By Pat Haggerty

The Christmas season is officially over.  After all the preparation and planning, we are moving forward in the liturgical year.  Some churches are shedding their decorations, removing their Christmas trees and storing the manger for another year.  As I look around my neighborhood, I see fewer lights and definitely a minimum of Christmas trees still standing.  Ours is still up because we are having a delayed family celebration in a few days.  I always call it “Petit Noel.”  I know it is after the Epiphany, but, I can still call it that---thus keeping the spirit going for a little longer!

I have been reflecting on Christmas and what it means to me.  I would encourage you to do the same!  What can we carry away from Christmas that will give us impetus for spiritual renewal?  What symbol of the season can we hold onto that will provide us with some direction?  I don’t think that we are meant to experience Christ in the manger and then forget that anything happened.  There are so many lessons to be learned from Mary’s yes, Joseph’s acceptance and Jesus’ coming into our world.

By Pat Haggerty

I am a classic movie fan---especially at this time of the year.  Once Thanksgiving comes, I take out my stash of old movies (now on DVD) and begin the process of savoring them.  They never get stale, and I can still cry over many of them, despite the fact that I have seen them countless times.

Without a doubt, my two favorites are It’s a Wonderful Life and The Bishop’s Wife. In both of these movies, an angel provides enlightenment to the main characters.  In It’s a Wonderful Life, Clarence is sent to earth to let George Bailey see what the world would have been like without him.  George discovers the essence of what makes life worth living and Clarence earns his wings.  In The Bishop’s Wife, Dudley is the answer to Bishop Henry Broughmam’s prayers.  The Bishop needs to find some perspective in his ministry and in his personal life.  The angel, Dudley, steps into Henry’s life to show him what he is missing and what God wants of him.

By Pat Haggerty

We live in troubled times and in a troubled world.  That has become so clear as evidenced by the recent happenings in Paris.  We feel for the French people and we unite with them in solidarity offering our prayers and empathizing with their struggles.  How can one find hope in such a cauldron of insanity?

Believe me, I have no answers, nor am I trying to oversimplify this plight.  It is an extremely complex political, social and religious issue.  I am just trying to find solace and comfort from God’s word.  I am trying to reflect on it connecting the “realities of today,” as Pope Francis has often said, with the message of the gospel.

I am suggesting that we reflect on the gospel  for the feast of Christ the King.  It turns the focus of power  and control on Jesus.  In the gospel story, Jesus responds to Pilate regarding his kingship.  He says:  “You say I am a king.  For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.  Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” (John 18:37)

By Pat Haggerty

Most of us are still basking in the memories of Pope Francis’ visit to the United States.  What a glorious time for Catholics, for families and for the world at large!  One cannot erase the memories of Francis riding in his pope-mobile, greeting President Obama, embracing the children, speaking before Congress and walking up the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral.  There are so many images that they must be compartmentalized and categorized in our minds.

No matter our memories, it is the messages that ring out loud and clear.  We cling to his words about social justice, compassion, empathy, and embracing one another.  The Golden Rule takes on new meaning and has become our mantra.  We have renewed interest in his four American exemplars.  No doubt Amazon saw an increase in sales of books by Thomas Merton.  Hopefully, there is a greater awareness of the Catholic Worker Movement in our country and beyond.  When we are ready to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in January, we will remember the words of Pope Francis.  Lastly, the contributions of Abraham Lincoln will resonate more deeply in our hearts as Americans and lovers of equality.