Learn by Topic: Virgin Birth

In today’s Gospel from the Mass (Mark 3:31-35), many people mistakenly think that the Scriptures refer to blood brothers of Jesus and that Mary bore children after the virgin birth of Jesus.

[31]  And his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside they sent to him and called him.  [32] And a crowd was sitting about him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, asking for you.”  [33] And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brothers?”  [34] And looking around on those who sat about him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!  [35] Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

Confusion about this passage is based on ignorance of ancient Jewish culture, the Hebrew and Greek languages and the Church Magisterium.   (more…)

“Christ-miss” in the Modern World

While the feast of “Christ’s-Mass” dates back to at least the 2^nd Century, much of the modern world has lost sight of the mysterious and wonderful Advent of Christ.  For many Christians, rather than renewal in Christ, Christmas is perhaps better described as “Christ-miss”.  “Christ-miss” is celebrated with rampant consumerism, holiday gift-giving, family reunions, partying, vacations and perhaps even attending Christmas Mass, while “missing” the opportunity to renew their faith in Christ.

Like the slumbering world that missed Christ’s quiet birth in a Bethlehem stable 2000 years ago, many are sleeping during Advent, embracing “Christ-miss” rather than “Christ-Mass.”  They miss the great miracle of Christ’s continued rule in the modern world; they miss the opportunity to draw closer to Christ and to experience His lasting peace and joy.  Instead, in the deprived darkness of the modern secular “Christ-miss” world, people suffer in darkness, lost in the self-absorption of sinful addictions, lost in battles to promote sexual liberation, the killing of children and the control of the nation’s wealth, lost in transient relationships, broken marriages and the loneliness of going it alone.

The Advent of the Divine Child

Into this broken world, the Light of Christ continues to shine brilliantly during Advent.   (more…)