Dec 23 – Memorial for St. John of Kanty, presbyter
St. John of Kanty (1390-1473) was a Polish country lad. A brilliant student at the University of Krakow, Poland, he became a priest and professor of theology at the University of Krakow, where he was falsely accused and ousted by university rivals.
At the age of 41, he was assigned as parish priest at Olkusz, Bohemia. He took his position seriously and was terrified of responsibility, but did his best. For a long time, that wasn’t enough for his parishioners, but in the end he won their hearts. After several years in his parish, he returned to Krakow and taught Scripture for the rest of his life.
John was a serious, humble man, generous to a fault with the poor, sleeping little, eating no meat and little of anything else. He was a pilgrim to Jerusalem, hoping to be martyred by Turks. He made four pilgrimages to Rome, carrying his luggage on his back. When warned to look after his health, he pointed out that the early desert fathers lived long lives in conditions that had nothing to recommend them but the presence of God.
At the time of his death, John was so well loved that his veneration began immediately. For years, his doctoral gown was worn by graduates receiving advanced degrees at the University of Krakow. He was declared patron of Poland and Lithuania in 1737 by Pope Clement XII, 30 years before his final canonization.
- Patron Saint Index
Mal 3:1-4,23-34
Lk 1:57-66
King of the peoples and cornerstone of the Church: come and save man, whom you made from the dust of the earth.
In these days as we prepare our hearts to receive Jesus with joy, it is apt that Mother Church, in her wisdom, gives us the words of the prophet Malachi in the first reading. He is not unlike the other prophets in the sense that his message is consistent with that of the other prophets. At a time when people hearts have grown indignant and indifferent, Malachi calls the people of Israel to live faithfully and reclaim their covenant relationship with God.
As we well know, the liturgical seasons of Advent and Lent have many parallels — both are seasons of preparation, with purple being the predominant colour. Both seasons are marked, around halfway, with a celebration of joy (rose coloured) both seasons are a time of recalling prophecies of old and witnessing our Lord fulfil those prophecies.
What are some differences? Maybe due to secular influence and something about end of year holidays, Advent takes on a celebratory and joyful mood while Lent is always observed in a more solemn and sombre way. In both cases, we then end with a great celebration!
Have we been taking our Advent preparations seriously enough? Like the people in the time of the prophet Malachi, will we be able to stand when he appears, to be refined and purified?
In the gospel, we see the introduction of a familiar person, also intimately linked with the coming of the Messiah. The voice that cries out in the wilderness asking us to prepare the way of the Lord. Again, this theme of preparation is upon us. The theme that coincides with the 2 times in a year we have penitential services. Perhaps the church is also echoing the call to repent and believe the Good News.
So instead of menu/party planning and an insane amount of thought being put into gifts and “feeling like Christmas”, have we also put an equal amount. or even more effort, into preparing our hearts to receive Jesus — just like how we are to be prepared to receive Jesus in the Eucharist? Let us prepare our souls to receive Jesus meaningfully on Christmas Day
(Today’s OXYGEN by Daryl De Payva)
Prayer: Open my heart Lord, to more of you, to be open to your miracles and also to be open to those around me who need a touch of love and compassion the most.
Thanksgiving: Praise be to you Lord, for availing graces to me which I have not even opened myself to receive!
OXYGEN 
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