THE DAY

DEVOTIONAL

Every year the same question arises: when was Jesus born?

 What is certain – according to an ancient convention of the Catholic Church – is that we celebrate his Glorious Birth in order to «christianise» the pagan celebration of the winter solstice.

Is it important to know the exact day? Not at all. This is for the simple reason that what is important is the fulfilment of the prophecy that in humble Bethlehem, the child who would change the history of mankind would be born.

All the rest is merely an unnecessary distraction from what is truly important. As always, we lose our way in a froth of fanciful speculation, thus losing sight of what is significant and relevant.

The Word was made Flesh and God left for us his message of salvation, which is the fundamental reason for His presence in the land promised to Abraham.

Jesus was born of His people and among His people, possibly on a day at the beginning of autumn in the Orient, the day which we celebrate with great joy this month.

Matthew 1: 20-21
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

 Diego Acosta / Neide Ferreira

Traducción: Sthepen Down

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THAT WHICH IS HIDDEN

DEVOTIONAL

When we become aware of an alarming or otherwise difficult situation, we should be extremely careful: to form a seriously wrong opinion is all too easy; we may even be tempted to cast judgement on those involved.

For several days, after being told about a very difficult situation affecting a family – who are our friends – these thoughts were in my mind and close to my heart.

After stifling the temptation to open my mouth, and thus cast judgement, the Holy Spirit imposed upon me self control and I began to pray. This was wise, not as far as I personally was concerned but as regards the Spirit: very soon afterwards I learned something about this troubling family drama that earlier I’d been unaware of.

Thus I understood the wisdom of holding my tongue and the importance of obeying the work of the Spirit, so as not to cast judgement and to hope that that which is hidden will be revealed. To have done otherwise would have been doubly wrong: not only would I have judged the situation; that judgement would have been mistaken.

Matthew 10:26
Fear them not therefore:
for there is nothing covered,
that shall not be revealed;
and hid, that shall not be known.

Diego Acosta / Neide Ferreira
Translation: Stephen Downs

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