Wednesday 6th January 2021, in the Season of Christmas

The world of matter also belongs to the true God

Today, within the context of Christmas, we contemplate Jesus walking on water. Who could do it – by his own power — but the one that was conceived virginally? Jesus is God and, as such, He has power over the matter

There are two moments in the story of Jesus when God intervenes directly in the material world: His virginal conception and the resurrection from the Tomb. These two moments are a scandal to the modern spirit. God is “allowed” to act in ideas and thoughts, in the spiritual domain–but not in the material. That is shocking! But… God is God and he does not operate merely on the level of ideas; the matter also belongs to Him.

God’s creative power embraces the whole of being. In that sense the virgin birth and the real resurrection from the tomb are the cornerstones of faith. If God does not also have power over the matter, then He simply is not God. But He does have this power… and wanders naturally over the waters..

5th January 2021

The Mystery of the Eucharist prolongs the Mystery of the Incarnation

(Fr. Imo)

Today, still immersed in Christmas time, the liturgy offers us – in a “projected” approach – the story of the first multiplication of Loaves and Fish. Jesus is the “God-with-us” (“Emmanuel”); He is because He came to dwell among us and to stay with us, through the Eucharistic bread: the mystery of the Eucharist is a “prolongation” of the mystery of the Incarnation.

The manger is the place where animals find their food. But now, lying in the manger, is He who called himself the true “bread come down from heaven”, the true nourishment that we need in order to be fully ourselves. This is the food that gives us true life, eternal life…

— Thus, the Manger becomes a reference to the table of God, to which we are invited so as to receive the bread of God. From the poverty of Jesus’ birth emerges the miracle in which man’s redemption is mysteriously accomplished!

Monday 4th January 2021, in the Season of Christmas
( Fr. Bassols Imo)

The “light” of Bethlehem

Today, between the Lord’s Epiphany (= manifestation) and his Baptism (a second “epiphany”), we contemplate the theme of “light”, something that impregnates the whole Christmas Cycle. The idea —taken from Isaiah— that from “upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone”, was already present in the liturgy of the Holy Night.

“Light” means above all knowledge, truth, contrasting with the darkness of falsehood and ignorance. And thus light teaches us how to live, it shows us the way. Furthermore light, while giving warmth, also means love. Where there is love, a light appears in the world; where there is hate, the world remains in the darkness. In the crib of Bethlehem the great light that the world is expecting undoubtedly rises.

—The light of Bethlehem never went out. Wherever faith in that Child is born, charity also flourished. A trail of light, love and truth coming from Bethlehem permeates the centuries.

Saturday 2nd January 2021

Happy 34th birthday to Fr. Imo.

Today’s readings are about identity and mission. The contemporaries of John the Baptist were keen to know whether he was the “Christ”, the Anointed One—a title that he stoutly rejected, as we see in today’s Gospel. The first reading, on the other hand, warns against those who could not subsequently recognize Jesus as the Christ. The reading is an exhortation to be firm in faith and not to be led astray, for those who share in the anointing of Christ, the Messiah.

John the Baptist is clear about his identity and mission. His baptism is efficacious, but is not as complete as the baptism that Jesus will administer. Jesus too is clear about his own identity and mission: to be the loving face of his Father for a world in need of redemption, and to confer upon all the power of the Spirit.

A common identity we share is that of being children of God, our loving Father. May we also live out our common mission: to renew the face of the earth by the power of His Spirit.

Tuesday, December 29, 2020
Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas

“The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2:33–35

When something truly supernatural takes place, the human mind that grasps that supernatural event is filled with wonder and awe. For Mother Mary and Saint Joseph, their minds were continually filled with a holy amazement at what they were witnessing.

First there was the Annunciation to our Blessed Mother. Then the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream. Then the miraculous birth took place. Shepherds came to adore their child and revealed that a multitude of angels had appeared to them. Shortly after this, the Magi from the East showed up to do homage to their child. And today we are given the story of Simeon in the Temple. He spoke of the supernatural revelation he had received about this Child. Time after time, the miracle of what was taking place was placed before Mother Mary and Saint Joseph, and each time they responded with wonder and awe.

Though we are not blessed to encounter this supernatural event of the Incarnation in the same way that Mary and Joseph did, we are nonetheless able to share in their “amazement” and their “wonder and awe” by prayerfully pondering this supernatural event. The mystery of Christmas, which is a manifestation of God becoming man, is an event that transcends all time and space. It’s a spiritual reality of supernatural origin and is therefore an event that our minds of faith have full access to. Just like Mother Mary and Saint Joseph, we must hear the angel at the Annunciation, the angel in Joseph’s dream, we must witness the shepherds and Magi and, today, we must rejoice with Simeon as he gazed upon the newborn Messiah, the Savior of the World.

Reflect, today, upon how fully you have allowed your mind to engage the incredible mystery that we celebrate this holy season. Have you taken time to prayerfully read the story once again? Are you able to sense the joy and fulfillment experienced by Simeon and Anna? Have you spent time considering the minds and hearts of Mother Mary and Saint Joseph as they experienced that first Christmas? Let this deep supernatural mystery of our faith touch you this Christmas season in such a way that you, too, are “amazed” at what we celebrate.

Sunday 27th December 2020,

Holy Family: Jesus’ family deserves the title “Holy”

(Fr. Imo)

Today, we are celebrating the Holy Family of Nazareth. It is a most suitable context because Christmas is the Feast of the family par excellence. This is demonstrated by numerous traditions and social customs, especially the practice of gathering together as a family. Jesus willed to be born and to grow up in a human family; He had the Virgin Mary as his mother and Joseph who acted as his father; they raised and educated him with immense love.

Jesus’ family truly deserves the title “Holy”, for it was fully engaged in the desire to do the will of God. On the one hand, it was a family like all others and as such, it is a model of conjugal love, collaboration, sacrifice and entrustment to divine Providence, hard work and solidarity; in short, of all those values that the family safeguards and promotes, making an important contribution to forming the fabric of every society.

—Today we thank God, but also the Virgin Mary and St Joseph, who with much faith and willingness cooperated in the Lord’s plan of salvation.

Saturday 26th December 2020, Solemnity of the Octave of Christmas.

Stephen, First Martyr

Today, our minds still bathed in the light of Bethlehem, we are commemorating St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. The One stirring in the manger is in fact the Son of God made man who asks us to witness courageously to his Gospel as did Stephen. He, like his Master, died forgiving his persecutors and thus makes us realize that the entry into the world of the Son of God gives rise to the civilization of love.

Stephen is also the Church’s first deacon. In becoming a servant of the poor for love of Christ, he gradually enters into full harmony with him and follows Christ to the point of making the supreme gift of himself. The martyr is one who dies knowing with certainty that he is loved by God, who puts nothing before love of Christ, knowing that he has chosen the better part.

—The Feast of St. Stephen reminds us also of the believers in various parts of the world who, because of their faith, are subjected to suffering. Let us strive to sustain them with prayer!

THE MYSTERY OF CHRISTMAS

A mystery it will always be!

Not a puzzle to be solved,

but an act of God…

to ponder in joyous wonder!

God became man!

an incredible paradox in history.

But how can we contemplate this mystery?

Not by our own intellect or will power,

But rather a call and grace!

Leading us to the Altar,

The place of encounter with God!

May Jesus be reborn in your heart and life during Christmas 2020 and every day of the New Year 2021.
May He radiate His presence from within you as sharing love, unconditional forgiveness, humble service, a compassionate heart and overflowing generosity. May the Holy Baby of Bethlehem bless you with health in body and soul and grant you a peaceful and blessed New Year. I assure you of my special prayers during my Christmas Holy Masses and every day in the New Year.

Fr. Bassols Imo Donald.

Tuesday 22nd December 2020, 4th Week of Advent.

The “Magnificat” of Virgin Mary

Today’s while still at Elizabeth and Zechariha’s house, we listen to the “Magnificat”, this great hymn coming from the lips, better said, from the Heart of Mary, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. “My soul magnifies —”magnificat”— the Lord”; all her life programme is stated here: She doesn’t want to be a leading figure but give all the space to God. Mary is great just because she didn’t want to make herself great. She knows that only when God is great is man great too.

“Magnificat” is entirely original, but at the same it is a “cloth” embroidered with “threads” from the Old Testament, made by the Word of God. We realize then that Maria was “at home”: She lived from the Word of God and was impregnated by it. The divine wise light penetrated her and this is why she was so gracious, so kind, so gleaming with love.

—”For henceforth all generations will call me blessed”: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus!