Dear Fellow Disciples,

“Behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). These words of the angel to the shepherds on the night of the Nativity are, as the angel said, “for all people,” including us. They bring us joy and hope. God entered our history. He became Emmanuel, God-with-us (cf. Isaiah 7:14). “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).

These holidays are sometimes a bit difficult for many of us, either due to loneliness, illness, family problems or because we are far from home. However, these are days to rejoice not in the things of the world, but in the hope of the Lord who is coming. In the psalm we say today, Let the Lord enter, he is King of Glory! He is the one who comes on these holidays to brighten up our lives. The Emmanuel that saves.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

The way Jesus ministered left John the Baptist a bit confused. It was quite far from the apocalyptic schemes preached by the Baptizer. From there comes the doubt regarding the connection between his words and actions. That's why John sends his disciples to Jesus to be certain of this messianic identity.

Dear Fellow disciples, peace.

The preaching of John the Baptist focused on the theme of conversion. The Greek word metanoia points towards a profound change in the life of a person, way beyond feelings and passing emotions. It has to do with a process in which selfishness gives place to love, hatred is conquered by forgiveness, and solidarity becomes an imperative. Love, forgiveness and solidarity then becomes the mark by which the converted person is known. Conversion shown only by nice words and good intentions is fake! It is not sufficient for those who wish to welcome the Messiah.

We begin this season of advent with the hope of the birth of the messiah. During the next four weeks the liturgy of the church will prepare us for the celebration of Christmas, the coming of Christ into the world.

On this first Sunday of Advent, the church invites us to reflect not only on the coming of Christ on Christmas, but also calls us to prepare for his second coming, the final judgment. We have to be alert and vigilant because we will not know the hour or the day that the Lord will return.

Dear fellow disciples, peace.

The humanity of Jesus was provoked until the end. Hanging on the cross He was a victim of bullying and abuse, insults and infamous accusations, but He stayed firm in His purpose. He even had words of forgiveness for a fellow crucified man who recognized Him as the King announced by the prophets. That man, by saying "Remember when you come into your kingdom", recognized a royalty of the King who passed through the cross. A King whose throne is the cross and whose crowd is made of thorns. "Today you will be with me in paradise" is the answer and recompense for such faith and trust.

Dear fellow disciples, peace.

The primitive christian communities lived in the context and the pressure of false alarms regarding the end of time. This instability started to discourage them in the practice of good works because fear paralyzed their life of gospel values.

Jesus calls their attention to the opportunity to witness the faith, not worrying too much about false alarms. He assures that in every situation the early church would have the possibility to experience God's care and protection. The Father would give to them the necessary strength not to be intimidated and not to give in to the attacks of their adversaries.

Dear fellow disciples, peace.

The sect of the Sadducee was a fundamentalist group who denied the resurrection, as they disregarded the Law of Moses. In fact, the understanding of the destiny of humanity after death had been the subject of a long reflection. It was thought then that all, good and bad, had the same destiny, the Sheol. A place in the heart of the earth, where people would live in darkness.

Dear Fellow disciples, peace. 

The episode of Zacchaeus in today’s Gospel describes the journey to salvation. This rich man from Jericho becomes the perfect example of a disciple of God’s kingdom. 

The first step in  his and our journey is to desire to see Jesus and to overcome all difficulties to encounter Him. His low stature (like someone I know) and his effort to climb a tree proves his desire to overcome the hindrances whatever they may be.

One of the biggest mistakes in our Christian life is believing that we are good and that what we do is enough for our salvation. It is a big mistake because it makes us fall into mediocrity, and even worse it makes us assume that we have earned salvation just by being good or following some rules. This is what happens in today's gospel. We have the Pharisee who is sure that for following some laws and regulations God will reward him and save him. The problem is that for this Pharisee salvation does not depend on God but on his own life and ability to follow the rules and laws. The main thing for this man is to be faithful to the law, but this gives him a dangerous confidence since it makes him believe he is good, religious and perfect.

Dear fellow disciples,

Jesus promises that God “will do justice on behalf of all his chosen ones, those who cry to Him day and night”. He will not delay but will answer them promptly.

What does “justice” means in relations with God? In the context of the gospel justice means the plan of God for every human being. It is the will of God that the petitioner wants to see accomplished and he/she nurture in his/her heart the desire to put it in practice.

Dear fellow disciples,

The gesture of gratitude of the leper healed caught Jesus' attention. In fact, of the ten only one came back to say “thank you”. He was a Samaritan, in other words, he was part of the people who hated the Jews. The other nine never thought about coming back and, probably, took it for granted. It was this “enemy” of Jesus who comes back, prostrates himself and give thanks.

The narratives of miracles do not report that those healed gave thanks to Jesus or required a thank you note. Why then is Jesus impressed by the gesture of this Samaritan?

Dear Fellow Disciples,

To serve the Kingdom of God implies that the servant, minister, has the conscience that he or she is just a servant, a minister of God. Our decision to accept the call and embark in discipleship is free. It can't have expectations of rewards or worldly honors. "We are just servants, and have done just our duties". This is the attitude of a real servant of God's kingdom.