Isaiah 25:6-10 / Matthew 15:29-37
Today, the Church remembers and honours St. Nicholas, who lived during the fourth century.
He is popularly known as Santa Claus in the present times.
St. Nicholas was also known as Nicholas the Wonderworker because of the many miracles obtained through his intercession.
And he is also known for helping the poor in their need, as he secretly threw bags of money into their homes through the window.
So, St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus, has a religious connection with the Christmas festive season as a time for giving gifts.
But St. Nicholas is carrying on the mission of Jesus who is the Incarnate Son of the Father.
In the gospel, Jesus was healing the sick and feeding the hungry.
Jesus came to proclaim the Good News of salvation, by reaching down to the poor, the lowly, the needy, the lonely, the hungry and the sick.
Let us always remember why Jesus came and who He came for, and like St. Nicholas, let us continue the mission of love and salvation in our present times.