Sermons of SFS for Advent & Chirstmas

Jan. 1^st., 1622. [Lk 2/21: When the eighth day arrived, on which the Child was to be circumcised, he received the name of Jesus]

(1) Circumcision was a sort of sacrament of the Old Law [Gn. 17/10-14; Lev. 12/3] signifying purification from the stain of Original Sin; a profession of faith in the expectation of the Lord’s coming – those circumcised, who were earlier enemies, now becoming children and friends of God. [88] Besides, circumcision distinguished the people of God from other peoples. [89] Although He had no need, the Lord subjected Himself to this ritual of the Old Law.

“Circumcision is performed on the part of the body most damaged by the sin of Adam”. This indicates that spiritual circumcision needs also to be done on that part of our persons most damaged.

However, most of us undergo spiritual circumcision where it is least needed. Examples: those imprisoned in sensual pleasures undergo spiritual circumcision by almsgiving [circumcising the wallet instead of the heart - by cutting of evil language, evil friendship, evil flirting]. Others, greedy to amass and possess all sorts of riches and comforts circumcise themselves by fasting, abstinences and keeping vigils. While the evil is in the heart, they kill the body. True, they need to circumcise the purse, distributing goods to the poor, but more so they need to skillfully apply the knife of circumcision to the heart, cutting away the unrestrained greed for riches, honours and convenience.

Others perform great penances and undergo much mortification. However, they have no difficulty in drinking the blood of their neighbour by a tongue through slander and calumny. Indeed, they need to circumcise their tongue. Others still, circumcise their tongue by resorting to silence; they, however, go around with sinful attitudes – aversion and ill will towards others – in their hearts. 89-90]

True spiritual circumcision requires a careful and serious examination of conscience in order to discover the area that is most seriously affected so that it may be dealt with as necessary.

(2) There is a difference between circumcision [that radically roots out anything that is superfluous and dangerous to the entire body] and an incision which merely strikes at a part that is locally sore or infected. Thus, many undergo local incisions and believe they have performed a complete circumcision.

One needs not only an incision – to cut and drive the knife only in one place – observing just one item of the law; but a spiritual circumcision – clearing up the entire area – seeking to observe the Law in its entirety. Only thus may we be recognized as the Children of God and hope to be ushered into His glory

Religious life is often called a sanatorium or hospital where not only dangerous and terminal illnesses are cured, but even minor ones. Here, one seeks to root out even the slightest thing which may hinder spiritual good and growth. Every source of evil is rooted out, as the knife cuts around the heart.

Do not be content, then, just to make incisions like the worldly, but perform good circumcisions which are spiritual and interior.

(3) In the old law people did not circumcise themselves but were circumcised by the hand of another. because it is more painful and therefore more meritorious. … Others know much better than we precisely where the application of the knife is needed.

Incident of Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane [Mt. 26/51-52; Lk. 22/49-51; Jn18/10-11] Jesus reprimanded his action of cutting off the right ear of Malchus. When Jesus told Peter ‘Put your knife back in its scabbard’, He meant: “You have not used your knife to circumcise the part that most needed to be cut off. You have cut off the right ear, which is used to receive spiritual matters such as inspirations and good movements. But you have allowed the left ear, which listens to worldly and vain things to remain. You ought to have removed the left, not the fight ear. … the circumcision is thus not rightly performed.

In pouring out His blood, Jesus invites us not to shed ours, but only to pour out our hearts and spirits before Him. [I Sam. 1/15; Ps. 61(62)/ 9; Lam. 2/19]

Notwithstanding His many names and titles, Our Lord has three which belong to him essentially: The first is that of Supreme Being and applicable to no other; through this name He knows Himself through Himself. [Ex. 3/14-15; Is. 42/8]. The second is that of Creator; by this name He knows Himself through Himself and through His creatures. The third is the name Jesus – Saviour, and no one else can be Saviour. [Acts. 4/12] He also has the title Christ [Mt. 1/16] which means High Priest, Annointed One of God. Christians participate in the name of Christ here on earth [I Pet. 2/9; Acts 4/12] as we are anointed by the Sacraments; and that of Jesus when we are in heaven inasmuch as there, we will enjoy the salvation and be counted among those saved. However, it is not enough to bear these names. Our actions and life must be a reflection of what these names signify.

At the name of Jesus every knee shall bend. The name Jesus gives joy to the angels, saves men, and causes demons to tremble. This is why it should be deeply engraved in our hearts and our spirits so that, blessing it and honouring it5 in this life, we may be worthy of singing with the blessed: Live Jesus! Live Jesus!