This week's feasts
The Octave of Christmas—The Solemnity of Mary
The Church does not celebrate Jan. 1 as New Year’s Day. That is because in some cultures (especially Asian cultures), the beginning of the year happens at various other times. Instead, we celebrate the Octave of Christmas. The Octave of Christmas is the Eighth Day of Christmas. And this date is celebrated as the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, the greatest title that has been given to Mary.
In the early Church, there were several serious conflicts over Christology. Christology asks the question, who exactly was Jesus? The debates came with trying to understand the relationship between Jesus’ humanity and His divinity. One perspective, rejected by the Church, concerned the title of Mary as the mother of God. Nestorius, a bishop and a theologian, rejected this title because he thought that it indicated that Mary preceded God and brought God into existence. That is absolutely not what the Church believes or teaches.
The Church says that Jesus is truly human and truly divine. The child in Mary’s womb was both human and divine, so to call her the mother of God is absolutely accurate. It does not imply that God did not exist before Mary gave birth to Jesus, but that from the moment of Jesus’ conception in her womb, He was both human and divine.
Thursday, Jan. 1 of this week, is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. It is a holy day of obligation. Our Mass times will be different than on other holy days. We will have Mass on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 4:30 pm and Thursday, at 10 am.
In the early Church, there were several serious conflicts over Christology. Christology asks the question, who exactly was Jesus? The debates came with trying to understand the relationship between Jesus’ humanity and His divinity. One perspective, rejected by the Church, concerned the title of Mary as the mother of God. Nestorius, a bishop and a theologian, rejected this title because he thought that it indicated that Mary preceded God and brought God into existence. That is absolutely not what the Church believes or teaches.
The Church says that Jesus is truly human and truly divine. The child in Mary’s womb was both human and divine, so to call her the mother of God is absolutely accurate. It does not imply that God did not exist before Mary gave birth to Jesus, but that from the moment of Jesus’ conception in her womb, He was both human and divine.
Thursday, Jan. 1 of this week, is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. It is a holy day of obligation. Our Mass times will be different than on other holy days. We will have Mass on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 4:30 pm and Thursday, at 10 am.
St. Thomas Becket
Those of you who are around my age (my diplomatic way of saying, those of you who are a little older) will remember a movie entitled Becket, starring Richard Burton as Thomas Becket and Peter O’Toole as King Henry II. They began as friends, and Becket was one of King Henry’s main advisors. Henry appointed Thomas to be the Archbishop of Canterbury, head of the Catholic Church in England. (England was still Catholic and would be till the reign of King Henry VIII.
Because they were friends, Henry believed that Becket would be willing to do what he wanted, but when he became archbishop, he took his responsibilities to the Church very seriously. He pushed back against Henry quite a bit, which the King did not appreciate. Eventually their conflict led King Henry to state, “Who will rid me of this troublesome priest?”
(Many people in history have proclaimed that same outcry of frustration. That may include some of you.)
Two soldiers in King Henry’s court heard this outcry and took it on themselves to fulfill Henry’s wish. They went to the Church where Thomas Becket was saying Mass, and in the midst of the Mass, they murdered him.
The site of Thomas’s grave and of his murder quickly became the most popular pilgrimage places. And Henry was denounced by many, even though he had not ordered the deed. In recompense, Henry went to the church and had some of his soldiers scourge him, seeking forgiveness and restoration of the respect of the people.
The Feast of St. Thomas Becket is Monday, Dec. 29.
Because they were friends, Henry believed that Becket would be willing to do what he wanted, but when he became archbishop, he took his responsibilities to the Church very seriously. He pushed back against Henry quite a bit, which the King did not appreciate. Eventually their conflict led King Henry to state, “Who will rid me of this troublesome priest?”
(Many people in history have proclaimed that same outcry of frustration. That may include some of you.)
Two soldiers in King Henry’s court heard this outcry and took it on themselves to fulfill Henry’s wish. They went to the Church where Thomas Becket was saying Mass, and in the midst of the Mass, they murdered him.
The site of Thomas’s grave and of his murder quickly became the most popular pilgrimage places. And Henry was denounced by many, even though he had not ordered the deed. In recompense, Henry went to the church and had some of his soldiers scourge him, seeking forgiveness and restoration of the respect of the people.
The Feast of St. Thomas Becket is Monday, Dec. 29.
Richard Burton in the role of St. Thomas Becket.