Fr. Bob’s Weekly Reflections

Today’s Gospel focuses on Joseph, the quiet, steadfast figure who we often call the Foster Father of Jesus. He is sometimes the most overlooked person in the Christmas story, yet his faith and obedience made all the difference.

During the 1960s and early 1970s, the “peace sign” seemed to be everywhere. It appeared on T-shirts, jewelry, flags. It was even painted on walls and stitched onto blue jeans. It’s a simple design – a circle divided by lines forming a kind of broken cross. It became a symbol of protest, hope and unity. The sign made a comeback in the 1990s, but few people today know its true origin or intended meaning.

John the Baptist stands as the commanding figure in today’s Gospel. He is a man sure of his mission, ignited with purpose. He is God’s prophet, bold and confident in his message. Strong and fearless, John acts without hesitation.

One phrase we often hear during the Christmas season is, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Interestingly, this line doesn’t appear in any of the Gospels, but St. Paul tells us that Jesus Himself taught this idea.

Years ago, a newspaper columnist reported on an unusual story about people trying to remove unwanted tattoos. Many of the people quoted in the article were young men and women, regretting the designs made on their skin in permanent ink, that once seemed like a good idea. They soon discovered that tattoo removal was possible – although it was painful, costly and often left impressions that never completely faded.

Horatio Alger was an author known for his rags-to-riches tales. He wrote stories about how the underdog rises to success through goodwill, hard work and determination. People have always been drawn to these kinds of stories: when the misfit becomes the star quarterback on the football team, or when the understudy takes the stage and steals the show.

I once heard a story about a group of third graders who were asked to draw a picture based on the sentence: “He will come again in glory.” One child drew Jesus stepping off a jumbo jet onto a red carpet, with photographers flashing their cameras. Another pictured Him riding in a limousine with a police escort. 

Today we read about the two thieves crucified with Jesus. Their names are not recorded in Scripture, though tradition gives the name “Dismas” to the repentant thief. Both men shared in the same cruel, humiliating and public death. Both hung beside our Lord. They were both condemned justly, while Jesus was condemned unjustly. Yet the choices the thieves made could not have been more different.

What Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel isn’t easy to hear. He speaks of wars, earthquakes, famine and plague – all things we would rather avoid. Sadly, we don’t need St. Luke’s Gospel to learn of such tragedies. A glance at a newspaper or a few minutes of nightly television reveal more than enough heartbreak and destruction.

Our first reading today is one of the most remarkable stories in all of Hebrew literature. It tells of a mother who is forced to watch her seven sons die a brutal death, all in a single day.