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.
The Lord reveals how the people complained about him and John the Baptist. Their “glass is half empty” thinking demonstrates the tremendous influence we have in shaping and determining our attitude…especially in difficult moments in our lives.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 2nd Week of Advent (St. John of the Cross)
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The Lord speaks to the people about John the Baptist as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. He is Elijah, who points out the Lamb of God, and from this foundation of faith we take our part in God’s great story of salvation history.
Mass Readings – Thursday of 2nd Advent (St. Lucy)
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On this feast day it is good to reflect on the history of Mary’s apparition to Juan Diego in 1531. Through the miracles that followed Mary’s presence transformed a people, offering us a clear reminder that God continues to work through his angels and saints.
Mass Readings – The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
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Jesus reveals how God looks at us in our wounded and vulnerable state. Seeking what is lost and rejoicing when found, the Lord thus teaches us how to relate to one another.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Advent
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