St. Stephen’s death serves as a sharp contrast from the glory Christ’s birth. Yet this contrast helps us engage in the spiritual battle that is part of our earthly life as we face our struggles with the grace of Jesus.
Mass Readings – Feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr
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The Messiah is born! King of kings and Lord of lords, the ruler of the universe comes to us as a defenseless and vulnerable infant. Why? To get past all our defenses and touch our hearts with a gentleness that shakes the foundations of the world. Merry Christmas!
Mass Reading Options
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Honthorst, Adoration of the Child, 1619-1620, Uffizi, Florence.
Elizabeth recognized the presence of the Messiah, and she rejoiced that God had drawn near. As Christmas approaches, we rejoice in the many ways that God pours grace into our hearts through the power and mercy of Jesus.
Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Advent
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It’s called the Magnificat – a song of praise that Mary offers – and it has been a prayer of powerful reflection for the Church for 2000 years. Recognizing that God is in charge, initiating, leading, empowering and conquering evil, we are united in grace and draw near to the Lord.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 3rd Week of the Year (Dec. 22nd)
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Mary and Elizabeth, pregnant with their sons as foretold by the angel Gabriel, are filled with the Holy Spirit as they encounter one another. The presence of the Spirit gives us an insight into what happens when we cooperate with God’s grace in our lives: the Lord does great things!
Mass Readings – Friday of the 3rd Week of Advent (Dec. 21st)
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Photo Credit: The Nativity Story, 2006.
While the story of the angel Gabriel and Mary is well known, its familiarity can blind us to the fact that just as God worked through Mary’s life, God works in ours. The question is, will we use the blessings we have been given for the Lord’s glory? Will we say yes to Jesus Christ today?
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 3rd Week of Advent (Dec. 20th)
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Luke’s Gospel sets the context for the birth of John the Baptist – the last and greatest prophet who will proclaim Jesus as the Lamb of God – and shows us how God constantly works through our lives to bring about something new.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Advent (Dec. 19th)
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St. Joseph’s reception and response to the angel’s message offers us a fitting example of faith in action as we receive God’s word and respond in love to Jesus Christ!
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Advent (Dec. 18th)
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The Scriptures today reveal Zephaniah, the Psalmist, St. Paul and John the Baptist as God’s messengers who communicate to the people. They remind us that we are all messengers for Jesus Christ, called to proclaim and receive a message of joy.
Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of Advent’
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The Lord speaks of a sober reality in the Gospel today: both he and John the Baptist will suffer. It’s a powerful reminder that Christ came for us…our sins, our weaknesses, our wounds…and he offers his life that we might be reunited with God.
Saturday of the 2nd Week of Advent
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Photo credit: Jesus of Nazareth, 1977.
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 