A tribute to a mother’s sacrifice

Achraf Hakimi, the Morocco star

In the Qatar World Cup an unlikely hero was born. No his name is not Ronaldo or Kane or Messi. It was Achraf Hakimi, the Moroccan defender whose decisive penalty saw his team overcome Spain in the round of 16 at the World Cup, and then led his team into the semi-finals. His is a truly inspirational rags-to-riches story. This is a player who came from nowhere to rise to the top of the sport; a man whose humble background is living proof that you can achieve anything if you have the right support, drive and determination. He had the humblest of upbringings in Madrid, with his mother a cleaner, his father a street vendor, and the family constantly living on the breadline. Yet, despite their hardships, his parents did everything they could to make their son’s football dream come true. And the dream has certainly come true with Hakimi now regarded as one of the best right-backs in world football, a regular with star-studded Paris Saint-Germain and a national hero in Morocco. He once said of his parents: “They sacrificed everything for me. Today I fight every day for them.” Interestingly, Hakimi could have been playing for Spain, the country of his birth, but instead, he chose to represent Morocco, a considerably less glamourous option, as a tribute to his parents, who immigrated to the African country in search of a better life. And how did Hakimi celebrate his historic goal? Not by milking the moment or trying to bask in the glory. No, he ran over to the side of the pitch and into the stands to hug his mother. I don’t think there was a nicer, more heart-warming story than the tale of Achraf Hakimi. I hope he inspires many other young lads to follow their dreams. And for parents to give them their support to do so. Morocco plays France in the second semi-final today, with the winner meeting Argentina on Sunday in the final.

Saint Lucy

We celebrate today the feast of Saint Lucy, one of the early young martyrs of the Catholic Church. Lucy's name means "light", with the same root as "lucid" which means "clear and radiant." This brave woman who lived in Syracuse lost her life in the persecution of Christians in the early fourth century. Her veneration spread to Rome so that by the sixth century the whole Church recognized her courage in defense of the faith. Because people wanted to shed light on Lucy's bravery, legends grew up. The one that is passed down to us tells the story of a young Christian woman who had vowed her life to the service of Christ. Her mother tried to arrange a marriage for her with a pagan. Lucy apparently knew that her mother would not be convinced by a young girl's vow so she devised a plan to convince her mother that Christ was a much more powerful partner for life. Eventually her mother listened to Lucy's desire and she committed her life to God. Unfortunately, her bridegroom did not see the same light and he betrayed Lucy to the governor as a Christian. This governor tried to send her into prostitution but the guards who came to take her away found her stiff and heavy as a mountain. Finally she was killed. Lucy's name is probably also connected to statues of Lucy holding a dish with two eyes on it. This refers to another legend in which Lucy's eyes were gouged out by Diocletian as part of his torture, just because she had the most beautiful eyes. The legend concludes with God restoring Lucy's eyes. Lucy's name also played a large part in naming Lucy as a patron saint of the blind and those with eye-trouble. 

Our Lady of Guadalupe

The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is one of the most treasured among Mexicans and Catholics alike. It all started in 1531 when an Aztec Indian named Juan Diego was walking through the Tepayac hill country in central Mexico. Near Tepayac Hill he encountered a beautiful woman surrounded by a ball of light as bright as the sun. Speaking in his native tongue, the beautiful lady identified herself: "My dear little son, I love you. I am the ever-virgin Mary, Mother of the true God who gives life and maintains its existence. I desire a church in this place where your people may experience my compassion.  Juan, age 57, and who had never been to Tenochtitlan, nonetheless immediately responded to Mary's request. He went to the palace of the Bishop-elect Fray Juan de Zumarraga and requested to meet immediately with the bishop, who asked him to ask the Lady to provide a sign as a proof of who she was. Juan dutifully returned to the hill and told Mary, who was again waiting for him there, of the bishop's request. Mary responded: "My little son, am I not your Mother? Do not fear. The Bishop shall have his sign. Come back to this place tomorrow. Only peace, my little son." Unfortunately, Juan was not able to return to the hill the next day. His uncle had become mortally ill and Juan stayed with him to care for him. After two days, with his uncle near death, Juan left his side to find a priest. Juan had to pass Tepayac Hill to get to the priest. As he was passing, he found Mary waiting for him. She spoke: "Do not be distressed, my littlest son. Your uncle will not die at this time. There is no reason for you to engage a priest, for his health is restored at this moment. He is quite well. Go to the top of the hill and cut the flowers that are growing there. Bring them then to me."

The original painting at the Guadalupe Cathedral

While it was freezing on the hillside, Juan obeyed Mary's instructions and went to the top of the hill where he found a full bloom of Castilian roses. Removing his tilma, a poncho-like cape made of cactus fiber, he cut the roses and carried them back to Mary. She rearranged the roses and told him:"My little son, this is the sign I am sending to the Bishop. Tell him that with this sign I request his greatest efforts to complete the church I desire in this place. Show these flowers to no one else but the Bishop." Juan told the bishop his story and opened the tilma letting the flowers fall out. But it wasn't the beautiful roses that caused the bishop and his advisors to fall to their knees; for there, on the tilma, was a picture of the Blessed Virgin Mary precisely as Juan had described her. The next day, after showing the Tilma at the Cathedral, Juan took the bishop to the spot where he first met Mary. He then returned to his village where he met his uncle who was completely cured. His uncle told him he had met a young woman, surrounded by a soft light, who told him: "Call me and call my image Santa Maria de Guadalupe". In 1977, the tilma was examined using infrared photography and digital enhancement techniques. Unlike any painting, the tilma shows no sketching or any sign of outline drawn to permit an artist to produce a painting. Further, the very method used to create the image is still unknown. The image is inexplicable in its longevity and method of production. It can be seen today in a large cathedral built to house up to ten thousand worshipers. It is, by far, the most popular religious pilgrimage site in the Western Hemisphere.

Exhibition of Baby Jesus

I share with you a stunning display of images of Baby Jesus, set up as a permanent exhibition in a private house in Birkirkara, Malta. I first was introduced to this exhibition in 2002, and visited it with my father, incidentally just 3 days before he died. A few years later, the exhibition was set up as a permanent display with over 1500 different images of Baby Jesus in various postures as you can see from these few photos. 

Two images of baby Jesus made from wax

Some of them are made from clay, plastic, ceramic, chalk or gesso, and some even from wax. Most of them represent the infant Jesus as he lies in his manger, but others represent the Infant of Prague and others showing Jesus as a toddler or as a black baby. 

Tolkien’s faith

When people mention John Ronald Tolkien (1892-1973) the majority of the people think of him simply as the author of The Hobbit, and The Lord of the Rings. Few people know how much devoted he was to the Catholic faith, which has helped him in the many trials throughout his life. He lost his parents at a very young age, and many of his close friends were killed during World War I. He saw one war after another leaving thousands of victims. He also noticed the faith of many nations go down the drains, even though compared to today, it was still fairly healthy. His faith was the light that guided him. He was very devoted to the Eucharist where he found solace and comfort. He encouraged his son Michael to be close to the Blessed Sacrament, as he told him ‘that’s where you find love, glory, fidelity, the true road to your happiness.’ Tolkien was a close friend of C. S. Lewis, and was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth in March 1972.

The necklace

One day a jeweller was watching people peeking into his shop-window to look at the jewellery displayed. A young girl was among them and had her eyes on a blue necklace, as she checked it out for a long time. After a while, she entered the shop and told the jeweller that she wanted that blue necklace and asked him to wrap it in a golden paper, as this was a gift.

‘How much money you’ve got?’ asked curiously the jeweller. The girls placed a small metal box on the counter and opened it up. ‘I’ll give you everything I have, even the box, if you want,’ the girl replied. The jeweller noticed a few coins in the box, besides a few pebbles and beads. ‘Do you think I have enough?’ said sheepishly the little girl. ‘I want to give it as a present to my sister. Today is her birthday. When our mother died, she took care of me and made sure we had everything we needed. The color of this necklace are the colors of her eyes, and I’m sure she’ll be delighted to have them and wear them.’ The jeweller quickly packed the necklace in its box and wrapped it in a golden paper with a silver ribbon, and gave it to her.

An hour later, an older girl appeared at the shop with the box in golden paper. ‘Please, could you tell me if this necklace was bought from here?’ ‘Yes it was,’ the jeweller replied.

‘How much did it cost?’ ‘I’m sorry young lady but the prices in my shop are all confidential.’

‘But sir, my sister certainly did not have enough money to buy such an expensive necklace.’

‘But she did pay for it. She paid the highest price she could afford. She gave everything she had!’ 

Immaculate Conception

Esteban Murillo - Imaculata Conception

Just imagine the millions of Christmas cards being exchanged right now, going across the globe, many of which are images of the Blessed Virgin Mary, frequently with baby Jesus and St Joseph. Just imagine the thousands upon thousands of nativities being set up and displayed around the world with the Holy Family taking center stage for the Advent and Christmas season.
The 255 million links and articles to the word ‘Our Lady’ produced by Google, besides millions of images produced, are proof of how dominant she still is in the Catholic church and in Christian culture around the world. And when I think that more than half of the parishes in my home country of Malta are dedicated to the Blessed Mother, it shows the devotion people still have towards her. Many were also the classical works written in sacred music, starting with various Gregorian chants melodies and continuing with the Magnificat, Salve Regina, Vespers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and so much more by many great composers. They all get their inspiration from the image of Mary, conceived without sin, a privilege that was only granted to her and no one else. Just as Jesus was considered the new Adam, so Mary is considered the new Eve.
In 1760, Pope Clement XIII authorized the celebration of the Immaculate Conception in the Catholic church. But it was only in 1854 that Pope Pius IX, after consulting with all the bishops of the world, pronounced and proclaimed the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception. This was a rare event, and it took another 96 years to have another Dogma proclaimed, this time the Assumption of Mary in 1950. Then another event happened that affirmed the Immaculate Conception of Mary, only 4 years later, when in 1858, the apparition at Lourdes took place, Mary revealing herself to Bernadette Soubirous as the Immaculate Conception. The Encyclical Ineffabilis Deus that proclaimed the Dogma proclaims that the Blessed Virgin Mary, “in the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin, is a doctrine revealed by God and therefore to be believed firmly and constantly by all the faithful.”

Speak Boldly and Listen Humbly

The upcoming Synod is causing quite a stir all around the world. There are those who are in favor of it, and others who are very sceptical of its outcome. In the middle of all this there is a Maltese Cardinal, Mario Grech, who is the Secretary of the Synod. He’s been criticized and called negative adjectives which should never be used in church circles. But he keeps going and working, with Pope Francis at his side. The synodal process invites people to speak freely. In fact, no synodal process can really work without candor. Pope Francis recognized this back in 2014 when he opened the first synod of his pontificate, which focused on the family. Back then, he used an expression which struck me as very precise in its description of how we should act as Catholics in this day and age. He told the gathered synod fathers to "speak boldly and without fear and listen with humility." Yes, that is the way to minister today, speak courageously and without any fear of negative comments coming from all directions, as Cardinal Grech has experienced over the past year. And then it is our duty also to listen with humility, knowing that there are people who will not always be happy with we have to say. And it’s OK if we make mistakes, as no one is perfect. Although, it does hurt when you do so much good and never get any credit, while the moment you utter a phrase that may not be precise, you get a lot of criticism. As we say, ‘when you’re right, no one remembers, and when you’re wrong, nobody forgets!’ But please, never give up – speak boldly and listen humbly.

Saint Nicholas

St. Nicholas was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man and became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors.

Perhaps the best-known story about Nicholas concerns his charity toward a poor man who was unable to provide dowries for his three daughters of marriageable age. Rather than see them forced into prostitution, Nicholas secretly tossed a bag of gold through the poor man’s window on three separate occasions, thus enabling the daughters to be married. Over the centuries, this particular legend evolved into the custom of gift-giving on the saint’s feast. And so, in the English-speaking countries, St. Nicholas became, by a twist of the tongue, Santa Claus. He died December 6, 343 in Myra and was buried in his Cathedral church.  In the spring of 1087, sailors from Bari, afraid of the Muslim invasion, succeeded in spiriting away the relics from that Cathedral, bringing them to Bari, a seaport on the southeast coast of Italy. An impressive church was built over St. Nicholas' crypt. To this day pilgrims and tourists visit Bari's great Basilica di San Nicola. Both the Eastern and Western Churches honor him, and it is claimed that, after the Blessed Virgin, he is the saint most pictured by Christian artists. 

The Happy Ending

Caroline and Julian in the middle, with Maria and Marcel,

(Julian's parents) on the left, and Peter (Julian's brother) with his 

girlfriend Anastasia on the right, after the wedding at Lija church.

So yesterday saw the marriage of my nephew Julian and his wife Caroline. In a beautiful Nuptial Mass held at noon at the Lija parish church, all our family and plenty of friends were present to witness this happy moment. The reception was held later on at the Phoenicia Ballroom in Floriana, a celebration which went on until late into the evening hours. In a brief reflection towards the end of the Mass, I shared with them the three values they should focus on for a strong happy vocation which they embarked on yesterday – a reciprocal sense of communication, an element of sacrifice, which make us appreciate what we have, and a place for God in their relationship. Julian and Caroline have been dating for over 8 years now and have belonged to a Youth Fellowship group. Since Julian is a doctor and Caroline a dietician, at one time they also did some voluntary work in Cambodia, helping poor children.

While over there, Caroline also met some new friends, as you can see from the second photo, and so she had a choice to make: choosing a monkey or her sweetheart Julian. It was a tough decision she had to make, but she prayed over it, and 5 years later she made up her mind.

.....and Caroline chose Julian!

And as you can see from the first photo, we’re all glad and delighted that she chose Julian! Within a month, they will be heading to England where Julian will be specializing in Respiratory medicine, while Caroline will be working as a dietician for people with diabetes and cardiac issues. Congratulations Caroline and Julian.

Preparing the Way

                               
As we head John the Baptist's advice today to prepare for the coming of Jesus in our homes, heart, lives and parish communities, I share with you a recent reflection I wrote for one of my homilies:

Stay with us Jesus, because when it gets dark, You’re the only source of Light in our lives.
When we get lonely, You’re the perfect companion.
When we are afraid, You can surely encourage us.
When we fear the unknown future, You affirm our past and present.
When we experience weakness, You are there to strengthen us.
When we lose our way to You, Your spiritual compass is our one and only hope.
When we lose heart, You always comfort us an show us compassion.
When we don’t know what to say or how to pray, You always have the right suggestion.

When we cannot see clearly, You always help us focus our perspective of life.
When we want to hurt others and say that nasty word, You always correct our speech and manner of behavior.
When we act stubborn, You tolerate us.
When we act selfish, You show us a kind caring way to do things.
And when we falter as humans, You grant us Your mercy and Forgiveness. Not only that, but You forgive and forget.

Oplatek from Poland

In many Polish homes throughout the world, a most beloved family tradition is the breaking of the oplatek on Christmas Eve. The oplatek (oplatki is the plural form) is a thin wafer similar in consistency to a communion host that is often stamped with an elaborate Christmas scene. Historically these would be distributed by religious to parishioners’ homes during the Advent season. This bread is not consecrated but blessed by the priest as a way to extend the fruits of the Mass into the home. The oplatek is meant to remind families of the Eucharistic bread at Mass and makes a further connection between Christmas and the gift of the Eucharist, the presence of God among us.  The father (or eldest member of the family) begins the ceremony by taking the oplatek and breaking a piece off of it, giving it to his wife. When he does so, he may say what he is thankful for, wish her good health, or ask for forgiveness. A Polish native describes what happened at her home. “My father used to say, ‘OK, I’m not the best, but I’ll try harder’… My mother would always say, ‘You work so hard, and I appreciate you for that’ …" The sharing of this unleavened bread with another person is sharing all that is good with life. The tradition has survived the test of time and is still celebrated in many parts of the world by various families, including many who come from a Slavic ancestry. It is a beautiful tradition, one that keeps the true “spirit of Christmas,” and unites a family to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Christmas in New York

The Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center, NYC.

I share with you today some scenes from New York City, specifically the area around Rockefeller Center, which is illuminated with angels, plenty of lights and a huge Christmas Tree with thousands of lights, lit up right after Thanksgiving until January 6th. I have some great memories of New York as I spent 22 years there.  Just below the Tree, there is a skating rink where thousands of visitors try their skates on it, while millions of photos are taken in this area alone during this season of joy.

Reredos of St. Thomas Episcopalian church, NYC.

One of my highlights was a trip to the city during Christmas week, to walk through 5th Avenue, visit St Patrick's Cathedral, of course Rockefeller Center, and the one of the 7 unknown wonders of New York, the reredos of St Thomas Episcopalian church on 5th Avenue. The statues in this huge reredos are of various Christian saints, prophets, reformers, and Christian dignitaries, including President George Washington. It is 80 feet (24 m) high and consists of more than 60 stone figures. It was designed by architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue (1869–1924) and sculptor Lee Lawrie (1877–1963.) (Click to enlarge and see the incredible detail.)

‘The Incarnation’ by Willie Apap

'The Incarnation' by Willie Apap

Continuing my review of various paintings related to the Nativity, I share with you a recently discovered painting by Maltese artist Willie Apap, kept in a private collection and recently exhibited at the museum ‘Il-Ħaġar’ in Rabat, Gozo, Malta. It is very evocative of maternity as the Blessed Mother is seen surrounded by several angels behind her and holding baby Jesus on her lap. Its title is ‘The Incarnation’ and was done in 1966, oil on canvas. Born in 1918 in Malta, Willie Apap studied at the Malta Government School of Art and at the Regia Accademia di Belle Arti in Rome. He painted prolifically mostly spending his working years in Rome, producing a large collection of oil paintings, some of which with a religious theme. He also produced some scenic works as well as pen-and-ink paintings. He exhibited frequently both in Rome as well as Malta, earning him a place as one of Malta’s leading exponents of twentieth-century art, although his early death in February 1970, cut short the best that was probably still to come. 

The painting exhibited in a Gozo Museum

This painting was described thus by Maria Cassar, my sister-in-law who curated the exhibition: “Previously known only from a black and white photograph taken in a Milan gallery, ‘The ‘Incarnation’ can now be admired as one of Apap’s masterpieces. Columns of light fall on the Virgin and the Child with a double-entendre around the Son of God who is shown in the womb of his Mother while also incarnate, as she presents him to the world while a choir of angels watches in awe.” The Mother and Child theme also features in a number of outstanding works from the artist’s late mature period, from oils to ink. 

Saint Andrew

Sibling rivalry is not often mentioned in the Gospels, but we know that John and his brother James were always trying to impress Jesus, while their mother spoke in their regard so that they get preferential treatment in heaven. Then there was Peter who had his brother Andrew close to him, both fishermen, but Jesus had the soft spot for Peter, while Andrew stayed in his shadow.  Andrew became a disciple of the great St John the Baptist, but when John pointed to Jesus and said, "Behold the Lamb of God!" Andrew understood that Jesus was greater. At once he left John to follow the Divine Master. He was actually the first apostle Jesus called at the Sea of Galilee. At first the two brothers continued to carry on their fishing trade and family affairs, but later, the Lord called them to stay with Him all the time. He promised to make them fishers of men, and this time, they left their nets for good. It is believed that after Jesus ascended into Heaven, St Andrew went to Greece to preach the gospel, as well as along the Black Sea. He is said to have been put to death on a cross, to which he was tied, not nailed. He lived two days in that state of suffering, still preaching to the people who gathered around their beloved Apostle. Various countries have chosen St Andrew as their patron saint, among them Russia, Ukraine, Romania and Scotland. In fact, Scotland has incorporated his X-shaped cross in their flag, repeated again in the Union Jack, the British flag. 

Inside San Andrea della Valle, Rome

Relics of the Apostle Andrew are kept at the Basilica of St Andrew in Patras, Greece; the Duomo di Sant'Andrea, Amalfi, Italy; St Mary's Roman Catholic Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland; and the Church of St Andrew and St Albert, Warsaw, Poland. There are also numerous smaller reliquaries throughout the world. The two photos reproduced show the main painting of St. Andrew and inside the famous church San Andrea della Valle in the heart of Rome. The church is featured in the first act of the opera Tosca by Giacomo Puccini, where a solemn procession takes place.

Nativity masterpieces

'Adoration of the Magi' by Bartolo di Fredi

Another Nativity painting is the one I share with you today, done by Bartolo di Fredi, (1330-1410) an artist of the 14^th century, whose work was mostly done for the Cathedral of Siena and other churches in the same city, many of whom unfortunately have been destroyed. The one above is an elaboration of the second one, displayed hereunder. As you can see when comparing them, the idea is similar, but the first one has various significant additions. In particular, I point out to you the scene on top, where you can see the entire journey of the Three Kings, meeting together, travelling in a retinue, meeting Herod as he inquires of them cunningly about the child, and then escaping from a different route. A major part of the painting in the lower part shows the three Kings humbly adoring the child Jesus as Joseph received one of the gifts and Mary holds baby Jesus in her arms. A retinue of attendants are seen looking on, as well as the horses almost inquisitively wanting to be a part of this historic moment. 

Both of them are dated 1380-1390 approximately and are made with tempera and gold on wood. The first one is displayed at the Pinacoteca Nazionale of Siena. The second one is at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Stay tuned for more Nativity paintings between now and Christmas. Please do enlarge each painting to see more details.

Analyzing Nativity paintings

'Sagrada Familia' by Josefa de Obidos (1630-1684)

Over the next few weeks throughout Advent, I will be introducing you to some classic paintings relating to the Nativity story. These are some of my favorites with personal comments on each. This first one is called ‘Sagrada Família’ painted in 1664 by Josefa de Óbidos, for the Santa Cruz de Buçaco Convent in Portugal and sadly was lost in a small fire on December 24, 2013. The painting shows the Holy Family with 5 angels in the background. Baby Jesus is held by his mother as he touches her breast, ready to feed Him. You can also see the spray of milk from Mary’s nipple. These images of the Lactans Maria (Nursing Mary) were very popular in the 16^th and 17^th century. Yet Jesus is looking towards His father Joseph who holds the cross, as Jesus touches it, as if to anticipate the way He would end His life on earth 33 years later. So here we have a dramatic contrast between life and death, the beginning and the end of our Savior. As He holds onto life, touching the nursing breast of Mary, He looks towards the cross, the symbol of suffering and death. Approximately 150 works of art have been attributed to Josefa de Óbidos, making her one of the most prolific Baroque artists in Portugal. In the course of her career, Josefa de Óbidos received many important public commissions for altarpieces and other paintings to be displayed in churches and monasteries throughout central Portugal. She also painted many still-life works with flowers and sweets.

Advent Candles

The presence of the Advent Candles emphasizes the positive over the negative. St Paul in a reading we share during Mass today encourages us out-rightly to cast off deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. This light is accentuated by candles, which in our liturgy are very prominent. From the Paschal candle, to the candles on the altar, those carried by altar-servers, those votive ones lit by parishioners as a form of prayer, candles emphasize light over darkness. And remember that it’s better to lo light one candle than to curse the darkness. And also, you don’t have to blow someone’s candle out to make yours look brighter. 

The custom of the Advent candles goes back to the Scandinavian countries that have very long winters, with very little sunshine. So farmers bring in their farm carts, and some of them started to decorate them with bows and greens, and eventually candles. The church took the idea and developed the Advent Wreath with 4 candles with a particular theme for each Sunday: Watch, Stay Awake, on the first Sunday, Prepare the way of the Lord next week, Rejoice on the third Sunday, using the rose-colored vestments, and Behold for the Sunday before Christmas. Some churches even add a white one for Christmas and the theme Celebrate.
This year let’s make it a point to really try hard to MAKE ROOM FOR JESUS in our hearts. To make room for Him, we have to get rid of all the stuff that’s been taking his place. This requires a little bit of an inventory of our hearts and lives.
So may we look at enemies and see the possibility of friendship . . .
May we look at fevered buying and see hope for simple generosity . . . . .
May we look at family tensions and see opportunities for reconciliation . . . . .
May we look at pessimism towards the future and see positive optimism . . . .
May we look at stumbling blocks and see instead stepping stones . . . . .
May we look at alleys and valleys of darkness and see instead Highways and byways of bright possibilities . . .
May we look at tragedy and misfortune and see the hope of change, growth and a new beginning . . ..
May we look at discouragement and see a determined and courageous approach to a hopeful future . .
Happy New Year!

End of the year

               
Today officially ends the Liturgical Year for us Christians. Since last November we walked together over a spiritual journey through Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter, besides the other solemnities and celebrations and lives of saints we commemorated on their respective feast days. For some people it was a safe journey, reaching our destination to start another year of grace. For others who lost loved ones, it was a sad experience, seeing them transition hopefully into heaven, their new eternal home. Yet another journey is ahead of us, and we hope to tackle this new landscape with joy and enthusiasm. May we stay close to the message of our churches, do our duties methodically and respectfully, while inspiring other people to join us in our journey of faith. For Malta, this year ended with the storm of the decade as lots of rain fell in a short period in the morning, besides hail the size of grapes. And during this month in preparation for Christmas, may we find some time to prepare ourselves for the birth of Jesus in our hearts and homes. But the only way to do this is to eliminate the unnecessary stuff that has replaced him over the past year. And I’m sure if you look deep down into the last 365 days, you can find many little scenarios that you would like to change. Thank you to all my friends and visitors of this Blog, moving soon into my 11th year. I wish you all a very healthy and spiritually uplifting new Liturgical Year. Incidentally tomorrow will be my 2,400th post on this blog.

Another gift from heaven

                 
Every time I see a beautiful a sunrise or sunset, I consider it as a special gift from heaven. As if God is reaching out with his hands through the streaming rays, to call someone else into their new heavenly home. It’s His way of saying ‘Welcome Home my friend!’ The strange thing is that many people are still sleeping when sunrise occurs, as it usually happens between 5 and 6 AM. They may be luckier at sunsets, but so many sunrises are missed by most people. Here is another charming and radiant spectacle, given to us by the Almighty, as it appeared in Malta. Obviously in every country a sunrise or sunset is different – sometimes just ordinary sun rising like an orange ball above the horizon. At other times, it may be cloudy or dull, but often if there are cumulus clouds around, you may get something like the above scene.

Being thankful

Norman Rockwell painting - 'Being Thankful'

I join the millions of Americans today as they celebrate Thanksgiving, and here’s a list of the things I am thankful for this year:

I am thankful for my family, my siblings, nephews, sister-in-law other relatives and friends. Grateful also that my sister Josephine is now with my parents and brother, enjoying eternal life in heaven.

I am thankful for my vocation as I continue to serve my people as a priest, for the past 45 years, and celebrating many beautiful Masses and sharing many homilies which people appreciate.

I am thankful for many American friends who still keep in touch with me at least through emails, and prayerful thoughts.

I am grateful for the talents God gave me, which I use abundantly, creatively and happily.

I am thankful for my hands by which I can write around 230 invitations in calligraphy, and still consecrate the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus at Mass.

I am thankful for the opportunity to unite my nephew and his fiancée in marriage on December 4 and pray for a long happy life together.

I am thankful that I can share my gifts of music with my flute, art with my watercolors, and beauty with my photography, as well as delicious soups with my humble cooking.

I am thankful for my health, my work-a-holic schedule, my love of cold weather and the blessings of rain.

I am thankful for the copy, paste and save buttons on my laptop and iPad.

I am thankful for the gift of music, the one I create, the one I listen to, and the classical music that so many composers gave us for posterity.

I am thankful for great goals in the World Cup going on right now in Qatar, smashing homeruns in baseball and perfect touchdowns in US Football.

I am thankful for strawberries, pomegranates, Maltese oranges, all in their season, nuts and dried fruit, mince pies, with the hope that people will always remember that I don’t like chocolates and icing cakes.

I am thankful for the simple things in life, sunsets, silence, sandals, and sincerity.

Thanksgiving memories

The Fall Thanksgiving motif in my parish at John Day, Oregon

Spending 35 years in the USA, I obviously have plenty of memories surrounding the celebration of Thanksgiving, which I relive every year in my mind and keep close to my heart. The fall decorations were very dominant in my parishes, just before we removed them to make room for the festive Christian decorations for Christmas. These are just three scenes from past years, including one with my parents among hundreds of pumpkins in a pumpkin farm. Sunrises and sunsets always painted a spectacular picture at this time of the year, as they are happening in Malta right now.

A Thanksgiving sunrise exactly 10 years ago

Saint Cecilia

St. Cecilia is one of the few martyrs whose name we know, along with St. Agnes, St. Agatha, St. Sebastian, St. George, and St. Lucy, among others. She was martyred by Emperor Marcus Aurelius between the years 176 and 180 AD. Cecilia was arrested and condemned to be suffocated in the baths. She was shut in for one night and one day, as fires were heaped up and stoked to a terrifying heat - but Cecilia did not even sweat. When the Emperor heard this, he sent an executioner to cut off her head in the baths. The executioner struck her three times but was unable to decapitate her, so he left her bleeding and she lived for three days. Crowds came to her and collected her blood while she preached to them or prayed. On the third day, she died and was buried by Pope Urban and his deacons. St. Cecilia is regarded as the patroness of music because she heard heavenly music in her heart when she was married and is represented in art with an organ or organ-pipes in her hand. Officials exhumed her body in 1599 and found her to be incorrupt, the first of all incorrupt saints. She was draped in a silk veil and wore a gold embroidered dress. Officials only looked through the veil in an act of holy reverence and made no further examinations. They also reported a "mysterious and delightful flower-like odor which proceeded from the coffin." That year, Cardinal Paolo Sfondrati built a church to honor her and ordered a marble statue in the catacombs to be crafted. A few musical compositions were written in her honor. Among them are the ‘Ode to St. Cecilia’ by Henry Purcell, a cantata by Georg Frederic Handel and ‘Hymn to St. Cecilia’ by Benjamin Britten. Paul Simon also wrote a song in her honor, entitled ‘Cecilia.’ You can also listen to this beautiful Mass by Charles Gounod written in 1855 in honor of St Cecilia.

The wonder of Creation

By cultivating the gift of wonder and awe in our daily life, I believe we can achieve deeper peace, fuller relationships, and bring God greater glory by looking beyond ourselves to become more aware of God’s majesty. In doing so, our days feel more precious as we recognize the divine fingerprints that cover everything. At our confirmation, we are given the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including the gift of wonder and awe. Want to experience more wonder and awe? Start today. Here are some ideas how. Get outside. Stepping into nature, we are instantly surrounded by God’s creation and invited to experience him intimately through it. To practice wonder and awe, actively notice the beauty of individual leaves on each tree limb, be fascinated by the sounds of the birds, and take delight in the colors of fall. All of creation sings of his majesty! “Nature thus becomes a gospel which speaks to us of God: ‘from the greatness and beauty of created things comes a corresponding perception of their Creator’ (Wisdom 13:5).

Or be like the saints — St. John Paul II loved to ski, as did St. Gianna Molla. Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati liked to climb mountains. There is always enough time and space to be stirred by wonder. As St. Thérèse of Lisieux wrote in her autobiography, Story of a Soul, “I recall the days Papa used to bring us to the pavilion; the smallest details are impressed in my heart! I recall especially the Sunday walks when Mama used to accompany us. I still feel the profound and poetic impressions that were born in my soul at the sight of the fields enamelled with cornflowers and all types of wildflowers. Already I was in love with the wide open spaces. Space and the gigantic fir trees, the branches sweeping down to the ground, left in my heart an impression similar to the one I experience today at the sight of nature.” So, get out and appreciate the beauty of God’s gift to us, His Creation.

Christ the King

'The Crowned Jesus' in MUŻA Museum, Malta

The Solemnity of Christ the King is celebrated on the last Sunday of the Liturgical Year. It’s a day to honor our Savior as King, who leads us with love, kindness and compassion, unlike many other ruthless Kings and Emperors who lead with tyranny, oppression and cruelty, many of whom were deposed by their own people. The image of Christ the King has always been presented to us as if sitting on a glittering throne, with a sceptre in hand and golden crown on his head. In actual fact, his throne was the cross on which he was crucified, the sceptre were the nails driven through his hands and feet, and the crown was made of sharp thorns that were pushed on his head. The feast of Christ the King as we know it now was introduced in 1925, to counteract the start of Communism in the world. The Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 had taken the presence of Christ from the hearts of people, and the Church wanted to bring Him back into the center of their lives. The feast was celebrated on the last Sunday in October until 1969, when Pope Paul VI shifted this feast to the last Sunday of the Liturgical Year, usually towards the end of November.

Christus Vincit, Christus Regnat, Christus Imperat (Christ will win, Christ will reign, Christ will rule)