Happy New Years 2014

Happy New Years 2014

  I want to wish you all a very Happy and Blessed New Year. May you be able to look back over the year and see all the blessings that have taken place in your life and may those blessings and others be part of your life in 2014. I will continue to pray for you all and I ask for the same in return. 

  Think and pray about how you want your spiritual life to be in 2014. Then act on it. If I can be any help please ask and I will do what I can. I believe that we all need to work and pray on our Faith on a daily basis for it to continue and grow. I hope and pray that we all can grow closer to God and our Faith during this year. I do not know what is in store for the year to come but I know I hope to change more and more each day.

Until the New Year, God Bless, and always search in your Faith so you may grow. 

The Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord
Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
Lectionary: 18

Reading 1

NM 6:22-27

The LORD said to Moses: 

“Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: 

This is how you shall bless the Israelites.

Say to them:

The LORD bless you and keep you!

The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!

The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!

So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, 

and I will bless them.”

Responsorial Psalm

PS 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

R/ (2a) May God bless us in his mercy.

May God have pity on us and bless us;

may he let his face shine upon us.

So may your way be known upon earth;

among all nations, your salvation.

R/ May God bless us in his mercy.

May the nations be glad and exult

because you rule the peoples in equity;

the nations on the earth you guide.

R/ May God bless us in his mercy.

May the peoples praise you, O God;

may all the peoples praise you!

May God bless us,

and may all the ends of the earth fear him!

R/ May God bless us in his mercy.

Reading 2

GAL 4:4-7

Brothers and sisters:

When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son,

born of a woman, born under the law, 

to ransom those under the law, 

so that we might receive adoption as sons.

As proof that you are sons, 

God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, 

crying out, “Abba, Father!”

So you are no longer a slave but a son, 

and if a son then also an heir, through God.

Gospel

LK 2:16-21

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,

and the infant lying in the manger.

When they saw this,

they made known the message 

that had been told them about this child.

All who heard it were amazed

by what had been told them by the shepherds.

And Mary kept all these things,

reflecting on them in her heart.

Then the shepherds returned,

glorifying and praising God

for all they had heard and seen, 

just as it had been told to them.

When eight days were completed for his circumcision,

he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel

before he was conceived in the womb.

Solemnity of Mary

Solemnity of Mary

   The solemnity of the Mother of God, which now coincides with the octave-day of Christmas and the beginning of the new year, was probably assigned this day because of the influence of the Byzantine Church, which celebrates the synapsis of the most holy Theotokos on December 26. This is in accordance with the Eastern practice of honoring secondary persons on the day after the feast of the principal personage (in this case, the birth of Christ). The Coptic Church celebrates this feast on January 16, but in the West, as early as the fifth century, the feast was celebrated on the Sunday before Christmas, although in France it was celebrated on January 18 and in Spain on December 18. Even before Pope Sergius introduced four Marian feasts in the seventh century (the Birth of Mary, the Annunciation, the Purification and the Assumption), the octave day of Christmas was celebrated in Rome in honor of the Maternity of Mary. Later, in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, the feast of the Circumcision was added, although it had been introduced into Spain and France at the end of the sixth century and was later included in the Missal of Pope St. Pius V. The recent liturgical reform has restored the original Roman practice, which replaced the pagan feast of the New Year, dedicated to the god Janus, with this feast honoring the Mother of God.

A popular movement began in Portugal in the eighteenth century for a feast honoring Mary's maternity, and in 1914 the date of the feast was fixed at October 11. It was extended to the entire Latin Church in 1931, the fifteenth centenary of the Council of Ephesus. The restoration of the feast to January 1, which falls in the Christmas season and has an ecumenical significance, coincides with other anniversaries; for example, the octave day of Christmas, the circumcision of the Infant Jesus (assigned to the first Sunday of January); the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus (which dates back to 1721); and the day for peace, introduced by Pope Paul VI.

In the encyclical <Marialis Cultus> (1974) Pope Paul VI states: "This celebration, assigned to January 1 in conformity with the ancient liturgy of the city of Rome, is meant to commemorate the part played by Mary in this mystery of salvation. It is meant also to exalt the singular dignity which this mystery brings to the 'holy Mother . . . through whom we were found worthy . . . to receive the Author of life.' It is likewise a fitting occasion for renewed adoration of the newborn Prince of Peace, for listening once more to the glad tidings of the angels, and for imploring from God, through the Queen of Peace, the supreme gift of peace. For this reason . . . we have instituted the World Day of Peace, an observance that is gaining increasing support and is already bringing forth fruits of peace in the hearts of many" (no. 5).

The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas
Lectionary: 204

Reading 1

1 JN 2:18-21

Children, it is the last hour; 

and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming,

so now many antichrists have appeared. 

Thus we know this is the last hour. 

They went out from us, but they were not really of our number;

if they had been, they would have remained with us. 

Their desertion shows that none of them was of our number. 

But you have the anointing that comes from the Holy One,

and you all have knowledge. 

I write to you not because you do not know the truth 

but because you do, and because every lie is alien to the truth.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 96:1-2, 11-12, 13

R. (11a) Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

Sing to the LORD a new song;

sing to the LORD, all you lands.

Sing to the LORD; bless his name;

announce his salvation, day after day. 

R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;

let the sea and what fills it resound;

let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!

Then shall all the trees of the forest exult before the LORD.

R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

The LORD comes,

he comes to rule the earth.

He shall rule the world with justice

and the peoples with his constancy.

R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

Gospel

JN 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God. 

All things came to be through him,

and without him nothing came to be.

What came to be through him was life,

and this life was the light of the human race;

the light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness has not overcome it.

A man named John was sent from God.

He came for testimony, to testify to the light, 

so that all might believe through him.

He was not the light,

but came to testify to the light.

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world,

and the world came to be through him,

but the world did not know him.

He came to what was his own,

but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him

he gave power to become children of God, 

to those who believe in his name, 

who were born not by natural generation 

nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision 

but of God.

And the Word became flesh

and made his dwelling among us,

and we saw his glory,

the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son,

full of grace and truth.

John testified to him and cried out, saying, 

“This was he of whom I said, 

‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me 

because he existed before me.’”

From his fullness we have all received,

grace in place of grace,

because while the law was given through Moses, 

grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

No one has ever seen God.

The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, 

has revealed him.

Judge

Judge

"Don't judge the Catholic faith by 

those who fail to practice it"

   I saw this quote awhile back and saved it and then in the past few days a reoccurring thought keeps filtering into my head. “ Who is the face of the Catholic Church?” Then the two combined in my head today. Who does represent the Church/Faith to you? Who are we putting up there in our heads? Who does the world see? Are we putting those who should be there and if not why are we? Why is the world?

    Of course those who we put up there will influence what people think of the Church. Right now, we are blessed to have Pope Francis. He is a great example of the face of the Catholic Faith and also a man who people should look to as an ideal of practicing the Faith. Yet, people focus more on those who are not practicing then practicing. Those who have fallen away, either in sin or by walking away. Those who have brought shame to the Faith and to the Church become the poster “children” of the Faith and Church. We, who are living out the faith, need to learn to be better “lights” in the world so people can focus on the “Truth” that our Faith and Church proclaims. 

    Years back the “Face of the Church” was those Religious who took part in the sex scandal. Either those who committed the crimes or those who covered it up. Those men and women shamed the church and changed the face of the church. The church became a place of sex, crime and scandal then a place of grace, blessings and forgiveness. Why do we allow these people to become the face of the church and the policies of the church? Many people stepped back and away from the church because of the scandal and instead we should have rallied around those who really were living the faith. 

    We have to remember that as we profess our Faith, we are also reaffirming our place on that facet of the face of the Catholic Church. Each and everyone of us who enter into the church become a part of it, whether we like it or not. Also will add for anyone of us who then become involved in ministry or stand on the Alter have just a smidgen more of a glance at times. Before going on, we all are held to the same standards, no matter where we sit or stand in the church, or what we belong to or run but lets also be realistic. If you are putting your face and name out there more then people will recognize you a lot quicker then a person they sat next to 4 months ago in a pew. So, what am I saying? I am saying if you want to become involved then make sure you know what face you want to be for the Church. Do you want it to be a positive or negative experience?

     The next part of being that “face” is that it is not just in the Church that we represent the Church/Faith. It is every where we go. It is with every person we come into contact with. We are not perfect and will slip up and do and say something we shouldn’t but maybe we need to remember that we may be the only contact someone has with a Catholic or as a believer in Christ. I know I need to remember this and rethink the words that fly out of my mouth. 

     The last part is that we can not allow a few people to become the Face of the Church for us as well. People will sin. People will fail. People will fall. We are all human. I do not mean to say we excuse it all when it is serious like the sex scandal but, when that happens remember the Ultimate Face of the church is the Trinity. It is the Eucharist.  It is Mary. It is the Saints. It is the Doctrines. It is sad when those who are called “spokesmen” for the Church and Faith fail and change a facet of the face. We just can not let them change what the faith has done in us, through us and for us. The Church and Faith is more then a person. 

      We become mirrors in the world that reflect all that the Church and Faith pours out and lets remember that no matter who are, what we are in Church, we are still part of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. 

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and we always reflect the Trinity and the beliefs of the church in the world. 

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Lectionary: 17

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Lectionary: 17

Reading 1

SIR 3:2-6, 12-14

God sets a father in honor over his children;

a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons.

Whoever honors his father atones for sins,

and preserves himself from them.

When he prays, he is heard;

he stores up riches who reveres his mother.

Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children,

and, when he prays, is heard.

Whoever reveres his father will live a long life;

he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother.

My son, take care of your father when he is old;

grieve him not as long as he lives.

Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him;

revile him not all the days of his life;

kindness to a father will not be forgotten,

firmly planted against the debt of your sins

—a house raised in justice to you.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

R. (cf. 1) Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,

who walks in his ways!

For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;

blessed shall you be, and favored.

R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine

in the recesses of your home;

your children like olive plants

around your table.

R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

Behold, thus is the man blessed

who fears the LORD.

The LORD bless you from Zion:

may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem

all the days of your life.

R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

Reading 2

COL 3:12-21

Brothers and sisters:

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,

heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,

bearing with one another and forgiving one another, 

if one has a grievance against another; 

as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.

And over all these put on love, 

that is, the bond of perfection.

And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, 

the peace into which you were also called in one body.

And be thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, 

as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, 

singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs 

with gratitude in your hearts to God.

And whatever you do, in word or in deed, 

do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, 

as is proper in the Lord.

Husbands, love your wives, 

and avoid any bitterness toward them.

Children, obey your parents in everything, 

for this is pleasing to the Lord.

Fathers, do not provoke your children, 

so they may not become discouraged.

Or

COL 3:12-17

Brothers and sisters:

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,

heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,

bearing with one another and forgiving one another, 

if one has a grievance against another; 

as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.

And over all these put on love, 

that is, the bond of perfection.

And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, 

the peace into which you were also called in one body.

And be thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, 

as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, 

singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs 

with gratitude in your hearts to God.

And whatever you do, in word or in deed, 

do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

Gospel

MT 2:13-15, 19-23

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 had died, behold,

the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream

to Joseph in Egypt and said,

“Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, 

for those who sought the child’s life are dead.”

He rose, took the child and his mother, 

and went to the land of Israel.

But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea 

in place of his father Herod, 

he was afraid to go back there.

And because he had been warned in a dream, 

he departed for the region of Galilee.

He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth,

so that what had been spoken through the prophets

might be fulfilled, 

He shall be called a Nazorean.

Feast of the Holy Innocents

Feast of the Holy Innocents

   Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Innocents. This day we remember the killing of children by King Herod to ensure his kingship. Many are outraged when they hear of this, yet some of those same people are Pro-Choice. We have Politicians that are just like King Herod today. Those politicians who are pro-choice are acting in the same manner as Herod and since being pro-choice is the popular vote, they ensure their "kingship" in political offices. Let us pray today that those minds are changed and people come to understand the sanctity of life, from conception to natural birth. 

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and may be stand up for the unborn.

Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs
Lectionary: 698

Reading 1

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. (7) 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.

R. Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.

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.

Martyr

 Martyr

    Today (December 26th) is the Feast Day of St. Stephen who was a Deacon in the early church and who was the first to receive the Martyrs crown. He was stoned to death for his teachings of Jesus. Today in the world people are still losing their lives for believing and preaching about Jesus. I ask that we remember all those who have stood up for the beliefs and lost their lives because they did not back down. 

   I think here in the United States we forget that people still lose their lives for Jesus. We take for granted that we are able to walk into our Church without fear each week and for some everyday. There is no looking over our shoulders or hiding where we are going. We walk in and walk out without even a thought on our mind. Yes, for some in our country people can lose family and friends for their beliefs but not their lives. I wonder at times “Would I walk into a Church if I thought I might lose my life after I left?” 

   We do have it easier here in the US but do not often take the opportunities to fully envelop our lives in our Faith. It does sadden me that more people do not take those opportunities to develop and cultivate the faith that is so rich. Sometimes those who have to fear for their lives take a different approach to the faith. It is life for so many of them. I am blessed to have so many opportunities to explore and share my faith and have some people that are able to also explore and share their faith along with me. 

   My Catholic Faith has been life changing and continues to be life changing for me and I hope and pray that more people come to understand what we have in the Church that makes life even more spectacular. 

    Next time as you enter the Church for Mass, think about all those people who lost their lives because of Our Catholic Faith and also remember those who have fought to protect our rights so we may go to Church. What we have here in the US is a blessing and we must Thank God each day for it. 

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and remember all those who lost their lives for our Faith. 

Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist
Lectionary: 697

Reading 1

1 JN 1:1-4

Beloved:

What was from the beginning,

what we have heard,

what we have seen with our eyes,

what we looked upon

and touched with our hands

concerns the Word of life —

for the life was made visible;

we have seen it and testify to it

and proclaim to you the eternal life

that was with the Father and was made visible to us— 

what we have seen and heard

we proclaim now to you,

so that you too may have fellowship with us;

for our fellowship is with the Father

and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

We are writing this so that our joy may be complete.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12

R. (12) Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;

let the many isles be glad.

Clouds and darkness are around him,

justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.

R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,

before the LORD of all the earth.

The heavens proclaim his justice,

and all peoples see his glory.

R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

Light dawns for the just;

and gladness, for the upright of heart.

Be glad in the LORD, you just,

and give thanks to his holy name.

R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

Gospel

JN 20:1A AND 2-8

On the first day of the week,

Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter

and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,

“They have taken the Lord from the tomb,

and we do not know where they put him.”

So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.

They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter

and arrived at the tomb first;

he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.

When Simon Peter arrived after him,

he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,

and the cloth that had covered his head,

not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.

Then the other disciple also went in,

the one who had arrived at the tomb first,

and he saw and believed. 

Christmas Blessings

Christmas Blessings

 Just wanted to extend to everyone, Christmas Blessings and hope that you all had a very blessed and joyful day. I will include the readings for Thursday below.

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and may Jesus take up rest in your heart.

Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr
Lectionary: 696

Reading 1

ACTS 6:8-10; 7:54-59

Stephen, filled with grace and power,

was working great wonders and signs among the people.

Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen,

Cyrenians, and Alexandrians,

and people from Cilicia and Asia,

came forward and debated with Stephen,

but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.

When they heard this, they were infuriated,

and they ground their teeth at him.

But he, filled with the Holy Spirit,

looked up intently to heaven

and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,

and he said,

“Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man

standing at the right hand of God.”

But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears,

and rushed upon him together.

They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him.

The witnesses laid down their cloaks

at the feet of a young man named Saul. 

As they were stoning Stephen, he called out

“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

Responsorial Psalm

PS 31:3CD-4, 6 AND 8AB, 16BC AND 17

R. (6) Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Be my rock of refuge,

a stronghold to give me safety.

You are my rock and my fortress;

for your name’s sake you will lead and guide me.

R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Into your hands I commend my spirit;

you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.

I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy.

R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors.

Let your face shine upon your servant;

save me in your kindness.

R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Gospel

MT 10:17-22

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts

and scourge you in their synagogues,

and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake

as a witness before them and the pagans.

When they hand you over,

do not worry about how you are to speak

or what you are to say.

You will be given at that moment what you are to say.

For it will not be you who speak

but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Brother will hand over brother to death,

and the father his child;

children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.

You will be hated by all because of my name,

but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”

Merry Christmas

May you all have a very Blessed Christmas 

Holiday Traffic

Holiday Traffic

   Tonight I felt the need to go to adoration and normally at the time I ended up going I should have just zoomed right on through the lights to get there but, since it is just two days before Christmas, there was traffic. I got to Adoration and because it was warm in there someone had opened a window and I could see and hear the cars racing to get to the store or home. This got me thinking how blessed I am to be able to take time out of all the holiday hustle and bustle and spend the time with Jesus. 

     This time of year there is a lot going on. Our minds are set on trying to find the best gift for the special people in our lives. Trying to find the money to pay for those best gifts. Trying to find the time to spend with those special people. Trying to get through the holidays without some special people in your life. All of these thoughts causes “traffic jams” in our own heads and the message of the true meaning of Christmas can got stuck in that traffic and not make it to our hearts. 

      We have to take the time and pull ourselves and our thoughts away from the commercial side of Christmas and look to the manger where the true gift lies. There is nothing wrong with wanting to get just the right gift for a person, just do not let that be your main focus. We lose time when we are stuck in traffic and we try and rush when we see that opening to get ahead. 

      For me I wish that same rush to get to the store this time of year was the same rush people take to get to mass. I know I am not being realistic but that would be my wish for people this Christmas. That people see that with all the running around and all the waiting in lines, that the best line to be in is the Communion line at church. That is my saving grace each week. Receiving Jesus in all His Glory in the Eucharist is the best gift I could ever get. 

     It is the gift of the Priesthood that allows all of us to be able to bow our heads and say Amen, when we are about to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist. There are so many gifts we have within the Catholic Church. I ask that on Christmas, think of all the gifts that we have as Catholics and remember that they are there for us to open each day and not just on Christmas. I know I will be this year and hope to share my thoughts after Christmas on this. 

    

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and prepare the way of the Lord, for He shall come to us. 

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent
Lectionary: 200

Reading 1

2 SM 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16

When King David was settled in his palace,

and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every side,

he said to Nathan the prophet,

“Here I am living in a house of cedar,

while the ark of God dwells in a tent!” 

Nathan answered the king,

“Go, do whatever you have in mind,

for the LORD is with you.” 

But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said:

“Go, tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD:

Should you build me a house to dwell in?

“‘It was I who took you from the pasture

and from the care of the flock

to be commander of my people Israel. 

I have been with you wherever you went,

and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. 

And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth. 

I will fix a place for my people Israel;

I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place

without further disturbance.

Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old,

since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel.

I will give you rest from all your enemies. 

The LORD also reveals to you

that he will establish a house for you. 

And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors,

I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins,

and I will make his Kingdom firm.

I will be a father to him,

and he shall be a son to me.

Your house and your Kingdom shall endure forever before me;

your throne shall stand firm forever.’”

Responsorial Psalm

PS 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 AND 29

R. (2) For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

The favors of the LORD I will sing forever;

through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.

For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”;

in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.

R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

“I have made a covenant with my chosen one,

I have sworn to David my servant:

Forever will I confirm your posterity

and establish your throne for all generations.”

R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

“He shall say of me, ‘You are my father,

my God, the rock, my savior.’

Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,

and my covenant with him stands firm.”

R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

Gospel

LK 1:67-79

Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;

for he has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty Savior,

born of the house of his servant David.

Through his prophets he promised of old

that he would save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all who hate us.

He promised to show mercy to our fathers

and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:

to set us free from the hand of our enemies,

free to worship him without fear,

holy and righteous in his sight

all the days of our life.

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

to give his people knowledge of salvation

by the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent Lectionary: 199

Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent

Lectionary: 199

Reading 1

MAL 3:1-4, 23-24

Thus says the Lord GOD:

Lo, I am sending my messenger

to prepare the way before me;

And suddenly there will come to the temple

the LORD whom you seek,

And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire.

Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.

But who will endure the day of his coming?

And who can stand when he appears?

For he is like the refiner’s fire,

or like the fuller’s lye.

He will sit refining and purifying silver,

and he will purify the sons of Levi,

Refining them like gold or like silver

that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD.

Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem

will please the LORD,

as in the days of old, as in years gone by.

Lo, I will send you

Elijah, the prophet,

Before the day of the LORD comes,

the great and terrible day,

To turn the hearts of the fathers to their children,

and the hearts of the children to their fathers,

Lest I come and strike

the land with doom.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 25:4-5AB, 8-9, 10 AND 14

R. (see Luke 21:28) Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand.

Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;

teach me your paths,

Guide me in your truth and teach me,

for you are God my savior.

R. Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand.

Good and upright is the LORD;

thus he shows sinners the way.

He guides the humble to justice,

he teaches the humble his way.

R. Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand.

All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy

toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him,

and his covenant, for their instruction.

R. Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand.

Gospel

LK 1:57-66

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child

she gave birth to a son. 

Her neighbors and relatives heard

that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her,

and they rejoiced with her. 

When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child,

they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,

but his mother said in reply,

“No. He will be called John.” 

But they answered her,

“There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” 

So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. 

He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,”

and all were amazed.

Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed,

and he spoke blessing God.

Then fear came upon all their neighbors,

and all these matters were discussed

throughout the hill country of Judea.

All who heard these things took them to heart, saying,

“What, then, will this child be?

For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.”