THEOTOKOS, MY MUM

THEOTOKOS is a compound word, made up, of two Greek words; Theo, (which means God), and tokos (which means, childbirth), and so, ‘One who gives birth to God’. Very often it is paraphrased as the Mother of God. But what we have to keep in mind is that Mary did not create the divine person of Jesus, who existed with the Father from all eternity, she is not the source of her Son’s divinity.

The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God is a feast day of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the aspect of her motherhood of Jesus Christ, whom Christians see as the Lord, Son of God. It is celebrated on the octave (8^th day) after Christmas Day, that is January 1^st, in some countries it is a Holy Day of Obligation.

The holy virgin gave birth in the flesh to God, united with the flesh according to hypostasis, for that reason we call her Theotokos... “If anyone does not confess that Emmanuel is, in truth, God, and therefore that the holy virgin is Theotokos (for she bore in a fleshly manner the Word from God become flesh), let him be anathema." (Cyril's third letter to Nestorius)

Hypostasis is a Greek word that has a range of meanings: nature, substance, image, essence, etc. It is translated as "nature" in Heb. 1:3, "And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power."

Leaving the study of Theology aside, coming to think of it, on January 1^st we could say that it is Mother’s Day. Mary is our Mother, she gave birth to all humanity on Calvary before Jesus’ death. So I could say that … I, and all of us, are part of the same family of God. This is a wonderful thought; I am the brother of Jesus, or rather Jesus is my (our) elder brother. Do we appreciate this thought?

No wonder St. Bernard wrote that beautiful Memorare:                                                                                                     

“Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, and sought thy intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother, to thee I come, before thee I stand sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate! despise not my petitions, but, in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen. “

A wonderful plea, prayer by a son to his Mum, and what mum, worthy of the name would not help or answer such a plea? The Theotokos will answer all prayers because she madly wishes to fill all heaven with many other Christs; and that includes … me and you.

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THE ‘RED AND GREEN TRAIN’ OF JESUS

Being a grandfather, it really is heart-breaking to see a child crying. I saw little Johnny, with his nose buttoned to the shop-window looking at a ‘red and green train’. No, little Johnny was not crying because his mum was ill in bed; he was heart-broken, because he was disappointed. He had written many letters to Santa Claus asking him, begging him for a ‘red and green train’, which he had dreamt of for so long. But the train never arrived.

It was almost nightfall on Christmas Day, the houses were going to sleep, window by window, but, Johnny’s train never arrived. He was let down. But why? He had done his utmost to obey his mum and dad during the last weeks before Christmas. But why?

There he sat, wiping away tears, which he couldn’t hold back. O what a heart-breaking sight! Who knows for how many nights he will be dreaming of a ‘Black Christmas’. Years will pass and, I’m sure, he keeps remembering this Day. What a shattering disappointment!

Now, that the Festive Season will soon be on its way out, we start putting down and packing the Christmas Trees with their decorations, festoons and what not. We certainly, pack up Baby Jesus, together with the straw and manger. We sort of feel a void, as we had got used to seeing and appreciating the warm-loving sight of Baby Jesus in Christmas.

But that is where Johnny comes in. As far as we know, from the Gospel, Baby Jesus, never asked for a toy train, so he is not going to be disappointed like Johnny was. But Jesus is disappointed just the same, because for ‘many’ He is going to remain simply “The Christmas Babe” and nothing else. Pack up Jesus until another calendar date arrives next year.

Many do not realise, or rather want to forget, that Jesus was born to accomplish His earthly Mission; teaching, performing miracles, healing, feeding and raising people from death. But, our Jesus is packed up in brown paper, in a safe box in the attic. Yes, because for many He is simply the ‘Christmas Babe’. And just like Johnny … and more, He will disappoint Himself.  No, Jesus has not written to St. Nicholas asking for a ‘red and green train’. HIS disappointment is different; Jesus misses seeing Tom, Dick and Harry, and maybe, you, dear reader, throughout the whole year. HE has to wait for another Christmas. …and you are worth more than ‘the red and green train’.

Baby Jesus will be missing the warmth, admiration, love-sharing atmosphere and joy. Why?  Christmas Day should be every single day of our life. That is where Jesus disappoints Himself as much as Johnny, and more, seeing what humility He suffered to be born amongst us, to offer us salvation, love, cure of soul and body and His compassion. 

Unfortunately, for many, Christmas is a cultural occasion, just a day in the calendar; once it’s over, it is forgotten. But Christ keeps living in our neighbour, besides the Eucharist. And, our neighbour is not the next door family, but every human being round the world. So, prepare your ‘red and green train’ for Jesus. Let’s make every single day, a ‘Christmas Day’, and hope …  we will deserve His blessings, every day.

  

HEROD SINGS A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Many are those, including myself, who feel. a ‘new spirit’, a ‘ new life’, during this festive seasons; and we show it.  We act accordingly, by simply decorating our rooms, our office, our homes and, playing Christmas music.                                     One of the many Christmas songs I enjoy listening to, is one made popular by so many good singers. I am referring to the carol, “Mary, did you know?”         As expected, so go the lyrics: asking Mary if she knew that her baby will one day walk over troubled waters and calms it, that He will one day give sight to the blind, feeds the thousands, and so on. In short it is a synopsis of Christ’s works and miracles when he came to live with us on earth.

But, with all due respect,to the author of the lyrics of this Carol, I take the liberty of asking Mary, some other very pertinent questions. I know that these questions will be hurting her tender and loving heart. And precisely, because Mary has got a tender and loving heart that she suffers.

Mary, did you know that ‘many’, who are singing and asking You certain questions, they themselves do not know the answer, or, they are suffering from  the ‘Dr.Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Syndrome’ ? Why ask You if you knew that your babe will one day raise the dead to life? You certainly know the answer. BUT, ‘they’ do not know. Because they keep legislating about the right to abort, to kill innocent life.

These ‘many’ include governments, ministers, senators, presidents (they do not deserve a capital P), doctors, mothers-to-be, fathers who are ashamed to carry their responsibilities … the whole gang of modern day Herods, found all round the world. They certainly know the answer, yet they keep humming, singing or playing the Carol, ‘Mary did You know?’

Mary, did You know that those tiny, pinkish hands, and feet, of your darling  babe, will one day be pierced with nails to the cross. This henious crime will not be committed by the Roman soldiers. No, we are in the Year of the Lord, 2015, these modern-day Herods are all those who legislate the right to abort, for fear of not being elected to Parliament, or to the Senate, or chosen to occupy the President’s Chair … and the rest of the ‘gang’.

Mary, did you know that ‘some’ of those who are hurting your tender heart and your sweet babe call themselves Christians, or Catholics, because they have received the Sacrament of Baptism, or they go to Mass, maybe the receive Holy Communion? But they have chosen to fatten their pockets with easy money. I do not know if they fear hunger or starvation! I know one thing, for sure, that Your Babe one day fed thousands with just five loaves and two fishes. So why fear starvation?

And the singing and humming goes on, “Mary, did you know?’ Yes, Mary, you know all the answers, even the fact that one day we have to give account of our doings. We shall see a long queue of Herods lining up to give account on their ‘balance sheets’. Do not be surprised that many of us will know many a ‘Herod’ in the line-up. Let’s hope that none of us would have helped a Herod to regain power … because we will have to settle our dues, too.

In the mean time may we all have a ‘Blessed Christmas’ by preparing a warm cosy spot in our heart to receive Baby Jesus. Let’s keep on humming, singing and playing Christmas Carols, but let us even play that old song, ‘And when the Ball is Over’ … What then ? THAT date is not marked on any calendar.