Tag: Advent

“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” | Third Sunday of Advent

From the responsorial psalm: “God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 3:10-18)

Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

Today we hear the voice of the one who prepares the way of the Lord. Crowds come to John the Baptist asking what they should do. John tells them to be generous with the poor, not to be greedy, and to treat others and oneself justly. The good news that John preaches to the people fills them with hope and expectation, but John is not the Messiah. John baptizes with water, but one mightier than himself will come. The one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire will, as John says, “gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” John prepares the way for Jesus, the one Zephaniah speaks of in the first reading: “The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love.”

“God is indeed my savior,” the psalmist prays, “I am confident and unafraid.” How is it, Lord, that I can make this prayer my prayer? Discouragement comes, but I hear in the first reading don’t be afraid and “be not discouraged.” Saint Paul recognizes anxiety by naming it, not denying it, “but in everything,” he says, “by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.” Lord, you know me and know my needs. Grant me the peace and joy of knowing you are in my midst, a mighty savior who is nearer than I can comprehend. Throughout the day, let me rest with this and trust in it: “My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior.” Come, Holy Spirit, come!

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

Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church

From the responsorial psalm: “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. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (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.

Jesus speaks to the disciples immediately after his transformation on the mountain, where Moses and Elijah appear to him. According to Jewish belief, Elijah would appear again before the coming of the Messiah. Jesus makes clear that Elijah has appeared again, referring to John the Baptist and his message of repentance and baptism. Just as people failed to listen to John, they will fail to listen to Jesus, rejecting him and putting him to death on a cross. In indicating that the disciples understand Jesus, Matthew expresses in his account that John brings to fulfillment the role of Elijah in the continuity between the greatest of prophets and the mission of Jesus.

God, help me understand more deeply that regardless of what reality looks like on the surface, you have a plan. Jesus reveals this to the disciples, and in revealing it to them, reveals it to me. As the psalmist prays, in turning to you, we see your face and are saved. “Take care of this vine, and protect what your right hand has planted. . . .” In today’s Gospel, Peter, James, and John had just witnessed the Transfiguration, and they were full of questions. In pondering your glory, Lord, help me turn more and more to your saving power, your plan for me; let me see your face. Saint John of the Cross, pray for us!

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

“To what shall I compare this generation?” | Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr

From the responsorial psalm: “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. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (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.'”

Jesus describes to the crowds two depictions of the kingdom of God. In neither of them do people of his generation participate in the revelation of God’s presence. They regarded John’s ascetism as insane and the full participation of Jesus within the community as sinful and indulgent. That leaves for them by their own choice an existence in limbo, neither here nor there. “But wisdom is vindicated by her works,” Jesus tells them. And Isaiah, speaking the word of the LORD, says, “If you would hearken to my commandments, your prosperity would be like a river, and your vindication like the waves of the sea.” To be forgotten by God is to choose to live apart from him in an oblivion that willfully stands outside of his presence.

God, help me listen to your commandments. As you say through Isaiah, teach me what is for my good, and lead me on the way I should go. If the hope of prosperity isn’t enough to lead me on or seems uncertain, give me the grace to desire always to remain in your presence. You, the Holy One of Israel, sent Jesus your Son as incarnate wisdom to lead us out of darkness and into the light of your face. Isn’t that enough to follow where he goes? Saint Lucy, pray for us!

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

“Hail, full of grace!” | Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

From the responsorial psalm: “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. You are the highest honor of our race.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 1:26-38)

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.”

When the angel Gabriel visits Mary, she has been from the moment of her conception, full of grace. Mary is troubled to receive the message that she will bear a son, that she will name Jesus, and that he will be called Son of the Most High. A virgin, Mary questions how this can be, and Gabriel explains to her that the power of the Most High will overshadow her. In Mary’s fiat, accepting God’s will without fully understanding how his overshadowing will unfold, we have an example of one who is full of Grace and accepts God’s will, letting it be done according to his word. Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Mother, said this to Juan Diego and comes to all of us through his account of the apparitions: “Hear me and understand well, my little son, that nothing should frighten or grieve you. Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who is your Mother?”

God, help me trust you through the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Troubles come, troubling events unfold. Yet, Mary shows me how to respond to all the troubles the world can mount upon me in full force. Because she trusts in you and is completely obedient to your will, she is confident in your love and able to say, “Let not your heart be disturbed.” And so that I can ask her to intercede for me in full confidence, who does Mary say that she is? In her words, she is “in person, the ever-virgin Holy Mary, Mother of God.” Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!

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

Parable of the Lost Sheep | Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent

From the responsorial psalm: “Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound; let the plains be joyful and all that is in them! Then let all the trees of the forest rejoice. The Lord our God comes with power.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 18:12-14)

Jesus said to his disciples: “What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.”

In the familiar Parable of the Lost Sheep, Jesus sets an example for the disciples to seek out the sheep that go astray and bring back what was lost with great joy. By asking the opinion of the disciples, and all who hear him, the hypothetical question engages the missionary muscle of the disciples and puts them in the place of their master and teacher. In doing as the Good Shepherd does, the disciples follow God’s will and act through his grace so that not one of these little ones will be lost.

God, help me understand the compassion of Jesus in seeking out the lost sheep. It is both a glimpse into your infinite mercy and example of how to care for others who stray from you, “the little ones.” Isaiah describes the same shepherd who comes to rule us with tenderness and strength: “Here is your God! . . . Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, Carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.” Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

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

“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.” | Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

From the responsorial psalm: “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. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 1:26-38)

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” With these words, the angel Gabriel addresses Mary, telling her not to be afraid and announcing that she will bear a son and name him Jesus, the Son of the Most High. Mary asks how this is possible since she has no relations with a man, and Gabriel explains to her that the “Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” Saying “Nothing will be impossible for God,” Gabriel then hears Mary’s great fiat as she says, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church says this about Mary’s Immaculate Conception: “Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, ‘full of grace’ through God, was redeemed from the moment of her conception.”

God, strengthen my faith. In the Annunciation, your overshadowing love through the Holy Spirit makes possible the redemption of all who call on the name of Jesus Christ, Son of God and son of Mary. Freely choosing to do your will, Mary becomes the vessel of your incarnation that brings to fulfillment all of your promises. If I remember only two lessons from the Annunciation, help me always be unafraid to say yes to your will; and in doing your will, help me live courageously in the realization that through your overshadowing love, nothing is impossible. Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for us!

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 winding roads shall be made straight.” | Second Sunday of Advent

From the responsorial psalm: “Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, They shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 3:1-6)

John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:
    A voice of one crying out in the desert:
    “Prepare the way of the Lord,
        make straight his paths.
    Every valley shall be filled
        and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
    The winding roads shall be made straight,
        and the rough ways made smooth,
    and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

Luke couches the appearance of John the Baptist within a historical context. Before Jesus entered human history, John’s ministry was that of repentance and forgiveness of sins to prepare the way of the Lord. Within that context, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah. In that coming, God breaks into human history through the voice of the greatest of prophets who sets the stage so that “all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

God, help me understand today’s readings for the second Sunday of Advent. Help me hear the prayer of Saint Paul as he writes in his letter what he desires for all who hear the voice of Christ: “that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value.” Right here and right now, Lord, in the context of a specific time and place, your word comes to me. The winding road of the present day lies before me. With your grace, work through me to make straight a path and prepare for your coming.

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

Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

From the responsorial psalm: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He tells the number of the stars; he calls each by name. Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 9:27-31)

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”

Jesus sends out the Twelve to do what he has been doing around all the towns and villages: teaching, proclaiming the Gospel, and curing all manner of disease and illness. Moved to pity at the sight of the crowds, Jesus sees the need to give authority to the Twelve “to cure every disease and illness” and to drive out unclean spirits. This is the same Lord, responsive to every one of our needs, that Isaiah tells us about in the first reading: “The Lord will give you the bread you need and the water for which you thirst.”

God, help me today see in others what Jesus saw in the crowds. His reason for compassion was because “they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.” Help me be obedient to Jesus’ command to go to the lost sheep without counting the cost. Jesus models Christian discipleship not only for the apostles but for all who hear his call to remain faithful to the Church in proclaiming the kingdom. With your authority, Lord, through baptism and the sacraments, give me the grace to proclaim in my words and actions that your kingdom is now at hand. Saint Ambrose, pray for us!

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

“Let it be done for you according to your faith.” | Friday of the First Week of Advent

From the responsorial psalm: “I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD. The Lord is my light and my salvation.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 9:27-31)

As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him. Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened.

After Jesus gives sight to the blind men, he sternly warns them not to tell anyone about the miracle. But they tell their story anyway, and word of Jesus spreads throughout the region. By asking the blind men if they believe he can heal them, Jesus invites them into a relationship with him just as the angel Gabriel invited Mary into a relationship with God. She said, “May it be done to me according to your word.” As Jesus touches the eyes of the blind men, he says, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” God, the giver of all good gifts, invites us to receive his mercy; in turn, we give him our trust and faith in him and are made whole.

God, it is difficult for me to say “Let it be done.” I would rather go by my own vision diminished by life experience and by sin than to have complete faith and trust in you. Yet, in complete trust, the blind men said yes to you and were given sight to see but greater still the supernatural vision of your love and mercy for them. I wonder if I have to be a bit reckless in the way a child might be reckless—unaware of self-preservation and not taking myself so seriously. Is it like this: within reason, one way is as good as another as long as I don’t turn away from you? Or “Love God and do what you will,” as Saint Augustine said. Open my eyes, Lord, my light and my salvation. Saint Nicholas, pray for us!

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

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them.” | Thursday of the First Week of Advent

From the responsorial psalm: “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 7:21, 24-27)

Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.”

Jesus compares the lives of those who are obedient to the Father with those who are not. Obedience to the Father’s will is made up of listening and doing. When storms come in full force—winds, rain, floods—the house built on rock will not collapse. When the same happens to a house built on sand, Jesus says, “it collapsed and was completely ruined.” Hearing and responding to God’s will is the foundation for the house built on rock. Isaiah tells us more about keeping faith and remaining in the Lord: “Trust in the LORD forever! For the LORD is an eternal Rock.”

God, help me trust now and forever in you, the eternal rock. When storms come, help me listen to the words of your Son and act on them as I do your will. In doing your will, I work toward entering the eternal kingdom of heaven even as I enter it in the present moment. Keep me attentive to your will and not self-absorbed even as I call out, “Lord, Lord.” Your will, not mine. To listen for your voice in silence is worth more than many anguished petitions although I know you hear every one of my prayers. Help me today, Lord, have childlike trust in discerning and acting on your will.

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