Sunday, January 20, 2013

The Fourth Glass of Wine

Ironically, on a day when we read about the Wedding at Cana, I learned something new about Jesus and wine.  

Not about His first public miracle with wine, mind you, but His last...

I learned that during the Passover meal, it is customary to have four glasses of wine.  The fourth glass basically consummates the event.

Based on the actions at the Last Supper, and specific Passover traditions, it is believed that Jesus only had three glasses of wine at the Last Supper.  (For example, he drinks a glass with the bread - typically the third glass of wine in the tradition.  Then He tells his Apostles that He "will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the Kingdom of God comes.")

He did not have the fourth glass, signaling the end of His Passover (and His sacrifice), until he sipped from that hyssop branch and finally declared "It is finished."

God Bless.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

And He Waits

We drive past Him to work.  

And He waits.

We drive past Him on the way home.

And He waits.

We jog past him during our morning runs.

And He waits.

We bring the kids to school, practice, camp, friend's houses.

And He waits.

We pass Him as we go to dinners, parties, functions and stores.

And He waits.

And here is the irony....

If someone told us Jesus was sitting in our Church waiting for us, we would no doubt drop what we were doing and drive like mad to get there to see Him.  

And yet, one of the unique things about our faith as Catholics is that we believe our Savior is present in the Eucharist.

Truly present.

Which means He sits in the tabernacle every single day except Good Friday.  

Waiting for us to visit Him as we go about our daily lives.

God Bless.

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Starring Roles in Today's Epiphany

As I heard the Gospel today, it dawned on me that the Epiphany wasn't a one-time story.

It repeats itself even today.

And the stars are as follows:

  1. Jesus as Himself.  While He is no longer an infant, He is certainly present for us to visit every day in the Eucharist.  
  2. Those involved in abortions as Herod.  Herod killing all boys age two and under sounds like barbaric history.  It was. But it also happens today - in even greater numbers.
  3. Some of us as the Magi.  There are some who seek Him, not only at Mass, but in other people as well.  They pay respect to Him.  And venerate in awe of Him.
  4. Others of us as the rest of the world.  Yes, the wise men and shepherds proclaimed the wonder of God.  And sometimes we are like them.  But the rest of the world most likely went about their daily lives - oblivious to His presence right in front of them.  And, unfortunately, we are also sometimes like them as well.
When we aren't starring as the Magi or Others, we have the opportunity to pray.  

To pray that we never lose sight of Him, the way the wise men never lost sight of that star.  To pray that when we find our Savior, we acknowledge His presence and pay Him the homage he deserves.  And to pray that those who practice abortion have a change of heart and repent.    

God Bless.