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. (Isaiah 45:8) 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.
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."
Meditation: Isaiah 45:6-8,18,21-25
“I am the Lord, there is no other.” (Isaiah 45:6)
Doesn’t that sound a bit arrogant of God? Or at least a little boastful? Is he really so insecure that he has to draw so much attention to himself? Not at all!
God isn’t looking to sing his own praises or pat himself on the back for being so great. Rather, these affirmations of the Lord’s greatness are meant to form the solid foundation for our own faith and trust in him. He tells us about himself so frequently because he wants us to know how trustworthy, how faithful, how reliable he is.
We all have many different ideas about God—some good, some not so good. So God wants to teach us what is right and wrong about these ideas. Mainly, he wants us to know that we need to give him a place of honor in our lives. We need to put him before everything else.
Today’s first reading emphasizes the sovereignty and might of God. He is “the creator of the heavens, the designer and maker of the earth” (Isaiah 45:18). There is no other God; to him every knee shall bend, and every tongue shall acknowledge his power (45:23). This is the God we worship. This is the God who has promised to save us!
What could be better than to spend time reflecting on who God is? What could be a better way to strengthen the foundation of your faith? Take time in your prayer today to ponder the Scripture passages below—verses that proclaim God’s sovereignty and power: “There is no Holy One like the Lord; there is no Rock like our God” (1 Samuel 2:2). “You are great and do wondrous deeds; and you alone are God” (Psalm 86:10). “No one is like you, O Lord, great are you, great and mighty is your name” (Jeremiah 10:6). “To whom can you liken God? With what equal can you confront him?” (Isaiah 40:18).
Let these passages help you recall God’s faithfulness and mercy. Let them be a springboard to help you think about the marvelous things you’ve seen him do for you or a loved one. The more you know about the Lord, the easier it will be to trust him with your whole life!
“Lord God, you are sovereign; indeed, there is none to compare with you in your greatness and mercy! I surrender my life to you.”
14 December 2011
13 December 2011
13 Dec 2011, Memorial of Saint Lucy, virgin and martyr
Reading 1 Zep 3:1-2, 9-13
Thus says the LORD:
Woe to the city, rebellious and polluted,
to the tyrannical city!
She hears no voice,
accepts no correction;
In the LORD she has not trusted,
to her God she has not drawn near.
For then I will change and purify
the lips of the peoples,
That they all may call upon the name of the LORD,
to serve him with one accord;
From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia
and as far as the recesses of the North,
they shall bring me offerings.
On that day
You need not be ashamed
of all your deeds,
your rebellious actions against me;
For then will I remove from your midst
the proud braggarts,
And you shall no longer exalt yourself
on my holy mountain.
But I will leave as a remnant in your midst
a people humble and lowly,
Who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD:
the remnant of Israel.
They shall do no wrong
and speak no lies;
Nor shall there be found in their mouths
a deceitful tongue;
They shall pasture and couch their flocks
with none to disturb them.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-18, 19 and 23
R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;
no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Gospel Mt 21:28-32
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:
"What is your opinion?
A man had two sons.
He came to the first and said,
'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.'
The son said in reply, 'I will not,'
but afterwards he changed his mind and went.
The man came to the other son and gave the same order.
He said in reply, 'Yes, sir,' but did not go.
Which of the two did his father's will?"
They answered, "The first."
Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you,
tax collectors and prostitutes
are entering the Kingdom of God before you.
When John came to you in the way of righteousness,
you did not believe him;
but tax collectors and prostitutes did.
Yet even when you saw that,
you did not later change your minds and believe him."
Meditation: Matthew 21:28-32
Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.” (Matthew 21:31)
How many times have you heard the saying, “The Lord helps those who help themselves”? The chief priests were trying to please God. They studied the Law and loved their sacred history. They placed a very high priority on doing what was right in the eyes of God, and they wanted to see people doing everything they could to “help themselves” enter God’s kingdom. So why would Jesus say that even public “sinners” would enter that kingdom before they did?
Somehow, these leaders’ enthusiasm for doing right had turned into a reliance on their own efforts. They couldn’t see that Jesus was calling them to move beyond their rigid expectations. He wanted them to be humble enough to let him and his promises make them pleasing to God. After all, it was working for these “sinners.” But not even the witness of their changed lives could convince them to follow Jesus. These elders were determined to stick with their do-it-yourself approach.
When we try to change ourselves by the sheer force of our efforts, we risk making it harder for ourselves. Such a heavy focus on our action makes it difficult for us to become “generous receivers” of God’s grace.
Of course, we do have our own part to play. We have to obey the commandments and do unto others as we would have them do to us. But God wants us to learn how to obey out of an attitude of surrender. He wants us to learn how to yield to him and let his grace fill us and empower us. As we learn to open ourselves to his Spirit in this way, we will find ourselves changed and purified.
So listen for Jesus’ call today. Let God change and purify you so that you can answer him more deeply. Let him take your desire to please him and multiply it with his own divine grace, because the truth is: The Lord helps those who know they need him!
“Lord, I want to hear your call. Only you can change my life to be more like you. Thank you for making me your child.”
Thus says the LORD:
Woe to the city, rebellious and polluted,
to the tyrannical city!
She hears no voice,
accepts no correction;
In the LORD she has not trusted,
to her God she has not drawn near.
For then I will change and purify
the lips of the peoples,
That they all may call upon the name of the LORD,
to serve him with one accord;
From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia
and as far as the recesses of the North,
they shall bring me offerings.
On that day
You need not be ashamed
of all your deeds,
your rebellious actions against me;
For then will I remove from your midst
the proud braggarts,
And you shall no longer exalt yourself
on my holy mountain.
But I will leave as a remnant in your midst
a people humble and lowly,
Who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD:
the remnant of Israel.
They shall do no wrong
and speak no lies;
Nor shall there be found in their mouths
a deceitful tongue;
They shall pasture and couch their flocks
with none to disturb them.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-18, 19 and 23
R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;
no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Gospel Mt 21:28-32
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:
"What is your opinion?
A man had two sons.
He came to the first and said,
'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.'
The son said in reply, 'I will not,'
but afterwards he changed his mind and went.
The man came to the other son and gave the same order.
He said in reply, 'Yes, sir,' but did not go.
Which of the two did his father's will?"
They answered, "The first."
Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you,
tax collectors and prostitutes
are entering the Kingdom of God before you.
When John came to you in the way of righteousness,
you did not believe him;
but tax collectors and prostitutes did.
Yet even when you saw that,
you did not later change your minds and believe him."
Meditation: Matthew 21:28-32
Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.” (Matthew 21:31)
How many times have you heard the saying, “The Lord helps those who help themselves”? The chief priests were trying to please God. They studied the Law and loved their sacred history. They placed a very high priority on doing what was right in the eyes of God, and they wanted to see people doing everything they could to “help themselves” enter God’s kingdom. So why would Jesus say that even public “sinners” would enter that kingdom before they did?
Somehow, these leaders’ enthusiasm for doing right had turned into a reliance on their own efforts. They couldn’t see that Jesus was calling them to move beyond their rigid expectations. He wanted them to be humble enough to let him and his promises make them pleasing to God. After all, it was working for these “sinners.” But not even the witness of their changed lives could convince them to follow Jesus. These elders were determined to stick with their do-it-yourself approach.
When we try to change ourselves by the sheer force of our efforts, we risk making it harder for ourselves. Such a heavy focus on our action makes it difficult for us to become “generous receivers” of God’s grace.
Of course, we do have our own part to play. We have to obey the commandments and do unto others as we would have them do to us. But God wants us to learn how to obey out of an attitude of surrender. He wants us to learn how to yield to him and let his grace fill us and empower us. As we learn to open ourselves to his Spirit in this way, we will find ourselves changed and purified.
So listen for Jesus’ call today. Let God change and purify you so that you can answer him more deeply. Let him take your desire to please him and multiply it with his own divine grace, because the truth is: The Lord helps those who know they need him!
“Lord, I want to hear your call. Only you can change my life to be more like you. Thank you for making me your child.”
12 December 2011
12 Dec 2011, Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Reading 1 Zec 2:14-17
Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion!
See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the LORD.
Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD on that day,
and they shall be his people,
and he will dwell among you,
and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.
The LORD will possess Judah as his portion in the holy land,
and he will again choose Jerusalem.
Silence, all mankind, in the presence of the LORD!
For he stirs forth from his holy dwelling.
Or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab
God's temple in heaven was opened,
and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple.
A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun,
with the moon under her feet,
and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth.
Then another sign appeared in the sky;
it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns,
and on its heads were seven diadems.
Its tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky
and hurled them down to the earth.
Then the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth,
to devour her child when she gave birth.
She gave birth to a son, a male child,
destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod.
Her child was caught up to God and his throne.
The woman herself fled into the desert
where she had a place prepared by God.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
"Now have salvation and power come,
and the Kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Anointed."
Responsorial Psalm Jdt 13:18bcde, 19
R. (15:9d) You are the highest honor of our race.
Blessed are you, daughter, by the Most High God,
above all the women on earth;
and blessed be the LORD God,
the creator of heaven and earth.
R. You are the highest honor of our race.
Your deed of hope will never be forgotten
by those who tell of the might of God.
R. You are the highest honor of our race.
Gospel Lk 1:26-38
The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin's name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
"Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end."
But Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?"
And the angel said to her in reply,
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God."
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."
Then the angel departed from her.
Or Lk 1:39-47
Mary set out
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."
And Mary said:
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior."
Meditation: Luke 1:26-38
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Our Lady of Guadalupe
The angel Gabriel was sent from God. (Luke 1:26)
In December 1531, the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, a poor Indian farmer in Mexico, and caused an image of herself to be imprinted on his outer garment, or tilma. News of this visit from Mary spread like wildfire, and people from all over came to believe in Jesus. The old pagan religion of the Aztecs—with its horrific practice of ritual child sacrifice—gave way to the freedom and dignity of the gospel. In just a few short years, the Spanish missionaries there were overwhelmed by millions of converts.
On a feast that honors the Virgin Mary, it makes sense that we would read a passage like today’s story of the Annunciation. But there’s more to this reading than just a pleasant recollection of Mary. Like the story of Juan Diego, this passage shows how God is committed to fighting spiritual battles on behalf of his people. It could be on a cosmic scale, as the Incarnation, or it could be in an area of the world (colonial Mexico) that desperately needs to hear about his grace and mercy.
Today’s feast tells us that God is at work all the time, and that Mary is a constant partner in his work. It tells us that miraculous interventions are not limited to biblical times or to the lives of a few saintly people in the Middle Ages. God is always at work in the world, always finding new ways to draw people to himself. If he’s not sending Mary to reveal the gospel to Mexican people in the sixteenth century or sending her to give words of comfort and warning to a group of Rwandan schoolgirls in the 1980s, he is sending her to three children in Portugal asking them to pray for the conversion of Russia. Time after time, when God invited Mary to play an important role in his plans, she said: “I am the handmaid of the Lord.” And she did his will.
So let’s honor God today for the way he continues to intervene in the lives of his people. Let’s also honor Mary for the way she continues to fulfill God’s plan. From her first “yes” to God in Nazareth, she has always been our mother in faith.
“Holy Mary, Mother of God and our mother as well—please pray for us and lead us closer to your son!”
Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion!
See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the LORD.
Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD on that day,
and they shall be his people,
and he will dwell among you,
and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.
The LORD will possess Judah as his portion in the holy land,
and he will again choose Jerusalem.
Silence, all mankind, in the presence of the LORD!
For he stirs forth from his holy dwelling.
Or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab
God's temple in heaven was opened,
and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple.
A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun,
with the moon under her feet,
and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth.
Then another sign appeared in the sky;
it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns,
and on its heads were seven diadems.
Its tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky
and hurled them down to the earth.
Then the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth,
to devour her child when she gave birth.
She gave birth to a son, a male child,
destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod.
Her child was caught up to God and his throne.
The woman herself fled into the desert
where she had a place prepared by God.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
"Now have salvation and power come,
and the Kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Anointed."
Responsorial Psalm Jdt 13:18bcde, 19
R. (15:9d) You are the highest honor of our race.
Blessed are you, daughter, by the Most High God,
above all the women on earth;
and blessed be the LORD God,
the creator of heaven and earth.
R. You are the highest honor of our race.
Your deed of hope will never be forgotten
by those who tell of the might of God.
R. You are the highest honor of our race.
Gospel Lk 1:26-38
The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin's name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
"Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end."
But Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?"
And the angel said to her in reply,
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God."
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."
Then the angel departed from her.
Or Lk 1:39-47
Mary set out
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."
And Mary said:
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior."
Meditation: Luke 1:26-38
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Our Lady of Guadalupe
The angel Gabriel was sent from God. (Luke 1:26)
In December 1531, the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, a poor Indian farmer in Mexico, and caused an image of herself to be imprinted on his outer garment, or tilma. News of this visit from Mary spread like wildfire, and people from all over came to believe in Jesus. The old pagan religion of the Aztecs—with its horrific practice of ritual child sacrifice—gave way to the freedom and dignity of the gospel. In just a few short years, the Spanish missionaries there were overwhelmed by millions of converts.
On a feast that honors the Virgin Mary, it makes sense that we would read a passage like today’s story of the Annunciation. But there’s more to this reading than just a pleasant recollection of Mary. Like the story of Juan Diego, this passage shows how God is committed to fighting spiritual battles on behalf of his people. It could be on a cosmic scale, as the Incarnation, or it could be in an area of the world (colonial Mexico) that desperately needs to hear about his grace and mercy.
Today’s feast tells us that God is at work all the time, and that Mary is a constant partner in his work. It tells us that miraculous interventions are not limited to biblical times or to the lives of a few saintly people in the Middle Ages. God is always at work in the world, always finding new ways to draw people to himself. If he’s not sending Mary to reveal the gospel to Mexican people in the sixteenth century or sending her to give words of comfort and warning to a group of Rwandan schoolgirls in the 1980s, he is sending her to three children in Portugal asking them to pray for the conversion of Russia. Time after time, when God invited Mary to play an important role in his plans, she said: “I am the handmaid of the Lord.” And she did his will.
So let’s honor God today for the way he continues to intervene in the lives of his people. Let’s also honor Mary for the way she continues to fulfill God’s plan. From her first “yes” to God in Nazareth, she has always been our mother in faith.
“Holy Mary, Mother of God and our mother as well—please pray for us and lead us closer to your son!”
11 December 2011
11 Dec 2011, Third Sunday of Advent
Reading 1 Is 61:1-2a, 10-11
The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor,
to heal the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives
and release to the prisoners,
to announce a year of favor from the LORD
and a day of vindication by our God.
I rejoice heartily in the LORD,
in my God is the joy of my soul;
for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation
and wrapped me in a mantle of justice,
like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem,
like a bride bedecked with her jewels.
As the earth brings forth its plants,
and a garden makes its growth spring up,
so will the Lord GOD make justice and praise
spring up before all the nations.
Responsorial Psalm Lk 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54
R. (Is 61:10b) My soul rejoices in my God.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked upon his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
R. My soul rejoices in my God.
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
R. My soul rejoices in my God.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
R. My soul rejoices in my God.
Reading 2 1 Thes 5:16-24
Brothers and sisters:
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing.
In all circumstances give thanks,
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not quench the Spirit.
Do not despise prophetic utterances.
Test everything; retain what is good.
Refrain from every kind of evil.
May the God of peace make you perfectly holy
and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body,
be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The one who calls you is faithful,
and he will also accomplish it.
Gospel Jn 1:6-8, 19-28
A man named John was sent from God.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light.
And this is the testimony of John.
When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests
and Levites to him
to ask him, "Who are you?"
He admitted and did not deny it,
but admitted, "I am not the Christ."
So they asked him,
"What are you then? Are you Elijah?"
And he said, "I am not."
"Are you the Prophet?"
He answered, "No."
So they said to him,
"Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us?
What do you have to say for yourself?"
He said:
"I am the voice of one crying out in the desert,
'make straight the way of the Lord,'"
as Isaiah the prophet said."
Some Pharisees were also sent.
They asked him,
"Why then do you baptize
if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?"
John answered them,
"I baptize with water;
but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,
the one who is coming after me,
whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie."
This happened in Bethany across the Jordan,
where John was baptizing.
Meditation: John 1:6-8,19-28
Meditation: John 1:6-8,19-28
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“He came … to testify to the light.” (John 1:7)
How many times have you watched a TV courtroom drama? A witness takes the stand and promises to “tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” Our job is to figure out who the credible witness is.
For the people who came to be baptized by John in the Jordan River, there was no question that John was telling the truth. Here was a credible witness, someone many considered a prophet—and maybe even the Messiah! But in today’s Gospel, John has a different testimony. First, he testifies that he is not the Messiah. Neither is he Elijah or “the Prophet” promised by Moses (John 1:21). Then he testifies to Jesus, “whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie” (1:27).
John may have been Jesus’ first witness, but countless others have followed in his footsteps—and you can too! Your testimony is important. It may even lead someone to decide to follow Jesus. We should always be ready to share our stories whenever the opportunity arises. And it doesn’t take a lot of work to get ready!
First, set a timer for three minutes. Then write down some ways in which you have experienced Jesus working in your life. Be specific: This is where I was then; this is what was missing in my life. Now, this is where I am; this is what my life is like—and it’s all because of the grace of God. Don’t limit your story to one initial experience of conversion, either. Talk about any situation in which you have sensed God speaking to you and leading you.
Stories like these demonstrate that it is possible to have a living and loving relationship with God. As you share them over time, people’s hearts can change. Like John the Baptist, you too can “make straight the way” for the Lord to enter people’s lives (John 1:23)!
“Jesus, I want to be a credible witness for you! Give me the right words to say. Help me to live in a way that testifies to your light within me.”
Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion
(Isaiah 61:1-2,10-11; Luke 1:46-50,53-54 (Responsorial Psalm); 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8,19-2)
1. We know that Jesus applied Isaiah 61:1-2 (the first reading) to his own ministry in the synagogue at Nazareth. Jesus was anointed by the Spirit “to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners.” Do you believe that you, as a Catholic, are also anointed by the Spirit to do the same? If so, in what ways have you experienced the Holy Spirit’s anointing “to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners”?
2. How does the Magnificat of Mary in Luke 1:46-54 (from the responsorial psalm) reflect Mary’s unique anointing by the Holy Spirit? What part of it applies to us?
3. In the second reading, St. Paul exhorts all of us to “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). At first glance this may seem impossible, especially if we try to do it on our strength apart from an anointing of the Holy Spirit. Relying on the Holy Spirit’s power as your source of strength, what steps can you take to make these words of Paul a greater reality in your life?
4. St. Paul goes on to further exhort us with these words: “Do not quench the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19). We know that we are all capable of quenching the Spirit. What are some of the tendencies in your life that can quench the Spirit? How can you combat these tendencies, so that you can give the Spirit free reign in your life?
5. In the Gospel reading, John the Baptist is called by God to “make straight the way of the Lord” (John 1:23). In what ways are we called to do the same as Catholic men?
6. In the meditation, we hear these words: “Your testimony is important. It may even lead someone to decide to follow Jesus. We should always be ready to share our stories whenever the opportunity arises.” How ready are you to share how Jesus has touched your life, “whenever the opportunity arises”? What steps, outlined in the meditation, could you take to increase your readiness?
7. Take some time now to pray that this Advent would be a special time of grace for you to “testify” to your family and others of the coming of Christ into your life. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.
The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor,
to heal the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives
and release to the prisoners,
to announce a year of favor from the LORD
and a day of vindication by our God.
I rejoice heartily in the LORD,
in my God is the joy of my soul;
for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation
and wrapped me in a mantle of justice,
like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem,
like a bride bedecked with her jewels.
As the earth brings forth its plants,
and a garden makes its growth spring up,
so will the Lord GOD make justice and praise
spring up before all the nations.
Responsorial Psalm Lk 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54
R. (Is 61:10b) My soul rejoices in my God.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked upon his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
R. My soul rejoices in my God.
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
R. My soul rejoices in my God.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
R. My soul rejoices in my God.
Reading 2 1 Thes 5:16-24
Brothers and sisters:
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing.
In all circumstances give thanks,
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not quench the Spirit.
Do not despise prophetic utterances.
Test everything; retain what is good.
Refrain from every kind of evil.
May the God of peace make you perfectly holy
and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body,
be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The one who calls you is faithful,
and he will also accomplish it.
Gospel Jn 1:6-8, 19-28
A man named John was sent from God.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light.
And this is the testimony of John.
When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests
and Levites to him
to ask him, "Who are you?"
He admitted and did not deny it,
but admitted, "I am not the Christ."
So they asked him,
"What are you then? Are you Elijah?"
And he said, "I am not."
"Are you the Prophet?"
He answered, "No."
So they said to him,
"Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us?
What do you have to say for yourself?"
He said:
"I am the voice of one crying out in the desert,
'make straight the way of the Lord,'"
as Isaiah the prophet said."
Some Pharisees were also sent.
They asked him,
"Why then do you baptize
if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?"
John answered them,
"I baptize with water;
but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,
the one who is coming after me,
whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie."
This happened in Bethany across the Jordan,
where John was baptizing.
Meditation: John 1:6-8,19-28
Meditation: John 1:6-8,19-28
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“He came … to testify to the light.” (John 1:7)
How many times have you watched a TV courtroom drama? A witness takes the stand and promises to “tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” Our job is to figure out who the credible witness is.
For the people who came to be baptized by John in the Jordan River, there was no question that John was telling the truth. Here was a credible witness, someone many considered a prophet—and maybe even the Messiah! But in today’s Gospel, John has a different testimony. First, he testifies that he is not the Messiah. Neither is he Elijah or “the Prophet” promised by Moses (John 1:21). Then he testifies to Jesus, “whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie” (1:27).
John may have been Jesus’ first witness, but countless others have followed in his footsteps—and you can too! Your testimony is important. It may even lead someone to decide to follow Jesus. We should always be ready to share our stories whenever the opportunity arises. And it doesn’t take a lot of work to get ready!
First, set a timer for three minutes. Then write down some ways in which you have experienced Jesus working in your life. Be specific: This is where I was then; this is what was missing in my life. Now, this is where I am; this is what my life is like—and it’s all because of the grace of God. Don’t limit your story to one initial experience of conversion, either. Talk about any situation in which you have sensed God speaking to you and leading you.
Stories like these demonstrate that it is possible to have a living and loving relationship with God. As you share them over time, people’s hearts can change. Like John the Baptist, you too can “make straight the way” for the Lord to enter people’s lives (John 1:23)!
“Jesus, I want to be a credible witness for you! Give me the right words to say. Help me to live in a way that testifies to your light within me.”
Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion
(Isaiah 61:1-2,10-11; Luke 1:46-50,53-54 (Responsorial Psalm); 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8,19-2)
1. We know that Jesus applied Isaiah 61:1-2 (the first reading) to his own ministry in the synagogue at Nazareth. Jesus was anointed by the Spirit “to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners.” Do you believe that you, as a Catholic, are also anointed by the Spirit to do the same? If so, in what ways have you experienced the Holy Spirit’s anointing “to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners”?
2. How does the Magnificat of Mary in Luke 1:46-54 (from the responsorial psalm) reflect Mary’s unique anointing by the Holy Spirit? What part of it applies to us?
3. In the second reading, St. Paul exhorts all of us to “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). At first glance this may seem impossible, especially if we try to do it on our strength apart from an anointing of the Holy Spirit. Relying on the Holy Spirit’s power as your source of strength, what steps can you take to make these words of Paul a greater reality in your life?
4. St. Paul goes on to further exhort us with these words: “Do not quench the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19). We know that we are all capable of quenching the Spirit. What are some of the tendencies in your life that can quench the Spirit? How can you combat these tendencies, so that you can give the Spirit free reign in your life?
5. In the Gospel reading, John the Baptist is called by God to “make straight the way of the Lord” (John 1:23). In what ways are we called to do the same as Catholic men?
6. In the meditation, we hear these words: “Your testimony is important. It may even lead someone to decide to follow Jesus. We should always be ready to share our stories whenever the opportunity arises.” How ready are you to share how Jesus has touched your life, “whenever the opportunity arises”? What steps, outlined in the meditation, could you take to increase your readiness?
7. Take some time now to pray that this Advent would be a special time of grace for you to “testify” to your family and others of the coming of Christ into your life. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.
10 December 2011
10 Dec 2011, Saturday of the Second Week of Advent
Reading 1 Sir 48:1-4, 9-11
In those days,
like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah
whose words were as a flaming furnace.
Their staff of bread he shattered,
in his zeal he reduced them to straits;
By the Lord's word he shut up the heavens
and three times brought down fire.
How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!
Whose glory is equal to yours?
You were taken aloft in a whirlwind of fire,
in a chariot with fiery horses.
You were destined, it is written, in time to come
to put an end to wrath before the day of the LORD,
To turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons,
and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob.
Blessed is he who shall have seen you
and who falls asleep in your friendship.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 80:2ac And 3b, 15-16, 18-19
R. (4) Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
Take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Gospel Mt 17:9a, 10-13
As they were coming down from the mountain,
the disciples asked Jesus,
"Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"
He said in reply, "Elijah will indeed come and restore all things;
but I tell you that Elijah has already come,
and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased.
So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands."
Then the disciples understood
that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
Meditation: Sirach 48:1-4,9-11
“Like a fire there appeared the prophet whose words were as a flaming furnace.” (Sirach 48:1)
What a bold man of God the prophet Elijah was! We may shudder at some of the stern images of him in Scripture, but we can’t escape the fact that he was completely committed to the Lord and that he dedicated his life to preaching God’s word. For instance, Elijah called down fire not only to consume a sacrifice but also to burn up his enemies. He also caused a drought in Israel until the people recognized their thirst for God and cried out for mercy.
In a similar way, John the Baptist preached boldly against injustice, and he did it with menacing overtones. Urging people to repent before it was too late, he warned them: “Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees” (Matthew 3:10).
While we might think that these prophets were focused only on doom and gloom, in reality they were voices of reconciliation. God had called them and sent them to deliver a message that would turn the people back to him so that they would be ready to welcome his presence. They urged their people—and they still urge us today—to prepare themselves for the momentous work that God was preparing to do in their midst. The prophets may have spoken harshly at times, but it was always out of a burning passion for God and an equally burning passion to see their fellow Israelites draw closer to him.
As Christmas approaches, take some time to think about the purifying fire of God’s love that prophets like Elijah proclaimed. Is there anything keeping you at the edge of the circle, far from his blazing fire? It’s only natural to want to avoid fires. We all know what it feels like to be burned—both physically and metaphorically. But this is godly fire. This is the fire of holiness and love. This is the fire that cleanses and sets free, the fire that burns up sin but heals the sinner. You don’t have to worry about getting too close. You may get warm, but you won’t get burned!
“Lord, your love is a consuming fire. Ignite that fire in my heart, so that I can be ready to throw open the door and welcome you.”
In those days,
like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah
whose words were as a flaming furnace.
Their staff of bread he shattered,
in his zeal he reduced them to straits;
By the Lord's word he shut up the heavens
and three times brought down fire.
How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!
Whose glory is equal to yours?
You were taken aloft in a whirlwind of fire,
in a chariot with fiery horses.
You were destined, it is written, in time to come
to put an end to wrath before the day of the LORD,
To turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons,
and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob.
Blessed is he who shall have seen you
and who falls asleep in your friendship.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 80:2ac And 3b, 15-16, 18-19
R. (4) Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
Take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Gospel Mt 17:9a, 10-13
As they were coming down from the mountain,
the disciples asked Jesus,
"Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"
He said in reply, "Elijah will indeed come and restore all things;
but I tell you that Elijah has already come,
and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased.
So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands."
Then the disciples understood
that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
Meditation: Sirach 48:1-4,9-11
“Like a fire there appeared the prophet whose words were as a flaming furnace.” (Sirach 48:1)
What a bold man of God the prophet Elijah was! We may shudder at some of the stern images of him in Scripture, but we can’t escape the fact that he was completely committed to the Lord and that he dedicated his life to preaching God’s word. For instance, Elijah called down fire not only to consume a sacrifice but also to burn up his enemies. He also caused a drought in Israel until the people recognized their thirst for God and cried out for mercy.
In a similar way, John the Baptist preached boldly against injustice, and he did it with menacing overtones. Urging people to repent before it was too late, he warned them: “Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees” (Matthew 3:10).
While we might think that these prophets were focused only on doom and gloom, in reality they were voices of reconciliation. God had called them and sent them to deliver a message that would turn the people back to him so that they would be ready to welcome his presence. They urged their people—and they still urge us today—to prepare themselves for the momentous work that God was preparing to do in their midst. The prophets may have spoken harshly at times, but it was always out of a burning passion for God and an equally burning passion to see their fellow Israelites draw closer to him.
As Christmas approaches, take some time to think about the purifying fire of God’s love that prophets like Elijah proclaimed. Is there anything keeping you at the edge of the circle, far from his blazing fire? It’s only natural to want to avoid fires. We all know what it feels like to be burned—both physically and metaphorically. But this is godly fire. This is the fire of holiness and love. This is the fire that cleanses and sets free, the fire that burns up sin but heals the sinner. You don’t have to worry about getting too close. You may get warm, but you won’t get burned!
“Lord, your love is a consuming fire. Ignite that fire in my heart, so that I can be ready to throw open the door and welcome you.”
09 December 2011
09 Dec 2011, Friday of the Second Week of Advent
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. (see John 8:12)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.
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."
Meditation: Matthew 11:16-19
“To what shall I compare this generation?” (Matthew 11:16)
Jesus was a hot-button issue among the scribes and Pharisees. Some of them came to him with an open mind, but many more gave him real problems. Opposing him at nearly every turn, they cooked up schemes to spoil his reputation and corner him in his theology.
So what was their problem? Essentially it was spiritual tunnel vision. They loved the Scriptures zealously, but when Jesus claimed to be the One Scripture was pointing to, they couldn’t take it. They were so set in their preconceptions and expectations that even his miracles couldn’t sway them. They looked for any excuse to dismiss him: He was possessed by a demon; he spent too much time with prostitutes and drunkards; he broke the Sabbath.
But these Jewish elders weren’t the only ones with tunnel vision. At different points in our spiritual journey, each of us faces the challenge of stretching our expectations and confronting areas in our lives that run contrary to God’s word. We all need to accept the fact that God doesn’t always act or speak in the way we think he should. And that’s the way it should be. Jesus promised that he would “make all things new”—and that includes our minds, our hearts, and our patterns of behavior (Revelation 21:5).
So take some time today to reflect on how the Lord may be leading you to a fuller understanding of who he is and the person he has called you to be. Give him the freedom to show you how you may be resisting him. Let him show you if you have any tunnel vision about him and his calling.
It’s good to know that in many ways, we are less like these scribes and Pharisees and more like Jesus’ apostles. After all, we already believe in Jesus. We already love him and want to please him. We may have areas of resistance in our hearts, but so did his followers. And just like them, the more we get to know Jesus and his ways, the more we will become like him. This Advent really can become a season of grace and transformation for all of us!
“Lord, help me to recognize when you are speaking to me. Thank you for making all things, even me, new.”
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. (see John 8:12)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.
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."
Meditation: Matthew 11:16-19
“To what shall I compare this generation?” (Matthew 11:16)
Jesus was a hot-button issue among the scribes and Pharisees. Some of them came to him with an open mind, but many more gave him real problems. Opposing him at nearly every turn, they cooked up schemes to spoil his reputation and corner him in his theology.
So what was their problem? Essentially it was spiritual tunnel vision. They loved the Scriptures zealously, but when Jesus claimed to be the One Scripture was pointing to, they couldn’t take it. They were so set in their preconceptions and expectations that even his miracles couldn’t sway them. They looked for any excuse to dismiss him: He was possessed by a demon; he spent too much time with prostitutes and drunkards; he broke the Sabbath.
But these Jewish elders weren’t the only ones with tunnel vision. At different points in our spiritual journey, each of us faces the challenge of stretching our expectations and confronting areas in our lives that run contrary to God’s word. We all need to accept the fact that God doesn’t always act or speak in the way we think he should. And that’s the way it should be. Jesus promised that he would “make all things new”—and that includes our minds, our hearts, and our patterns of behavior (Revelation 21:5).
So take some time today to reflect on how the Lord may be leading you to a fuller understanding of who he is and the person he has called you to be. Give him the freedom to show you how you may be resisting him. Let him show you if you have any tunnel vision about him and his calling.
It’s good to know that in many ways, we are less like these scribes and Pharisees and more like Jesus’ apostles. After all, we already believe in Jesus. We already love him and want to please him. We may have areas of resistance in our hearts, but so did his followers. And just like them, the more we get to know Jesus and his ways, the more we will become like him. This Advent really can become a season of grace and transformation for all of us!
“Lord, help me to recognize when you are speaking to me. Thank you for making all things, even me, new.”
08 Dec 2011, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Reading 1 Gn 3:9-15, 20
After the man, Adam, had eaten of the tree,
the LORD God called to the man and asked him, "Where are you?"
He answered, "I heard you in the garden;
but I was afraid, because I was naked,
so I hid myself."
Then he asked, "Who told you that you were naked?
You have eaten, then,
from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!"
The man replied, "The woman whom you put here with meC
she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it."
The LORD God then asked the woman,
"Why did you do such a thing?"
The woman answered, "The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it."
Then the LORD God said to the serpent:
"Because you have done this, you shall be banned
from all the animals
and from all the wild creatures;
on your belly shall you crawl,
and dirt shall you eat
all the days of your life.
I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will strike at your head,
while you strike at his heel."
The man called his wife Eve,
because she became the mother of all the living.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
R. (1) Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
Reading 2 Eph 1:3-6, 11-12
Brothers and sisters:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,
as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world,
to be holy and without blemish before him.
In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ,
in accord with the favor of his will,
for the praise of the glory of his grace
that he granted us in the beloved.
In him we were also chosen,
destined in accord with the purpose of the One
who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,
so that we might exist for the praise of his glory,
we who first hoped in Christ.
Gospel Lk 1:26-38
The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin's name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
"Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end."
But Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?"
And the angel said to her in reply,
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God."
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."
Then the angel departed from her.
Meditation: Luke 1:26-38
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The Immaculate Conception of Mary
I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word. (Luke 1:38)
Have you ever wondered why there are so many beautiful works of art portraying the early life of Mary? Why do imaginative stories like those of the birth of Mary to Anne and Joachim, her dedication as a young girl in the Temple, and her betrothal to Joseph have such a strong appeal?
Neither the gospels nor the church offers any information about Mary’s parentage, birth, infancy, or adolescence. Nor do they attempt any historical reconstruction of Mary’s unique conception. In defining the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary in 1854, Pope Pius IX simply stated: “The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God … preserved immune from all stain of original sin.” Nonetheless, we love those magnificent paintings that depict Marian legends.
Why do these works have such an effect? Because God created us with a deep capacity for wonder and awe. He has also given us the ability to dream and imagine, and he wants us to use this ability to lift up our hearts to him. So even if some of these works may not be historically accurate, these stories, paintings, and sculptures can really inspire us and bring us closer to God.
There is another point here, however. As inspiring as these works of art are, God’s actual plan for Mary is even more amazing and inspiring— precisely because it is real!
Just think: God’s plan for each one of us is just as fantastic as his plan for Mary. We may not have had the grace of an immaculate conception, but that doesn’t mean that we are barred from the glory of heaven that Mary knows right now. And neither does it mean that we have to wait for our final salvation before we can begin enjoying the adventure God wants to give us. The truth is, he is calling us to a life of beauty and holiness—right here and right now—that will make even the most stunning of paintings seem pale and dull in comparison.
“Lord, I lift up my heart to you in awe and worship! Your plans for me are wondrously and infinitely greater than anything I could ever imagine!”
After the man, Adam, had eaten of the tree,
the LORD God called to the man and asked him, "Where are you?"
He answered, "I heard you in the garden;
but I was afraid, because I was naked,
so I hid myself."
Then he asked, "Who told you that you were naked?
You have eaten, then,
from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!"
The man replied, "The woman whom you put here with meC
she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it."
The LORD God then asked the woman,
"Why did you do such a thing?"
The woman answered, "The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it."
Then the LORD God said to the serpent:
"Because you have done this, you shall be banned
from all the animals
and from all the wild creatures;
on your belly shall you crawl,
and dirt shall you eat
all the days of your life.
I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will strike at your head,
while you strike at his heel."
The man called his wife Eve,
because she became the mother of all the living.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
R. (1) Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
Reading 2 Eph 1:3-6, 11-12
Brothers and sisters:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,
as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world,
to be holy and without blemish before him.
In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ,
in accord with the favor of his will,
for the praise of the glory of his grace
that he granted us in the beloved.
In him we were also chosen,
destined in accord with the purpose of the One
who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,
so that we might exist for the praise of his glory,
we who first hoped in Christ.
Gospel Lk 1:26-38
The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin's name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
"Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end."
But Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?"
And the angel said to her in reply,
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God."
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."
Then the angel departed from her.
Meditation: Luke 1:26-38
Article Tools
Text Size
Print-Friendly
Email this article
The Immaculate Conception of Mary
I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word. (Luke 1:38)
Have you ever wondered why there are so many beautiful works of art portraying the early life of Mary? Why do imaginative stories like those of the birth of Mary to Anne and Joachim, her dedication as a young girl in the Temple, and her betrothal to Joseph have such a strong appeal?
Neither the gospels nor the church offers any information about Mary’s parentage, birth, infancy, or adolescence. Nor do they attempt any historical reconstruction of Mary’s unique conception. In defining the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary in 1854, Pope Pius IX simply stated: “The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God … preserved immune from all stain of original sin.” Nonetheless, we love those magnificent paintings that depict Marian legends.
Why do these works have such an effect? Because God created us with a deep capacity for wonder and awe. He has also given us the ability to dream and imagine, and he wants us to use this ability to lift up our hearts to him. So even if some of these works may not be historically accurate, these stories, paintings, and sculptures can really inspire us and bring us closer to God.
There is another point here, however. As inspiring as these works of art are, God’s actual plan for Mary is even more amazing and inspiring— precisely because it is real!
Just think: God’s plan for each one of us is just as fantastic as his plan for Mary. We may not have had the grace of an immaculate conception, but that doesn’t mean that we are barred from the glory of heaven that Mary knows right now. And neither does it mean that we have to wait for our final salvation before we can begin enjoying the adventure God wants to give us. The truth is, he is calling us to a life of beauty and holiness—right here and right now—that will make even the most stunning of paintings seem pale and dull in comparison.
“Lord, I lift up my heart to you in awe and worship! Your plans for me are wondrously and infinitely greater than anything I could ever imagine!”
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