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Dear Friends,
In college, while studying philosophy at The Catholic University of America, I had the opportunity to take a class with Monsignor Robert Sokolowski. Msgr. Sokolowski is a famous American philosopher who wrote a lot about the intersection between faith and reason and was very influential on Bishop Barron. One of the big ideas that he proposed in his classes is what he called: the Christian distinction. His point was that Christianity changes everything and is different from any other worldview because a God, who has no need for creation, chooses to create out of love. And, when creation freely chooses to wander away because of sin, God freely chooses to send his Son, who is God himself, into the world to save it. Therefore, from the moment of the Incarnation, God entering the world, all of reality, all of history, the entire cosmos is changed. There is nothing that is not impacted by the reality of the Incarnation. We even count time in terms of the Incarnation (B.C./A.D.).
The reality of Christmas is life-changing news! And yet, we do not live this way. How many people in our world, including our own families, go through life without hope, living as though the Incarnation never happened? How many people choose to walk in darkness although the Light has broken in and shone? The reality of Christmas should make us live with hope. We should live with confidence. Why? Because God did what he did not have to do: he sent his Son to rescue us and bring us the promise of a future filled with life and hope.
Each of us can do a better job living Christmas: to experience this life and joy! I would like to suggest three things for the upcoming year to help us live Christmas: First, Sunday Mass becomes a non-negotiable, whether we are home or traveling. It is the privileged time in which we get to encounter the infinite love of God. Second, familiarize yourself with the Scriptures, the Word of God. The Bible is our love story! It is the story of our rescue and gives us every reason for hope. Third, spend time doing what brings you life, rather than what sucks the life out of you. I think this is going to necessarily mean less time on our phones and behind screens. Do what you love and brings you joy! God desires our joy!
Wishing you and your family a very blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with true love and true joy!
Peace,
Fr. Aaron
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