Embracing Christ’s Divinity in Christmas Season – Jan 02 – Homily – Fr Joseph Michael

 

Fr Joseph Michael gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Jan 02, 2026, reflecting on the Christmas theme of Christ's divinity, the anointing of the Holy Spirit from baptism, the call to remain united to Christ through prayer and Eucharist, the First Friday devotion to the Sacred Heart, and the inspiring friendship of Saints Basil and Gregory as we begin the new year with renewed faith.

For Further Reading
1 John 2:27 - Anointing abides in believers - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/2?27
John 14:6 - Jesus sole way to Father - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/14?6
CCC 1265 - Baptism's indelible spiritual mark - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a1.htm#1265
CCC 688 - Holy Spirit as interior teacher - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p1s2c3a8.htm#688
CCC 1391 - Eucharist strengthens union with Christ - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a3.htm#1391
CCC 2679 - Prayer fosters communion with God - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a3.htm#2679
Sacred Heart Devotion - Promises of First Fridays - https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-margaret-mary-alacoque/
St. Basil the Great - Life and legacy - https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02330b.htm
St. Gregory Nazianzen - Scriptural theologian - https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07010b.htm
Arianism Heresy - Historical Catholic response - https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01707c.htm

Ave Maria!

Mass: Sts Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen - Mem - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=261
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/010226.cfm
1st: eze 4:1-7, 11-13
Resp: psa 23:1-6
Gsp: mat 23:8-12

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1010&r=

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