Christmas?
Reference: www.revbill.wordpress
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The Son of Man
Matthew's genealogy of Jesus traces his lineage from Abraham, the father of God's chosen people, through the line of David, King of Israel. Jesus the Messiah is the direct descent of Abraham and David, and the rightful heir to David's throne. God in his mercy fulfilled his promises to Abraham and to David that he would send a Saviour and a King to rule over the house of Israel and to deliver them from their enemies. Jesus is the fulfilment of all God's promises. He is the hope not only for the people of the Old Covenant but for all nations as well. He is the Saviour of the world. In him we receive adoption into a royal priesthood and holy nation as sons and daughters of the living God (see 1 Peter 1:9). Do you recognise your spiritual genealogy and do you accept God as your Father and Jesus as the sovereign King and Lord of your life?
Reference: www.rc.net
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The Birth of Jesus
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.
While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’
Luke 2: 1-20
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From St. Augustine
Let the just rejoice,
for their justifier is born.
Let the sick and infirm rejoice,
For their saviour is born.
Let the captives rejoice,
For their Redeemer is born.
Let slaves rejoice,
for their Master is born.
Let free men rejoice,
For their Liberator is born.
Let All Christians rejoice,
For Jesus Christ is born.
Let the just rejoice,
for their justifier is born.
Let the sick and infirm rejoice,
For their saviour is born.
Let the captives rejoice,
For their Redeemer is born.
Let slaves rejoice,
for their Master is born.
Let free men rejoice,
For their Liberator is born.
Let All Christians rejoice,
For Jesus Christ is born.
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COMMUNION AND WITNESS
APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION for the MIDDLE EAST (10)
APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION for the MIDDLE EAST (10)
PART ONE(9): Migrant (2)
34. These persons, downtrodden, at the mercy of others and unable to defend themselves, bound by contracts which are more or less limited, or even legal, are often the victims of violations of local laws and international conventions. They also face powerful pressure and grave religious restrictions. The task of their Pastors is both necessary and delicate. I encourage all the Catholic faithful and all priests, to whatever Church they belong, to manifest sincere communion and pastoral cooperation with the local Bishop, and I ask the Bishops to show paternal understanding towards all the Eastern faithful. It is by working together and above all by speaking with one voice that, in situations like these, all will be able to live and celebrate their faith, enriched by the diversity of spiritual traditions and remaining in contact with their Christian communities of origin. I also invite the leaders of those countries which receive these new groups to respect and defend their rights, and to allow them freely to express their faith by promoting religious freedom and the con-struction of places of worship. Religious free-dom “could become the subject of dialogue between Christians and Muslims, a dialogue whose urgency and usefulness was reiterated by the Synod Fathers”.[30]
35. Some Catholics born in the Middle East, whether out of necessity, weariness or despair, make the dramatic decision to abandon the land of their ancestors, their family and their believing community. Others, full of hope, choose to remain in their country and community. I encourage the latter to reaffirm their praiseworthy commitment and to remain firm in the faith. Other Catholics decide on a course at least as heartrending as that of their brothers and sis-ters in the Middle East who emigrate; fleeing from unsure prospects in the hope of building a better future, they choose to come to the countries of the region in order to live and work. Native and immigrant Catholics together constitute the current reality of Catholicism in the region.
36. As Pastor of the universal Church, I wish to say a word to all the Catholics of the region, whether native or recently arrived, realizing that in recent years their proportionate numbers have come closer together: for God there is only one people and for believers only one faith! Strive to live in unity and respect, and in frater-nal communion with one another in mutual love and esteem, so as to be credible witnesses to your faith in the death and resurrection of Christ! God will hear your prayer, he will bless your way of life and give you his Spirit to enable you to bear the burden of the day. For “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Cor 3:17). To Christians who were experiencing similar situations Saint Peter wrote the following words of exhortation which I willingly address to you: “Now who is there to harm you, if you are zealous for what is right? … Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts rever-ence Christ the Lord. Always be prepared to make a defence to anyone who calls you to ac-count for the hope that is in you”
(1 Pet 3:13-15).
Next Sunday: Part Two
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MASS TIMES FOR CHRISTMAS
Monday 24/12/2012:
6:00pm Christmas Eve Mass, and 12:00am Midnight Solemn Mass
6:00pm Christmas Eve Mass, and 12:00am Midnight Solemn Mass
Tuesday 25/12/2012: Birth of our Lord
Masses:
Arabic: 7:30, 8:45, 11:15am, 5:30pm &
English: 10:00am, 7:00pm
Wednesday 26/12/2012: Congratulating Mary
Masses:
Masses:
Arabic: 7:30, 8:45, 11:15am and 5:30pm . &
English: 10:00 am
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