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A Reading from the Book of Sirach
Sir 3:2-7, 12-14
By keeping in mind that the point of this passage (God's word to us) is conditioned by time and culture, a modern Christian can succeed from learning from it.
Respect, reverence, and love are values that should be cherished. Take care of your parents when they are old. Show love and care, even if you soothe your conscience with the fact that he/she is well taken care of in an old people's home far away! "Blessed is everyone who fears [ shows filial respect to] the Lord, who walks in his ways. Nature, hence, God, want the family!
The Responsorial Psalm is that that we put our trust in Jesus because of his love and kindness and that he has done great things for us, so we should be filled with joy and love for him and to be like him
in your self-giving. He raises up the lowly from the dust; from the dunghill he lifts up the poor. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. The Lord hears the cry of the poor!
A Reading, From the Letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians
Col 3:12-21
The holy family, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph must have cherished the values brought out in this Bible passage. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you." Why not try regular family Bible reading, with a discussion afterward and an improvised prayer by one member of the family at the end?
The idea of wives being "subordinate to [ their] husbands" may not appeal to "women's lib"; however, where there is genuine love, constantly fostered, a mutual pattern of "doing the loving thing" spontaneously originates. Love and bitterness are incompatible.
In the Gospel of Matthew
Mt. 2:13-15, 19-23
Writing as a Jew for Christians of Jewish background, Matthew wants to present Jesus as recapitulating the history of Israel in his life. Israel was in Egypt. Matthew sees Jesus as a second Moses and the true Israel, God's chosen one. I order to bring this out, he uses this symbolic narrative.
Leaving evangelical explanations up to Bible scholars, we ask: What is the point, God's word to me? Today it may be Joseph's (hence any family man's) care for his wife and child, related to a firm faith in God. "Eternal Father, we want to live as Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, in peace with you and one another.
Newsy Notes
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Deacon Bob Brazier, CRE
Merry Christmas !
and a
Happy new Year!
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"PSR"
Remember our last PSR class will be on the 18th of December
Will resume on January 8th
"CONFIRMATION"
Our Net Ministry will be here once again.
The 8th Grade class will have their retreat January 14th starting at 9:00am
here at St. Thomas More
"Remember"
Our next 8th Grade Confirmation Class will be held in Faith Formation Room at 11:15 on January 15th
Address future PSR and Sacramental Preparation Questions to:
Deacon Bob Brazier at bbrazier@sttm.org
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