Saint Luke writes that it was “in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar,” the pagan Roman Emperor.  Tiberius Caesar Augustus, who was born Tiberius Claudius Nero [b. November 16, 42 B.C. - d. on March 16, 37 A.D.], was the second Roman Emperor.  Tiberius became Emperor after the death of Emperor Augustus Caesar who died in 14 A.D. and remained the Emperor until his own death in 37 A.D.  Therefore, the 15th year “of the reign of Tiberius Caesar” would most probably be towards the end of the year 29 A.D. which ties in to what some Scripture scholars claim, namely that Christ began His public ministry in the year 30 A.D.

The Evangelist also tells us that Saint John the Baptist was called to prepare the Jews for the coming of Christ when “Pontius Pilate” was “the Governor of Judea, and Herod” was “the Tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his Brother Tetrarch of Iturea, and...  Trachonitis, and Lysanias Tetrarch of Abilina.”

Pontius Pilate was “the Governor of Judea” from 26 A.D. until 36 A.D. Herod Antipas - short for “Antipatros” - was the “Tetrarch” - which means the “ruler of a quarter”, or 25% - of Galilee and Perea, from 4 B.C. to 39 A.D.  Verse 2 of today’s Gospel tells us this also happened “under the” reign of the “High Priests Annas and Caiphas.”

Although Annas, son of Seth, was appointed High Priest in 6 A.D. by the Roman Legate Publius Sulpicius Quirinius [b. in Lanuvium, near Rome c. 51 B.C. - d. 21 A.D.], in 15 A.D. he was deposed by Valerius Gratus who was the Roman Prefect, or Procurator, of Judea under Tiberius Caesar from 15 A.D. to 26 A.D. when he was replaced by Pontius Pilate.

Some Scripture scholars take the position that, despite being deposed, Annas continued to function behind the scenes as the de facto High Priest since traditionally a Jewish High Priest was High Priest for life.  So even though he was succeeded by his 5 sons, and even by his son-in-law, Joseph Caiphas (Caiaphas) who was the High Priest from 18 A.D. to 36 A.D., Annas remained the real High Priest until his death.

So this explains why Saint Luke mentions this very unique situation, recognizing the reality that although Joseph Caiphas (Caiaphas) held the title of High Priest, even so, the Jews still recognized Annas as the real High Priest. All of this historical data served to verify the predictions of the Prophets about the precursor of the Messias.

Just as Saint John the Baptist prepared the Jews for the Messias, today each of us must also prepare for the coming of Christ so that He may bring us His many Graces. Today’s Gospel tells us how to do this, saying in verse 5:

“Every valley shall be filled; and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight; and the rough ways plain”.

A timid person views everything that he has to do for his own salvation through a magnifying glass which makes mountains out of anthills. Such a one knows it is necessary to keep all of the Commandments, fulfil the duties of his state in life, practice the Virtues and the Works of Mercy, and work on his Spiritual Life, but says: “I can not.” He knows he should avoid the near occasions of sin, bridle his passions, fight against and subdue self-love, and give up bad habits, but yet says: “I can not.”

Timidity is caused by leading a worldly and sinful life. It is like the rich youth who, when Christ told him “go sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven:  and come follow Me.  And when the young man had heard this word, he went away sad:  for he had great possessions” (Matthew 19:21-22.).

Although with our natural strength we are not able to secure our salvation, yet, by the Grace of God, each of us must fill in the valley of timidity.  Remember the Scripture that says “I can do all these things in Him Who strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).

The Saints were weak people who were inclined to sin and to evil, like ourselves, because of the lasting effects of Original Sin.  The Saints had the same obstacles and temptations to overcome as we have, in some cases maybe even much greater than ours.  Yet, with the Grace of God, they overcame all of these things and secured their eternal destiny in Heaven. Stop to think about this.  The Saints were made of the same flesh and blood just like you and me, but, by working on their Spiritual life and refusing to become discouraged, they developed strong will power and a strong faith and an unconquerable courage!

Pray to the Saints to help you with your own Spiritual Life!  WHY do you think you are given the name of a Saint when you are Baptized and again when you are Confirmed?  Not only are these Saints role models for you to imitate, but they are also, along with others of your own choosing, your Patron Saints to pray to for help.

IF you have not been doing this, I strongly suggest that you try it and it will most certainly work for each and everyone of you!

For your resolutions, resolve right now to pray to at least one of your Patron Saints this week for help in whatever situation it is that you need help.

And when you pray, always pray in the deepest humility and meekness, as well as from the depths of the most profound love it is possible for you to have for God, and with total confidence and perfect resignation to the Holy Will of God, with total confidence humbly begging the powerful intercession of your Patron Saint before the Throne of God.

In doing these things, you clear away the blockages on the path, or the WAY, to your heart so that the infant Jesus can come your WAY so much more easily into your heart and soul on Christmas morning with His love for you, especially when you receive Him in the Sacrament of His Love for you, the Most Holy Eucharist.

As a final resolution, in the Holy Name of Jesus, and in an exercise of Catholic Charity, please contribute to the support of the Church - in this case - the Shrine of Saint Jude.  Please help us to save Souls!  Thank you for your thoughtfulness and Charity! Remember, God is never outdone in generosity!!!

Think how happy you will be when, in the next life, God shows you all of the Souls you helped to save by helping our Apostolates, including this Sermon web site, because "he who causeth a sinner to be converted from the error of his way, shall save his soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins" (James 5:20).

“And in doing good, let us not fail.  For in due time we shall reap, not failing.  Therefore, whilst we have time, let us work good to all men, but especially to those who are of the household of the faith” (Galatians  6:9-10).