Category: Advent

“You will find rest for yourselves.” | Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent

From the responsorial psalm: “Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.  O bless the Lord, my soul!”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 11:28-30)

Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

The Lord who invites us to come to him when we are burdened and need rest is the same one in whom Isaiah tells us, “They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength. . . . They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.” And this is the same one we hear of in the Gospel acclamation: “Behold, the Lord comes to save his people; blessed are those prepared to meet him.” So when the labor and burden and weariness do come, we have a source of infinite strength in the Lord who asks us to take up his yoke and find rest.

God, it would seem easy for me to remember to come to you today as the day wears on and I grow tired. But it’s often the opposite. I try harder to make the best of time, eagerly using the gifts and opportunities you give me, just as I should. Yet, why is it so hard to pause and allow myself to learn from you and to recognize that if I let you, you will be beside me to consecrate every effort and to consecrate time itself as your work unfolds? Give me the grace to pause throughout the day, attentive to the way and the truth and the life who invites me to rest in him.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God.

Today’s Gospel begins with the first words of the first chapter of John’s Gospel: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be.” The Word, Emmanuel, who was with God from the beginning came into the world through God. John says his own people did not accept him, as there will always be those who don’t accept him. But those who do believe in his name have power to become children of God, not by their choice but by God’s grace. The wording in today’s Gospel deserves rereading after rereading and never fails to nurture and edify. How can I remember just the few words “power to become children of God . . . nor by a man’s decision but of God.”?

God, help me understand the words John crafted through the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God.” Jesus, Emmanuel, you are and always have been consubstantial with the Father, one with Him; through Him, all things come to be so that you are itself “light [that] shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” To pray these words from the Nicene Creed is to profess the desire to be one with the Word: “We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten not made, one in being with the Father.” Incarnate Word, you are the light of the human race.

Lord, what lies hidden in mystery from the beginning you reveal to me in the infant Jesus. “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” born of Mary, ever virgin. In saying Jesus’ name, I take to the way of belief and pray for constancy in the moments of unbelief. Stay with me, Lord!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

https://youtu.be/2W-KSOPWWBY

Readings

The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. 

In today’s Gospel reading from Luke, Mary and Joseph take Jesus to Jerusalem according to Jewish custom to present him to the Lord in the temple. Luke tells us that the Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon that he would see Christ before his death. On taking Jesus in his arms, Simeon says, “Lord, now let your servant go in peace.” These same words are contained in the night prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours. Simeon goes on to say: “Your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.” Simeon was, Luke says, “righteous and devout . . . and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” Saint John, in the first reading, describes the key to Simeon’s devout life of hope and expectation: “But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him.” How do I live each day so that the love of God is perfected in me?

God, as Simeon awaited the consolation of Israel, Emmanuel, so I wait for the understanding and consolation of the Holy Spirit. Help me learn how to keep your word so that your love can be perfected in me. What more in life is there left to desire once I see Christ the Lord? Yet, Simeon took in his arms and saw with his eyes what I can consume daily in the Eucharist: the body of Christ. Mary, Mother of God, as Simeon’s blessing and prophesy must have weighed unbearably on you, pray for me for the strength to endure any hardship as I await the consolation of Christ your Son.

Thank you, Lord, for your continuous presence in the Blessed Sacrament. Your body is true food; your blood, true drink. In your presence, there is no need of lamplight or sunlight because you yourself are the source of all light.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Readings

Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist

Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed.

Today’s Gospel reading from Saint John tells the story of the Resurrection, when Mary Magdalene ran to Peter and John to tell them that they had taken Jesus from the tomb. Both disciples ran to the tomb to discover that the burial cloths were placed beside where Jesus’ body had been. On seeing this, the passage says that John “saw and believed.” What prompted Peter and John to drop everything they were doing and run to the tomb? In my life, what kind of revelation would it take for my faith to elevate me to “see and believe?”

Lord, help me understand that you are God of the living. In the first reading, John writes: “What we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life—for the life was made visible.” Jesus, Word of life, help strengthen my faith. You, who Mary Magdalene said they had taken from the tomb, sit at the right hand of the Father. Give me the grace to use the gift of my senses to know that you are present at every Mass in the Eucharist. From the Roman Missal: “For in the mystery of the Word made flesh a new light of your glory has shone upon the eyes of our mind, so that, as we recognize in him God made visible, we may be caught up through him in love of things invisible.”

Living God, thank you for your goodness. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner! Stay with me, Lord!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Readings

Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr

Jesus said to his disciples: “When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

In today’s reading from Matthew, Jesus speaks about the persecution that results from sharing the Gospel. “Brother will hand over brother to death,” he says, “and the child his father.” The kind of persecution that Jesus speaks of has taken place throughout all of Church history but today focuses on the most extreme form of persecution: martyrdom. Saint Stephen debated with members of a synagogue who could not withstand his wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. When Saint Stephen said he could see the heavens opened and the Son of Man, Jesus, standing at the right hand of God the Father, they became enraged and stoned him to death. As they stoned him, Stephen cried out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Although real martyrdom and persecution continues throughout the world, I myself will not likely face that. So the question becomes, how will I face the little persecutions of the day and allow the Spirit of the Father to speak through me?

Help me understand, God, that great things are at stake even in seemingly trivial matters. Give me the wisdom to see the events of the day as they are and to be able to witness to the Gospel by speaking your truth. As Jesus said it would be to his disciples, so it was with Saint Stephen. The Spirit of the Father spoke through him. Sometimes it is so hard to find time to hear your word even as I struggle intently to take it in. Because of this, I ask you for the gift of awareness of your presence and knowledge of your will.

Thank you, Lord, for sending Jesus your Son, for every good you give me. The day after Christmas, it feels strange to celebrate the feast of Saint Stephen, the first martyr. As in the Our Father’s “kingdom come,” Jesus’ words are comforting: “Do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say.” Holy Spirit, let me be at peace with the day and receive the Father’s guidance. It is not mine to worry about the rest.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Readings

The Nativity of the Lord

Mass during the Day: A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.

Today a light shines in the darkness that had never existed before. The true light, Jesus Christ, who enlightens everyone, has come into the world as the Christ child. Today, on the birth of Jesus, we proclaim that this day God took on flesh to come among the people he created to save us from sin and death. Along with the Responsorial Psalm, we sing: “Announce his salvation, day after day. Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his wondrous deeds. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.”

God, help me understand the profound joy of this moment in human history. Help me realize that although Jesus came once into the world, he continues to be born every time your beloved children return to you with a whole heart and seek you, Love Itself, for the salvation of humanity. God, help me be attentive today where I place my sense of wonder—astonishment!—at the birth of your Son, Emmanuel.

Through your grace, Lord, stay with me today as I dwell on the Nativity. Let me remember to take the Christ child in my arms and adore him, the Savior of the World. Pour forth your grace, Lord, to draw me ever closer to you as I ponder your majesty and mystery; hold me in your mercy.

From the Gospel acclamation: A holy day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, and adore the Lord. For today a great light has come upon the earth.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Readings

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Advent

Mass in the Morning: A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

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

Continuing where yesterday’s Gospel reading left off, Zechariah prophesies John’s role in preparing the way for the Lord. Repentance is key in giving knowledge to people of the forgiveness of their sins. Zechariah recognizes that through God’s mercy in sending his Son, God will “break upon” sin, darkness, and death and guide us toward him into the way of peace. This is the same God who speaks to David through the prophet Nathan: “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.” God himself breaks through to rescue us from whatever hinders the path to him so that, as Zechariah prophesies, we are “free to worship him without fear . . . all the days of our life.”

Incredible as it may seem, God, you enter human history through Emmanuel to ransom us from sin and death. One to one, person to person, you call each of us by name to worship you. Help me understand what the limits of my knowledge and contemporary skepticism obscure. I want to put that aside and ponder the words of the Gloria: “For you alone are the Holy One, You alone are the Lord, You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.” For the sake of your glory, Lord, help my unbelief.

From the time the angel Gabriel announced to Zechariah that he would have a son, Zechariah’s disbelief left him mute. Here today, filled with the Holy Spirit, he prophesies that his son will prepare the way of the Lord. Holy Spirit, fill me today with whatever leads me to God’s tender compassion that Zechariah speaks of; be the dawn from on high to break upon me with your light.

From the Gospel acclamation: 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.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

https://youtu.be/2W-KSOPWWBY

Readings

Friday of the Fourth Week of Advent

When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.

After the angel Gabriel visited Zechariah and told him the child’s name will be John, Zechariah was speechless because, as Gabriel said, “because you did not believe my words.” In today’s Gospel, Zechariah is present at John’s circumcision. Elizabeth says that the child will be named John, at the moment Zechariah writes “John is his name” on a tablet, his tongue was freed and he began to speak, blessing God. All who heard these things were amazed and wondered what this might mean. They said of John, “What, then, will this child be? For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.” How do I remain open to seeing God’s work in the ordinary moments of the day?

God, help me understand today’s Gospel reading. Was Zechariah made speechless so that he could spend more time pondering your work in his life? I want to see your work in my life but am often carried through each day with the blinders of routine tasks and various to-do lists that must be completed. Grant me the grace to believe in your words and see your hand present in every moment of the day.

Lord, make clear to me today my path. Let me know that you alone are with me at all times. Free me from anything that would separate me from you. Stay with me!

From the O Antiphon for today: O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

https://youtu.be/2W-KSOPWWBY

Readings

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent

Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him  in every generation.”

Every line of the Magnificat spoken by Mary is a reflection on God’s splendor and divine identity. Mary proclaims the Lord’s greatness and rejoices in his salvation. As in the Our Father, “holy is his Name.” What divinely inspired insight Mary expresses in saying, “He has mercy on those who fear him  in every generation.” How is it possible that Mary could proclaim this without God’s wisdom literally dwelling within her? Mary says, “He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly.” How can I be attentive to these words? Today, particularly, how do I recognize God as ruler and judge over all the earth and the one who remembers the promise of mercy he made to Abraham and his children forever?

God, strengthen in me the voice that wants to proclaim your greatness and rejoice in Jesus your Son, Our Savior. Come to my help to bring strength of arm and mercy to be given. I know my way of delivering either of those falls quickly into impotence unless they come by way of your grace.

Lord, be present with me today and keep me upright to turn to you and rejoice. Guide me today and look upon me with your mercy. Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!

From the O Antiphon for today: O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Readings

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent

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.”

Today’s Gospel reading from Luke describes the Visitation, Mary’s journey to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Luke says that on hearing Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth cried out in a loud voice and was filled with the Holy Spirit. “How does this happen to me,” she says, “that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Elizabeth’s response echoes that of the second reading: “Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!” The joy of God’s presence is palpable, as Elizabeth feels John leaping in her womb. Where is that right response in me today and as the Nativity approaches?

God, bring to my soul that same Visitation that Elizabeth experienced. I know you are present, and I want to know how to disperse the shadows with your Divine light. In Song of Songs, your presence thaws the wintertime of the heart and brings warmth and ecstatic joy upon your springing steps: “For see, the winter is past, the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of pruning the vines has come, and the song of the dove is heard in our land.” Look kindly on me, Lord, and grant me the grace to receive you with joy. What is that stirring that Elizabeth felt, even as she faced the day’s ordinary routines and anxieties. Teach me that love!

Jesus, let me make a place for you today as Mary did, the one who first knew that Emmanuel, the Messiah, had at last come. But, Lord, because I will fall short of that, guide my actions today; show me, through Jesus Christ your Son, the way to go.

From the O Antiphon for today: 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.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Readings