Archive for December 27, 2025

Sunday Reflection with Dr Scott Hahn

Posted: December 27, 2025 by CatholicJules in Sunday Reflections
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Feast of the Holy Family

Sirach 3:2–6, 12–14
Psalm 128:1–5
Colossians 3:12–21
Matthew 2:13–15, 19–23

Saving Family

Underlying the wisdom offered in today’s Liturgy is the mystery of the family in God’s divine plan.

The Lord has set father in honor over his children and mother in authority over her sons, we hear in today’s First Reading. As we sing in today’s Psalm, the blessings of the family flow from Zion, the heavenly mother of the royal people of God (see Isaiah 66:7, 10–13; Galatians 4:26).

And in the drama of today’s Gospel, we see the nucleus of the new people of God—the Holy Family—facing persecution from those who would seek to destroy the child and His Kingdom.

Moses, called to save God’s first born son, the people of Israel (see Exodus 4:22; Sirach 36:11), was also threatened at birth by a mad and jealous tyrant (see Exodus 1:15–16). And as Moses was saved by his mother and sister (see Exodus 2:1–10; 4:19), in God’s plan Jesus too is rescued by His family.

As once God took the family of Jacob down to Egypt to make them the great nation Israel (see Genesis 46:2–4), God leads the Holy Family to Egypt to prepare the coming of the new Israel of God—the Church (see Galatians 6:16).

At the beginning of the world, God established the family in the “marriage” of Adam and Eve, the two becoming one body (see Genesis 2:22–24). Now in the new creation, Christ is made “one body” with His bride, the Church, as today’s Epistle indicates (see Ephesians 5:21–32).

By this union we are made God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved. And our families are to radiate the perfect love that binds us to Christ in the Church.

As we approach the altar on this feast, let us renew our commitment to our God-given duties as spouses, children and parents. Mindful of the promises of today’s First Reading, let us offer our quiet performance of these duties for the atonement of our sins.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: December 27, 2025 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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After falling in love with Jesus, the heart sometimes longs for what the early disciples experienced. They were able to touch him firsthand and be in his presence. Imagine how wonderful that must have been, as they recall from the first reading. Their testimony is truly awe-inspiring.

However, if you think about it, our experience is different. We can still gaze upon Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. We can receive him in our hands or on our tongues, and continue to walk in His presence.

We just celebrated Christmas. And now, the gospel propels us toward Easter.  Both Christmas and Easter remind us that they are unified in our salvation. From the cradle to the tomb, through the power of his resurrection, we have been set free. Glory to you, oh Lord. Amen.



Saint John, Apostle, Evangelist pray for us…


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First reading
1 John 1:1-4 ·

The Word, who is life – this is our subject


Something which has existed since the beginning, that we have heard, and we have seen with our own eyes; that we have watched and touched with our hands: the Word, who is life – this is our subject.
That life was made visible: we saw it and we are giving our testimony, telling you of the eternal life which was with the Father and has been made visible to us.
What we have seen and heard
we are telling you so that you too may be in union with us, as we are in union with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
We are writing this to you to make our own joy complete.


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Gospel
John 20:2-8


The other disciple saw, and he believed

On the first day of the week Mary of Magdala came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb’ she said ‘and we don’t know where they have put him.’
    So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first; he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in. Simon Peter who was following now came up, went right into the tomb, saw the linen cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed.