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Dear Preachers:
PRE-NOTE: Imagine being locked up for 30 or 40
years in a cell with only a tiny recreation yard. That’s how long some of the
prisoners we list each week have been on death row. It’s a new year for us, and
for them. Would you consider sending them a card or brief note? I list three
names each week down below.
 The reading from Isaiah today is
full of good news. It comes from the "Book of Consolation" (Isaiah 40–55),
written during a time when Assyria had fallen, Babylon was weakening, and God
was preparing to rescue the enslaved Israelites. They were a broken people, and
God, like a tender shepherd, forgave their sins, offered comfort, and promised
to gently lead them to freedom.
The passage begins, “Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God.” The
verb is plural and suggests that God is calling a group to speak words of
consolation to those in need. The phrase “my people” reflects God’s covenantal
relationship with Israel, even in their suffering. Despite their sins, God
remains faithful, and their time of hardship is declared over.
Though the promised relief is not yet visible, the people are urged to act in
hope, removing obstacles to God’s arrival: “In the desert prepare the way of the
Lord.” This is a call to trust in God’s promise and start preparing for
deliverance, even before it is evident.
The scene then shifts to Jerusalem, a city in ruins. The people are called to
proclaim that their victorious God is coming to free them, to voice hope in what
is not yet visible. This mission of proclaiming good news and hope was central
to Jesus’ ministry, guided by the Spirit given to him at his baptism—a Spirit we
also receive in our baptism. We, too, are called to be heralds of good news.
At his baptism, Jesus prayed, expressing his dependence on God and identifying
fully with humanity. Like those at John’s baptism seeking renewal, we also look
for a fresh start as we begin the new year. We hope for a stirring of the Spirit
within us to live out our baptismal identity as disciples of Jesus, bringing
good news to those in need.
The Spirit comes upon Jesus while he is praying. Prayer is a key theme
throughout Luke’s gospel. Nothing important happens for Jesus in this gospel
apart from prayer. Prayer must accompany the disciple’s ministry as well. Prayer
opens the disciple’s eyes and ears so we can recognize Jesus when he appears
disguised in the clothes of the ordinary people and events of our day.
Luke emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ baptism. While the actual
baptism is briefly mentioned, Luke focuses on the Spirit’s descent and the
divine voice proclaiming Jesus as the “beloved Son” in whom God is well pleased.
This marks Jesus’ anointing for mission, a mission shared with us through the
Spirit. As Paul reminds us, the Spirit prays within us, even when we cannot find
the words ourselves. Through the Spirit, we encounter God’s presence within and
around us.
The Spirit not only empowers us for prayer, but also sends us on mission. Like
Jesus, we are called to heal the sick, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and
visit the imprisoned—all in his name. These acts may not make headlines, but
they reflect the Gospel lived out in daily life.
For Luke, prayer is central to Jesus’ life. Before every major event—choosing
disciples, announcing his passion, the transfiguration—Jesus prays. In the Acts
of the Apostles, Luke shows how prayer empowers the disciples with the Spirit to
serve God amid challenges. Prayer integrates faith into daily life, sustaining
us in hope and mission as we await Jesus’ return. Is prayer at the center of our
lives as disciples?
Through Baptism, we are not only united with Jesus but also joined to a
community of faith and mission. Following Jesus is not an individual endeavor
but a shared journey of proclaiming the Gospel together.
Someone recently asked if I knew the date of my Baptism. I didn’t. I know my
birthdate, but Baptism wasn’t celebrated with the same enthusiasm. Growing up,
it seemed like a rite of initiation—a way to “join the club” and begin the
journey to heaven. But Baptism is far more than a formality.
At our Baptism, the same Spirit that descended upon Jesus comes upon us. As one
prayer for blessing baptismal waters says:
"Praise to you, God, the Holy Spirit. For you anointed Christ at his baptism in
the waters of the Jordan, so that we might all be baptized in you."
This prayer reminds us that baptism commissions us to announce the good news of
Jesus Christ to the world. The voice from heaven identified Jesus as “Son” and
“Beloved,” sending him to proclaim and embody God’s reign. Through baptism, we
share in this call to reconciliation and mission, empowered by the same Spirit.
Click here for a link to this Sunday’s readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011225.cfm
JUSTICE BULLETIN BOARD
“Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God.”
Isaiah 40:1
On this, the last day of the Christmas season, we are invited to think of the
meaning of our baptism. Jesus’ baptism signaled that his saving mission is
inaugurated; a reign of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (If you are a
Star Wars fan, you might say that Jesus is the original JEDI* master). How has
Baptism transformed your life?
I bring this up because the Vatican Council II document on the laity tells us
that social action on behalf of creating a more just world is our pre-eminent
responsibility. The World Synod of Bishops in 1971 declared, in “Justice in the
World” that “Action on behalf of justice and participation in the transformation
of the world fully appear to us as a constitutive [enacted or established]
dimension of the preaching of the Gospel.” And now, when the year is brand new,
is the best time to re-examine what we are each doing to bring justice to the
injustices of the world, starting with our own sphere of influence. And since
January is Poverty Awareness Month, begin by examining why poverty exists and
what systems need to change. Poverty Awareness Month is observed in January
every year, all month long. Did you know that the U.S. ranks second highest in
poverty rates among its peer countries? Poverty is not only a charity issue; it
is also a justice issue. Why are so many people impoverished in the richest
country in the world? Poverty Awareness Month is about taking an opportunity to
learn more about this social ill, raise awareness among others, and understand
how everyone can help.
To receive educational e-mails from USCCB Secretariat of Justice and Peace:
Justice and Peace | USCCB
To take the Salt & Light Assessment Tool for your Faith Community: Communities
of Salt & Light | USCCB
To receive Action Alerts from USCCB: Action Center
At the parish level: Consider accompanying a poor person to get an inside view
of what they face. We have several outreach ministries to do this. To get
involved at HNOJ Cathedral in the work to end poverty:
socialconcern@hnojnc.org
“Give comfort to my people” declares the Lord. As you are transformed in
baptism, may you be transformational on the issue of poverty.
*credit for this acronym goes to Montessori Schools
Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director
Office of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries
Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh, NC
FAITH BOOK
Mini-reflections on the Sunday scripture readings designed for persons on the
run. “Faith Book” is also brief enough to be posted in the Sunday parish
bulletins people take home.
From today’s Gospel reading:
After all the people were baptized
and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying,
heaven opened and the Holy Spirit
descended upon him in bodily form like a dove.
Reflection:
The Spirit comes upon Jesus while he is praying. Prayer is a key theme
throughout Luke’s gospel. Nothing important happens for Jesus in this gospel
apart from prayer. Prayer must accompany the disciple’s ministry as well. Prayer
opens the disciple’s eyes and ears so we can recognize Jesus when he appears
disguised in the clothes of the ordinary people and events of our day.
So, we ask ourselves:
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Do I treat prayer as a formality each day, something I am “supposed to do?”
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As a person in the world, what steps can I take to begin to deepen my prayer
life?
POSTCARDS TO DEATH ROW INMATES
“One has to strongly affirm that condemnation to the death penalty is an inhuman
measure that humiliates personal dignity, in whatever form it is carried out."
---Pope Francis
Inmates on death row are the most forgotten people in the prison system. Each
week I am posting in this space several inmates’ names and locations. I invite
you to write a postcard to one or more of them to let them know that: we have
not forgotten them; are praying for them and their families; or, whatever
personal encouragement you might like to give them. If the inmate responds, you
might consider becoming pen pals.
Please write to:
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Andre Fletcher #0130628 (On death row since 12/9/1999)
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Terry Hyatt #0199877 (2/7/2000)
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Cerron Hooks #0561692 (2/9/2000)
----Central Prison P.O. 247 Phoenix, MD 21131
Please note: Central Prison is in Raleigh, NC., but for security purposes, mail
to inmates is processed through a clearing house at the above address in
Maryland.
For more information on the Catholic position on the death penalty go to the
Catholic Mobilizing Network: http://catholicsmobilizing.org/resources/cacp/
On this page you can sign “The National Catholic Pledge to End the Death
Penalty.” Also, check the interfaith page for People of Faith Against the Death
Penalty: http://www.pfadp.org/
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RESOURCES
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