Tuesday in the Fourth Week of Advent -
Mass in the Morning
Lectionary: 200
Lectionary: 200
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.'"
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
PsalmPS 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.
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.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
O Radiant Dawn,
splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:
come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
O Radiant Dawn,
splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:
come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 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."
"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."
Meditation: Nothing is impossible with God
Does
the proclamation of the Gospel message fill you with joy and hope? When the
Lord comes to redeem us he fills us with his Holy Spirit, the source of our joy
and hope in the promises of God.
Filled
with the Holy Spirit and the inspired Word of God
John the Baptist was born shortly before Mary delivered her son, Jesus. When John was circumcised on the eighth day according to the Jewish rite, his father Zechariah was "filled with the Holy Spirit" and with great joy. Inspired by the Holy Spirit he spoke out a prophetic word and hymn of blessing for the work of redemption which God was about to accomplish in Christ. He foresaw the fulfillment of God's promise to David and his descendants that David's dynasty would endure forever through the coming of the Messianic King (2 Samuel 7:16). This King would establish peace and security for his people. We often think of peace as the absence of trouble. The peace which the Messiah brings cancels the debt of sin and restores our broken relationship with God.
John the Baptist was born shortly before Mary delivered her son, Jesus. When John was circumcised on the eighth day according to the Jewish rite, his father Zechariah was "filled with the Holy Spirit" and with great joy. Inspired by the Holy Spirit he spoke out a prophetic word and hymn of blessing for the work of redemption which God was about to accomplish in Christ. He foresaw the fulfillment of God's promise to David and his descendants that David's dynasty would endure forever through the coming of the Messianic King (2 Samuel 7:16). This King would establish peace and security for his people. We often think of peace as the absence of trouble. The peace which the Messiah brings cancels the debt of sin and restores our broken relationship with God.
Do
you know the tender mercy and forgiveness of the Savior?
The Holy Spirit gave Zechariah a vision for his own son as a prophet and forerunner who would prepare the way for the Messiah. Every devout Jew longed for the day when the Messiah would come. Now Zechariah knows beyond a doubt that that day is very near. Like Zechariah, the Holy Spirit wants to give us vision, joy, and confidence in the knowledge of God's merciful love, protection, and care which he offers us through his Son Jesus Christ. Like the Baptist, we too are called to prepare the way that leads to Christ. Life is a journey and we are either moving towards the Lord or away from the Lord. The Lord comes to visit us each day with his life-giving Word and Spirit. Those who hunger for the Lord will not be disappointed. He will draw them to himself and show them his love and mercy.
The Holy Spirit gave Zechariah a vision for his own son as a prophet and forerunner who would prepare the way for the Messiah. Every devout Jew longed for the day when the Messiah would come. Now Zechariah knows beyond a doubt that that day is very near. Like Zechariah, the Holy Spirit wants to give us vision, joy, and confidence in the knowledge of God's merciful love, protection, and care which he offers us through his Son Jesus Christ. Like the Baptist, we too are called to prepare the way that leads to Christ. Life is a journey and we are either moving towards the Lord or away from the Lord. The Lord comes to visit us each day with his life-giving Word and Spirit. Those who hunger for the Lord will not be disappointed. He will draw them to himself and show them his love and mercy.
In
sending the Messiah God has made a gracious visit to his people to redeem them.
This was the mission for which Jesus Christ was sent into the world - to redeem
those sold for sin and sold under sin. In the feast of the Incarnation we
celebrate the gracious gift of God in sending his only begotten Son to redeem
us. Let us pray that the Holy Spirit may inspire us and fill us with joy and
boldness to proclaim the message of the Lord's visitation and redemption.
"Lord
Jesus, you have been gracious and merciful towards your people. Fill me with
your Holy Spirit that I may bear witness to the joy of the Gospel to those around
me."
A
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: My words will not pass away,
by an anonymous early author from the Greek church
"'O forerunner of Christ!... O Baptist inspired by God! We glorify Christ
who bowed his head before you in the Jordan and sanctified the nature of mortal
humankind... O wise John the forerunner, you have looked down from the bank of
the river upon the glory of the Father's Word, even the Son as he stood in the
waters; and you have seen the Spirit descend as a dove, cleansing and
enlightening the ends of the earth. To you the mystery of the Trinity was
revealed; and to you we sing, honoring your divine festival.
"O Baptist and forerunner, strengthened by the divine grace of Christ you have shown us the lamb that takes away all the sins of the world (John 1:29,35-36), and with joy you have this day brought two disciples to him (John 1:35-42). Entreat him that peace and great mercy may be given to our souls." (excerpt from SYNAXIS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST)
"O Baptist and forerunner, strengthened by the divine grace of Christ you have shown us the lamb that takes away all the sins of the world (John 1:29,35-36), and with joy you have this day brought two disciples to him (John 1:35-42). Entreat him that peace and great mercy may be given to our souls." (excerpt from SYNAXIS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST)
The Nativity of the Lord
(Christmas) - At the Vigil Mass
Lectionary: 13
Lectionary: 13
Reading 1IS 62:1-5
For Zion's sake I will not be silent,
for Jerusalem's sake I will not be quiet,
until her vindication shines forth like the dawn
and her victory like a burning torch.
Nations shall behold your vindication,
and all the kings your glory;
you shall be called by a new name
pronounced by the mouth of the LORD.
You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD,
a royal diadem held by your God.
No more shall people call you "Forsaken,"
or your land "Desolate,"
but you shall be called "My Delight,"
and your land "Espoused."
For the LORD delights in you
and makes your land his spouse.
As a young man marries a virgin,
your Builder shall marry you;
and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride
so shall your God rejoice in you.
for Jerusalem's sake I will not be quiet,
until her vindication shines forth like the dawn
and her victory like a burning torch.
Nations shall behold your vindication,
and all the kings your glory;
you shall be called by a new name
pronounced by the mouth of the LORD.
You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD,
a royal diadem held by your God.
No more shall people call you "Forsaken,"
or your land "Desolate,"
but you shall be called "My Delight,"
and your land "Espoused."
For the LORD delights in you
and makes your land his spouse.
As a young man marries a virgin,
your Builder shall marry you;
and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride
so shall your God rejoice in you.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29
R. (2a) 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.
Blessed the people who know the joyful shout;
in the light of your countenance, O LORD, they walk.
At your name they rejoice all the day,
and through your justice they are exalted.
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.
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.
Blessed the people who know the joyful shout;
in the light of your countenance, O LORD, they walk.
At your name they rejoice all the day,
and through your justice they are exalted.
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.
Reading 2ACTS 13:16-17, 22-25
When Paul reached Antioch in Pisidia and entered the synagogue,
he stood up, motioned with his hand, and said,
"Fellow Israelites and you others who are God-fearing, listen.
The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors
and exalted the people during their sojourn in the
land of Egypt.
With uplifted arm he led them out of it.
Then he removed Saul and raised up David as king;
of him he testified,
'I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;
he will carry out my every wish.'
From this man's descendants God, according to his promise,
has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.
John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance
to all the people of Israel;
and as John was completing his course, he would say,
'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.
Behold, one is coming after me;
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.'"
he stood up, motioned with his hand, and said,
"Fellow Israelites and you others who are God-fearing, listen.
The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors
and exalted the people during their sojourn in the
land of Egypt.
With uplifted arm he led them out of it.
Then he removed Saul and raised up David as king;
of him he testified,
'I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;
he will carry out my every wish.'
From this man's descendants God, according to his promise,
has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.
John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance
to all the people of Israel;
and as John was completing his course, he would say,
'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.
Behold, one is coming after me;
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.'"
Alleluia
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Tomorrow the wickedness of the earth will be destroyed:
the Savior of the world will reign over us.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Tomorrow the wickedness of the earth will be destroyed:
the Savior of the world will reign over us.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT 1:1-25
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.
Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
"Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means "God is with us."
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
He had no relations with her until she bore a son,
and he named him Jesus.
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.
Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
"Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means "God is with us."
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
He had no relations with her until she bore a son,
and he named him Jesus.
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
"Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means "God is with us."
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
He had no relations with her until she bore a son,
and he named him Jesus.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
"Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means "God is with us."
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
He had no relations with her until she bore a son,
and he named him Jesus.
Meditation: "He will
save his people from their sins"
On
the night of the vigil for the Feast of the Nativity of the Lord Jesus Christ,
Christians throughout the world rejoice in the good news that God has sent us
the best of heaven's gifts - his own beloved Son who became a human like us in
order to lay down his life for our sake as the atoning sacrifice for our sins
and the sin of the world. Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah and Redeemer -
the one who would deliver the children of Abraham from slavery to sin,
oppression, and death. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world - the hope of
the nations who seek peace, truth, and righteousness rather than hatred,
prejudice, greed, and corruption. Jesus Christ is the glory of the heavenly
Father who brought the light of his Son to a world blinded by sin, deception,
ignorance, stubborn pride, and rebellion (Isaiah 60:1-3,19).
Jesus is the direct descendant of Abraham and King David
In telling the story of Jesus' nativity Matthew begins his Gospel account with the genealogy of Jesus - his family tree. Matthew traces Jesus' lineage from Abraham, the father of God's chosen people, through the line of David, King of Israel, to "Joseph, the son of David" (Matthew 1:20). Joseph, however is not the natural father of Jesus. Matthew tells us that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary. Luke in his Gospel account tells us that Mary was also of the line of David. Jesus the Messiah is the direct descendant of Abraham and David, and the rightful heir to David's throne.
Jesus is the direct descendant of Abraham and King David
In telling the story of Jesus' nativity Matthew begins his Gospel account with the genealogy of Jesus - his family tree. Matthew traces Jesus' lineage from Abraham, the father of God's chosen people, through the line of David, King of Israel, to "Joseph, the son of David" (Matthew 1:20). Joseph, however is not the natural father of Jesus. Matthew tells us that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary. Luke in his Gospel account tells us that Mary was also of the line of David. Jesus the Messiah is the direct descendant of Abraham and David, and the rightful heir to David's throne.
Jesus
is the long-expected Messiah and Savior
In the coming of Jesus, we see the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham and to David that he would send a Savior whom he would anoint as king and savior who would rule forever. When Jacob, the great-grandson of Abraham, blessed his twelve sons, he foretold that Judah would receive the promise of royalty which we see fulfilled when David, a descendant of Judah, was chosen as the anointed King for Israel (Genesis 49:10). We can see in Jacob's blessing and in the promise made to David a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah and Ruler whom the Father would send to save his people from sin, Satan, and death.The Lord Jesus came not only to restore Israel but to save the nations. Do you recognize the Lord Jesus as the fulfillment of all God's promises?
In the coming of Jesus, we see the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham and to David that he would send a Savior whom he would anoint as king and savior who would rule forever. When Jacob, the great-grandson of Abraham, blessed his twelve sons, he foretold that Judah would receive the promise of royalty which we see fulfilled when David, a descendant of Judah, was chosen as the anointed King for Israel (Genesis 49:10). We can see in Jacob's blessing and in the promise made to David a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah and Ruler whom the Father would send to save his people from sin, Satan, and death.The Lord Jesus came not only to restore Israel but to save the nations. Do you recognize the Lord Jesus as the fulfillment of all God's promises?
When
Israel and the House of David rebelled and turned away from God, God described
his people as a deserted and forsaken wife (Isaiah62:4). God, however did not
abandon nor forget his people. The prophet Isaiah foretold a time of
deliverance when the Messiah would come to his people as their Bridegroom who
would delight in restoring and uniting them as his Bride (Isaiah 61:10,
Revelations 21:2). This work of restoration would extend to all the nations as
well. We begin to see the fulfillment of that prophecy when the angel announced
the coming of the Messiah first to the virgin Mary and then later to her
espoused husband, Joseph (Matthew 1:18-23).
Jesus
was conceived of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary
When Mary was chosen by God to be the mother of the Messiah she had to face an enormous challenge to her faith and trust in God, and to the faith of her family, as well as the faith of Joseph, the man she had chosen to marry. She was asked to assume a burden of tremendous responsibility. It had never been heard of before that a child could be born without a natural father. Mary was asked to accept this miraculous exception to the laws of nature.That required faith and trust in God and in his promises. Second, Mary was not yet married. Pregnancy outside of wedlock was not tolerated in those days. Mary was only espoused to Joseph, and such an engagement had to last for a whole year. She was asked to assume a great risk. She could have been rejected by Joseph, by her family, by all her own people. Mary knew that Joseph and her family would not understand without revelation from God. She nonetheless believed and trusted in God's promises.
When Mary was chosen by God to be the mother of the Messiah she had to face an enormous challenge to her faith and trust in God, and to the faith of her family, as well as the faith of Joseph, the man she had chosen to marry. She was asked to assume a burden of tremendous responsibility. It had never been heard of before that a child could be born without a natural father. Mary was asked to accept this miraculous exception to the laws of nature.That required faith and trust in God and in his promises. Second, Mary was not yet married. Pregnancy outside of wedlock was not tolerated in those days. Mary was only espoused to Joseph, and such an engagement had to last for a whole year. She was asked to assume a great risk. She could have been rejected by Joseph, by her family, by all her own people. Mary knew that Joseph and her family would not understand without revelation from God. She nonetheless believed and trusted in God's promises.
God
reveals to Joseph - and to us - the miraculous conception and mission of
Jesus
Joseph, a just and God-fearing man, did not wish to embarrass or punish his espoused wife, Mary, when he discovered that she was pregnant. To all appearances she had broken their solemn pledge to be faithful and chaste to one another. Joseph, no doubt took this troubling matter to God in prayer. He was not hasty to judge or to react with hurt and anger. God rewarded him not only with guidance and consolation, but with the divine assurance that he had indeed called Joseph to be the husband of Mary and to assume a mission that would require the utmost faith, confidence, and trust in Almighty God. Joseph believed in the divine message to take Mary as his wife and to accept the child in her womb as the promised Messiah.
Joseph, a just and God-fearing man, did not wish to embarrass or punish his espoused wife, Mary, when he discovered that she was pregnant. To all appearances she had broken their solemn pledge to be faithful and chaste to one another. Joseph, no doubt took this troubling matter to God in prayer. He was not hasty to judge or to react with hurt and anger. God rewarded him not only with guidance and consolation, but with the divine assurance that he had indeed called Joseph to be the husband of Mary and to assume a mission that would require the utmost faith, confidence, and trust in Almighty God. Joseph believed in the divine message to take Mary as his wife and to accept the child in her womb as the promised Messiah.
Like
Mary, Joseph is a model of faith for us. He is a faithful witness and servant
of God's unfolding plan of redemption. Are you ready to believe in the promises
of God, even when faced with perplexing circumstances and what seems like
insurmountable problems? God has not left us alone, but has brought us his only
begotten Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Let us celebrate Christmas, the
feast of the Incarnation (when "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us...
the only-begotten Son from the Father" John 1:14), with joyful hearts, and
let us renew our faith and hope in God, and give thanks for his work of
redemption.
"Lord
Jesus, you came to set us free from the power of sin, death, and Satan. You
give us the hope of abundant life and joy with you forever. May I always
rejoice in your saving work and trust in your plan for my life".
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: Jesus' humanity revealed in the
genealogy, by Severus of Antioch (465-538 AD)
"One must bear in mind therefore that the Evangelists, or rather the
Spirit speaking through them, took pains to ensure that their readers believed
that Christ was truly God and truly human. Because of what they wrote, no one
could possibly doubt that he is God by nature, beyond all variation, mutation
or illusion, and that according to the ordered plan of God he was truly human.
This is why John could say, on the one hand, 'In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.' John immediately adds, 'The
Word was made flesh and dwelt among us' (John 1:1-2,14). Hence Matthew wrote
appropriately, 'The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David,
the son of Abraham.' On the one hand he is not able to be counted simply from
natural generation among families, since it is written, 'Who shall declare his
generation?' (Isaiah 53:8) He is before the centuries and of one substance with
the Father himself, from the standpoint of eternity. But by this genealogy he
is also numbered among the families of humanity according to the flesh. For in
truth, while remaining God, Christ became man without ceasing to be God,
unaltered till the end of time.
"This is why there is also mention of the ancient patriarchs in the lineage, the narrative and observation of the times and vicissitudes that are indeed proper to human history. Through all this Matthew made it clear that Christ participates in our human generation and in our nature. Otherwise some might claim that he appeared in illusion and in imagination only, rather than by becoming genuinely human. Think of what might have been said if none of this had been written?" (excerpt from CATHEDRAL SERMONS, HOMILY 94)
"This is why there is also mention of the ancient patriarchs in the lineage, the narrative and observation of the times and vicissitudes that are indeed proper to human history. Through all this Matthew made it clear that Christ participates in our human generation and in our nature. Otherwise some might claim that he appeared in illusion and in imagination only, rather than by becoming genuinely human. Think of what might have been said if none of this had been written?" (excerpt from CATHEDRAL SERMONS, HOMILY 94)
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, LUKE 1:67-79
Advent Weekday
(2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Psalm 89)
Advent Weekday
(2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Psalm 89)
KEY VERSE: "And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, because you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways" (v. 76).
TO KNOW: When Zechariah's tongue was loosened, he broke into a hymn of praise in thanksgiving to God for blessing him and his wife Elizabeth with a child in their old age. Like the canticle of Mary, this "Benedictus" was a compilation of Scripture and Jewish prayers. Zechariah proclaimed that his son was destined to be a prophet of the Most High who would prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah, God's anointed one. God had visited the people with loving-kindness and mercy. God's promise of salvation was fulfilled in the person and ministry of Jesus Christ, the "daybreak from on high" (v. 78). The light of Christ would shatter the darkness that overshadowed the people (Is 60:1), and guide them on the pathway to peace (Shalom in Hebrew). Peace does not mean merely freedom from war and strife; it means whatever works for the common good. Jesus Christ would enable people to walk in the ways that lead to life, and no longer trod the path leading to death.
TO LOVE: Have my words and deeds proclaimed peace this Advent?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, thank you for showing us your mercy by leading us to the light.
THE SEASON OF CHRISTMAS
The Christmas season immediately follows Advent. The traditional Twelve Days of Christmas begins with Christmas Eve on December 24 and continues until the feast of Epiphany on January 6. Epiphany commemorates the recognition of Jesus as the Son of God by the three Wise Men (and by all nations). The season of Christmas ends on the Monday after the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord, which signifies the purification of the world, through Christ himself.
THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS
The Octave of Christmas lasts for eight days (octave means eight) beginning with Christmas day and ending after the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (January 1). The "O Antiphons" for the Octave of Christmas were first used by the Church in the 8th and 9th centuries. They are based on various titles used for the Christ and are scripturally-based short prayers used from the 17th to the 23rd of December. In these "O Antiphons" the Church expresses her deep longing for the coming of the Messiah. The Advent hymn "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is based on the "O Antiphons" and was written sometime during the 9th Century.
Tuesday 24 December 2019
Christmas Eve
2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16. Psalm 88(89):2-5, 27, 29. Luke 1:67-79.
For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord – Psalm 88(89):2-5, 27, 29.
‘He has looked favourably on his people and redeemed them.’
2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16. Psalm 88(89):2-5, 27, 29. Luke 1:67-79.
For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord – Psalm 88(89):2-5, 27, 29.
‘He has looked favourably on his people and redeemed them.’
Christmas is a time for homecomings for many. Family members
gather to share in the Christmas food and cheer. The loss or absence of a
geographical home is a great gap in the life of a human person.
The readings for this Christmas Eve may provide a word of
comfort: that the God who created them also did not have a geographical abode.
This person who lacked stability, solidarity and identity, actually became the
source of all three to the people of Israel, and then to the Church. The
readings remind us that the person of God is the source of all gifts. Moreover,
the psalms are a powerful reminder that, as wonderful as God’s gifts to us are,
it is in belonging to the person of God and his soon to be incarnate Son, that
we find our stability, our solidarity and our identity.
Christmas at Greccio
Saint of the Day for December 24
 |
| The Christmas celebration in the forest of Greccio | Giotto di Bondone | Fresco in the Upper Church of Saint Francis, Assisi | photo by The Yorck Project |
The Story of Christmas at Greccio
What better way to prepare for the arrival of the Christ Child
than to take a brief journey to Greccio, the spot in central Italy where Saint Francis
of Assisi created the first Christmas crib in the year 1223.
Francis, recalling a visit he had made years before to
Bethlehem, resolved to create the manger he had seen there. The ideal spot was
a cave in nearby Greccio. He would find a baby—we’re not sure if it was a live
infant or the carved image of a baby—hay upon which to lay him, an ox and an
ass to stand beside the manger. Word went out to the people of the town. At the
appointed time, they arrived carrying torches and candles.
One of the friars began celebrating Mass. Francis himself gave
the sermon. His biographer, Thomas of Celano, recalls that Francis “stood
before the manger…overcome with love and filled with a wonderful happiness…”
For Francis, the simple celebration was meant to recall the
hardships Jesus suffered even as an infant, a savior who chose to become poor
for our sake, a truly human Jesus.
Tonight, as we pray around the Christmas cribs in our homes, we
welcome into our hearts that same Savior.
Reflection
God’s choice to give human beings free will was from the
beginning a decision to be helpless in human hands. With the birth of Jesus,
God made the divine helplessness very clear to us, for a human infant is
totally dependent on the loving response of other people. Our natural response
to a baby is to open our arms as Francis did–to the infant of Bethlehem, and to
the God who made us all
Lectio Divina: Luke 1:67-79
Lectio Divina
Tuesday, December 24, 2019
4th Week of Advent
1) Opening prayer
Lord, loving and mighty God,
You fulfilled Your promise to save us
when Jesus, Your Son, became one of us.
We are no longer in the dark,
for You let Your light shine on us.
You fulfilled Your promise to save us
when Jesus, Your Son, became one of us.
We are no longer in the dark,
for You let Your light shine on us.
Bring us Your salvation now,
set us really free from our sins,
let us become fully human with Jesus
and go with Him in Your way of peace and love.
Let Him be our strength,
our constant companion on the road,
that through Him and growing in His humanity,
we may be Your beloved sons and daughters.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
set us really free from our sins,
let us become fully human with Jesus
and go with Him in Your way of peace and love.
Let Him be our strength,
our constant companion on the road,
that through Him and growing in His humanity,
we may be Your beloved sons and daughters.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
2) Gospel Reading – Luke 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."
3) Reflection
The Canticle of Zechariah is one of the many canticles of the
community of the first Christians which we find dispersed in the writings of
the New Testament: in the Gospels (Lk 1:46-55; Lk 2:14; 2: 29-32), in the
letters of Saint Paul (1 Cor 13:1-13; Eph 1:3-14; 2:14-18; Phil 2:6-11; Col
1:15-20) and in the Book of Revelation (1:7; 4: 8; 11:17-18; 12:10-12; 15:3-4;
18: 1 up to 19: 8). These Canticles give us an idea of how faith and the weekly
liturgy were lived during those first times. They show us that the
liturgy was, at the same, a celebration of the mystery, profession of faith,
animation of hope and catechesis.
• Here in the Canticle of Zechariah, the members of those first Christian communities, almost all of them Jewish, sang the joy of having been visited by the goodness of God in which, in Jesus, the promises are fulfilled. The Canticle has a beautiful structure, well elaborated. It seems like a slow ascent which leads the faithful toward the height of the mountain, from where they observe the road that they have travelled since the time of Abraham (Lk 1:68-73), they experience the beginning of the fulfillment of the promises (Lk 1:74-75) and from there they look ahead, they foresee the road that the child John will have to travel up to the time of the birth of Jesus: the Sun of Justice who comes to prepare, for all, the way of peace (Lk 76-79).
• Zechariah begins praising God because He has visited and redeemed His people (Lk 1: 68) He has established for us a saving power in the house of His servant David (Lk 1:69), just as He promised by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient times (Lk 1:70). And he describes in what this powerful salvation consists: that God would save us from our enemies and from the hands of those who hate us (Lk 1:71). This salvation is the result, not of our own effort, but rather of the merciful goodness of God, who remembered His holy Covenant and the oath He swore to Abraham, our father (Lk 1:72). God is faithful. This is the foundation of our security.
• Continuing, Zechariah describes in what the oath of God sworn to Abraham consists: it is the hope that “freed from the hands of the enemies we can serve Him, without fear, in holiness and uprightness, in His presence, all our days”. This is the great desire of all the people of all times: to live in peace, without fear, serving God and neighbor, in holiness and uprightness, all the days of our life. This is the height of the mountain, the point of arrival, which rose up in the horizon with the birth of John (Lk 1:73-75).
• Now the attention of the Canticle is addressed toward John, the new born child. He will be a prophet of the Most High, because he will go before the Lord to prepare Him the way, to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins (Lk 1:76-77). Here we have a clear reference to the messianic prophecy which said, “There will be no further need for everyone to teach neighbor or brother, saying, ‘Learn to know Yahweh. No, they will all know Me, from the least to the greatest, Yahweh declares, since I will forgive their guilt and never more call their sin to mind” (Jer 31:34). In the Bible “to know” is synonymous with “to experience”. Forgiveness and reconciliation make us experience the presence of God.
• All this will be the fruit of the merciful action of the heart of God and will be realized fully with the coming of Jesus: The rising Sun has come from on high to give light to those who live in darkness and the dark shadow of death and to guide our feet into the way of peace (Lk 1:78-79).
• Here in the Canticle of Zechariah, the members of those first Christian communities, almost all of them Jewish, sang the joy of having been visited by the goodness of God in which, in Jesus, the promises are fulfilled. The Canticle has a beautiful structure, well elaborated. It seems like a slow ascent which leads the faithful toward the height of the mountain, from where they observe the road that they have travelled since the time of Abraham (Lk 1:68-73), they experience the beginning of the fulfillment of the promises (Lk 1:74-75) and from there they look ahead, they foresee the road that the child John will have to travel up to the time of the birth of Jesus: the Sun of Justice who comes to prepare, for all, the way of peace (Lk 76-79).
• Zechariah begins praising God because He has visited and redeemed His people (Lk 1: 68) He has established for us a saving power in the house of His servant David (Lk 1:69), just as He promised by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient times (Lk 1:70). And he describes in what this powerful salvation consists: that God would save us from our enemies and from the hands of those who hate us (Lk 1:71). This salvation is the result, not of our own effort, but rather of the merciful goodness of God, who remembered His holy Covenant and the oath He swore to Abraham, our father (Lk 1:72). God is faithful. This is the foundation of our security.
• Continuing, Zechariah describes in what the oath of God sworn to Abraham consists: it is the hope that “freed from the hands of the enemies we can serve Him, without fear, in holiness and uprightness, in His presence, all our days”. This is the great desire of all the people of all times: to live in peace, without fear, serving God and neighbor, in holiness and uprightness, all the days of our life. This is the height of the mountain, the point of arrival, which rose up in the horizon with the birth of John (Lk 1:73-75).
• Now the attention of the Canticle is addressed toward John, the new born child. He will be a prophet of the Most High, because he will go before the Lord to prepare Him the way, to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins (Lk 1:76-77). Here we have a clear reference to the messianic prophecy which said, “There will be no further need for everyone to teach neighbor or brother, saying, ‘Learn to know Yahweh. No, they will all know Me, from the least to the greatest, Yahweh declares, since I will forgive their guilt and never more call their sin to mind” (Jer 31:34). In the Bible “to know” is synonymous with “to experience”. Forgiveness and reconciliation make us experience the presence of God.
• All this will be the fruit of the merciful action of the heart of God and will be realized fully with the coming of Jesus: The rising Sun has come from on high to give light to those who live in darkness and the dark shadow of death and to guide our feet into the way of peace (Lk 1:78-79).
4. Some questions
• Sometimes it is good to read this canticle as if it were the
first time, in such a way as to be able to discover in it all the novelty of
the Good News of God.
• Have you ever experienced the goodness of God? Have you ever experienced the pardon of God?
• Have you ever experienced the goodness of God? Have you ever experienced the pardon of God?
5) Concluding Prayer
I shall sing the faithful love of Yahweh for ever,
from age to age my lips shall declare Your constancy,
for You have said: love is built to last for ever,
You have fixed your constancy firm in the heavens. (Ps 89:1-2)
from age to age my lips shall declare Your constancy,
for You have said: love is built to last for ever,
You have fixed your constancy firm in the heavens. (Ps 89:1-2)
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