The angel Gabriel tells Mary to “be not afraid” as she hears the news of her role in salvation history. In our moments of doubt and fear may we follow Mary’s example and turn to the Lord with renewed faith, asking for the grace and strength we need to face our challenges with God’s guidance.
Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Advent
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Luke’s Gospel recounts the naming of John the Baptist, and once again we see how his life served to highlight the coming of Christ. As we prepare to bring this Advent season to a close, may we discern the opportunities we have to direct others to Jesus.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 3rd Week of Advent
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Mary’s Magnificat is a song of praise about God’s goodness and mercy. As we prepare for Christmas, may this proclamation inspire us to count our blessings and opportunities to put our faith into practice.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 3rd Week of Advent
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Mary, Elizabeth and John the Baptist all show the speed of a vibrant response to the coming of the Messiah. Their example inspires us to consider how our faith guides and directs our actions with the people before us each and every day.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 3rd Week of Advent
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The Gospel of Luke recounts today the exchange between Gabriel and Mary. We know the details, and as we hear the specific names and particular locations we recall that God continues to touch our lives through this great account of salvation through our lives today.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Advent
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Adoration of the Child, Honthorst, 1619-1620, Uffizi, Florence, Italy.
In the Gospel today we learn about the priestly lineage of John the Baptist. John’s ministry – calling people to repentance and showing them the “Lamb of God” – fulfills the priestly role and sets the stage for the coming of the Messiah.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Advent
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Study: Recall a time when you had to make an important choice. What helped you?
Pray: Do you have a critical decision to make right now? Ask the Lord for guidance.
Serve: How can you assist someone who is facing a crucial situation? How can you offer support?
Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Advent
We often think of angels as something out of a Precious Moments collection: cute, sweet and gentle. Yet the image we see in the Scriptures is often startling and overwhelming…after all, angels are always saying “Be not afraid!” when they show up.
Gabriel greets Mary and reveals the astonishing news of God’s plan for our salvation: Mary will be the mother of God as the Holy Spirit conceives a child in her womb. This is how the savior of humanity will enter into the world, taking on our likeness in all things but sin.
But note this: Mary had to respond. Although she was specifically chosen by God and prepared to become the mother of the messiah, she still had to give her consent. Her freedom to choose was essential in the plan of salvation. Why? Because the Almighty has not created us to be robotic slaves but free souls, souls that seek to grow in wisdom, courage and love.
God initiates the action, but he does not force us to act. Rather, the Lord invites us to respond so that we will grow, becoming more and more the persons we were meant to be.
This Christmas consider what the Lord is inviting you to do. Reflect on how God is working in your life and how you are being prompted to develop your life in new and powerful ways. Say yes to Jesus Christ, and see how the Lord will change your heart to become like his.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Annunciation, Bottecelli, 1481, Uffizzi, Florence, Italy.
