December 1
Monday

1st Week of Advent

First Reading: Is 2:1-5

The vision of Isaiah, son of Amoz, concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
In the last days, the mountain of Yahweh's house shall be set over the highest mountains and shall tower over the hills.

All the nations shall stream to it, saying, "Come, let us go to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and we may walk in his paths. For the Teaching comes from Zion, and from Jerusalem the word of Yahweh.

"He will rule over the nations and settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not raise sword against nation; they will train for war no more.

"O nation of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!"
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 122:1-2, 3-4b, 4cd-5, 6-7, 8-9
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
 

Gospel Reading: Mt 8:5-11
 

When Jesus entered Capernaum, an army captain approached him to ask his help, "Sir, my servant lies sick at home. He is paralyzed and suffers terribly." Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him."

The captain answered, "I am not worthy to have you under my roof. Just give an order and my boy will be healed. For I myself, a junior officer, give orders to my soldiers. And if I say to one: 'Go,' he goes, and if I say to another: 'Come,' he comes, and to my servant: 'Do this,' he does it."

When Jesus heard this he was astonished and said to those who were following him, "I tell you, I have not found such faith in Israel. I say to you, many will come from east and west and sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the kingdom of heaven."
 

Commentary
The season of Advent is given to us as a means of preparing our hearts for the great celebration of the Nativity of the Lord. We turn to the Sacred Scriptures frequently during Advent so that our hearts might be open for Him to come into our lives.
The army captain's words are the very words that we say at every Mass before receiving the Lord Jesus in Holy Communion: "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you…" The Lord who came at Bethlehem and who will come again in glory visits us with His substantial presence every time the Holy Mass is offered.

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December 2
Tuesday

1st Week of Advent
 

First Reading: Is 11:1-10

From the stump of Jesse a shoot will come forth;
from his roots a branch will grow and bear fruit.
The Spirit of the Lord will rest upon him-
a Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
a Spirit of counsel and power,
a Spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord.
Not by appearances will he judge,
nor by what is said must he decide,
but with justice he will judge the poor
and with righteousness decide for the meek.
Like a rod, his word will strike the oppressor,
and the breath of his lips slay the wicked.
Justice will be the girdle of his waist,
truth the girdle of his loins.
The wolf will dwell with the lamb,
the leopard will rest beside the kid,
the calf and the lion cub will feed together
and a little child will lead them.
Befriending each other, the cow and the bear
will see their young ones lie down together.
Like cattle, the lion will eat hay.
By the cobra's den the infant will play.
The child will put his hand into the viper's lair.
No one will harm or destroy over my holy mountain,
for as water fills the sea
the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord.
On that day the "Root of Jesse" will be raised as a signal for the nations. The people will come in search of him, thus making his dwelling place glorious.
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
 

Gospel Reading: Lk 10:21-24
 

Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit and said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and made them known to the little ones. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. I have been given all things by my Father, so that no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and he to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."

Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said to them privately, "Fortunate are you to see what you see, for I tell you that many prophets and kings would have liked to see what you see but did not, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."
 

Commentary
The disciples of Jesus were fortunate to have seen Him face to face and to have dwelt in His holy presence. Still, we must never underestimate the incredible blessing that we receive in being able to hear His Word and receive Him in the Blessed Sacrament.

The Lord loves us so much that He never wants to be far from us. Though He reigns from heaven His presence still graces the earth through the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. During this beautiful season of Advent may we recall how blessed we are to be called to His supper.
 

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December 3
Wednesday

1st Week of Advent
Francis Xavier

First Reading: Is 25:6-10a

On this mountain Yahweh Sabaoth will prepare for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, meat full of marrow, fine wine strained.

On this mountain he will destroy the pall cast over all peoples, this very shroud spread over all nations, and death will be no more. The Lord Yahweh will wipe away the tears from all cheeks and eyes; he will take away the humiliation of his people all over the world:
for Yahweh has spoken.

On that day you will say: This is our God. We have waited for him to save us, let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation. For on this mountain the hand of Yahweh rests.
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
 

Gospel Reading: Mt 15:29-37
 

Jesus went to the shore of Lake Galilee, and then went up into the hills where he sat down. Great crowds came to him, bringing the dumb, the blind, the lame, the crippled, and many with other infirmities. The people carried them to the feet of Jesus, and he healed them. All were astonished when they saw the dumb speaking, the lame walking, the crippled healed and the blind able to see; so they glorified the God of Israel.

Jesus called his disciples and said to them, "I am filled with compassion for these people; they have already followed me for three days and now have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away fasting, or they may faint on the way." His disciples said to him, "And where shall we find enough bread in this wilderness to feed such a crowd?" Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" They answered, "Seven, and a few small fish."

So Jesus ordered the people to sit on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the small fish and gave thanks to God. He broke them and gave them to his disciples, who distributed them to the people.

They all ate and were satisfied, and the leftover broken pieces filled seven wicker baskets.
 

Commentary
Eucharistic images fill the daily readings during this first week of the Advent season. The bread and fish multiplied on the shore of Lake Galilee prefigure the even greater miracle of the Lord changing bread and wine into His Body and Blood.

Many were fed that day by the lake and many leftover fragments were gathered together. That great feast would foreshadow the sacrificial meal of the Holy Eucharist and the everlasting banquet that awaits us in heaven. May our hearts be filled with gratitude for the first and longing for the second, especially as we prepare spiritually for Christmas.

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December 4
Thursday

1st Week of Advent
John of Damascus

First Reading: Is 26:1-6

On that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:
We have a strong city,
he himself has set up
walls and fortifications to protect us.
Open the gates!
Let the righteous nation enter,
she who is firm in faithfulness.
You keep in perfect peace
the one of steadfast mind,
the one who trusts in you.
Trust in Yahweh forever,
for Yahweh is an everlasting Rock.
He brought down those who dwell on high,
he laid low the lofty city,
he razed it to the ground,
leveled it to the dust,
Now it is trampled
the poor and the lowly tread upon it.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Gospel Reading: Mt 7:21, 24-27
 

Jesus said to his disciples, "Not everyone who says to me: Lord! Lord! will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my heavenly Father.

"So, then, anyone who hears these words of mine and acts accordingly is like a wise man, who built his house on rock. The rain poured, the rivers flooded, and the wind blew and struck that house, but it did not collapse because it was built on rock. But anyone who hears these words of mine and does not act accordingly, is like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain poured, the rivers flooded, and the wind blew and struck that house; it collapsed, and what a terrible fall that was!"

Commentary
When we base our lives upon the rock solid foundation of the Word of God we need not worry about what tomorrow will bring. Taking time to read the Bible every day and reflect on its meaning in our daily lives is a sure way of being formed by the Lord to face the challenges that this life brings.

Jesus is the Word of God, and we encounter Him in Scripture and in Sacrament. May our lives be centered around Him so that we might develop greater fortitude to face whatever difficulties might come our way.

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December 5
Friday

1st Week of Advent
 

First Reading: Is 29:17-24

In a very short time,
Lebanon will become a fruitful field
and the fruitful field will be as a forest.
On that day
the deaf will hear the words of the book,
and out of the dark and obscurity
the eyes of the blind will see.
The meek will find joy
and the poor among men will rejoice
in the Holy One of Israel.
For the tyrant will be no more
and the scoffers gone forever,
and all who plan
to do evil will be cut down-
those who by a word make you guilty,
those who for a bribe can lay a snare
and send home the just empty-handed.
Therefore Yahweh, Abraham's redeemer,
speaks concerning the people of Jacob:
No longer will Jacob be ashamed;
no longer will his face grow pale.
When he sees the work of my hands,
his children again in his midst,
they will sanctify my name,
they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob,
and stand in awe of the God of Israel.
Those who err in spirit will understand;
those who murmur will learn.

 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14
The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Gospel Reading: Mt 9:27-31
 

As Jesus moved on from Capernaum, two blind men followed him, shouting, "Son of David, help us!" When he was about to enter the house, the blind men caught up with him, and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do what you want?" They answered, "Yes, sir!"
Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, "As you have believed, so let it be." And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus gave them a stern warning, "Be careful and let no one know about this." But as soon as they went away, they spread the news about him through the whole area.
 

Commentary
Faith in the Lord brings tremendous blessings, as the two men in the Gospel discovered. Like them, we have our blindness. We do not notice the good things the Lord has done for us. We do not recognize the presence of the Lord in our world. We do not perceive how God is acting in our lives.
The candles on the Advent wreath represent the light that is brought into the world through the coming of Jesus Christ, light that enables us to see our lives as being filled with the meaning, purpose and direction that only He can bring.

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December 6
Saturday

1st Week of Advent
Nicholas

First Reading: Is 30:19-21, 23-26

O people of Zion, who dwell in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. When you cry, he will listen; when he hears, he will answer.

When the Lord has given you the bread of anguish and the water of distress, he, your teacher will hide no longer. Your own eyes will see him, and your ear will listen to his words behind you: "This is the way, walk in it."

He will then give rain for the seed you sow and make the harvest abundant from the crops you grow. On that day your cattle will graze in wide pastures. Your beasts of burden will eat silage tossed to them with pitchfork and shovel.

For on the day of the great slaughter, when fortresses fall, streams of water will flow on every mountain and lofty hill.

The light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun seven times greater, like the light of seven days, when Yahweh binds up the wounds of his people and heals the bruises inflicted by his blows.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.
 

Gospel Reading: Mt 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8
 

Jesus went around all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom, and he cured every sickness and disease. When he saw the crowds he was moved with pity, for they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the workers are only few. Ask the master of the harvest to send workers to gather his harvest."

Then he called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority over the unclean spirits to drive them out and to heal every disease and sickness.

Jesus sent these twelve on mission with the instruction: "Do not visit pagan territory and do not enter a Samaritan town. Go instead to the lost sheep of the people of Israel.
"Go and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, cleanse the lepers, and drive out demons. You received this as a gift, so give it as a gift."
 

Commentary
The coming into the world of the only begotten Son of God is the Father's magnanimous gift, motivated purely out of His abundant love for us. We are called to share with others this gift that we have received in faith, especially through our words of kindness and our deeds of mercy.

St. Francis told his followers, "Preach the Gospel always, and when necessary, use words." By our words, but especially through our actions may we pass on to others the wonderful gift that we have received, the gift of faith in Jesus Christ.

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December 7
Sunday

2nd Sunday of Advent

First Reading: Is 40:1-5, 9-11

"Be comforted, my people,
be strengthened," says your God.
"Speak to the heart of Jerusalem, proclaim to her
that her time of bondage is at an end,
that her guilt has been paid for,
that from the hand of Yahweh
she has received double punishment
for all her iniquity."
A voice cries,
"In the wilderness prepare the way for Yahweh.
Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley will be raised up;
every mountain and hill will be laid low.
The stumbling blocks shall become level
and the rugged places smooth.
The glory of Yahweh will be revealed,
and all mortals together will see it;
for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken."
Go up onto the high mountain, messenger of Zion,
lift up your voice with strength,
fear not to cry aloud when you tell Jerusalem
and announce to the cities of Judah:
"Here is your God!"
Here comes your God with might;
his strong arm rules for him;
his reward is with him,
and here before him is his booty.
Like a shepherd he tends his flock:
he gathers the lambs in his arms,
he carries them in his bosom,
gently leading those that are with young."

 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14
Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

Second Reading: 2 P 3:8-14
 

Do not forget, brothers and sisters, that with the Lord, one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like one day. The Lord does not delay in fulfilling his promise, though some speak of delay; rather he gives you time because he does not want anyone to perish, but that all may come to conversion. The Day of the Lord is to come like a thief. Then the heavens will dissolve with a great noise; the elements will melt away by fire, and the earth with all that is on it will be burned up.

Since all things are to vanish, how holy and religious your way of life must be, as you wait for the Day of God and long for its coming, when the heavens will dissolve in fire and the elements melt away in the heat. We wait for a new heaven and a new earth in which justice reigns, according to God's promise.

Therefore, beloved, as you wait in expectation of this, strive that God may find you rooted in peace, without blemish or fault.
 

Gospel Reading: Mk 1:1-8
 

This is the beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in the book of Isaiah, the prophet, "I am sending my messenger ahead of you to prepare your way. Let the people hear the voice calling in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord, level his paths."

So John began to baptize in the desert; he preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. All Judea and all the people from the city of Jerusalem went out to John to confess their sins and be baptized by him in the river Jordan.

John was clothed in camel's hair and wore a leather garment around his waist. His food was locusts and honey. He preached to the people saying, "After me comes one who is more powerful than I am; I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit."

Commentary
St. Mark begins his Gospel with the figure of St. John the Baptist roaring like a lion in the desert, "Prepare the way of the Lord!"
John's words are meant for us during this sacred season. Christmas is always at risk of being reduced to a secular holiday, a time for good will and cheer but little else. Being deliberate in our prayer and devotion during these weeks before the feast will open our hearts to experience the deeper meaning of Christmas. We will better sense how the Lord continues to enter our world, even in our day and age.

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December 8
Monday

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

First Reading: Gen 3:9-15, 20

Yahweh God called the man saying to him, "Where are you?" He said, "I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid." God said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree I ordered you not to eat?" The man answered, "The woman you put with me gave me fruit from the tree and I ate it." God said to the woman, "What have you done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me and I ate."

Yahweh God said to the serpent, "Since you have done that, be cursed among all the cattle and wild beasts! You will crawl on your belly and eat dust all the days of your life. I will make you enemies, you and the woman, your offspring and her offspring. He will crush your head and you will strike his heel."

The man called his wife by the name of Eve, because she was the mother of all the living.
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
 

Second Reading: Eph 1:3-6, 11-12
 

Blessed be God, the Father of Christ Jesus our Lord,
who in Christ has blessed us from heaven with every spiritual blessing.
God chose us in Christ before the creation of the world
to be holy and without sin in his presence.
From eternity he destined us in love
To be his sons and daughters through Christ Jesus,
thus fulfilling his free and generous will.
This goal suited him:
that his loving-kindness which he granted us in his Beloved
might finally receive all glory and praise.
By a decree of Him who disposes all things
according to his own plan and decision
we, the Jews, have been chosen and called
and we were awaiting the Messiah,
for the praise of his glory.
 

Gospel Reading: Lk 1:26-38
 

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth. He was sent to a young virgin who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

The angel came to her and said, "Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you." Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean.

But the angel said, "Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you. You shall conceive and bear a son and you shall call him Jesus. He will be great and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the kingdom of David, his ancestor; he will rule over the people of Jacob forever and his reign shall have no end."

Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be if I am a virgin?" And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the holy child to be born shall be called Son of God. Even your relative Elizabeth is expecting a son in her old age, although she was unable to have a child, and she is now in her sixth month. With God nothing is impossible."

Then Mary said, "I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said." And the angel left her.

Commentary
Amidst the Advent season falls the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. We recall and celebrate how the Blessed Mother was, by a singular participation in the grace of her Son, kept free from original sin from the moment of her conception.

God's plan for our salvation was carefully constructed. Through the patriarchs and prophets, the exodus and the exile, God was acting in such a way as to ensure that humankind would be ready for so great a gift. By protecting the mother of our Lord from original sin, God would demonstrate the intricacy of His plan.
 

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December 9
Tuesday

2nd Week of Advent
Juan Diego

First Reading: Is 40:1-11

Be comforted, my people,
be strengthened, says your God.
Speak to the heart of Jerusalem, proclaim to her
that her time of bondage is at an end,
that her guilt has been paid for,
that from the hand of Yahweh
she has received double punishment
for all her iniquity.
A voice cries,
"In the wilderness prepare the way for Yahweh.
Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley will be raised up;
every mountain and hill will be laid low.
The stumbling blocks shall become level
and the rugged places smooth.
The glory of Yahweh will be revealed,
and all mortals together will see it;
for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken."
A voice says, "Cry."
and I say, "What shall I cry?"
"All flesh is grass,
and all its beauty as the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower wilts,
when the breath of Yahweh blows upon it.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will forever stand."
Go up onto the high mountain, messenger of Zion,
lift up your voice with strength,
fear not to cry aloud when you tell Jerusalem
and announce to the cities of Judah:
Here is your God!
Here comes your God with might;
his strong arm rules for him;
his reward is with him,
and here before him is his booty.
Like a shepherd he tends his flock:
he gathers the lambs in his arms,
he carries them in his bosom,
gently leading those that are with young.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 96:1-2, 3, 10ac, 11-12, 13
The Lord our God comes with power.
 

Gospel Reading: Mt 18:12-14
 

Jesus said to his disciples, "What do you think of this? If someone has a hundred sheep and one of them strays, won't he leave the ninety-nine on the hillside, and go to look for the stray one? And I tell you: when he finally finds it, he is more pleased about it than about the ninety-nine that did not get lost. It is the same with your Father in heaven: there they don't want even one of these little ones to be lost."
 

Commentary
Jesus enters our world and our lives as the good and gentle shepherd who never gives up on His lost sheep. He comes to save the lost and to gather the dispersed into the one flock of God. He calls His sheep by name and leads us to the verdant pastures and restful waters.

The Good Shepherd also does battle with the enemy to protect His sheep from harm, so much does He love us. Without Him we are lost to the powers of sin and death. With the Lord we are brought into the safety of the Kingdom.

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December 10
Wednesday

2nd Week of Advent
 

First Reading: Is 40:25-31

To whom, then, will you liken me
or make me equal? says the Holy One.
Lift up your eyes and see:
who has created all this?
He has ordered them as a starry host
and called them each by name.
So mighty is his power,
so great his strength,
that not one of them is missing.
How can you say, O Jacob,
how can you complain, O Israel,
that your destiny is hidden from me,
that your rights are ignored by Yahweh?
Have you not known, have you not heard
that Yahweh is an everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth?
He does not grow tired or weary,
his knowledge is without limit.
He gives strength to the enfeebled,
he gives vigor to the wearied.
Youth may grow tired and faint,
young men will stumble and fall,
but those who hope in Yahweh
will renew their strength.
They will soar as with eagle's wings;
they will run and not grow weary;
they will walk and never tire.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 and 10
O bless the Lord, my soul!

Gospel Reading: Mt 11:28-30
 

Jesus said to the crowds: "Come to me, all you who work hard and who carry heavy burdens and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble of heart; and you will find rest. For my yoke is good and my burden is light."

Commentary
Abeast of burden can do a tremendous amount of work, provided that its yoke is carefully crafted to fit its frame. Without a good yoke, the animal will struggle and quickly tire.

The Lord equips us with the carefully tailored yoke of His Word. The clear, consistent direction He gives is designed to fit us perfectly so that we can carry out His will in loving and generous service. Following the Lord is neither a burden nor a chore, for to serve Him is what we were created to do, all through the infinite wisdom of our God.

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December 11
Thursday

2nd Week of Advent
Damasus I

First Reading: Is 41:13-20

For I, Yahweh, your God, take hold of your right hand and say to you: "Fear not, I am your assistance."
Fear not, Jacob, poor worm, and you, people of Israel, so frail.
I am your redeemer, says Yahweh,
the Holy One of Israel, your helper.
I will make you a thresher, new and with sharp double teeth: you will thresh hills and mountains, crushing them and reducing them to chaff.
You will winnow them, the wind will carry them off and the storm will scatter them. But you will rejoice in Yahweh and glory in the Holy One of Israel.
The poor and the afflicted seek water, and find none.
Their tongues are parched with thirst.
But I, Yahweh, will hear them;
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
I will open up streams over the barren heights
and let the rivers flow through all the valleys;
I will turn the desert into lakes and brooks
and the thirsty earth
into a land of springs.
I will plant in the wilderness the cedar,
the acacia, the myrtle and the olive;
I will plant in the wasteland fir, cypress and pine-
that all may see and know,
consider and understand,
that the hand of Yahweh has done this,
that the Holy One of Israel has created it.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 145:1 and 9, 10-11, 12-13ab
The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness.

Gospel Reading: Mt 11:11-15
 

Jesus said to the crowds, "No one greater than John the Baptist has come forward among the sons of women, and yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven is something to be conquered and the unyielding seize it.

"Up to the time of John, there was only prophesy: all the prophets and the Law; and if you believe me, John is this Elijah, whose coming was predicted. Let anyone with ears listen!"
 

Commentary
John the Baptist represents the last prophet of the Old Testament, for He echoes every prophecy that had ever been uttered about the coming of the Messiah, and he does so with a keen sense of urgency.
Jesus emphasizes the importance of John's words and deeds because they are a call to conversion of heart. John is great precisely because he recognizes the fallen state of man and the necessity of every person to seek the Lord's mercy and forgiveness. We who have ears must listen carefully to John's teaching, for doing so allows us to find refuge in the tender compassion of the Lord.

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December 12
Friday

2nd Week of Advent
Our Lady of Guadalupe / Jane Frances de Chantal

First Reading: Is 48:17-19

Thus says Yahweh, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I, Yahweh, your God, teach you what is best for you; I lead you in the way that you must go.
Had you paid attention to my commandments, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
Your descendants would have been like the sand, and those born of your stock like its grains, their names never cut off nor blotted out from my presence.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.

Gospel Reading: Mt 11:16-19
 

Jesus said to the crowds, "Now, to what can I compare the people of this day? They are like children sitting in the marketplace, about whom their companions complain: 'We played the flute for you but you would not dance. We sang a funeral song but you would not cry!'
"For John came fasting and people said: 'He is possessed.' Then the Son of Man came, he ate and drank, and people said: 'Look at this man! A glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet the outcome will prove Wisdom to be right."

Commentary
Children can be very mean in mocking others. Old enough to speak, they are not mature enough to know the power of their words. Jesus accuses his contemporaries of acting childish in their outright rejection of His message. Sadly, if they only knew who He was, they would surely accept Him.
We must be on guard against similarly rejecting the message of the Gospel. God's Word is truly wise and full of implications for our daily living. When we claim that it does not apply to us we make a mockery of God's holy Word. Rather, let us accept God's word fully and unconditionally.

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December 13
Saturday

2nd Week of Advent
Lucy

First Reading: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11

Then came the prophet Elijah like a fire, his words a burning torch.
He brought a famine on the people and in his zealous love had them reduced in number.
Speaking in the name of the Lord he closed the heavens, and on three occasions called down fire.
How marvelous you were, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds! Who could ever boast of being your equal?
You were taken up by a whirlwind of flames in a chariot drawn by fiery horses.
It was written that you should be the one to calm God's anger in the future before it broke out in fury, to turn the hearts of fathers to their sons and to restore the tribes of Jacob.
Happy are those who will see you and those who die in love, for we too shall live.
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 80:2ac and 3b, 15-16, 18-19
Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
 

Gospel Reading: Mt 17:9a, 10-13
 

As they were coming down the mountainside, the disciples then asked Jesus, "Why do the teachers of the Law say that Elijah must come first?" And Jesus answered, "So it is: first comes Elijah to set everything as it has to be. But I tell you, Elijah has already come and they did not recognize him, but treated him as they pleased. And they will also make the Son of Man suffer."
Then the disciples understood that Jesus was referring to John the Baptist.

Commentary
John's martyrdom by King Herod pre-figures our Lord suffering and being condemned to death at the hand of Pontius Pilate. The powers of this world are threatened by the message of the Gospel and will go to great lengths to stop its spread.
Following the Lord is counter-cultural. It goes against the grain of our contemporary world. As the Lord suffered, so do His disciples. The season of Advent is a fitting time for us to be mindful of the consequences of following Jesus, and to take comfort in the fact that He is always at our side.
 

December 14
Sunday

3rd Sunday of Advent

First Reading: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11

The Spirit of the Lord Yahweh is upon me,
because Yahweh has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up broken hearts,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
freedom to those languishing in prison;
to announce the year of Yahweh's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to give comfort to all who grieve.
I rejoice greatly in Yahweh,
my soul exults for joy in my God,
for he has clothed me in the garments of his salvation,
he has covered me with the robe of his righteousness,
like a bridegroom wearing a garland,
like a bride adorned with jewels.
For as the earth brings forth its growth,
and as a garden makes seeds spring up,
so will the Lord Yahweh make justice and praise
spring up in the sight of all nations.
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Lk 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54
My soul rejoices in my God.
 

Second Reading: 1 Thes 5:16-24
 

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing and give thanks to God at every moment. This is the will of God, your vocation as Christians.
Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise the prophets' warnings. Put everything to the test and hold fast to what is good. Avoid evil, wherever it may be.
May the God of Peace make you holy and bring you to perfection. May you be completely blameless, in spirit, soul and body, till the coming of Christ Jesus, our Lord; he who called you is faithful and will do it.
 

Gospel Reading: Jn 1:6-8, 19-28
 

A man came, sent by God;
his name was John.
He came to bear witness,
as a witness to introduce the Light
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the Light
but a witness to introduce the Light.
This was the testimony of John when the Jews sent priests and Levites to ask him, "Who are you?" John recognized the truth and did not deny it. He said, "I am not the Messiah."
And they asked him, "Then who are you? Elijah?" He answered, "I am not." They said, "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No." Then they said to him, "Tell us who you are, so that we can give some answer to those who sent us. How do you see yourself?" And John said, quoting the prophet Isaiah, "I am the voice crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord."
Those who had been sent were Pharisees; so they put a further question to John: "Then why are you baptizing if you are not the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?" John answered, "I baptize you with water, but among you stands one whom you do not know; although he comes after me, I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal."
This happened in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Commentary
The Third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin word that means Rejoice. We rejoice because the celebration of Christmas is near, and because the one foretold by John the Baptist has come into the world to save us from our sins.
John came to testify to the light. He pointed out the Messiah by his exclamation, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" John was the voice for the Eternal Word of God, announcing His coming through his message of repentance. As this beautiful season continues to unfold, may we open our hearts more and more to the Lord.
 

December 15
Monday

3rd Week of Advent

First Reading: Num 24:2-7, 15-17a

He looked up and saw Israel camping, tribe by tribe;
and the spirit of God came upon him and he uttered his song:
"Word of Balaam, son of Beor, the seer, the one who hears the words of God,
and beholds the vision of the Almighty,
in ecstasy, with eyes unveiled.
How goodly are your tents, Jacob, your encampments, Israel!
Like valleys stretching far,
like gardens beside a stream,
like aloes planted by Yahweh,
like cedars beside the waters.
His buckets are overflowing and his seeds are always watered.
His king becomes stronger than Agag, and his kingdom grows."
Then Balaam pronounced his oracle:
"Word of Balaam, son of Beor, the seer,
the one who hears the words of God,
who has knowledge from the Most High,
and sees the vision of the Almighty,
in ecstasy, with eyes unveiled.
I see a figure, but not really.
I behold him but not near.
A star shall come forth from Jacob,
he rises with a staff in his hand;
he shatters the forehead of Moab
and tears down all the sons of Sheth."
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 25:4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9
Teach me your ways, O Lord.
 

Gospel Reading: Mt 21:23-27
 

Jesus had entered the Temple and was teaching when the chief priests, the teachers of the Law and the Jewish authorities came to him and asked, "What authority have you to act like this? Who gave you authority to do all this?"

Jesus answered them, "I will also ask you a question, only one. And if you give me an answer, then I will tell you by what authority I do these things. When John began to baptize, was it a work of God, or was it merely something human?"

They reasoned out among themselves, "If we reply that it was a work of God, he will say: Why, then, did you not believe him? And if we say: The baptism of John was merely something human, beware of the people; since all hold John as a prophet." So they answered Jesus, "We do not know."

And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what right I do these things."
 

Commentary
The preaching of John the Baptist drew great crowds from Jerusalem, and his activity was well known to the religious authorities. They could not deny the popularity of John's message, nor its implicit criticism of Temple practices. Jesus represented another threat to their authority, so they were determined to trap Him with His own words.
Jesus proved to be elusive to them that day, yet these tensions would continue until the authorities would deliver the Lord over to His death. God's plan for our salvation could only be accomplished through the Lord's perfect sacrifice.

December 16
Tuesday

3rd Week of Advent
 

First Reading: Zep 3:1-2, 9-13

Woe to the rebellious, the defiled, the city that oppresses. She did not pay attention to the call nor accept the correction; she did not trust Yahweh nor did she approach her God.
At that time I will give truthful lips to the pagan nations that all of them may call on the name of Yahweh and serve him with the same zeal. From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia they will bring offerings to me.

On that day you will no longer be ashamed of all your deeds when you were unfaithful to me; I will have removed from your midst the conceited and arrogant and my holy mountain will no longer be for you a pretext for boasting.

I will leave within you a poor and meek people who seek refuge in God. The remnant of Israel will not act unjustly nor will they speak falsely, nor will deceitful words be found in their mouths. They will eat and rest with none to threaten them.
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-18, 19 and 23
The Lord hears the cry of the poor
 

Gospel Reading: Mt 21:28-32
 

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people, "What do you think of this? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said to him: 'Son, today go and work in my vineyard.' And the son answered: 'I don't want to.' But later he thought better of it and went. Then the father went to the second and gave him the same command. This son replied: 'I will go, sir,' but he did not go.

"Which of the two did what the father wanted?" They answered, "The first." And Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you: the publicans and the prostitutes are ahead of you on the way to the kingdom of heaven. For John came to show you the way of goodness but you did not believe him, yet the publicans and the prostitutes did. You were witnesses of this, but you neither repented nor believed him."
 

Commentary
Doing the will of God entails abandoning our plans and preferences to His. The Lord knows what is truly good for us, and He never stops calling us to walk according to His ways. Looking at our lives through the lens of God's Word allows us to see opportunities to reform our lives.
Jesus teaches us how to live. He teaches with words, but above all through His example of utter abandonment to the will of the Father by His sacrificial death on the cross. May His example inspire and assist us in surrendering our will to God.

December 17
Wednesday

3rd Week of Advent
 

First Reading: Gen 49:2, 8-10

"Gather round, sons of Jacob. And listen to your father Israel!
Judah, your brothers will praise you!
You shall seize your enemies by the neck!
Your father's sons shall bow before you.
Judah, a young lion!
You return from the prey, my son!
Like a lion he stoops and crouches,
and like a lioness, who dares to rouse him?
The scepter shall not be taken from Judah,
nor the ruler's staff from between his feet,
until he comes to whom it belongs,
and who has the obedience of the nations."

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 72:1-2, 3-4ab, 7-8, 17
Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
 

Gospel Reading: Mt 1:1-17
 

This is the account of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham.
Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.
Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (their mother was Tamar), Perez was the father of Hezron, and Hezron of Aram. Aram was the father of Aminadab, Aminadab of Nahshon, Nahshon of Salmon.
Salmon was the father of Boaz. His mother was Rahab. Boaz was the father of Obed. His mother was Ruth. Obed was the father of Jesse.
Jesse was the father of David, the king. David was the father of Solomon. His mother had been Uriah's wife.
Solomon was the father of Rehoboam. Then came the kings: Abijah, Asaph, Jehoshaphat, Joram, Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon, Josiah.
Josiah was the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
After the deportation to Babylon Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel and Salathiel of Zerubbabel.
Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud, Abiud of Eliakim, and Eliakim of Azor. Azor was the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, and Akim the father of Eliud. Eliud was the father of Eleazar, Eleazar of Matthan, and Matthan of Jacob.
Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and from her came Jesus who is called the Christ-the Messiah.
There were then fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, and fourteen generations from David to the deportation to Babylon, and fourteen generations from the deportation to Babylon to the birth of Christ.
 

Commentary
The Gospel readings for the last eight days of Advent draw us deeper into the great mystery of the Incarnation and Nativity of our Lord. Today's Gospel recounts the genealogy of the Lord, showing us how the Father's plan can be traced through the history of the people of Israel.
The genealogy of the Lord contains both famous figures from the Bible and characters whose identity is known to God alone. God works through the famous, the obscure and even the infamous in accomplishing His plan for our salvation. He continues to work out His plan through you and me.

December 18
Thursday

3rd Week of Advent
 

First Reading: Jer 23:5-8

Yahweh says, "The day is coming when I will raise up a king who is David's righteous successor. He will rule wisely and govern with justice and righteousness. That will be a grandiose era when Judah will enjoy peace and Israel will live in safety. He will be called Yahweh-our-justice!"
"The days are coming," says Yahweh, "when people shall no longer swear by Yahweh as the living God who freed the people of Israel from the land of Egypt. Rather, they will swear by Yahweh as the living God who restored the descendants of Israel from the northern empire and from all the lands where he had driven them, to live again in their own land!"
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19
Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Gospel Reading: Mt 1:18-25
 

This is how Jesus Christ was born. Mary his mother had been given to Joseph in marriage but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
Then Joseph, her husband, made plans to divorce her in all secrecy. He was an upright man, and in no way did he want to discredit her.
While he was pondering over this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She has conceived by the Holy Spirit, and now she will bear a son. You shall call him 'Jesus' for he will save his people from their sins."
All this happened in order to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: The virgin will conceive and bear a son, and he will be called Emmanuel which means: God-with-us. When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do and he took his wife to his home. So she gave birth to a son and he had not had marital relations with her. Joseph gave him the name of Jesus.

Commentary
St. Joseph braved the skepticism of family and friends in taking the Blessed Mother into his home. He placed his confidence solely upon the message of the angel, and God did not leave him disappointed.
Not a single word of St. Joseph is recorded in the Bible, yet his virtue and holiness makes him a towering figure in the New Testament. His faith gave him the courage to accept God's plan and to offer protection to the Blessed Mother and our Lord. May his intercession help us as we strive to conquer our fears and to live out our faith.
 

December 19
Friday

3rd Week of Advent
 

First Reading: Jdg 13:2-7, 24-25a

There was a man of Zorah of the tribe of Dan, called Manoah. His wife could not bear children. The Angel of Yahweh appeared to this woman and said to her, "You have not borne children and have not given birth, but see, you are to conceive and give birth to a son. Because of this, take care not to take wine or any alcoholic drink, nor to eat unclean foods from now on, for you shall bear a son who shall be a Nazirite of Yahweh from the womb of his mother. Never shall his hair be cut for he is consecrated to Yahweh. He shall begin the liberation of the Israelites from the Philistine oppression."
The woman went to her husband and told him, "A messenger of God who bore the majesty of an angel spoke to me. I did not ask him where he came from nor did he tell me his name.
But he said to me: 'You are to conceive and give birth to a son. Henceforth, you shall not drink wine or fermented drinks, nor eat anything unclean, for your son shall be a Nazirite of God from the womb of his mother until the day of his death'."
The woman gave birth to a son and named him Samson. The boy grew and Yahweh blessed him. Then the Spirit of Yahweh began to move him when he was in Mahane Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17
My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!
 

Gospel Reading: Lk 1:5-25
 

In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there lived a priest named Zechariah, belonging to the priestly clan of Abiah. Elizabeth, Zechariah's wife, also belonged to a priestly family. Both of them were upright in the eyes of God and lived blamelessly in accordance with all the laws and commands of the Lord, but they had no child. Elizabeth could not have any and now they were both very old.
Now, while Zechariah and those with him were fulfilling their office, it fell to him by lot, according to the custom of the priests, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. At the time of offering incense all the people were praying outside; it was then that an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. On seeing the angel, Zechariah was deeply troubled and fear took hold of him.
But the angel said to him, "Don't be afraid, Zechariah, be assured that your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son and you shall name him John. He will bring joy and gladness to you and many will rejoice at his birth.
This son of yours will be great in the eyes of the Lord. Listen: he shall never drink wine or strong drink, but he will be filled with holy spirit even from his mother's womb. Through him many of the people of Israel will turn to the Lord their God. He himself will open the way to the Lord with the spirit and power of the prophet Elijah; he will reconcile fathers and children, and lead the disobedient to wisdom and righteousness, in order to make ready for the Lord a people prepared."
Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I believe this? I am an old man and my wife is elderly, too." The angel replied, "I am Gabriel, who stands before God, and I am the one sent to speak to you and bring you this good news! My words will come true in their time. But you would not believe and now you will be silent and unable to speak until this has happened."
Meanwhile the people waited for Zechariah, and they were surprised that he delayed so long in the sanctuary. When he finally appeared, he could not speak to them and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He remained dumb and made signs to them.
When his time of service was completed, Zechariah returned home and some time later Elizabeth became pregnant. For five months she kept to herself, remaining at home, and thinking, "What is the Lord doing for me! This is his time for mercy and for taking away my public disgrace."

Commentary
The circumstances of the birth of John the Baptist parallel those of the birth of our Lord. Both John and the Lord are conceived miraculously, John through natural means, the Lord through the power of the Holy Spirit. The archangel Gabriel visited both Zechariah and Mary prior to the conception of John and Jesus. Zechariah responded with incredulity and was silenced, Mary responded with faith and immediately proclaimed God's praises. Both John and the Lord would carry out the Father's will, John as the messenger, Jesus as God's Eternal Word.
May we never stop marveling at how God accomplishes His plan for our salvation.

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December 20
Saturday

3rd Week of Advent
 

First Reading: Is 7:10-14

Once again Yahweh addressed Ahaz, "Ask for a sign from Yahweh your God, let it come either from the deepest depths or from the heights of heaven."
But Ahaz answered, "I will not ask, I will not put Yahweh to the test."
Then Isaiah said, "Now listen, descendants of David. Have you not been satisfied trying the patience of people, that you also try the patience of my God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:
"The Virgin is with child and bears a son and calls his name Immanuel."
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.
 

Gospel Reading: Lk 1:26-38
 

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth. He was sent to a young virgin who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
The angel came to her and said, 'Rejoice full of grace, the Lord is with you." Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean.
But the angel said, "Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you. You shall conceive and bear a son and you shall call him Jesus. He will be great and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the kingdom of David, his ancestor; he will rule over the people of Jacob forever and his reign shall have no end.
Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be if I am a virgin?" And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the holy child to be born shall be called Son of God. Even your relative Elizabeth is expecting a son in her old age, although she was unable to have a child, and she is now in her sixth month. With God nothing is impossible."
Then Mary said, "I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said." And the angel left her.

Commentary
With the Annunciation, history is irrevocably changed. The paradise that was lost through the disobedience of our first parents is restored through the obedience of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Our first parents rebelled against God, but Mary accepts His loving plan for our salvation and the course of human history is again set straight.
Mary's word of assent to God's will allowed the Eternal Word to become flesh and dwell among us. Through her intercession may we follow her example and open our hearts to the possibility of being the means by which God's Word will continue to speak today.

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December 21
Sunday

4th Sunday of Advent

First Reading: 2 S 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14, 16

When David, the king, had settled in his palace and Yahweh had rid him of all his surrounding enemies, he said to Nathan the prophet, "Look, I live in a house of cedar but the ark of God is housed in a tent." Nathan replied, "Do as it seems fit to you for Yahweh is with you."
But that very night, Yahweh's word came to Nathan, "Go and tell my servant David, this is what Yahweh says: Are you able to build a house for me to live in?
"Now you will tell my servant David, this is what Yahweh of hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the sheep, to make you commander of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you went, cutting down all your enemies before you. Now I will make your name great as the name of the great ones on earth. I will provide a place for my people Israel and plant them that they may live there in peace. They shall no longer be harassed, nor shall wicked men oppress them as before. From the time when I appointed judges over my people Israel it is only to you that I have given rest from all your enemies. Yahweh also tells you that he will build you a house.
"When the time comes for you to rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your son after you, the one born of you and I will make his reign secure. I will be a father to him and he shall be my son. If he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod, as men do. Your house and your reign shall last forever before me, and your throne shall be forever firm."
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29
Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

Second Reading: Rom 16:25-27
 

Glory to him who is able to give you strength, according to the Good News I proclaim, announcing Christ Jesus.
Now is revealed the mysterious plan kept hidden for long ages in the past.
By the will of the eternal God it is brought to light, through the prophetic books, and all nations shall believe the faith proclaimed to them.
Glory to God, who alone is wise, through Christ Jesus, for ever! Amen.
 

Gospel Reading: Lk 1:26-38
 

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth. He was sent to a young virgin who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
The angel came to her and said, "Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you." Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean.
But the angel said, "Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you. You shall conceive and bear a son and you shall call him Jesus. He will be great and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the kingdom of David, his ancestor; he will rule over the people of Jacob forever and his reign shall have no end."
Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be if I am a virgin?" And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the holy child to be born shall be called Son of God. Even your relative Elizabeth is expecting a son in her old age, although she was unable to have a child, and she is now in her sixth month. With God nothing is impossible."
Then Mary said, "I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said." And the angel left her.

Commentary
All of the angels kept careful watch as Gabriel visited the town of Nazareth. They knew the importance of his mission, yet they also knew that God willed for His great plan to be accomplished through a fragile human being. And human beings didn't always do the right thing.
With Mary's "Yes" did the angels rejoice, for her single word opened the door for the Son of God to enter the world. Through the Blessed Virgin Mary men and women would see the face of God and once again be able to walk with Him and enjoy the peace that this world cannot bring.

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December 22
Monday

4th Week of Advent

First Reading: 1 S 1:24-28

When the child was weaned, Hannah took him with her along with a three-year-old bull, a measure of flour and a flask of wine, and she brought him to Yahweh's house at Shiloh. The child was still young.
After they had slain the bull, they brought the child to Eli. Hannah exclaimed: "Oh, my lord, look! I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to Yahweh. I asked for this child and Yahweh granted me the favor I begged of him. Now, I think, Yahweh is asking for this child. As long as he lives, he belongs to Yahweh."
And they worshiped Yahweh there.
 

Responsorial Psalm:
1S 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd
My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
 

Gospel Reading: Lk 1:46-56
 

And Mary said:
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit exults in God my savior!
He has looked upon his servant in her lowliness, and people forever will call me blessed.
The Mighty One has done great things for me, Holy is his Name!
From age to age his mercy extends to those who live in his presence.
He has acted with power and done wonders, and scattered the proud with their plans.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones and lifted up those who are downtrodden.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
He held out his hand to Israel, his servant, for he remembered his mercy, even as he promised our fathers,
Abraham and his descendants forever."
Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned home.

Commentary
In response to Elizabeth's words of praise, the Blessed Mother redirects all of the glory to the Lord. She sings His praises through the joyful words of the Magnificat, the canticle that is traditionally prayed by the Church every evening.
We do well to imitate Mary's example of offering thanks and praise to God for all of the wonderful things He has done for us, especially in allowing us to share in His life through the infinitely precious gift of His Son. Gratitude and joy go together in God's plan, for one cannot be both grateful and unhappy at the same time.
 

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December 23
Tuesday

4th Week of Advent
John of Kanty

First Reading: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24

Now I am sending my messenger ahead of me to clear the way; then suddenly the Lord for whom you long will enter the sanctuary. The envoy of the covenant which you so greatly desire already comes, says Yahweh of hosts. Who can bear the day of his coming and remain standing when he appears? For he will be like fire in the foundry and like the lye used for bleaching.
He will be as a refiner or a fuller. He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. So Yahweh will have priests who will present the offering as it should be. Then Yahweh will accept with pleasure the offering of Judah and Jerusalem, as in former days.
I am going to send you the prophet Elijah before the day of Yahweh comes, for it will be a great and terrible day. He will reconcile parents with their children, and the children with their parents, so that I may not have to curse this land when I come."

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and 14
Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand.

Gospel Reading: Lk 1:57-66
 

When the time came for Elizabeth, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the merciful Lord had done a wonderful thing for her and they rejoiced with her.
When on the eighth day they came to attend the circumcision of the child, they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, "Not so; he shall be called John." They said to her, "No one in your family has that name"; and they asked the father by means of signs for the name he wanted to give. Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote on it, "His name is John," and they were very surprised. Immediately Zechariah could speak again and his first words were in praise of God.
A holy fear came on all in the neighborhood, and through-out the Hills of Judea the people talked about these events. All who heard of it pondered in their minds and wondered, "What will this child be?" For they understood that the hand of the Lord was with him.

Commentary
Holy fear is a sense of awe and wonder in the presence of the Lord. Zechariah, Elizabeth and the entire neighborhood knew that God had intervened directly in their lives, and they rightly pondered about the meaning of all of these fascinating events.
God continues to act in our lives. He shows us a Father's care by blessing us with His presence and taking an interest in even our smallest affairs. When we consider all that the Lord has done for us we should be moved to holy fear, praising God for all of the magnanimous blessings He has bestowed upon us.
 

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December 24
Wednesday

4th Week of Advent
 

First Reading: 2 S 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16

When the king had settled in his palace and Yahweh had rid him of all his surrounding enemies, he said to Nathan the prophet, "Look, I live in a house of cedar but the ark of God is housed in a tent." Nathan replied, "Do as it seems fit to you for Yahweh is with you."
But that very night, Yahweh's word came to Nathan, "Go and tell my servant David, this is what Yahweh says: Are you able to build a house for me to live in?
Now you will tell my servant David, this is what Yahweh of hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the sheep, to make you commander of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you went, cutting down all your enemies before you. Now I will make your name great as the name of the great ones on earth. I will provide a place for my people Israel and plant them that they may live there in peace. They shall no longer be harassed, nor shall wicked men oppress them as before. From the time when I appointed judges over my people Israel it is only to you that I have given rest from all your enemies. Yahweh also tells you that he will build you a house.
When the time comes for you to rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your son after you, the one born of you and I will make his reign secure. I will be a father to him and he shall be my son. If he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod, as men do. Your house and your reign shall last forever before me, and your throne shall be forever firm."

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29
For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

Gospel Reading: Lk 1:67-79
 

Zechariah, filled with holy spirit, sang this canticle,
"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has come and redeemed his people.
He has raised up for us a victorious Savior
in the house of David his servant,
as he promised through his prophets of old,
salvation from our enemies
and from the hand of our foes.
He has shown mercy to our fathers
and remembered his holy covenant,
the oath he swore to Abraham, our father,
to deliver us from the enemy,
that we might serve him fearlessly
as a holy and righteous people
all the days of our lives.
And you, my child,
shall be called prophet of the Most High,
for you shall go before the Lord
to prepare the way for him
and enable his people to know of their salvation
when he comes to forgive their sins.
This is the work of the mercy of our God,
who comes from on high as a rising sun
shining on those who live in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
and guiding our feet into the way of peace."

Commentary
Zechariah speaks of his son being the prophet who will announce the one "who comes from on high as a rising sun."
The violet and rose colors of Advent are those of the dawn just before sunrise. On this last day of the season we rejoice that the long night of sin and death is ended, and that Jesus Christ, the sun that never sets, has brought into our world light, happiness and peace. The radiance of His love dispels the darkness of our lives and gives us hope of enjoying everlasting life in His presence.
 

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December 25
Thursday

Christmas
 

First Reading: Is 52:7-10

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those
who bring good news,
who herald peace and happiness,
who proclaim salvation
and announce to Zion: "Your God is king!"
Together your watchmen
raise their voices in praise and song;
they see Yahweh face to face returning to Zion.
Break into shouts of joy,
O ruins of Jerusalem,
for Yahweh consoles his people
and redeems Jerusalem.
Yahweh has bared his holy arm
in the eyes of the nations;
all the ends of the earth, in alarm,
will witness God's salvation.
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6
All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

Second Reading: Heb 1:1-6
 

God has spoken in the past to our ancestors through the prophets, in many different ways, although never completely, but in our times he has spoken definitively to us through his Son. He is the one God appointed heir of all things, since through him he unfolded the stages of the world.
He is the radiance of God's Glory and bears the stamp of God's hidden being, so that his powerful word upholds the universe. And after taking away sin, he took his place at the right hand of the divine Majesty in heaven.
 

Gospel Reading: 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 were made through him and without him nothing came to be. Whatever has come to be, found life in him, life which for humans was also light. Light that shines in the dark: light that darkness could not overcome. A man came, sent by God; his name was John. He came to bear witness, as a witness to introduce the Light so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light but a witness to introduce the Light.
For the Light was coming into the world, the true Light that enlightens everyone. He was already in the world and through him the world was made, the very world that did not know him. He came to his own, yet his own people did not receive him; but all who have received him he empowers to become children of God for they believe in his Name.
These are born, but without seed or carnal desire or will of man: they are born of God. And the Word was made flesh; he had his tent pitched among us, and we have seen his Glory, the Glory of the only Son coming from the Father: fullness of truth and loving-kindness.
John bore witness to him openly, saying: This is the one who comes after me, but he is already ahead of me for he was before me. From his fullness we have all received, favor upon favor. For God had given us the Law through Moses, but Truth and Loving-kindness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God-the-Only-Son made him known: the one who is in and with the Father.

Commentary
"Today our Savior is born." These words of St. Leo the Great ring out with great joy in churches across the world this Christmas morning. Today, He is born. We do not celebrate this day as the anniversary of the Lord's birth, but rather as the solemn commemoration of His presence with us this very day.
Today, in Word and Sacrament, the Lord Jesus pitches His tent among us. We see His glory through the eyes of faith, and for that we have every reason to rejoice.
May God bless you and your loved ones with a truly Blessed Christmas.

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December 26
Friday

St. Stephen, First Martyr
 

First Reading: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59

Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. Some persons then came forward, who belonged to the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia and Asia. They argued with Stephen but they could not match the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.
When they heard this reproach, they were enraged and they gnashed their teeth against Stephen. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, fixed his eyes on heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus at God's right hand, so he declared: "I see the heavens open and the Son of Man at the right hand of God."
But they shouted and covered their ears with their hands and rushed together upon him. They brought him out of the city and stoned him, and the witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning him, Stephen prayed saying: "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Gospel Reading: Mt 10:17-22
 

Jesus said to his disciples, "Be on your guard with respect to people, for they will hand you over to their courts and they will flog you in their synagogues. You will be brought to trial before rulers and kings because of me, and so you may witness to them and the pagans.
"But when you are arrested, do not worry about what you are to say and how you are to say it; when the hour comes, you will be given what you are to say. For it is not you who will speak; but it will be the Spirit of your Father in you.
"Brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his child; children will turn against parents and have them put to death. Everyone will hate you because of me, but whoever stands firm to the end will be saved."