church of the nativity, burke virginia feast of the holy

Church of the Nativity, Burke Virginia Feast of the Holy Family December 27, 2020

My dear parishioners,

The Christmas message brings incredible hope and joy to the world. The Christmas story continues to happen in our lives. Christ the Savior is born into our families and into each of our hearts. God comes as an unexpected gift, an unexpected child, a holy surprise of God.

This Christ child continues to break down the barriers caused by sin, to bring reconciliation and healing to the world. That first Christmas night, heaven and earth met, and the human family was once again reconciled with God. Peace was announced by the angels. And we can always be at peace with God and one another if only we accept and welcome Christ into our hearts.

I am so inspired by the faith and generosity of Nativity Parish. There is lots of love in the community and I see the face of Christ in each family and each person. On behalf of Fr. Hayes, Fr. Vaccaro, Fr. Wilson, Deacon Kelly, Sister Donatella and Sister Mary Attilia, I wish you all my sisters and brothers, a most blessed and grace filled Christmas. Be assured you will all be remembered in the holy sacrifice of the Mass. May the light of Christ shine on all your hearts. Merry Christmas to all our beautiful families!

Love and blessing,

Fr. Bob Cilinski Pastor

A Message from our Pastor Fr. Bob Cilinski

In Observance of the New Year’s Holiday, the Nativity Parish Office will be closed on

Friday, January 1

The Parish Office will reopen at noon on Saturday, January 2 and will be open during regular

Mass times on Sunday, January 3

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We invite you to join us for Praise & Worship with Eucharistic Adoration!

When: One Friday each month at 7:30 pm Dates: January 8 | February 5 | May 7 | June 11

The night begins with an opportunity to encounter our Lord Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration, followed by a gospel reflection by Fr. Stephen Vaccaro. There is time for silent prayer followed by praise and worship music. Confessions are available during the night and we end with Benediction. We hope to see you there in person or virtually on YouTube!

All the regular precautions will be followed: masks, social distancing and hand sanitizing.

https://nativityburke.org/mass-schedule/#adoration

https://www.youtube.com/c/NativityParishBurke


Your Gifts to Catholic Charities Are Deeply Appreciated! Thank you for your generous support of Catholic Charities

which is essential to their work. Those who will benefit are so grateful for your gifts. If you missed the collection, you may

still make a year-end gift by going online at: http://www.ccda.net/donate/ChristmasCollection.

#JustOneYes Advent Campaign https://nativityburke.org/joy/

Join Bishop Burbidge and Catholics throughout the Diocese through Wednesday, January 6 in prayer, acts of service and more!

Help us turn #JustOneYes into countless yeses for the trans-formation of the world. In exchange for your commitment, you'll receive free daily email meditations during the seasons of Advent and Christmas courtesy of Magnificat: https://mailchi.mp/arlingtondiocese/joy2020

Engaged and married couples, the Marriage Enrichment Ministry is here for you!

The Marriage Enrichment Ministry strengthens marriages in the Church and provides support to all couples called to the holy vocation of marriage. Connect with us:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nativitymarriageenrichmentministry

Parish Webpage: https://nativityburke.org/marriage-enrichment-ministry/

and while on the page click on "Signup for Email List" to receive our monthly flock note.

Contact Jennifer Sturgeon at [email protected] or call 703-455-0372 ext. 116.

We look forward to seeing you at our next Nativity date night!

An End of Advent Message from Fr. Bob

During the first week of Advent I deadlifted 410 lbs. My previous best was 365 lbs. They kept adding weights!! But that's nothing compared to what Christ has done. Christ took upon himself the weight of the world and now lifts us up to new life through forgiveness for our sins. A Savior has been born, Christ the Lord.

"Come to me all who are weary and find life burdensome... Your souls will find rest, my yoke is easy and my

burden light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

God Bless, Fr. Bob Cilinski

Calling All Catholic Legal Professionals

The Thomas More Guild for Catholic Legal Professionals invites you to a free Lunchtime Zoom Collaborative. Olivia Gans Turner joins us by Zoom at Noon on Thursday, January 14, 2021, to make us aware of onging efforts to amend the Virginia Constitution. She is the President of the Virginia Society for Human Life, the first organized state pro-life group in the country, founded in 1967. Since her own abortion in 1981 she is committed to protecting unborn children and their mothers under the law from the violence of abortion. At the National level Mrs. Turner works with the National Right to Life Committee and has spoken in all 50 states and 17 countries abroad. She has appeared regularly in various media and before Congress defending human life. She is a familiar face at the General Assembly and brings all her experience to the debate in Virginia. More information about the Guild at [email protected]

NEED TO TALK? Catholic Charities provides quality mental health services &

counselors grounded in a Catholic understanding of the human person. During the COVID-19 pandemic “Nativity’s Counselor” Ms. Marguerite Turner, MS, LPC is still counseling clients via

secure video conferencing and is available to talk with any parishioners who may be struggling through a HIPAA

compliant website. Please contact Marguerite at 703-772-4751 or [email protected] to set up an appointment.

A new shipment of Divine Chocolate and Fair Trade coffee has arrived in the Gift Shop. Fair Trade means a living wage for the coffee grower and the chocolate farmer with continual market support, a premium that helps build roads and schools,

organic certification, and a much better life. Pope Francis said, "There is no worse material poverty...than the poverty which prevents people from earning their bread and deprives them

of the dignity of work."


https://nativityburke.org/knightscouncil7992/ Facebook: Knights of Columbus Father Sikora 7992

Twitter: @kofc7992

Join the Knights! Do you want to make a difference as a Catholic Gentleman? Then join the Knights of Columbus! Please contact DGK Br. Adrian Santillan-Lecaside or GK Barry Basselgia with any questions or if you need a form 100. If you want a quick easy alternative way to join the Knights, try Online Membership. It only takes 5-10 minutes. Just go to Go to https://www.kofc.org/ and click “Join” and put Council 7992 as your preferred Council. We’ll do the rest for you to make you a member of our Order and our Nativity Council! Council Meeting: Our regular business meetings are the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Meetings are conducted virtually via GoToMeeting. Name Tag Assistance: If you have not received a name tag, please provide your name so the Worthy Warden Tom Siepmann can place the order at: [email protected]. Handy Knights Ministry: Need a hand with minor home repairs or know someone who needs help? If you are unable to perform basic maintenance tasks or small repairs in your home due to health or other factors, there is a ministry within the Knights of Columbus that may be able to assist, the “Handy Knights.” You can reach us at the following email: [email protected]. Food For Others Food Recovery Ministry: Consider joining our ministry to recover food on Tuesdays between 11:00AM and 1:00PM from the Giant location on Burke Center Parkway and delivering it to Food For Others in Fairfax. We average 300-400 lbs of food picked up per week, but have seen loads over 900lbs. If you are interested contact me at [email protected]. Join Nativity’s Usher Ministry: Several weekend Masses at Nativity are in need of additional ushers. The greatest need is at the 9:00am, 12:45pm, and 5:30pm Masses on Sundays. Nativity offers an usher training program sponsored jointly by the Diocese and Nativity. If you are interested in joining the Usher Ministry, please contact Br. Tom Wilder at [email protected]. Prison Ministry: Fr. Vaccaro is asking brother knights help in writing letters to those incarcerated. He has a list of names whose lives might be impacted for the better with your corre-spondence. Please contact him if interested. Stephen Ministry: Brothers, Father Bob has enlisted the parish council to assess the possibility of establishing a Ste-phen Ministry in Nativity. This will be a parish program, and they are looking for volunteers from across the parish to join in this ministry. As Knights, our reputation for service pre-cedes us, so Jim has asked that we canvass the council to see who can support as individual volunteers to serve as leaders and/or ministers. Contact parishioner Jim Crawford at [email protected] or to volunteer.

Young Adult Ministry Serving people ages 21-39

nativityburke.org/youngadult

“Young Adult Ministry with Nativity”

@nativityyam

Our young adult community is still staying connected, even now! We’re grateful to the young adults who’ve shared their gifts these past few months by assisting with live-streaming Masses and providing music, and to those who have made videos of how they’re staying connected to God this year.

To find out more about our ministry and how you can participate in the community, visit our social media accounts or page on the website.

-‘

College Ministry Serving people ages 18-21 nativityburke.org/college

College students- we’re thinking about you and praying for you!

As more colleges send students home for the remainder of the semester, we want to check in on you while you’re here. If you’re local and interested in getting more involved, contact Alison. Text 703-577-5329 or email [email protected].

Young Family Ministry Serving families with children newborn- elementary

nativityburke.org/young-family-ministry/

In our ministry, “family” encompasses families in all shapes and sizes- married couples, single parents, adopted children, one child, multiple children, etc. It’s a chance to talk to others about the joys and challenges of raising a family, and also to learn from someone just a step ahead of you. If you have a young child, we welcome you in our community!

Our ministry is happy to stay connected and support young families during this time of distance. If you’re interested in updates, send us an email at [email protected].

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


MASS INTENTIONS

"We are God's People" 1 Peter 2:10

Monday, December 28 7:30am Special Int. for Derek Admana

Tuesday, December 29

7:30am † Angelita Dunne 12:00pm Special Int. for Christian & Anabel Olivera

Wednesday, December 30 7:30am † Breda Hayden 12:00pm † Lenore Herbert

Thursday, December 31 7:30am † In Keun Kim 12:00pm Special Int. for Kendrick Joseph Shia & Kairin Shia

5:00pm † Christine Elizabeth Spooner

Friday, January 1 7:00am Special Int. for Monica Shia's Children & Grandchildren

10:30am † Harry Brown 1:00pm † Rosie and George Lawyer

Saturday, January 2 9:00am † Ed Maffia 5:00pm † Roger J. Donnelly Sr. 7:30pm † Conchita Arenas

Sunday, January 3

7:00am Parishioners

† Joseph & Hanna Pagano 11:00am † Macario Reyes † Joe Amore 5:30pm † Jerome O'Brien

*Please note: All Masses are subject to change (i.e. due to weather conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances)

In case of a Mass time change, we will do our best to notify the requestor. If there is a Mass cancellation, the

Intention will be said by a Priest at a private Mass. External and Private Masses cannot be attended.

The priest schedule for Masses is found on our webpage: https://nativityburke.org/calendar/

In prayer, let us remember the sick and deceased of the parish.

Our prayer for the New Year is that God will rise up more people to protect the life of every human being, born and

unborn. A Holy and Happy New Year to All! Start the New Year by reading, rereading and sharing “Living the

Gospel of Life: A Challenge to American Catholics” at GOSPELOF LIFE This document was issued in November, 1998 by the U.S. Bishops and remains powerful in its direction

and words. If you are a serious Catholic and have not yet read it, take time to be renewed.

Choose Life Today. Choose Life Tomorrow. Pray Always. We Must Do No Less.

A WOMAN’S CHOICE is a pregnancy resource center that provides free pregnancy testing, referrals for medical treatment,

housing, social service assistance and tangible support for pregnant women, including clothing and equipment. 703-538-4305

http://www.awomanschoicecenter.com/

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY NEWS All women are invited to join us and learn about The Early Church - Just 3 slots left! Have you ever wondered how the church grew after the 12 apostles? Who are the founding fathers? Epic: A Journey Through Church History -The Early Church is a 10-week course through the Ascension Press. We meet via Zoom every Friday morning beginning January 8th at 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Register on the Nativity web site. Go to Ministries and then Women's Bible Study or contact Diane Fields at [email protected].

2021 MASS INTENTIONS The Mass Intentions Calendar for 2021 is now fully booked

and closed. The opening of the 2022 Calendar will be announced in February 2021. Unfortunately we will not be

able to reserve or block any dates prior to this time. Additionally there will be a limit on the number of Intention

requests for 2022, more information to follow. Please contact Ayse Kenner at [email protected] with questions.

THANK YOU FROM ECHO

The photo below shows the food donations that came in on Monday, December 21. It demonstrates the concern of people in our community who are determined to see that their neighbors do not go hungry. ECHO leadership and volunteers are filled with gratitude that these donations allow us to meet the overwhelming need. Thank you to all who have donated. As a community, we will continue the effort together beginning on January 2 (closed 12/23-1/1). May 2021 bring a bright light at the end of the tunnel of darkness that Covid has created! But, whatever happens, the gleam of generosity will continue to brighten our community!

Mass in Thanksgiving for the Gift of Human Life Join us for Mass in Thanksgiving for the Gift of Human Life

with Bishop Burbidge as celebrant on Saturday, February 27, 2021 at 8:30 am at St. James Catholic Church in Falls Church.

Rosary to follow outside at the abortion facility on 900 S. Washington Street, Falls Church.


APPALACHIA HOME BUILDING SPECIAL COLLECTION—JANUARY 2/3

On the weekend of January 2/3, the Knights will be speaking at all the Masses asking for your help to continue their home building effort in one of the poorest counties in our country. For the last 20 years, the Nativity Knights and Nativity Parish have partnered with the Appalachian Construction Crew operating out of Bellevue, Nebraska, to build one or two homes in McCreary County, Kentucky, which is rated as one of the top counties in this country for income below the poverty level. Throughout the year both crews raise money to offset the cost of approximately $82,000 to build the home. With the generosity of Nativity Parish, Nativity has raised over $80,000 in past collections and has now become the main funding source for the annual home building effort. Without Nativity’s support, the home building effort would have ceased in 2005. Last year, the combined crews built a home for the Marler family. The family had a total income of approximately $20,000 and the family of five lived in a rundown trailer. We are trying to equal our past collection efforts since we will be building a four-bedroom home this year, but we can’t do it without your help. This will be the 23rd home built by Nativity and the Knights. This year Good Shepherd Catholic Chapel in Whitley City selected the Stephens family of six to receive our next home. The family has been living in a dilapidated trailer with limited bathroom capability, mold issues, and is nearly impossible to heat in the winter. The family’s total income is $22,000. Over a very compressed two weeks in June, the combined crews will build a 1,200SF, four-bedroom home, complete with porches, heating/AC, appliances, and a septic system -- the family assists if they are able. A handyman prepares the foundation and because of county requirements, we must hire local electricians, HVAC specialists, and plumbers who work side-by-side with our crews to complete the home which has significantly added to our costs. Last year we were delayed four months by COVID and didn’t start the home till mid-September but we were able to get the family moved in by the first week in October, literally days after we completed the home. Please help if you can, but above all pray that we may be able to continue this important mission! The Knights will be collecting at all the church exits after all the Masses—checks may be made payable to Nativity Catholic Church, but annotate Appalachia Home Building on the check and your church envelope num-ber to facilitate posting to your account. Please consider electronic giving if at all possible; Appalachia Home Building is one of the designated charities. If you would like to mail your contribution, please send it to Nativity Catholic Church, 6400 Nativity Lane, Burke, VA 22015. Please call Bob Corsi at 703-239-2890 if you have any questions or email him at [email protected].

PLEASE HELP US


Consecration to the Holy Family

December 27th is the Feast of the Holy Family. On the weekend of December 26-27, at all Masses, The Knights of Columbus Council will Assist our Pastor, Fr. Bob, in conducting a Consecration to the Holy Family for our parish Families. You can learn all about this K of C program at: www.kofc.org/consecration. Those attending Virtual Mass can also participate and can find the prayer and preparation materials at https://nativityburke.org/family-holy-week-activity/.

To help families live out the joy of Christ, the Knights of Columbus Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori has composed a prayer through which families will come together to consecrate themselves under the protection of the Holy Family. In this prayer, we ask for the aid or intercession of the perfect son Jesus Christ, Mary the perfect mother, and Joseph who is a model for every father. Preparing for the Consecration to the Holy Family is not a single event. It is choosing a way of life for your family. Through this consecration, each participant is consciously choosing to be a beacon of God’s love through His Church. For more information please visit https://nativityburke.org/family-holy-week-activity/.

From Your Nativity Creation Care Ministry

Following closely on Christmas, the Feast of the Holy Family highlights the crucial role of relationship in our lives. The Word of God became incarnate on this earth and chose to dwell within the human family of Mary and Joseph. Their example underlines the family values raised in the reading from Sirach: honor and authority. Paul echoes the call to put on love and to live in peace. And today's psalm tells us that those who walk in the ways of the Lord will be able to eat of the fruit of their own handiwork. Chap-ter 2 of Laudato si' underscores the importance of safeguarding our relationships. Pope Frances notes that in Scripture human life is grounded in three relationships: with God, with others, and with the earth. And he emphasizes how everything is interconnected. In that light, genuine fraternity, justice and faithfulness to one another is inseparable from care for creation, the common home that we all share. More, God is the moving force in all of creation. The Spirit of God has filled the earth with possibilities, allowing new things to emerge. We need to shoulder our responsibility to participate in the life and creative work of God in our world. Like Simeon in the Gospel, we are called to announce the light of God with our wounded world. (excerpted from Catholic Climate Covenant)

Knights of Columbus Council 7992 Basketball Free Throw Challenge

This fun event will be held on Saturday, January 16th from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM in the Father Martin Center and is open to all boys and girls ages 9 - 14. Nativity girl and boy age group winners will be eligible to compete at the Knights of Columbus District Challenge in February at Holy Spirit in Annandale. Proper social distancing will be observed and face masks must be worn.

If you are interested or have questions, please contact Dave Zivich at [email protected].

With the Marriage Enrichment Ministry (MEM), we want for you what you want--a holy & thriving marriage that lasts a lifetime. A marriage that is intentional & purpose-driven. A Christ-centered marriage, always striving to grow in virtue and holiness. The priests want to help create this with couples as soon as they are engaged.

In December we officially started the Sponsor Couples Ministry. We started with 4 sponsor couples appointed by Fr. Bob to connect with each engaged couple as they prepare for marriage to help spark conversation with the FOCCUS inventory. The engaged will have a couple at Nativity Parish to connect with, someone else praying for them, and to be there for support.

Great marriages don’t just happen, it takes intention, building skills, and cultivating a Christ-centered relationship. It takes an investment of our time and energy before entering the voca-tion. It takes work to communicate, manage finances, have a strong spiritual life together, and healthily resolve conflict. Being intentional in working and growing together should happen every day. The Marriage Enrichment Ministry serves all those engaged, newly married, and married for years. The ministry is here to build community, offer resources, date nights, guest speakers, dinners, and fellowship to help create a holy, thriving, and lifelong marriage.

Civilly married, but not married in the church? The priests are here to support you in the process. Getting sacramentally married and having your marriage convalidated is not as daunting as many think. We are passionate about supporting couples with the sacraments, their relationships, and spiritual life. Have some questions about being married in the church---give us a call.

Join the ministry and surround yourself with other couples striving for holiness, who have the same growth-mindset and drive to create the very best for their relationship.


ADULTS—YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF A YOUNG PERSON

YOU can make a difference in the life of a young person - leading them closer to Christ. College-Age, Young Adults, Parents, Grandparents, Retirees ...all are welcome to share the Catholic faith! Contact Ms. Ingrid to inquire how YOU can make a difference.

Follow Us nat ivi tycym

Nativity Youth Ministry

Get the Weekly CYM UPdate! Via FlockNote

High School: nativityburke.org/cym/lifeteen/ Grades 5-8 nativityburke.org/cym/edge/

nativityschool.org

NATIVITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL A Blue Ribbon School of Excellence

The COVID-19 pandemic has made this school year different on almost every account -- and the 2020

Christmas Pageant proved no exception!

Instead of a stage production, we filmed a movie that tells the story of Jesus' birth in a unique way, showcasing the

acting, musical, and dancing talents of our students -- partic-ularly the 5th graders! Despite being unable to sing in our classrooms or rehearse in the usual ways, our Pandemic Pageant is a tribute to the flexibility and courage of our

students, who truly shine like Stars in everything they are doing this year! classrooms or rehearse in the usual ways,

our Pandemic Pageant is a tribute to the flexibility and courage of our students, who truly shine like Stars in every-

thing they are doing this year!

Heartfelt thanks to Mr. Fulmer, our

Pageant Director and Music Teacher, and to

Mr. Smith, our Pageant Producer and Fifth

Grade Teacher -- and to our very talented

Nativity Stars!

************************************** Wishing All of You a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New

Year! To ensure our return to the classroom, Nativity School follows a strict regimen of health and safety guidelines.

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to our families for helping to make our transition back into the classroom -- and to keep us there --

truly a working partnership.

Serving students in Grades 5 thru 12 in a

variety of teen groupings

For Complete Information Visit the Nativity Website

Starting September 2020 - All gatherings will take place bi-week outside in the fresh air

• All Groups meet from 5:00pm - 6:30pm

• Masks required - Bring a Camp Chair

• Parent involvement is requested to support this ministry during COVID-19

EDGE is middle school ministry Grades 5, 6, 7, 8 LifeTEEN is high school ministry Grades 9-10-11-12

Bi-Weekly Mon EDGE Grades 5 & 6 5:00-6:30pm Tues EDGE Grades 7 & 8 5:00-6:30pm

Wed LifeTEEN Grade 9 5:00-6:30pm Thur LifeTEEN Grades 10-11-12 5:00-6:30pm

YM Meeting Calendar Visit parish the web site - Youth and Family LifeTEEN or EDGE - YM Calendar

No Drop-Ins | SignUp Required Visit Web Site to get on the CYM Flocknote for

Updates, SignUp and Gathering Reminders

http://www.nativityburke.org/nativityschool/


Fiesta. Sagrada Familia de Jesús, María y José Lc 2,22-40: Lo sencillo y su grandeza

Autor: Mons. Jesús Sanz Montes, ofm

Dios se ha hecho carne, ha querido acampar su vida divina en nuestro terruño humano asumiendo y haciendo suyas todas las cosas que contrae y conlleva nuestro diario vivir. Uno de ellos, y no el menos importante, es que nacemos, crecemos, vivimos en una familia. Sin familia el hombre se deshumaniza. Y por eso Dios, puesto a humanarse, no ha querido prescindir de esta realidad. Aquella Santa Familia, de María, José y Jesús, como aquellos primeros cristianos, tratándose como eran tratados por Dios, fueron capaces de transformar el mundo... sacando al Dios desconocido de los panteones para reconocerlo en lo cotidiano, en los días laborables, en lo familiar de una vida humana sin más. Dios vino a enseñarnos lo mejor, y lo hizo desde el asombro humilde de María y José, llamados a acoger y acompañar lo extraordinario de Dios desde lo ordinario de su condición. Sin omitir ninguna de las ob-ligaciones que como creyentes y como miembros del pueblo de Israel debían también ellos seguir: “cuando llegó el tiempo de la purificación de María, según la ley de Moisés, llevaron a Jesús a Jerusalén, para presentarlo al Señor". Y sin embargo, esa aparente cotidianeidad, esa sencilla vida ordinaria, es-condía algo sublime, ocultaba sin pretenderlo a Alguien a quien tantos habían esperado en Israel. Dos ancianos, Simeón y Ana, habían esperado ese momento de ver al Mesías. Ellos dos eran como los repre-sentantes de una larga fila, inmensa, de todos los que antes de ellos vinieron y los que después de ellos hemos venido. Nos los podemos imaginar temblones y llorosos por ver cumplido lo que toda una vida habían estado esperando. Simeón se puso a cantar un himno de alabanza porque estaba arrullando entre sus manos arrugadas y tiernas a quien era presentado como luz para todos los Pueblos. Y comprendió que la vida ya le había dado todo, y tan hermosamente, y tan puntualmente, y tan inmerecidamente… pero se lo había dado de verdad. Todos nosotros tenemos la misma promesa del anciano Simeón, sea cual sea nuestra edad y circunstan-cia. Hemos nacido para ese encuentro con Alguien que se nos da como la luz que corresponde a tantas negruras y apagones, como la misericordia que corresponde con todas nuestras durezas, como la gracia que es capaz de abrazar nuestras soledades, la alegría que recoge en su odre festivo todas nuestras lágrimas laborables. Este encuentro es lo que en estos días y siempre llamamos Navidad. Dios nos ha invitado a su fiesta al hacernos nacer a su Hijo para nuestro bien, y al mostrarlo dentro de aquella bendita familia.


El silencio de san José Reflexiones Adviento y Navidad

Dejémonos "contagiar" por el silencio de san José. Nos es muy necesario, en un mundo demasiado rui-doso, que no favorece el recogimiento. Por: SS Benedicto XVI | Fuente: Catholic.net

En estos últimos días del Adviento, la liturgia nos invita a contemplar de modo especial a la Virgen María y a san José, que vivieron con intensidad única el tiempo de la espera y de la preparación del nacimiento de Jesús. Hoy deseo dirigir mi mirada a la figura de san José. (......) Desde luego, la función de san José no puede reducirse a un aspecto legal. Es modelo del hombre "justo" (Mt 1, 19), que en perfecta sintonía con su esposa acoge al Hijo de Dios he-cho hombre y vela por su crecimiento humano. Por eso, en los días que preceden a la Navidad, es muy oportuno entablar una especie de coloquio espiritual con san José, para que él nos ayude a vivir en plenitud este gran misterio de la fe. El amado Papa San Juan Pablo II, que era muy devoto de san José, nos ha dejado una admirable meditación dedicada a él en la exhortación apostólica Redemptoris Custos, "Custodio del Redentor". Entre los muchos aspectos que pone de relie-ve, pondera en especial el silencio de san José. Su silencio estaba impregnado de contemplación del misterio de Dios, con una actitud de total disponibilidad a la voluntad divina. En otras palabras, el silencio de san José no manifiesta un vacío interior, sino, al contrario, la plenitud de fe que lleva en su corazón y que guía todos sus pensamientos y todos sus actos. Un silencio gracias al cual san José, al unísono con María, guarda la palabra de Dios, conocida a través de las Sagradas Escrituras, confrontándola continuamente con los aconteci-mientos de la vida de Jesús; un silencio entretejido de oración constante, oración de bendición del Señor, de adoración de su santísima voluntad y de confianza sin reservas en su provi-dencia. No se exagera si se piensa que, precisamente de su "padre" José, Jesús aprendió, en el plano humano, la fuerte interiori-dad que es presupuesto de la auténtica justicia, la "justicia superior", que él un día enseñará a sus discípulos (cf. Mt 5, 20). Dejémonos "contagiar" por el silencio de san José. Nos es muy necesario, en un mundo a menudo demasiado ruidoso, que no favorece el recogimiento y la escucha de la voz de Dios. En este tiempo de preparación para la Navidad cultive-mos el recogimiento interior, para acoger y tener siempre a Jesús en nuestra vida.

Sagrada Familia - B Evangelio de la Misa: Lc 2,22-40 En el hogar de Nazaret En esta fiesta de la Sagrada Familia se celebra y se honra a la familia formada por María, José y el Niño Jesús. No podía faltar esta celebración durante la Navi-dad. Jesús vino al mundo en una familia, y en ese am-biente se educó como hombre y se preparó para realiz-ar su obra salvadora. En el hogar de Nazaret se miran todas las familias cristianas, para aprender y dignificar la propia familia. El Evangelio de este día nos muestra a esta familia acudiendo al templo para “la purificacin de María, y según la ley de Moisés llevaron a Jesús a Jerusalén para presentarlo al Seor”. Igual que hacían todas las familias normales y devotas de entonces. ________________________________________ Gracias, Señor, por esa imagen tan aleccionadora de tus padres llevándote al templo. La normalidad de tu familia, cumpliendo las leyes justas del momento so-cial, engrandecen la vida familiar, que se ajusta a tu santa ley y disfruta del ambiente familiar y se ve premiada con una prole feliz y generosa. Te pido, en primer lugar, Señor, por mi familia: pa-dres, hijos y hermanos. Que en todos reine la bondad de corazón, la humildad y sencillez, y la generosidad para fomentar la verdadera alegría y felicidad en el hogar, y para dar amor y bienestar a todos los demás antes que a uno mismo. En esta misma línea pido por todas las familias del mundo: que sean hogares luminosos y alegres, escuelas de humanismo, iglesias domésticas, donde reine la paz, el amor y el temor de Dios. Quiero también acompañarte hoy y ponerme al lado de tus padres, María y José, en la ceremonia de tu Presentación en el templo. Como un criado familiar quiero ofrecer mis servicios a tan augusta familia, y también observar las actitudes y comportamiento de aquel matrimonio santo. Pocos matrimonios han recibido tantos elogios y promesas optimistas y esperanzadoras, y a la vez tan-tos presagios de dolor y contradicción. El anciano Simeón rebosa de alegría porque ha visto y tocado al Salvador. Se puede ya morir en paz. Ha llegado la luz a las naciones y la gloria al pueblo de Israel. ¡Qué satisfac-ción escuchar estas palabras! Con la alegría de la profetisa Ana, quiero mostrar al mundo mi satisfacción por conocerte y tratarte en tu ambiente familiar. Ayúdame, Señor, a hacer de mi familia la iglesia do-méstica donde Tu reines, y todos, hijos, familiares, amigos y conocidos, encuentren un remanso de paz, alegría, bienestar y amor de Dios; y en especial los pobres y necesitados encuentren en mi casa acogida, calor y ayuda generosa. Padre Segismundo Fernandez Rodríguez

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