Tag: daily Gospel 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

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent

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.”

Today’s Gospel reading from Luke follows yesterday’s reading and tells very similar stories. While Zechariah questioned Gabriel and is made speechless until John’s birth, Mary says, “May it be done to me according to your word.” It is not as if Zechariah was punished for what Gabriel called his lack of belief in the message sent from God; it seems instead that God quieted Zechariah for a time and immersed him in the school of interior life to prepare for the birth of John. Mary simply gave her consent, her fiat, saying, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.” How often in my life, even now during Advent, do I stay behind bars that keep me inside?

When you come to free me, Lord, I cling to bars that confine me as a self-proclaimed master of my own destiny. How do I learn to let go of my own personal glory? Let me learn to take to heart the words of the psalmist: “Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.” Help me understand, Lord, that what seems up is down and what is down, up. As Jesus says, “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Mary said yes; let me learn to do the same.

For the times when I don’t realize I’m saying no to you, Lord, or for the times when I’m afraid to say yes, stay with me. For the times when it’s hard to let you enter, grant me the grace to find a place for you. Power of the Most High, overshadow me today.

From the O Antiphon for today: O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness!

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

Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent

“I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news.  But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”

In today’s Gospel reading from Luke, the angel Gabriel appears before Zechariah to announce that John the Baptist will be born to Elizabeth although she is advanced in years. Zechariah’s prayer, Gabriel says, has been heard. Zechariah questions Gabriel by saying, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” Whether there was something in Zechariah’s tone that suggested disbelief, Luke doesn’t say. What is clear is that Gabriel saw that Zechariah did not believe him and because of this he was unable to talk until the birth of John. Luke tells us in a later passage how Zechariah came to speak: “Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.” What did Zechariah learn from God while he was mute? How did God speak to him in his speechlessness so that he would open his mouth, blessing God?

God, I believe in you yet fail to believe. My belief is not perfect but a work in progress, always coming into being in an imperfect way. Thank you for the blessing of my faith and for the sacraments, where you work with me where I am in perfecting my faith. I want to know the way to greater certainty of your work in the world and your work in me. Lord, you speak and from your mouth come perfect being and love. Help me today to understand how to quiet my voice—my spoken words and inner voice—so that I come interiorly to know you and bless you.

Lord, be my strength. Quiet my soul today and these few days leading up to the birth of Jesus your Son. “For you are my hope, O LORD,” today’s Psalm says, “my trust, O God, from my youth.” On you I depend from birth; from my mother’s womb you are my strength.” Be with me today as you were at my birth and always have been. Strengthen me today to believe you and trust you.

From the O Antiphon for today: O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay!

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

Fourth Sunday of Advent

“She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”

In today’s Gospel reading for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Matthew echoes the words from the first reading of Isaiah, “the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel,” to proclaim that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of David, and, as Paul says in the second reading, “the one descended from David according to the flesh.” As the Lord says in Isaiah, “ask for a sign from the LORD, your God,” so he answers through the birth of Jesus through the Virgin Mary. God is with us!

God, you connect the pieces of salvation history—person by person—through the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus your Son. There is so much to take in; just as you are present in the cosmos and the grand scale, you are also present in the individual lives of your beloved children. When you speak to Ahaz and you tell him to ask for a sign, you say, “let it be deep as the netherworld, or high as the sky!” Lord, the scope of my imagination can’t begin to fathom the depths and heights of the mysteries you spoke from the beginning of time and continue to speak into existence. Grant me the grace to marvel at the wonders of the universe you made while trusting that you, Emmanuel, care for me in every way as one you love and call by name.

Lord, thank you for the gift of your presence. Through the appearance of an angel, Joseph accepted and trusted your will for Jesus and Mary. Let me trust that through your Son that the same intimate guidance is active in my life and in the world. With the “O Antiphons” of Advent for today, I pray: “O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power!”

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 Third Week of Advent

Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

In today’s Gospel reading, Matthew relates the genealogy of Jesus. To read it is to be invited into Jesus’ family history. Many of the names are unfamiliar. Others, such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and Solomon call to mind key figures in the Davidic lineage. Still others bring to mind that not all people in that family line are models of holiness. It is this human family that Jesus enters into when he took on flesh to live among the people he created in his image. In my own family genealogy, who are the models I look to for growing in my faith? My parents and grandparents come to mind; beyond that, my lineage is swallowed up in all of history, and I flounder to identify who I am and where I came from.

God, you sent your Son to us within a long lineage—part of your plan from the beginning of time—to bring us out of captivity and into everlasting life in your presence. Help me understand, Lord, that just as you had a plan for your Son and for all of history, you also have a plan for me, to draw me ever closer to you.

Be with me today, God. I know you are present, but I am not always mindful. In the people I encounter today, especially my family, and in the opportunities you present to me today, through your grace let me know you are near.

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

Friday of the Third Week of Advent

Jesus said to the Jews: “The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.”

In today’s Gospel reading from John, Jesus expresses an essential truth of his character. What he says the Father sent him to do he does. “If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony cannot be verified,” Jesus says. “But there is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true.” Jesus speaks the truth because he accomplishes the will of his Father, who is truth. How do I respond to the Father’s call to live in truth by doing his will?

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of your Son. You bless us with Him in every way. As the psalmist says, “God, our God, has blessed us. May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear him!” Give me the grace to trust your testimony and your every word. I want to understand your meaning by saying, “But I have testimony greater than John’s.” As Saint John Paul II said of John the Baptist: “[He] is above all a model of faith. Following the example of the great Prophet Elijah, in order to listen more attentively to the word of the one Lord of his life, he leaves everything and withdraws to the desert, from which he would issue the resounding call to prepare the way of the Lord.” Through your life, death, and resurrection, Lord, John first prepared the way for us.

Thank you, Lord, for preparing my heart this Advent to receive Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us. Stay with me today.

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

Thursday of the Third Week of Advent

Jesus said to the crowds about John the Baptist, “Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom Scripture says: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, he will prepare your way before you.”

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus has just answered the question the disciples of John the Baptist has asked him: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus makes clear his relationship to those listening by saying of John that he was “more than a prophet,” that he is the messenger that prepares a way for the Lord. The Pharisees and scholars of the law, he says, who were not baptized by John rejected God’s plan for themselves. How is it, God, that I routinely go to great lengths to see and do what is trivial but struggle to bring you into the present moment each day?

God, help me understand the restlessness that the crowds felt is little different from the restlessness I feel each day, whether at work or at home. It takes very little to unsettle me when comfortable habits are disrupted. If I had less to cling to, I’d have less to let go of. What is it about John the Baptist that prepares the way? He lived in the desert, he ate locusts and wild honey, and he lived apart from the comforts of civilization. He lived a life of detachment. Lord, let me know you are with me today. I hear in this the words of Saint Paul: “You must increase; I must decrease.”

Quiet my soul, Lord. See me in the great and small distress of the day. From the first reading, let me keep within my soul this consolation: “But with enduring love I take pity on you, says the Lord, your redeemer.”

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