December 24 and 31, 2023

“And in that region, there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes 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, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!’” (Luke 2:8-14).

God was born for us, what a consolation.

Because of the plan to reorganize the Church in Western Washington, over the last six months I’ve struggled at times not knowing if I am staying or going – not knowing if this will be my last Christmas with you! Yet through this and all of life’s many challenges, I’ve always had Our Lord and His Mother right by my side to guide me and console me. I can’t imagine life without Them.

Regardless of what is going on in the world or in our personal lives, we can have supernatural peace and joy when our lives are centered on Jesus Christ. We can have that peace, because God has come down from heaven in the divine person of Jesus Christ to give us His Catholic Church, His Word, the Sacraments, communion with Him, and consolation from Him. So let us give thanks and praise to God for the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace (a peace the world cannot give or understand).

Let us also resolve to serve Jesus Christ in the coming year, a year that may come with great challenges for the world—challenges that may be scary or depressing for people without a relationship with Jesus Christ, challenges that we can help others manage better because of our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Please strive in the coming year to share your relationship with Jesus with others, others who may not have the clarity and peace we take for granted, knowing why we’re here, that Jesus walks with us, and where we’re going. To that end, please keep working on daily prayer and spiritual reading until it becomes a habit (good habits are hard to break too). Please strive to live the seven precepts of the Church: 1) attend Mass on holy days of obligation (Sundays are always holy days of obligation); 2) Confession at least once a year (ideally monthly); 3) receive Holy Communion at least once a year (must be in a state of grace – hence the sacrament of Confession); 4) observe the Church’s laws on fasting and abstinence; 5) observe the Church’s (God’s) laws on marriage; 6) be a steward of the Church through the commitment of your time, talent and treasure; 7) evangelize according to ability and opportunity. If one is trying to live all these things, especially in our secular age, then God will grant that person (you and others because of you) great graces. You’ll have far more answers and peace of mind if you do.

May Almighty God Bless You,

I Love You,