Guest Columnists

On the feast of the Incarnation we celebrate almighty God’s decision to become man by assuming the body of a human being. The heavenly father announced to Mary that she was chosen to be the mother of God’s only begotten son. Mary had been immaculately conceived in her mother womb, and was made ready from her conception for this supreme moment in the history of the world.

As they celebrated their first Christmas in America 150 years ago, our Little Sisters in Baltimore noted that the donations received included “12 turkeys, four ducks, 16 chickens and so many other good things that we didn’t know what to do with it all!” They concluded, “In this country Christmas is like the feast of the poor!”

There is a growing interest among some priests and laity to celebrate Mass ad orientem (toward the East). This designation should not be labeled as the priest facing the wall or the tabernacle with his back to the people, but rather a posture of praying to God. The earliest church documents that describe the Eucharist show differences in the way it was celebrated from region to region, Rome, Jerusalem, Milan. These centers of the church had different ways of celebrating the Eucharist from the earliest days. However, there was never a question that it was the same Eucharist. In the 16th century, the Council of Trent endorsed some of this diversity, but called for a greater centrality in promoting uniformity.

In a recent column, Father Ron Rolheiser cited James Hillman’s 1993 book “Suicide and the Soul.” Hillman addresses complex issues that “go against common sense, medical practice and rationality.” A “restlessness” can invade a person’s soul and body and create distress, conflict, and even insanity. According to the Gospel writers, Jesus engaged in battle against overwhelming agitations. He fought against his own temptations in the desert and expelled demons from individuals.