St. Joseph Basilica

Dear St. Joseph Family,

... I am really impressed by this idea of prolonging the Christmas message. Personally, I find it hard to move away from the Christmas season, but if you are like me, this truth, which Thurman speaks of, can help. The message, and the work, of Christmas, continue because the work of Christmas is the work of salvation. This is why Jesus Christ was born, to save us, which, on the one hand, He did once and for all 2,000 years ago, never to be repeated. And yet, in a mysterious way, He calls us to experience this work anew, to be witnesses of it unfolding in our lives, and on a deeper level, to also be participants in His work. Not that we are to be the saviors of others, but rather, conduits of Christ’s saving love. Through our concrete acts of love (kindness, patience, mercy, etc.), which can be the ordinary, daily tasks we carry out, the love of God flows, which in turn draws people into an encounter with the Savior, much like what happened with the shepherds, who, after encountering the Christ child, went and proclaimed this news to their region (cf. Luke 2:20). This work is ongoing, and you are called to participate in it fully. Don’t lose sight of this mission now that the Christmas season has passed. There are many lost still to be found; many broken that need a healing touch; many hungry (both physically and spiritually) who need to be fed. Sometimes, these people are in our own homes.. (For full message click here)