Feast of the Circumcision and Octave of the Nativity
J.M.J.
Rev. Fr. Leonard Goffine's
The Church's Year
NEW YEAR'S DAY
Why is this day so called?
Because the secular year begins with this day, as the Church year begins
with the First Sunday in Advent.
What should we do on this day?
An offering of the new year should be made to God, asking His grace that we
may spend the year in a holy manner, for the welfare of the soul.
Why do we wish each other a "happy new year"?
Because to do so is an act of Christian love; but this wish should come from
the heart, and not merely from worldly politeness, otherwise we would be
like the heathens (Mt. 5:47), and receive no other reward than they.
What feast of the Church is celebrated today?
The Feast of the Circumcision of our Lord, Who, for love of us, voluntarily
subjected Himself to the painful law of the Old Covenant, that we might be
freed from the same.
What was the Circumcision?
It was an external sign of the Old Law, by which the people of that day were
numbered among the chosen people of God, as now they become, by baptism,
members of the Church of Christ.
What is the signification of Circumcision in the moral or spiritual sense?
It signifies the mortification of the senses, of evil desires, and
inclinations. This must be practiced by Christians now, since they have
promised it in baptism which would be useless to them without the practice
of mortification; just as little as the Jew by exterior Circumcision is a
true Jew, just so little is the baptized a true Christian without a virtuous
life. Beg of Christ, therefore, today, to give you the grace of the true
Circumcision of heart.
PRAYER I thank Thee, O Lord Jesus, because Thou hast shed Thy blood for me
in Circumcision, and beg Thee that by Thy precious blood I may receive the
grace to circumcise my heart and all my senses, so that I may lead a life of
mortification in this world, and attain eternal joys in the next. Amen.
INTROIT A child is born to us, and a Son is given to us; whose government is
upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called the Angel of great counsel
(Is. 9). Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: for he bath done wonderful
things (Ps. 97). Glory be to the Father.
COLLECT O God, Who, by the fruitful virginity of blessed Mary, hast bestowed
upon mankind the rewards of eternal salvation; grant, we beseech Thee, that
we may feel the benefit of her intercession for us, through whom we have
deserved to receive the author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who
livest and reignest, etc.
EPISTLE (Tit. 2:11-15). Dearly beloved, the grace of God our Savior hath
appeared to all men, instructing us, that denying ungodliness and worldly
desires, we should live soberly, and justly, and godly in this world,
looking for the blessed hope and coming of the great God and our Savior
Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all
iniquity, and might cleanse to himself a people acceptable, a pursuer of
good works. These things speak, and exhort, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
GOSPEL (Lk. 2:21). At that time, after eight days were accomplished that the
child should be circumcised, his name was called Jesus, which was called by
the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Why did Jesus submit to Circumcision?
That He might show His great love for us, which caused Him even at the very
beginning of His life, to shed His blood to cleanse us thereby from all our
sins. Furthermore to teach us obedience to the commandments of God and His
Church, since He voluntarily subjected Himself to the Jewish law, although
He was not in the least bound by it, which ordered that every male child
should be circumcised on the eighth day after its birth (Lev. 12:3).
Why was He named Jesus?
Because Jesus means Redeemer and Savior, and He had come to redeem and save
the world (Mt. 1:21). This is the holiest, most venerable, and most powerful
name by which we can be saved.
What power has this name?
The greatest power, for it repels all attacks of the evil Spirit, as Jesus
Himself says (Mk. 16:17). And so great is the efficacy of this most holy
name that even those who are not righteous, can by it expel devils (Mt.
7:22). It has power to cure physical pains and evils, as when used by the
apostles (Acts. 3:3-7), and Christ promised that the faithful by using it
could do the same (Mk. 16:17). St. Bernard calls the name of Jesus a
"Medicine"; and St. Chrysostom says, "This name cures all ills; it gives
succor in all the ailments of the soul, in temptations, in faintheartedness,
in sorrow, and in all evil desires, etc." "Let him who cannot excite
contrition in his heart for the sins he has committed, think of the loving,
meek, and suffering Jesus, invoke His holy name with fervor and confidence,
and he will feel his heart touched and made better," says St. Lawrence
Justinian. It overcomes and dispels the temptations of the enemy: "When we
fight against Satan in the name of Jesus," says the martyr St. Justin,
"Jesus fights for us, in us, and with us, and the enemies must flee as soon
as they hear the name of Jesus." It secures us help and blessings in all
corporal and spiritual necessities, because nothing is impossible to him who
asks in the name of Jesus, whatever tends to his salvation will be given him
(Jn. 14:13). Therefore it is useful above all things, to invoke this holy
name in all dangers of body and soul, in doubts, in temptations, especially
in temptations against holy chastity, and still more so when one has fallen
into sin, from which he desires to be delivered; for this name is like oil
(Cant. 1:2) which cures, nourishes, and illumines.
How must this name be pronounced to experience its power?
With lively faith, with steadfast, unshaken confidence, with deepest
reverence and devotion, for in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of
those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth (Phil. 2:10). What
wickedness, then, is theirs who habitually pronounce this name carelessly
and irreverently, upon every occasion! Such a habit is certainly diabolical;
for the damned and the devils constantly abuse God and His holy name.
Why does this name so seldom manifest its power in our days?
Because Christian faith is daily becoming weaker, and confidence less, while
perfect submission to the will of God is wanting. When faith grows stronger
among people, and confidence greater, then will the power of this most
sacred name manifest itself in more wonderful and consoling aspects.
PRAYER TO JESUS IN DIFFICULTIES
O Jesus! Consolation of the afflicted! Thy name is indeed poured out like
oil; for Thou dost illumine those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of
death; Thou dost disperse the blindness of the soul and dost cure its ills;
Thou givest food and drink to those who hunger and thirst after justice. Be
also, O Jesus! my Savior, the physician of my soul, the healer of its
wounds. O Jesus! Succor of those who are in need, be my protector in
temptations! O Jesus! Father of the poor, do Thou nourish me! O Jesus! joy
of the angels, do Thou comfort me! O Jesus! my only hope and refuge, be my
helper in the hour of death, for there is given us no other name beneath the
sun by which we may be saved, but Thy most blessed name Jesus!
EXHORTATION St. Paul says: All whatsoever you do in word or in work, all
things do ye in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Col. 3:17). We should,
therefore, follow the example of the saints, and continually say, at least
in our hearts: "For love of Thee, O Jesus, I rise; for love of Thee I lie
down; for love of Thee I eat, drink, and enjoy myself; for love of Thee I
work, speak, or am silent." Thus we will accustom ourselves to do all in the
name of Jesus, by which everything is easily or at least meritoriously
accomplished.
PRAYER TO BE SAID ON NEW YEAR'S DAY
O God, Heavenly Father of Mercy, God of all Consolation! we thank Thee that
from our birth to this day, Thou hast so well preserved us, and hast
protected us in so many dangers; we beseech Thee, through the merits of Thy
beloved Son, and by His sacred blood which He shed for us on this day in His
circumcision, to forgive all the sins which, during the past year, we have
committed against Thy commandments, by which we have aroused Thy
indignation and wrath against ourselves. Preserve us in the coming year
from all sins, and misfortunes of body and soul. Grant that from this day to
the end of our lives, all our senses, thoughts, words, and works, which we
here dedicate to Thee for all time, may be directed in accordance with Thy
will, and that we may finally die in the true Catholic faith, and enjoy with
Thee in Thy kingdom a joyful new year, that shall know no end. Amen.
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From the Church's Year online:
http://www.sspxasia.com
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Sincerely in Christ,
Our Lady of the Rosary Library
"Pray and work for souls"
http://olrl.org
