Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
by Jean Heimann · December 7, 2016



“The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.” — Catechism of the Catholic Church

What is the dogma of the Immaculate Conception?

The Immaculate Conception, proclaimed in 1854 by Pope Pius IX, celebrates the conception of Mary in the womb of her mother, St. Anne. On December 8, 1854, Blessed Pope Pius IX announced the dogma of faith that the Blessed Virgin Mary “in the first instant of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved exempt from all stain of original sin.” Four years later, the Blessed Virgin Mary, appeared in Lourdes, France where she confirmed the truth of the dogma by telling St. Bernadette Soubirous (a 14-year-old peasant girl) that she was “the Immaculate Conception.”

The Church teaches that Mary was pre-redeemed; that is, the merits of Christ’s crucifixion and death were applied to her to preserve her from original sin. In fact, Pope Pius IX’s 1854 Bull defining Mary’s Immaculate Conception states that Mary was preserved not only from original sin, but from all sin throughout her life.

Here’s what Pope Pius IX wrote in the Papal Bull:

Chosen to be the Mother of the Son of God, Mary, from the outset, was prepared by the love of God to be the Ark of the Covenant between God and man. She treasured divine mercy in her heart in perfect harmony with her Son Jesus. Her hymn of praise, sung at the threshold of the home of Elizabeth, was dedicated to the mercy of God which extends from “generation to generation” (Lk 1:50). We too were included in those prophetic words of the Virgin Mary. This will be a source of comfort and strength to us as we cross the threshold of the Holy Year to experience the fruits of divine mercy.

At the foot of the Cross, Mary, together with John, the disciple of love, witnessed the words of forgiveness spoken by Jesus. This supreme expression of mercy towards those who crucified him show us the point to which the mercy of God can reach. Mary attests that the mercy of the Son of God knows no bounds and extends to everyone, without exception. Let us address her in the words of the Salve Regina, a prayer ever ancient and ever new, so that she may never tire of turning her merciful eyes upon us, and make us worthy to contemplate the face of mercy, her Son Jesus.

Through her Fiat, the Blessed Virgin Mary became the Mother of God. She conceived Jesus in her womb and made the miraculous mystery of the Incarnation possible. Thus, she is the Mother of Mercy. It is through her “yes” in consenting to be the Mother of God that we have been granted eternal life. Let us give thanks to God today for our the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Immaculate Mother!

copyright Jean M. Heimann December 2016

Source: http://www.jeanmheimann.com/2016/12/feast-...ed-virgin-mary/

Friday of the Second Week in Advent
Lectionary: 185

Reading 1 (Is 48:17-19)

Thus says the LORD, your redeemer,
the Holy One of Israel:
I, the LORD, your God,
teach you what is for your good,
and lead you on the way you should go.
If you would hearken to my commandments,
your prosperity would be like a river,
and your vindication like the waves of the sea;
Your descendants would be like the sand,
and those born of your stock like its grains,
Their name never cut off
or blotted out from my presence.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6)

R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.

Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.

He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.

Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord will come; go out to meet him!
He is the prince of peace.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Mt 11:16-19)

Jesus said to the crowds:
“To what shall I compare this generation?
It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another,
‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance,
we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said,
‘He is possessed by a demon.’
The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said,
‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard,
a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’
But wisdom is vindicated by her works.”



REFLECTION

WISDOM IS VINDICATED BY HER WORKS. The mission of John the Baptist and Jesus is wisdom personified. The unbelieving generation misinterprets the methods of both. When John fasts as he preaches the baptism of repentance, the unbelievers do not take it as edifying but see it as an evil to exorcise. When Jesus adopts a different stance, as He eats and drinks with sinners, they take offense at Him. They are always negative, no matter what. As a saying puts it, “Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.”

There is wisdom in fasting. John the Baptist gains a lot of followers. He is able to prepare people for the coming of Jesus.

Here is also wisdom in associating with sinners. They draw closer to Jesus. Misinterpretations happen when we do not identify who John or Jesus is in the history of salvation. John paves the way for Jesus who is considered the “Son of Man.” This title, mentioned in the Book of Daniel, has an apocalyptic bearing. When the Jews were persecuted by the Hellenists, they prayed for God’s protection. It would be the Son of Man who would accomplish this, giving judgment to the unbelievers.

Do you see Christ in your neighbors? Do you recognize the wisdom of approaching those who do not know anything about their faith?

SOURCE: “366 Days with the Lord 2016,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.) http://www.ssp.ph/

Stella Maris ...

Third Sunday of Advent
Lectionary: 7

Advent prayer for Third Week in Advent - Gaudete Sunday - we light the pink candle.



Reading 1 (Is 35:1-6a, 10)

The desert and the parched land will exult;
the steppe will rejoice and bloom.
They will bloom with abundant flowers,
and rejoice with joyful song.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to them,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the LORD,
the splendor of our God.
Strengthen the hands that are feeble,
make firm the knees that are weak,
say to those whose hearts are frightened:
Be strong, fear not!
Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
with divine recompense
he comes to save you.
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,
the ears of the deaf be cleared;
then will the lame leap like a stag,
then the tongue of the mute will sing.

Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return
and enter Zion singing,
crowned with everlasting joy;
they will meet with joy and gladness,
sorrow and mourning will flee.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10)

R. Lord, come and save us.

The LORD God keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
R. Lord, come and save us.

The LORD gives sight to the blind;
the LORD raises up those who were bowed down.
The LORD loves the just;
the LORD protects strangers.
R. Lord, come and save us.

The fatherless and the widow he sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations.
R. Lord, come and save us.

Reading 2 (Jas 5:7-10)



Be patient, brothers and sisters,
until the coming of the Lord.
See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth,
being patient with it
until it receives the early and the late rains.
You too must be patient.
Make your hearts firm,
because the coming of the Lord is at hand.
Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another,
that you may not be judged.
Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates.
Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters,
the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Alleluia (Is 61:1 (cited in Lk 4:18)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Mt 11:2-11)

When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ,
he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question,
“Are you the one who is to come,
or should we look for another?”
Jesus said to them in reply,
“Go and tell John what you hear and see:
the blind regain their sight,
the lame walk,
lepers are cleansed,
the deaf hear,
the dead are raised,
and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.
And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”

As they were going off,
Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John,
“What did you go out to the desert to see?
A reed swayed by the wind?
Then what did you go out to see?
Someone dressed in fine clothing?
Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces.
Then why did you go out? To see a prophet?
Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
This is the one about whom it is written:
Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;
he will prepare your way before you.
Amen, I say to you,
among those born of women
there has been none greater than John the Baptist;
yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”



REFLECTION

YE REJOICE: IT’S A CHRISTIAN IMPERATIVE! Gaudete Sunday commands us, Christians and Catholics, to rejoice. This Latin word, gaudete, is in the imperative mood, plural. It enjoins us to rejoice as a community. We should rejoice because we are now very close to Christmas. We light the third candle of the Advent wreath, whose color, pink or rose, symbolizes joy.

We will better understand the command to rejoice when we seriously take the Word of God.

The First Reading contains vocabularies that pertain to rejoicing: the dry land will exult; the steppe will rejoice with joyful song; the ransomed people will meet with joy and gladness. The desert will bloom with abundant flowers; the glory of Lebanon, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon (northern Israel), will be given the people; they will see the glory of God. The Lord is coming with vindication and salvation. He will heal those afflicted with illnesses. God will reverse the miserable fate of his people.
.
The Second Reading exhorts us to have the patience of a farmer who, after sowing, waits for the seeds to sprout and the plants to grow until it is time for harvest. Patience is an important ingredient to rejoicing. Devoid of patience, we can become rowdy, mindless, cranky, undisciplined, quarrelsome, critical, and intolerant.

In the Gospel, John the Baptist sends his disciples to Jesus to verify if he is the Christ. John has worked hard to prepare for the coming of the Messiah. Jesus sends the delegation back to him with the report: “The blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.” Yes, Jesus is the Messiah, the fulfillment of the Prophets and the Psalms.

Jesus makes his disciples realize how lucky they are. They have encountered John, whom Jesus considers the greatest among those born of women. But they can be greater than John, provided that they become least in God’s Kingdom.

This Sunday calls us to rejoice in our faith and celebrate God’s promises. It anticipates the coming of Jesus in his birth, in our present history, and in his glorious return. We rejoice because we believe Christ is here intervening in our history, giving us hope and liberating us from all forms of oppression, injustice, misery, and false values.

To us who live our faith, gaudete is no longer a command, but a spontaneous response to God’s call to participate in God’s divine life. We rejoice, celebrating our faith and the coming of Jesus who gives us joy.

SOURCE: “366 Days with the Lord 2016,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.) http://www.ssp.ph/

The third Sunday of Advent is known as “Gaudete Sunday.”



It's pronounced with three syllables: gau-de-te.

The name "Gaudete Sunday" is taken from the words of the introit, entrance antiphon of the Mass, Gaudete in Domino semper, "rejoice in the Lord always."

This is a quotation from Philippians 4:4-5, Because of the more joyful tone of Gaudete Sunday, rose colored (pink) vestments may be used instead of the normal violet ones. Also, the rose colored Advent candle is lit.

Amen!

Amen! Amen!!!

Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 189



Reading 1 (Is 45:6c-8, 18, 21c-25)

I am the LORD, there is no other;
I form the light, and create the darkness,
I make well-being and create woe;
I, the LORD, do all these things.
Let justice descend, O heavens, like dew from above,
like gentle rain let the skies drop it down.
Let the earth open and salvation bud forth;
let justice also spring up!
I, the LORD, have created this.

For thus says the LORD,
The creator of the heavens,
who is God,
The designer and maker of the earth
who established it,
Not creating it to be a waste,
but designing it be lived in:
I am the LORD, and there is no other.

Who announced this from the beginning
and foretold it from of old?
Was it not I, the LORD,
besides whom there is no other God?
There is no just and saving God but me.

Turn to me and be safe,
all you ends of the earth,
for I am God; there is no other!
By myself I swear,
uttering my just decree
and my unalterable word:
To me every knee shall bend;
by me every tongue shall swear,
Saying, “Only in the LORD
are just deeds and power.
Before him in shame shall come
all who vent their anger against him.
In the LORD shall be the vindication and the glory
of all the descendants of Israel.”

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14)

R. Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.

I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD–for he proclaims peace to his people.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.

Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.

The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
R. Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.

Alleluia (Is 40:9-10)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Raise your voice and tell the Good News:
Behold, the Lord GOD comes with power.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Lk 7:18b-23)

At that time,
John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask,
“Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”
When the men came to the Lord, they said,
“John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask,
‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?’”
At that time Jesus cured many of their diseases, sufferings, and evil spirits;
he also granted sight to many who were blind.
And Jesus said to them in reply,
“Go and tell John what you have seen and heard:
the blind regain their sight,
the lame walk,
lepers are cleansed,
the deaf hear, the dead are raised,
the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.
And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”



REFLECTION

SHOULD WE LOOK FOR ANOTHER?
At this point, John the Baptist is in prison, and news comes to him about the activities of Jesus in Galilee. He sends his disciples to check whether Jesus is the one sent by God or not. Otherwise, they will wait for another. They approach Jesus and bring John’s question to him.

Jesus does not answer directly, but he asks them to have their eyes and ears wide open and observe what is going on. So many extraordinary things are happening. What Jesus said in his inaugural sermon at Nazareth is now being realized, like the blind regaining their sight, sick people being healed, and the good news proclaimed to the poor. There should be no mistake that indeed Jesus is the Messiah. He is the one who is to come. There is no need to look for another.

Jesus’ claim as the Messiah is validated by his miracles and preaching. John should stop worrying. Now he can devote his time in prison praying for the success of the spread of God’s Kingdom.

As he clarifies John’s questions, Jesus encourages his listeners to have the same attitude towards him. “Blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.” It is a grace of God to be able to accept Jesus and not to seek false sources of joy and salvation.

Can you find someone better than Jesus?

SHOULD WE LOOK FOR ANOTHER?
The question that the imprisoned John sends through his disciples is not an expression of doubt but of probability. Jesus may indeed be the Coming One, but he has not shown himself as a vengeful judge and deliverer of God’s people. Rather, he goes about healing the sick and preaching to the outcasts, even reaching out to Gentiles. God is acting in and through Jesus in an utterly gracious, unexpected, and surprising manner. John and his disciples are wondering if they have to look elsewhere because what they see and hear about Jesus are beyond their own hopes and dreams.

The question is repeated (v 20) to emphasize the difference between the expectations of John and the Jewish people and Jesus’ coming and his fulfillment of their expectations. His person and his actions overwhelm them. Jesus is Lord, Savior, and Son of God.

How do you expect God to act in your life?

SOURCE: “366 Days with the Lord 2016,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.) http://www.ssp.ph/

This post has been edited by khool: Dec 14 2016, 10:26 AM

GOD HAS NOT ABANDONED YOU - Lk 7:18-23



Maranatha! Our existence as humans is marked with the realities of opposites, happiness and sadness. Life is full of sweet and sour moments. When John pointed out the Messiah to his disciples, he was a free man [Jn 1:29]. In today’s Gospel the same John is a prisoner and now he seemingly wondered if Jesus is truly the Messiah. What is our concept of God when things do not work positively we expected or planed? John dared Herod Antipas by telling him the truth about his incestuous relationship with Herodias. John knew that the penalty for such confrontation may be execution. He expected the said Messiah to deliver and liberate him from the imminent death/execution. Jesus’ responses to John’s messengers were words of encouragements that God who performs all the miracles mentioned is also capable of delivering him. This is also the message of Prophet Isaiah to us today [ Is 45:6-8, 18,21-25]. In God is the Absolute Power to do and obtain everything. He is in total control! In God is the fullness of all certainty. Isaiah also cautions us to be careful where we look for help/answers/solutions when life shows us its ugly and bitter side. God is the only Source of Blessings, Light and deliverance. From God, kindness, truth, justice and peace, fruitfulness, prosperity and salvation comes to us [Ps 85:9-14]. When we suffer from health, spiritual, academic, financial, relational and psychological retardation and imprisonments what is our reaction and to whom do we bring them? In humility, wisdom and total surrender, John brought his expectations and desires to Jesus today. Let us do the same especially when we experience what Saint John of the Cross calls the ‘Dark Night’ in our lives. Jesus is always waiting for us in the Word, in the Blessed Sacrament to listen to us and to bless us with peace and heavenly favours. Jesus is always at the end of the tunnel waiting for those who will be courageous to walk through the darkness and not lose faith. God bless you.

Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor. Pray for us.

Thursday of the Third Week in Advent
Lectionary: 190

Reading 1 (Is 54:1-10)

Raise a glad cry, you barren one who did not bear,
Break forth in jubilant song, you who were not in labor,
For more numerous are the children of the deserted wife
than the children of her who has a husband,
says the LORD.
Enlarge the space for your tent,
spread out your tent cloths unsparingly;
lengthen your ropes and make firm your stakes.
For you shall spread abroad to the right and to the left;
your descendants shall dispossess the nations
and shall people the desolate cities.

Fear not, you shall not be put to shame;
you need not blush, for you shall not be disgraced.
The shame of your youth you shall forget,
the reproach of your widowhood no longer remember.
For he who has become your husband is your Maker;
his name is the LORD of hosts;
Your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel,
called God of all the earth.
The LORD calls you back,
like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit,
A wife married in youth and then cast off,
says your God.
For a brief moment I abandoned you,
but with great tenderness I will take you back.
In an outburst of wrath, for a moment
I hid my face from you;
But with enduring love I take pity on you,
says the LORD, your redeemer.

This is for me like the days of Noah,
when I swore that the waters of Noah
should never again deluge the earth;
So I have sworn not to be angry with you,
or to rebuke you.
Though the mountains leave their place
and the hills be shaken,
My love shall never leave you
nor my covenant of peace be shaken,
says the LORD, who has mercy on you.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 30:2 and 4, 5-6, 11-12a and 13b)

R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear
and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O LORD, you brought me up from the nether world;
you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger lasts but a moment;
a lifetime, his good will.
At nightfall, weeping enters in,
but with the dawn, rejoicing.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

“Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;
O LORD, be my helper.”
You changed my mourning into dancing;
O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

Alleluia (Lk 3:4, 6)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths:
All flesh shall see the salvation of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Lk 7:24-30)
When the messengers of John the Baptist had left,
Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John.
“What did you go out to the desert to see B a reed swayed by the wind?
Then what did you go out to see?
Someone dressed in fine garments?
Those who dress luxuriously and live sumptuously
are found in royal palaces.
Then what did you go out to see?
A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
This is the one about whom Scripture says:

Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
he will prepare your way before you.

I tell you,
among those born of women, no one is greater than John;
yet the least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he.”
(All the people who listened, including the tax collectors,
who were baptized with the baptism of John,
acknowledged the righteousness of God;
but the Pharisees and scholars of the law,
who were not baptized by him,
rejected the plan of God for themselves.)



REFLECTION

THE BAPTISM OF JOHN. Jesus makes his listeners recall their experience when they went to the desert and listened to John the Baptist. They encountered a prophet, not a rich man or a king who dwells in a palace. Jesus says they saw even more than a prophet, the one prophesied to prepare for the coming of the Messiah.

Jesus mentions two kinds of people reacting to John. The first are people who listen to John, are baptized by him, and acknowledge God’s righteousness. They hear his voice in the desert. They repent of their sins, are cleansed through John’s baptism, and proclaim openly that God is good. The second do not listen to John. They do not undergo conversion and do not acknowledge that God is using John for his purpose. They are the Pharisees and lawyers.

It is ironic that those who are experts in religion are not keen about the message of John. They teach the people to wait for the Messiah. They know that someone will prepare a path for him. But when the prophecies are being realized, they fail to recognize that God is finally fulfilling his promises.

Do you listen to the voice of God,
undergo constant conversion,
and proclaim God’s goodness to others?

SOURCE: “366 Days with the Lord 2016,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.) http://www.ssp.ph/

Meditation:
Why did a vast multitude of people, including many tax collectors, submit to John's baptism of repentance? They recognized that God has given John a prophetic ministry of reconciliation with God. They received John's prophetic message as good news of God's gift of pardon and salvation for them. God was offering new life and restoration to all who would prepare their hearts to receive the promised Messiah and his kingdom of peace and righteousness.

The promise of full restoration and peace with God
Isaiah had prophesied 700 years before the coming of the Messiah that God would not forget his bride, the people of Israel, who endured testing and exile because of their unfaithfulness to his covenant with them (Isaiah 54:5-8). God promised to restore them because of his steadfast love and covenant of peace which he made with them. Now through the ministry of John the Baptist, we see the beginning of this restoration as John announces the coming of the promised Messiah.

John was greater than all the prophets
When Jesus began his public ministry he praised John the Baptist as one who superseded all the prophets of the Old Covenant. John was the voice of the Consoler who is coming (John 1:23; Isaiah 40:1-3). He completed the cycle of prophets begun by Elijah (Matthew 11:13-14). What the prophets had carefully searched for and angels longed to see, now came to completion as John made the way ready for the coming of the Messiah, God's Anointed Son, the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:10-12).

Jesus praised John the Baptist as the greatest person born of woman. What an amazing compliment for a righteous man who had spent most of his life praying in the wilderness before he began to publicly announce the coming of the Messiah. Why did Jesus seem to contradict his compliment of John, with the astounding statement that the least in the kingdom of God would be even greater than John the Baptist (Luke 7:28)? Jesus came to give his people and the whole world something which John the Baptist could not accomplish on his own.

The voice is John - the word is Christ
What John announced - Jesus fulfilled. John preached a baptism for repentance - turning away from sin and obeying God's word. And he pointed his disciples to Jesus and proclaimed that he was "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). Jesus came to fulfill God's promise to set people free from slavery to sin, Satan, and death. Through his atoning death on the cross and his rising in glory on the third day, Jesus won for all who would believe in him - full pardon, reconciliation, and adoption as the beloved sons and daughters of the living God.

John announced that the Lord Jesus would baptize people with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Luke 3:16). The Lord Jesus fills us with the power of the Holy Spirit and with his purifying fire so that we may shine brightly with the radiance of his transforming love and holiness. And he gives us the courage and boldness to proclaim the truth of the Gospel to those around us. Ask the Lord Jesus to set you on fire with his transforming love and holiness.

"Lord Jesus, set my heart on fire with burning love for You and for your kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy. May I always radiate you love and mercy and point others to the joy and truth of the Gospel."

Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Born of Woman or Born of God?, by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)

"'What then did you go out to see?' Perhaps you say, 'A prophet.' Yes, I agree. He is a saint and a prophet. He even surpasses the dignity of a prophet. Not only did he announce before that I am coming but pointed me out close at hand, saying, 'Behold the Lamb of God that bears the sin of the world' (John 1:29). The prophet's voice testified of him as the one who was sent before my face to prepare the way before me (Malachi 3:1). I witness that there has not arisen among those born of women one greater than he. He that is least, in the life according to the law, in the kingdom of God is greater than he. How and in what manner is he greater? In that the blessed John, together with as many as preceded him, was born of woman, but they who have received the faith are no longer called the sons of women, but as the wise Evangelist said, 'are born of God'" (John 1:12). (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 18)

copyright and original source at … http://www.dailyscripture.net…

Friday of the Third Week in Advent
Lectionary: 191

Reading 1 (Is 56:1-3a, 6-8)

Thus says the LORD:
Observe what is right, do what is just;
for my salvation is about to come,
my justice, about to be revealed.
Blessed is the man who does this,
the son of man who holds to it;
Who keeps the sabbath free from profanation,
and his hand from any evildoing.
Let not the foreigner say,
when he would join himself to the LORD,
“The LORD will surely exclude me from his people.”

The foreigners who join themselves to the LORD,
ministering to him,
Loving the name of the LORD,
and becoming his servants–
All who keep the sabbath free from profanation
and hold to my covenant,
Them I will bring to my holy mountain
and make joyful in my house of prayer;
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices
will be acceptable on my altar,
For my house shall be called
a house of prayer for all peoples.
Thus says the Lord GOD,
who gathers the dispersed of Israel:
Others will I gather to him
besides those already gathered.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 67:2-3, 5, 7-8)

R. O God, let all the nations praise you!

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. O God, let all the nations praise you!

May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!

The earth has yielded its fruits;
God, our God, has blessed us.
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come, Lord, bring us your peace
that we may rejoice before you with a perfect heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Jn 5:33-36)

Jesus said to the Jews:
“You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth.
I do not accept testimony from a human being,
but I say this so that you may be saved.
John was a burning and shining lamp,
and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light.
But I have testimony greater than John’s.
The works that the Father gave me to accomplish,
these works that I perform testify on my behalf
that the Father has sent me.”



REFLECTION

HE WAS A BURNING AND SHINING LAMP. We know John the Baptist more as the precursor of Jesus. He prepares for the Messiah’s coming. We know little about him as a burning and shining lamp.

In the Gospel, it is Jesus who declares this. What does he mean? As a burning and shining lamp, John testifies or bears witness (martyreo) to Jesus. When Jesus appears on the scene, John declares, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 1:29). Jesus acknowledges John’s high quality performance. His testimony is not mediocre, like that of a flickering lamp.

Of prime importance in the passage is testimony (martyria). John testifies to the truth. The truth is Jesus. But Jesus really needs no testimony from human beings, even from John. Enough is Jesus’ testimony that is much greater than John’s. The works given him by the Father that he accomplishes speak for him. Jesus proves himself to be the Son of God by the signs (miracles) he performs that nobody else can do. Once he is introduced to the people prepared by John, Jesus calls his Apostles and then performs a miracle at Cana, the first of his seven signs in Jn 1—12.

Like John, we Christians are called to give testimony to Christ. We are to make him known to other people. Are you a shining and outstanding witness of Christ?

SOURCE: “366 Days with the Lord 2016,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.)

HE WAS A BURNING AND SHINING LAMP. This is quite a tribute that Jesus pays to John the Baptist. But, of course, it is much less than being the light of the world, which Jesus is. Though John’s witness to him is important, Jesus relies on a more important witness ---the witness of his own works that the Father gave him to accomplish.

It is the same with us: while the good things that other people say about us may be good signs of our credibility, it is our works that testify best as to the kind of persons we are. While we cultivate a good image so others will speak well of us, we must be even more careful to do good works that speak well to others about us.

Our actions speak louder
than the words of others.

*************************************

Meditation:

Do you know the joy of the Gospel - the good news that the Father in heaven sent his only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to set us free from the kingdom of darkness, death, and Satan? Jesus' opponents refused to accept his authority to speak and act in the name of God. And they refused to believe that he was sent from the Father in heaven. They demanded evidence for his claim to be the Anointed Messiah and divine Son of the eternal Father. Jesus answered their charges with the supporting evidence of witnesses. The law of Moses had laid down the principle that the unsupported evidence of one person shall not prevail against a man for any charge of wrongdoing (see Deuteronomy 17:6). At least two or three witnesses were needed.

John was a burning and shining lamp
Jesus began his defense by citing John the Baptist as his witness, since John publicly pointed to Jesus as the Messiah and had repeatedly borne witness to him (see John 1:19, 20, 26, 29, 35, 36). Jesus called John a burning and shining lamp that illuminated the minds and hearts of those who were ready to hear the prophetic message he spoke in God's name. A lamp cannot light itself - it must be lit from a borrowed source. The function of a lamp is to illumine the darkness and to guide people. John pointed to the coming of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ who is the true source of light which comes from God. Jesus came to open the eyes of the blind and to free people from the blindness of sin, deception, and ignorance. Jesus proclaimed, "I am the light of the world - he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12).

Jesus' mighty signs witness to the coming of God's kingdom in his person
Jesus asserted that a second and greater witness to his claim to be the Messiah were the mighty signs and miracles which he performed. He cites his own miraculous works, not to point to himself but to point to the power of God the Father working in and through him. He cited God the Father as his supreme witness.

Jesus also asserted that the word of God in the Old Testament Scriptures, including the first five books of Moses, pointed to him as the promised Messiah and Savior. The problem with the scribes and Pharisees was that they did not fully believe what Moses had written. They desired the praise of their own people and since they were so focused on themselves, they became blind-sighted to God and to the truth of his word. They were so preoccupied with their own position as authorities and interpreters of the law that they became hardened and unable to understand the word of God. Their pride made them deaf to God's voice.

God reveals his light and truth to the humble of heart
Scripture tells us that God reveals himself to the lowly of heart, to those who trust not in themselves but in God alone (Matthew 11:25-27,29 and Luke 10:21-22). The lowly of heart listen to God's word with an eagerness to learn and to obey. The Lord Jesus reveals to us the very mind and heart of God. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit he opens our ears so that we may hear his voice and he fills our hearts and minds with the love and knowledge of God. Do you believe that God's word has power to set you free from the blindness of sin and deception? If you believe in his word you will know the truth and the truth will make you free to walk in his way of love and righteousness (John 8:32).

"Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may listen to your word attentively, obey it fully, and live it joyfully."

Daily Quote from the early church fathers: The prophets and apostles are lamps of God, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"All people are lamps because they can both be lighted and extinguished... Only [Christ] is not a lamp. For he is not lighted and extinguished, because "as the Father has life in himself, so he has given to the Son to have life in himself." Therefore, the apostles, too, are lamps. And they give thanks because they both have been kindled by the light of truth and burn with the Spirit of love, and the oil of God’s grace is available to them. If they were not lamps, the Lord would not say to them, "You are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14). For after he said, "You are the light of the world," he shows that they should not think they were such a light as that of which it is said, "It was the true light that enlightens everyone who comes into this world." (excerpt from TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 23.3.1–2).

copyright and original source at … http://www.dailyscripture.net ...

Saturday of the Third Week in Advent
Lectionary: 193

Reading 1 GN 49:2, 8-10

Jacob called his sons and said to them:
“Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob,
listen to Israel, your father.

“You, Judah, shall your brothers praise
–your hand on the neck of your enemies;
the sons of your father shall bow down to you.
Judah, like a lion’s whelp,
you have grown up on prey, my son.
He crouches like a lion recumbent,
the king of beasts–who would dare rouse him?
The scepter shall never depart from Judah,
or the mace from between his legs,
While tribute is brought to him,
and he receives the people’s homage.”

Responsorial (Psalm PS 72:1-2, 3-4AB, 7-8, 17)

R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king’s son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

The mountains shall yield peace for the people,
and the hills justice.
He shall defend the afflicted among the people,
save the children of the poor.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

May his name be blessed forever;
as long as the sun his name shall remain.
In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;
all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
O Wisdom of our God Most High,
guiding creation with power and love:
come to teach us the path of knowledge!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (MT 1:1-17)

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ,
the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham became the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.
Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah,
whose mother was Tamar.
Perez became the father of Hezron,
Hezron the father of Ram,
Ram the father of Amminadab.
Amminadab became the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
Salmon the father of Boaz,
whose mother was Rahab.
Boaz became the father of Obed,
whose mother was Ruth.
Obed became the father of Jesse,
Jesse the father of David the king.

David became the father of Solomon,
whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.
Solomon became the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
Abijah the father of Asaph.
Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,
Joram the father of Uzziah.
Uzziah became the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.
Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amos,
Amos the father of Josiah.
Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers
at the time of the Babylonian exile.

After the Babylonian exile,
Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel,
Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
Zerubbabel the father of Abiud.
Abiud became the father of Eliakim,
Eliakim the father of Azor,
Azor the father of Zadok.
Zadok became the father of Achim,
Achim the father of Eliud,
Eliud the father of Eleazar.
Eleazar became the father of Matthan,
Matthan the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Thus the total number of generations
from Abraham to David
is fourteen generations;
from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations;
from the Babylonian exile to the Christ,
fourteen generations.



REFLECTION

FOURTEEN GENERATIONS. The number fourteen is the numerical value of the name of King David. In the Hebrew alphabet, D (daleth) is equivalent to 4; V (vav), to 6. So the sum of 4+6+4 (D+V+D), without the vowels for they had none before, is 14.

Matthew wants to introduce Jesus as coming from the lineage of King David, from a royal family. In David’s administration, the whole Israel experienced unprecedented peace. As David’s descendant, Jesus will perpetuate his dynasty as promised by God. He is expected to be powerful like David and will govern with justice and righteousness.

The three sets of 14 generations are not necessarily equal in time span. The first 14 spans a thousand years, while the last two only 500 years each, more or less. We should not take the computations literally.

Important to note in the genealogy is the fact that Jesus who is conceived by the Holy Spirit belongs to the human community. The names mentioned are of either good persons or plain sinners, imperfect human beings.

Through baptism, we are incorporated into the lineage of Jesus. If we are faithful to our vocation, we continue the mission of Jesus.

SOURCE: “366 Days with the Lord 2016,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.) http://www.ssp.ph/.

Monday of the Fourth Week in Advent
Lectionary: 195



Reading 1 (Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a)

There was a certain man from Zorah, of the clan of the Danites,
whose name was Manoah.
His wife was barren and had borne no children.
An angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her,
“Though you are barren and have had no children,
yet you will conceive and bear a son.
Now, then, be careful to take no wine or strong drink
and to eat nothing unclean.
As for the son you will conceive and bear,
no razor shall touch his head,
for this boy is to be consecrated to God from the womb.
It is he who will begin the deliverance of Israel
from the power of the Philistines.”

The woman went and told her husband,
“A man of God came to me;
he had the appearance of an angel of God, terrible indeed.
I did not ask him where he came from, nor did he tell me his name.
But he said to me,
‘You will be with child and will bear a son.
So take neither wine nor strong drink, and eat nothing unclean.
For the boy shall be consecrated to God from the womb,
until the day of his death.’”

The woman bore a son and named him Samson.
The boy grew up and the LORD blessed him;
the Spirit of the LORD stirred him.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17)

R. My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!

Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked.
R. My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!

For you are my hope, O LORD;
my trust, O God, from my youth.
On you I depend from birth;
from my mother’s womb you are my strength.
R. My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!

I will treat of the mighty works of the LORD;
O God, I will tell of your singular justice.
O God, you have taught me from my youth,
and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.
R. My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
O Root of Jesse’s stem,
sign of God’s love for all his people:
come to save us without delay!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Lk 1:5-25)

In the days of Herod, King of Judea,
there was a priest named Zechariah
of the priestly division of Abijah;
his wife was from the daughters of Aaron,
and her name was Elizabeth.
Both were righteous in the eyes of God,
observing all the commandments
and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren
and both were advanced in years.

Once when he was serving as priest
in his division’s turn before God,
according to the practice of the priestly service,
he was chosen by lot
to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense.
Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside
at the hour of the incense offering,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him,
standing at the right of the altar of incense.
Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him.

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah,
because your prayer has been heard.
Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,
and you shall name him John.
And you will have joy and gladness,
and many will rejoice at his birth,
for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.
He will drink neither wine nor strong drink.
He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb,
and he will turn many of the children of Israel
to the Lord their God.
He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah
to turn the hearts of fathers toward children
and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous,
to prepare a people fit for the Lord.”

Then Zechariah said to the angel,
“How shall I know this?
For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”
And the angel said to him in reply,
“I am Gabriel, who stand before God.
I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news.
But now you will be speechless and unable to talk
until the day these things take place,
because you did not believe my words,
which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”
Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah
and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary.
But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them,
and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary.
He was gesturing to them but remained mute.

Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home.

After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived,
and she went into seclusion for five months, saying,
“So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit
to take away my disgrace before others.”



REFLECTION

Your prayer has been heard. Before going to Mary in Nazareth, the angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah and announces that God has heard his prayer. He has been praying like any other pious priest or pilgrim in the Temple of Jerusalem.

In the passage, we come to know the content of his prayer. Zechariah has been praying for a son. Elizabeth, his barren wife, will soon conceive a son. It is the dream of couples to have offspring. That is the reason they get married. Marriage is not only for companionship but, most of all, also for childbearing and childrearing.

Zechariah’s prayer being heard must be a big story in the village. It is not just a simple childbearing giving joy to the old couple and their neighbors. The mission of the boy is also announced. He will go in the spirit of Elijah to prepare a people fit for the Lord. When he grows up, the child will be God’s instrument in bringing people to turn away from sin. Salvation is around the corner.

Though his prayer has been heard, Zechariah is stricken dumb for not believing in God’s power. He seems to have abandoned all hope, but God remembers his covenant. God is not playing games with Zechariah. God operates on a wider perspective. The birth of John should not be too far away from the birth of His Son Jesus.

SOURCE: “366 Days with the Lord 2016,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.) http://www.ssp.ph/

This post has been edited by khool: Dec 19 2016, 09:28 AM

Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Advent
Lectionary: 197



Reading 1 (Sg 2:8-14)

Hark! my lover–here he comes
springing across the mountains,
leaping across the hills.
My lover is like a gazelle
or a young stag.
Here he stands behind our wall,
gazing through the windows,
peering through the lattices.
My lover speaks; he says to me,
“Arise, my beloved, my dove, my beautiful one,
and come!
“For see, the winter is past,
the rains are over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth,
the time of pruning the vines has come,
and the song of the dove is heard in our land.
The fig tree puts forth its figs,
and the vines, in bloom, give forth fragrance.
Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one,
and come!

“O my dove in the clefts of the rock,
in the secret recesses of the cliff,
Let me see you,
let me hear your voice,
For your voice is sweet,
and you are lovely.”

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21)

R. Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.

Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
Sing to him a new song;
pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness.
R. Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.

But the plan of the LORD stands forever;
the design of his heart, through all generations.
Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he has chosen for his own inheritance.
R. Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.

Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield,
For in him our hearts rejoice;
in his holy name we trust.
R. Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law:
come to save us, Lord our God!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Lk 1:39-45)

Mary set out in those days
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
“Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled.”



REFLECTION

BLESSED ARE YOU WHO BELIEVED. Elizabeth lauds Mary for believing in the angel Gabriel at the annunciation. This elderly pregnant woman has realized the value of saying Yes to God with total submission. She remembers fully well what happened to her husband Zechariah who did not entertain with faith the same angel Gabriel who appeared to him in the Temple.

As the two pregnant women happily interact with each other in Ein Kerem, Zechariah remains speechless. Stricken dumb for not being so keen on God’s action in his life, he has been silenced for six months now.

Elizabeth joyfully welcomes Mary who visits her. She speaks the famous lines now embedded in the Catholic prayer Hail Mary repeated by countless Catholics who daily recite the Rosary and the Angelus. They join in the joy of Elizabeth acknowledging Mary’s motherhood of the divine Son.

There is so much joy in believing. Look at the two women cousins, one so old and the other so young. Rejoicing in the Lord closes down the generation gap. They are happily sharing together the same experience. God has intervened in both their lives. God has entered deep into their private and intimate selves. Now they are carrying two persons destined to start the ball of salvation rolling.

Do you share in the joy that God has highly favored Mary?

SOURCE: “366 Days with the Lord 2016,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.) http://www.ssp.ph/


This post has been edited by khool: Dec 21 2016, 09:33 AM