Tag: faith

Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God | The Octave Day of Christmas

From the responsorial psalm: “May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation. May God bless us in his mercy.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 2:16-21)

All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

Luke describes what happens after the angel appears to the shepherds and says, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” In obedience to the angel’s message, the shepherds travel in haste to Bethlehem to find Jesus. As they share with Mary and Joseph what happened, Luke tells us that Mary kept all these things and reflected on them in her heart. After the shepherds return home, they continue to witness to the birth of Jesus Our Savior, glorifying and praising God. Instructed by an angel, the shepherds leave home on a holy pilgrimage to encounter Christ; they return home as witnesses to others of the glory of God and the birth of the Messiah. In the celebration of Christmas, Jesus invites us to find him in Scripture, in service to others, and especially in the Eucharist, where he remains present—body and blood, soul and divinity, as the risen Christ.

God, you always keep your promises; strengthen my trust in you. Through the message of an angel, the shepherds were instructed to go and find Jesus. They found him wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger, just as the angel told them. Also in today’s Gospel, Luke tells us that at his circumcision, the child was named Jesus, the name given by the angel at the Annunciation. As Mary did, help me keep these revelations and reflect on them in my heart. You bless and speak in hearts who desire to hear you, yet your voice is unmistakable in your ultimate Word, Jesus Christ. As the Gospel acclamation says, “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.” Mary, Mother of God, 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 Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas

From the responsorial psalm: “The LORD comes, he comes to rule the earth. He shall rule the world with justice and the peoples with his constancy. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 1:1-18)

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. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The first words of John’s prolougue to his Gospel echo the first words of the Old Testament. Through powerful imagery of light and darkness, being and nothingness, and God invisible and God in the flesh, John connects the coming of Jesus to the long-awaited Messiah of the Old Testament. Through his life, death, and resurrection, he gives to those who believe in his name the power to become children of God. Enough can’t be said of the magnificance of John’s prologue. Only in rereading it and dwelling on it does its sweeping poetry and spiritual beauty shine brightly like the Star of Bethlehem that rested over the Christ Child.

God, help me hold on to the wonder of the birth of Jesus, that in his coming is the fulfillment of the covenants made by you with your people. In the first reading, John writes what it means to have your anointing; it is to live in the truth. He says, “I write to you not because you do not know the truth but because you do, and because every lie is alien to the truth.” Because I do know the truth but in sin tend toward lies, keep me on guard to remain in the truth. Give me the grace to turn away from what detracts from you and instead keep my eyes fixed on you yourself revealed in your only-begotten 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.

The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas

From the responsorial psalm: “Give to the LORD, you families of nations, give to the LORD glory and praise; give to the LORD the glory due his name! Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 2:36-40)

There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.

After the presentation of Jesus in the temple, the prophetess Anna comes forward to Joseph and Mary and, as John tells us, “gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.” In her long life, Anna faithfully awaited the coming of the Messiah and sees just that in the child Jesus. Luke then tells us that Mary and Joseph returned to Nazareth with Jesus, where he “grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.” Like Anna, Mary and Joseph remained obedient to God in fulfilling all the prescriptions of the law and returning home to raise Jesus in Nazareth, giving to the Lord the glory due his name.

God, help me be vigilant in recognizing your work in the world and the quiet ways you make your presence known. Attentive to this, give me the grace to know and do your will—not my will—throughout the day. From the first reading, help me call to mind the words of John as I look for direction: “Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever.” From the enticing call of the world and its hollow pretentiousness deliver me. Give me the wisdom, Lord, to recognize it for what it is and instead grow and become strong in faith and childlike in my love for you. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, 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.

“Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” | Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

From the responsorial psalm: “Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the recesses of your home; your children like olive plants around your table. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 2:41-52)

When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them.

Luke tells us the story of Jesus at the age of twelve during a pilgrimage to Jerusalem with his parents for the Feast of the Passover. After the feast, Mary and Joseph begin their journey home, assuming Jesus was with them in the caravan of travelers. Returning to Jerusalem, they find Jesus after searching for him for three days. After finding him in the temple among teachers who are astouned at his wisdom, Mary questions why Jesus has done this to them and expresses her anxiety. In that moment, Mary did not understand what Jesus means when he explains that he was in his Father’s house. Over time, as Jesus “advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man,” Mary came to undersand more deeply that her son, and stepson of Joseph, was the Son of God. Through Mary’s help, we come to know the Son and the Father.

God, help me see the examples of perfect faith in you as modeled by the Holy Family. Mary speaks for herself and for Joseph when she said she looked for Jesus with great anxiety, yet in finding him they were astonished at his wisdom and closeness to you. As Jesus grew, he advanced in his love for you and sought your favor in every word and action. Give me the grace, Lord, to be free from all anxiety through the intercession of the Holy Family and in the knowledge that I am in the midst of Jesus, who sits at your right hand, whenever I seek your favor and do your will. Holy Family, 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.

Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist

From the responsorial psalm: “Light dawns for the just; and gladness, for the upright of heart. Be glad in the LORD, you just, and give thanks to his holy name. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 20:1a and 2-8)

When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed.

John describes the events that take place at the discovery of the empty tomb following the resurrection of Jesus. Mary Magdalene first goes to the tomb and finds that the stone has been rolled away and then tells Peter, the first pope, and John, the disciple whom Jesus loved. Peter and John immediately run to the tomb, and John arrives first and out of respect for his authority of office waits for him to enter first. Going inside the tomb, Peter finds the burial cloths and the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head. John then enters and sees the burial cloths. In John’s own account, which he describes in third person writing about himself, he says, “he saw and believed.” As the first apostles, Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John run to seek out the risen Christ. The risen Christ, present in the Eucharist, is ours to run to today.

God, help me take in the words of Saint John from the first reading as it applies to the Gospel: “what we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing this so that our joy may be complete.” Fellowship with you and with Jesus is your gift and mine to receive. Give me the grace to do that through participation in the sacraments of the Church and through the intercession of Saint John and the Blessed Mother. Just as John accepted the invitation of Jesus from the cross to take Mary into his home, show me the way to do the same for the sake of your glory. Saint John, 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.

“Do not worry about how you are to speak.” | Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr

From the responsorial psalm: “Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God. I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 10:17-22)

Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. 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.”

Jesus describes to the disciples the truth about discipleship, which Saint Stephen experiences as the first martyr in the reading from the Acts of the Apostles. In saying “Beware of men,” Jesus contrasts human sin with supernatural grace. People would hand you over to death; the Holy Spirit would raise you to new life. When certain people confront Stephen but cannot withstand his divine wisdom, they become infuriated and kill him. “But he,” we hear in Acts, “filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” Jesus tells the disciples how to behave when they are attacked because of his name, and he tells them not to worry about finding words but placing trust in the Spirit of his Father who would speak through them.

God, help me see the profound connection between Saint Stephen and the warning of Jesus. Through the Holy Spirit and in proclaiming the Gospel, Stephen saw beyond present suffering, instead beholding your glory and Jesus at your right hand. At the hands of his persecurtors, Jesus accomplished your will perfectly in his life, death, and resurrection as the the Word Incarnate. Each trusted in you, their heavenly Father. As Saint Augustine said of Saint Stephen’s martyrdom: “Watching from above his soldier battling down below, Jesus was supplying him with invincible strength so that he should not fall.” Give me the grace, Lord, to trust that when persecution comes, I will have all the divine assistance needed in proclaiming the Gospel. Saint Stephen, 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 Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Mass at Dawn

A merry and blessed Christmas to you and your family!

From the responsorial psalm: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 1:67-79)

So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child.

Luke unfolds the events following the birth of Jesus and the response of the shepherds who are visited by angels. After the angels leave, the shepherds say, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place.” They go in haste to find find Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus lying in a manger, an invitation to all people through the shepherds to respond promptly to God’s call. And the shepherds return, “glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.” In their eager response to do as the angel proclaims to them, to witness “an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” Hearing their story and seeing them, “Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” In the story of the Nativity, God invites to do the same, to reflect on these things in our heart and to examine our own responses to God’s message, sharing in and sharing with others, the joy of Christ’s birth.

God, all praise and glory to you for sending your Son to us as a newborn savior, lying in a manger, the Word made flesh for the life of the world. In him, your love is made Incarnate. Blessed be your holy Name. Blessed be the Name of Jesus. Blessed be the Mother of my Lord, Mary most holy. Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse. Blessed are you in your angels and in your saints. The announcement to the shepherds is for the whole world. As Saint John Paul II prayed during midnight Mass: “Look upon us, eternal Son of God, who took flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary! All humanity, with its burden of trials and troubles, stands in need of you. Stay with us, living Bread which came down from heaven for our salvation! Stay with us 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.

“The dawn from on high.” | Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent

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.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 1:67-79)

“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.”

Today’s Gospel picks up where yesterday’s passage left off. The friends and neighbors of Zechariah and Elizabeth take to heart the events surrounding the birth and naming of John the Baptist, asking, “What, then, will this child be?” As Zechariah regains his speech, he praises God for fulfilling his promises in freeing his people from the hands of enemies so that they are “free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight.” In connecting the role that John would have, at the coming of the Messiah in the fullness of time, Zechariah proclaims that God’s mercy and salvation is for all. As he recounts God’s promises throughout salvation history, Zechariah identifies John as the one who will prepare the way of the Lord and through a call for repentance, reveal to God’s people knowledge of salvation.

God, tomorrow is the birth of your Son. As Isaiah prophesied, “A child is born to us, a son is given to us.” I feel as if I’m standing at the edge of a cliff. However much I prepared during each day of Advent, I look back at its smallness. What I’ve done counts for nothing. Not in false humilty but in truthful realization, I have to say that although I have given a little to you, you have given me every good gift—the fullness of grace in the Nativity of your only Son and salvation through his passion, death, and resurrection. Open my eyes, Lord, to your gift of freedom, free to worship the light that came into the darkness. Saint Augustine said of you: ” You called, you shouted, and you burst open my deafness. You flashed, you shone in radiance, and you drove away my blindness.” In your tender compassion, Lord, let your light shine so that all may see.

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.

“John is his name.” | Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent

Today’s antiphon: “O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God!” (Isaiah 7:14)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 1:57-66)

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.

Neighbors and relatives who are close to Elizabeth and Zechariah witness the blessings and mercy of the Lord at the birth of John. Luke tells us that they rejoiced with Elizabeth. Yet, as close as they are, they remain outside looking in as God’s plan unfolds before them. When the time comes to circumcise the child, the people believe he will be named Zechariah after his father. But Elizabeth says, “No. He will be called John.” As they ask Zechariah, he affirms what Elizabeth has spoken and immediately he begins to speak, blessing God. The amazement and fear that comes upon the witnesses draws them from the periphery of faith to its glorious center, and the word spreads qiuckly throughout the hill country of Judea. In holy fear of the Lord, those who dwell on these events take them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be? For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.” John’s role from his birth was to illuminate the way to the Morning Star, to point to its center, the light of the world.

God, help me hear and take to heart the story of John’s birth and his witness to Jesus. The friends and neighbors of Elizabeth and Zechariah went about preparations for the circumcision in the usual way. What shall we call him? Yet, in an unusual and surprising way, you broke into their lives by naming him from on high through the message of an angel. The messenger of God brought to Zechariah the name of the messenger of Jesus, and in writing it Zechariah could speak again and bless you. There’s something spontaneous and gleeful in this. Yet, if the friends and neighbors of Elizabeth and John hadn’t rejoiced with them in the first place, they wouldn’t have witnessed how John’s name was revealed. Give me the grace today, Lord, to notice and rejoice where your mercy shines. Help me take to heart the subtle and surprising ways you prepare me for the light that shines in the darkness that the darkness cannot overcome.

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.

“And how does this happen to me?” | Fourth Sunday of Advent

Today’s antiphon: O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust! (Isaiah 9:5; 2:4)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 1:39-45)

“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?”

At the Visitation, Elizabeth responds to Mary’s greeting with these words and with a question. She tells Mary that at the sound of her greeting, the infant John leaped in her womb. And then she asks a question, which is direct and at the same time full of meditation and wonder. Elizabeth is undoubtedly one of the first to ponder how it is that the Blessed Virgin, the mother of the Lord, would come to her. In pondering, she recognizes that Mary’s visit is a grace she receives, that it happens to her. Mary brings the grace and blessing of Christ to Elizabeth, to the infant John, and to the house of Zechariah. She does the same for us as we ask for her to intercede for us as the Mother of God, whose soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and brings us always to her son and our savior.

God, help me prepare for the birth of Jesus in the example of Mary and Elizabeth. Mary brought the grace of the infant Christ to Elizabeth and John. Elizabeth responded in wonder that the mother of her Lord should come to her, rejoicing with youthful exuberance at the visit of Jesus and Mary. The Advents and Christmases of past years have led me to certain expectations and old habits, ways of doing things. Let that change. As I take in the Visitation, grant me a good measure of the overwhelming jubilation that Mary and Elizabeth experienced in the nearness of Jesus, present within Mary and brought to the whole world through the Immaculate Conception and in the nativity of Jesus.

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.