Pastor's Reflection

The Christmas Season concludes as the Advent Season began – with St. John the Baptist.

And the first thing that John does is try to “prevent” Jesus from being baptized by him, John.

John says, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?”

Even John. Even John who leapt in the womb at the presence of Jesus. Even John of whom Jesus says there is no man born of woman greater than John the Baptist.

Even John.

John did not fully understand the ways of Jesus. Even John needed to learn, to yield, to let go, to give in for now.

Sometimes we can make the mistake that if we are connected to Jesus then everything has to go right. We make the common mistake that being connected to Jesus means we will understand everything, that we can intervene, adjust and fix immediately those situations, things, and events that aren’t going as we expect.

Results are a clever drug that can even infect our relationship with God. Even us.

And when John gives in to God, it is then that John sees heaven … “the heavens were opened …”

Sometimes our own predetermined will can be a subtle obstacle to deeper connection with God. But God works patiently, in the depths of the soul to free us from even ourselves. Therein is John the Baptist’s greatness.

Jesus comes toward us, too, just as He came toward John. And Jesus is patient. He works to free us even from ourselves so that He can show us the mysteries of His abundant grace. Yes, even us.

God bless,

Msgr. Bransfield

The Magi walk in one day, laden with gifts, and ask for directions. Herod happens to be in. He is a man easily missed; he could have been out expanding his kingdom.

The Magi tell the King that they are led by a presence. Herod is “greatly disturbed.” His contagious anxiety shows on his face and his hands as he grips his throne. Give him tax problems any day, but not this. He hears from these foreign visitors that a new King is born, an infant King. And Herod, at the least little word of newness, trembles.

Even with his army, political contacts, and operatives, Herod still needs absolute control. With all his parades, conquests, medals, and monuments, he remains unsure of himself and must still proudly defend every token of reputation and respect. When the least little rumor threatens that reign, all he can do is worry. His accomplishments, many as they are, can’t protect him from his worst, unconquerable enemy - himself. He has never learned the beauty of surrender, and so all those around him must pay the price.

Herod is so fragile in his insecurity he needs the easy way out; after fear, it is sloth that reigns in his sad heart: he sends strangers to do his dirty work. He tells them to go and find out detailed information about the child. Notice also Herod’s twice repeated need for “exact time” and “detailed information,” as if knowing it all will impress those who may ask. He runs the familiar yet futile perfectionistic plan. His kingdom begins to suffocate from within. And threatened by the child, this all-too worldly King settles on a solution. Murder. The newborn king thus incurs his first criminal offense, this first accusation will be the same his last, just before the Cross: sedition.

This is a most fascinating infant-King. He is given costly gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. One of the first acts of the newborn king is to let these riches go. He does not take the gold and buy the inn and fire the innkeeper (This has puzzled me ever since I was old enough to see over the pews in church!). Instead, He chooses poverty. He does not form a political alliance with these kings, making them honorary apostles. Even though He could have certainly used their clout later.

Where do we fit in? After coming to the stable the Wise Men moved on from the star and began to follow their dreams. The light moves from the heavens to their heart.

To find what gives the star its light and the dreams their depth, look at the Cross. Come, let us adore Him!

A blessed Epiphany!

Msgr. Brian BransfieldTT

By now the angel knows his way through St. Joseph's dreams.

The first time the angel came to St. Joseph was to strengthen him to accept being the foster father of the Son of God: "Joseph, Son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is by the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her" (Mt. 1:20).

But then, after the birth of Jesus, something of Joseph's fear returns. King Herod has heard about the newborn infant King and wants to slaughter Him. Then, as now, worldly power fears innocence.

And so, the angel slips into Jospeh's dream again and whispers: "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" (Mt. 2:13). Now this ordinary carpenter has King Herod after him? In God's plan, the least likely St. Joseph is now the Guardian of the Redeemer.

And then, in exile in Egypt, the angel returns to St. Joseph after the death of Herod. "Rise, take the child and His mother and go to the land of Israel for those who sought the child's life are dead" (Mt. 2:20). And Jospeh obeys. The third dream. But then Joseph hears that Archelaus is ruling in Israel in place of his father Herod. Joseph's fear returns.

Joseph has heard angels and been guided by them. And still he fears. The angel again returns and guides Joseph, through yet another dream, to Galilee (Mt. 2:22). His fear is not a fixated, frantic, disturbance. It is a guided care for Christ Himself. Joseph's fear becomes the raw material which angels now transform into a path for God.

And the angels do this not through hurried overreaction, hasty outbursts of mood, or rushed darts of control fired here and there. They do it through Joseph's dreams. Joseph's dreams are his own, but they also now belong to heaven. If even angels are patient with fear, we can be too. Virtuous patience transforms fear into dreams.

God bless, Msgr. Brian Bransfield