DAY 8

Blood Of Faith In My Veins
By Sandra Garcia Tello

When I first heard about this family reunion blog, I instantly loved the idea but then my second thought was, "When will I find the time to do this?"  It's holiday time and most people are busy with work, shopping, baking and sending out Christmas cards.  But for me, my life has been busy for very different reasons...

The last few weeks have been hard ones for me.  I recently went through a scary medical issue.  Just this past Tuesday, December 22nd, one of my best friends was found guilty of a crime he did not commit.  In September my daughter (Vanessa) moved back to California to pursue her career in music.  She has never lived out our town, so needless to say this was difficult for me; I haven't spent a Christmas without her in 26 years - this year was the first.  I should also mention, this is one of the busiest times at work.  

Now that I've said all that, I also have to say that because of the family we come from, I know I will be alright.  The words that come to mind when I think about my cousins, 'tias', 'tios' and grandparents are strength, courage, humility along with a bunch more.  The one word that rings the loudest in my head though is FAITH.

I remember grandpa and grandma used to babysit Carol and I before we were old enough to go to school.  Grandma made sure that Carol and I had a bath, clean clothes and a lot of love.  Grandpa would keep Carol and I busy by taking us to 'dumpster dive' for him.  He would make us peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and take what felt like 20 minutes to spread them both on the bread while Carol and I waited and watched.  These memories may seem simple to some people, but I learned a lot from both of them.  Grandma taught me unconditional love that she couldn't give her kids.  Grandpa taught me how to be patient and have unwavering faith.

It's because of this foundation that I am who I am.  I am extremely blessed.  I know that and I never take it for granted.  Even in tough times, when I hear and feel God, I don't question it because I know I have the blood of faith in my veins.  Even in my darkest places I still hear God, and for that I am beyond grateful.

I have so many good memories with all of you that I cherish.  I want you all to know that I love you and think about you often.


Your cousin,
Sandra

Readings
Monday December 28

1 JN 1:5—2:2
Beloved:
This is the message that we have heard from Jesus Christ
and proclaim to you:
God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.
If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” 
while we continue to walk in darkness,
we lie and do not act in truth.
But if we walk in the light as he is in the light,
then we have fellowship with one another,
and the Blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin.
If we say, “We are without sin,”
we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just 
and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.
If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, 
and his word is not in us.

My children, I am writing this to you
so that you may not commit sin.
But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, 
Jesus Christ the righteous one.
He is expiation for our sins,
and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.

Responsorial Psalm PS 124:2-3, 4-5, 7CD-8
R. Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.
Had not the LORD been with us—
When men rose up against us,
then would they have swallowed us alive,
When their fury was inflamed against us.
R. Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.
Then would the waters have overwhelmed us;
The torrent would have swept over us;
over us then would have swept the raging waters.
R. Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.
Broken was the snare,
and we were freed.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.


Alleluia 
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We praise you, O God,
we acclaim you as Lord;
the white robed army of martyrs praise you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.


Gospel MT 2:13-18


When the magi had departed, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,
“Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,
and stay there until I tell you.
Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night
and departed for Egypt.
He stayed there until the death of Herod,
that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled,
Out of Egypt I called my son.

When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi,
he became furious.
He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity
two years old and under,
in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi.
Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:

A voice was heard in Ramah,
sobbing and loud lamentation;
Rachel weeping for her children,
and she would not be consoled,
since they were no more.