Saints-in-Training

December 15, 2006

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” – Jn 1:14

Our Dear Friends in Jesus,

Our heartfelt thanks for your very generous Christmas offering! You have touched, inspired and helped us greatly. This Word comes from our hearts to encourage and love you in return.

Have you ever stopped to think that when you are led by God’s Holy Spirit you are living as a child of God? You, whoever you are or wherever you are, are God’s cherished child. He made you, personally, in His image and likeness. God loves you as His only child. The Lord’s infinite, tender love encompasses you day and night. Are you aware that God never stops loving you? God loves you, individually, all the time! God longs for your response to Him.

That is why our heavenly Father sent His only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to earth so that you could meet Him. You meet Jesus in yourself, in the depths of your being, where He speaks to you. Then, He calls you to meet Him in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. There Jesus invites you to give yourself to the Father with Him, to receive Him in Holy Communion to nourish, enlighten and enkindle you with His Love, His Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit overshadows you, as He overshadowed Mary, so that Jesus may be born in you anew. When sorrow, disappointment, sin or fear spiral you into darkness and pain, cry out: “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20) Jesus does come to save you. With the Psalmist pray: “You are my hiding place, O Lord. You save me in distress; you surround me with cries of deliverance.” (Ps 32:7)

St. John of the Cross, whose feast we celebrate on December 14 each year, sings joyfully: “Ah, the sheer grace!” The “sheer grace” refers to the three virtues of faith, hope and charity that you practice in order to live as child of God. He gives each virtue a color. White is faith because it symbolizes the strong, unwavering focus you have on Jesus to believe in and trust Him totally in every situation. Faith keeps you from giving in to your own ideas, it purifies your mind of “doing things my way. Green is hope; hope is knowing that you are on a journey to eternal life and in truth you are already in eternal life. You live with Jesus in the Father’s loving, providential embrace. Red is charity, God’s love alive in you! Jesus became one of us because God loves you!!! Jesus is the Son of God and the Son of man.

angel At every moment Jesus tells you: “I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you.” (Jn 14:18) Put on your white tunic of faith, your green garment of hope and your red robe of love! Jesus is coming to be born in you!!!

A Blessed Christmas and a grace-filled New Year to you!

With our love and constant prayer for you and your family,

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph,