Tag: Advent

“To what shall I compare this generation?” | Friday of the Second Week of Advent

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 goes on to tie this comparison to the people of his day: “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.'” Hearkening back to the first reading, Jesus sums up all of this by saying, “But wisdom is vindicated by her works.” In that reading, all human conjecture aside, it is God who leads and teaches, regardless of contradictory social expectations. “I, the LORD, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go.”

God, help me trust in your ways. I often try to see beyond what I understand; in doing that, I’m timid to act when I should boldly follow where you lead. I can’t know your will fully if I fully understand where it is you are leading; if I do, then I’m acting more on plans comprehended than on plans that teach me to trust you. Jesus mentions calls to one another in the marketplace, not a dated image but one very relevant today. So many messages to manage and filter through, an exhausting mental task. Give me the peace and wisdom to know how to shut out the nonessential calls from the marketplace, how to find quiet. “The Lord will come,” the psalmist says, “go out to meet him! He is the prince of peace.”

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

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.

“I am the LORD, your God.” | Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 11:11-15)

Jesus said to the crowds: “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force. All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is to come. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

Jesus makes clear to the crowds that he is the one who is to come, the Messiah. In the first reading, the voice of God is distinct; there is no question who is speaking: “I am the LORD, your God. . . . I will help you.” In the same way, Jesus claims his divine identity by saying that John is Elijah—the one who precedes the coming of the Messiah. In that coming, he opens the Kingdom of heaven to all who are willing to accept it. This is the same Lord whose Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages, and whose dominion endures through all generations.

God, in Isaiah I hear you speak in a booming voice that echoes throughout the world: “I am the LORD, your God.” In the Psalms, you stoop to meet me where I am, the God who is “gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness.” In the Gospel, I hear your mild, insistent invitation to enter the Kingdom of heaven: “And if you are willing to accept it . . . whoever has ears ought to hear.” Now that I have heard you, give me the grace today to continue to hear you speak in the events and the people I encounter today. I want to be merciful and kind, but I know moments will come that I’m anything but that. Help me remember throughout the day whose divine assistance I call on: “That all may see and know, observe and understand, that the hand of the LORD has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it.”

From the first reading: “I am the LORD, your God, who grasp your right hand; It is I who say to you, “‘Fear not, I will help you.'” 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.

Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr

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.”

In speaking to the crowds, Jesus invites us to come to him to find comfort and rest. The invitation is also an example. When we see those who are burdened with many cares, Jesus shows us how to enact compassion by lightening their load. But there is a paradox here as well: “Take my yoke upon you.” No one with the intention of helping lighten a fellow human’s load would say, “Take on this additional burden.” Yet, that’s just what Jesus says. In taking on his yoke and burden, we find in the one who is fully human and fully divine humility of heart and supernatural rest from our labor.

God, my ways are not your ways. Just as you spoke to crowds, saying, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,” you say the same to me. Each person who hears these words hears you call them by name. You are the God who gives strength to the weary: “They that hope in the LORD,” Isaiah says, “will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.” Lord, give me confidence that in coming to you and taking on your yoke and burden I will find inner peace and renewed strength and the grace to ease the burdens of those around me.

From the first reading: “The LORD is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint nor grow weary, and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny. He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound.” 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.

“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” | Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (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.”

In today’s reading for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Luke tells us in concrete detail about the annunciation. At a specific time and place in history, through the overshadowing power of the Holy Spirit, Mary would conceive and bear the Son of God, Emmanuel. At another specific time and place in history, Mary appeared to Juan Diego. She identified herself to him in relation to God, who transcends all times and all places: “I am the perfect and ever virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the God of truth through whom everything lives, the Lord of all things near us, the Lord of heaven and earth.” God, who entered human history once long ago, never ceases to be present. In the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we have an abundance of God’s gifts so that we are free to respond by living lives full of grace in the presence of the Lord.

God, just as Gabriel found Mary, you find me in the ordinariness of this specific time and place. Help me realize that you are active in my life, that you are with me, and that through your Son I have all I need to receive the fullness of your grace. I have in Mary the example of life lived in complete abandonment to your will; without the stain of original sin, Immaculate Mary experienced the unobstructed fullness of your grace. Help me see in Mary a model for eliminating the things in this life that prevent me from receiving all of the grace you desire to give me for the sake of your glory. Help me always be ready to say yes to you in recognizing your will.

From the Gospel acclamation: “Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise; from you rose the sun of justice, Christ our 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.

“Rise and walk.” | Monday of the Second Week of Advent

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 5:17-26)

Jesus knew the thoughts of the scribes and Pharisees and said to them in reply, “What are you thinking in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”–he said to the one who was paralyzed, “I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”

As Jesus teaches, some men bring a man on a stretcher who is paralyzed. Because of the crowd, they are unable to bring the man before Jesus, so they go up to the roof and lower the stretcher through the roof. Seeing their faith, Jesus says, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.” Knowing the thoughts of the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus poses a question: Is it easier to say your sins are forgiven or rise and walk. As Jesus tells the man to rise, pick up his stretcher, and go home, he stands up immediately and went home, glorifying God. Seized with astonishment, they all glorify God, and struck with awe, say: “We have seen incredible things today.” In response to their faith, Jesus demonstrates that he has authority to forgive sins and by that same authority heal illnesses.

God, open my mind to the truth of your healing power. It is not limited either to spiritual or physical dimensions of the person but has at its source your divine authority as exercised by your Son. Let me see the relationship between sin and overall well-being, ready always to go to the sacraments to receive forgiveness, strength, and spiritual nourishment. Those who witnessed the healing of the paralyzed man were amazed and filled with awe, giving you glory. Help me recall the times in my life when I have witnessed in awe your divine authority as a merciful and saving God who comes to strengthen and restore us.

From the first reading: “They will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not!”

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.

Second Sunday of Advent

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (MK 1:1-8)

And this is what John proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

At the beginning of the Gospel according to Mark, he tells us how John fulfills what Isaiah had written. Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” In baptizing the people of the Judean countryside and as they acknowledged their sins, John prepared them for the coming of the one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit, the Messiah. Jesus calls us today to participate in the sacraments of reconciliation and the Eucharist as a way to prepare ourselves for his coming.

God, help me make good use of this Advent to prepare for the birth of Our Savior. Every day is a fresh opportunity to approach you in the sacraments, in prayer, and in being loving and generous with the gifs you first gave us. You call me to hear and do your will, and to do that there are attachments to let go of, arms that need to be emptied to be able to receive you. God, give me the grace to prepare myself for the coming of Christ your Son.

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.

“Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” | Saturday of the First Week of Advent

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 9:35–10:1, 5a, 6-8)

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.”

To receive without cost is easy; to give without cost, much less so. As Matthew illustrates, Jesus excludes no one in going around all the towns and villages teaching in synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. His love is unconditional, without cost. Then, turning to the disciples, he tells them to do the same—to give without cost. “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand,” he tells them. And he instructs them on their mission: “cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” For all human limitations and weaknesses, how is this possible? With a word and through his example, Jesus makes it possible, giving them authority to do all of these things—without cost, a gift to be given to others.

God, when I hear the words “without cost you are to give” I feel unable to live up to that command. Yet, with it comes the trust necessary to be obedient. In the first reading from Isaiah, you show how tenderly you care for your people, giving them an abundance of gifts, caring for daily needs and binding up wounds. “While from behind, a voice shall sound in your ears: ‘This is the way; walk in it,’ when you would turn to the right or to the left.” Lord, give me the bread that I need and the water for which I thirst.

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.” Lord, teach me to entrust to you my needs.

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.

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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

And coming to the virgin Mary, the angel Gabriel 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.”

Mary responds in at least three ways when the angel Gabriel comes to her. She is troubled that he should say she is full of grace and that the Lord is with her. Next, she asks Gabriel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And before he suddenly departs, she says, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” The three responses offer insights into the spiritual life of Mary. First, she showed humility in her response to being called full of grace, that the Lord was with her. There is also her ability to dwell on and discern how God works in her and through her. Second, she questions how she will conceive, eliminating human intervention and allowing Gabriel to tell her how this will happen: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” Finally, without a moment to process what any of this means, she says yes to God. Mary shows us the way to humility, reason and discernment in understanding God’s will, and cooperation with his grace. Above all, as the Mother of God she shows us the way to her Son.

God, in Mary’s encounter with the angel, I see a kind of clarity in Mary’s communication with him that I am likely never to experience in my life. Yet, because Mary was conceived without original sin, she had no inclination toward it that would obstruct her view of your will. In perfect clarity, Gabriel communicated her role in salvation history, and in a state of perfect grace, Mary said yes to your holy will. Lord, give me the grace to remove the barriers that prevent me from hearing you and knowing your will. Once understanding it, help me follow through in cooperating with every good gift of yours that is meant to be shared.

From the Gospel acclamation: “Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women.” 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.

The house set solidly on rock. | Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

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

Jesus said to his disciples: “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.”

Jesus calls his disciples to listen to his words and then act on them, to be still and attentive and respond in action to the will of God. Our temporary dwelling on earth is subject to many assaults on the body and soul. Jesus guides us as disciples in withstanding the trials, the storms, and the struggles. To the fool, Jesus says, hearing his word and not acting on it results in devastation: “The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.” Holding fast to Christ, secured by hearing and acting on his will, the darkest storms pass.

God, here you are before me. Every need I have, you are already aware of and are acting to satisfy it. The unrelenting anxiety of moving through tasks ahead of me today and the next day and the next day would have me believe that you are somehow beyond them if I can just get past them. Help me remember what I now know, quieted by invitation to hear and do your will: you are in the midst of everyday anxieties, in the eye of the storm. Give me the grace to recall your presence during times I would otherwise forget, not out of sheer mental triumph, but to give you glory and come to enter your kingdom.

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.” Lord, let me take refuge in you today. 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.

“I do not want to send them away hungry.” | Wednesday of the First Week of Advent

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 15:29-37)

Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.” The disciples said to him, “Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?”

Just as Isaiah speaks of the LORD of hosts providing for his people from the mountain, Jesus goes up on a nearby mountain as people placed at his feet come to be cured. Matthew describes the scene: “The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel.” The crowd had been with Jesus for three days, and still he has more to give them. “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd . . . for they have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.” Here, Jesus’ compassion extends not only to those who came to be cured but also to those who brought them to his feet; in caring for others, they also come to Jesus for his sustenance.

“Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?” the disciples ask. God, help me understand that how Jesus answers this reveals the nature of your being. In giving you thanks and dividing the seven loaves to feed the great crowds, Jesus reverses the natural order. Rather than breaking the seven loaves into smaller and smaller morsels, Jesus multiplies them and provides more—enough to fill seven baskets full. From your being, Lord, division doesn’t result in fractions but in unbroken abundance. In taking the loaves, breaking them, and giving thanks to you, Jesus provides more than enough for the crowd. In this deserted place of earthly exile, God, where could we ever get enough to satisfy? Give me the grace of compassion, trusting that in sharing the little I have to give, you will multiply with your divine power. Help me today find you in the true bread of life, at its source and summit in the Eucharist.

From the first reading: “On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples A feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, The web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever.”

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.