December 14, 2014: 3rd Sunday of Advent
- 'Plants' pin: As the earth brings forth its plants, so will the Lord make justice spring up (1st reading)
- 'Kneeling person' tie bar: Pray without ceasing (2nd reading)
- 'Peace sign' tie bar: May the God of peace make you holy and blameless (2nd reading)
- Blue shirt: "I baptize with water" (gospel)
- Sandals (worn but not shown): I'm not worthy to untie the sandal strap of the one coming after me (gospel)
- 'Roses' tie: rose color for Gaudete Sunday
- Purple in suspenders: Advent season
- You have anointed me (formerly He has anointed me)/ Balhoff, Daigle, Ducote (1st reading)
- Comfort, comfort, O my people/ Olearius tr. Winkworth (lyrics+) (gospel)
- Hark! A thrilling voice is sounding/ tr. Caswall (lyrics+) (gospel)
- Behold the Lamb of God, from Messiah/ Handel (gospel)
- Behold the Lamb of God/ Dufford (gospel)
- There's a voice in the wilderness crying/ Milligan; Andersen setting (lyrics+)
Magnificat settings (for gospel canticle)Pope Francis Angelus
Prayer is the breath of the soul. Find moments throughout the day to open the heart to God, even with short and simple prayers.
Read
- Is 61:1-2a, 10-11 The spirit of the Lord is upon me; the Lord has sent me to bring glad tidings, heal, proclaim liberty, and to announce the Lord's favor. I rejoice in the Lord; for he has clothed me with salvation and justice. The Lord will make justice and praise spring up.
- Lk 1:46-50, 53-54 "My soul rejoices in my God." He has looked on his servant. All will call me blessed: he has done great things for me. He has mercy, fills the hungry, and helps Israel.
- 1 Thes 5:16-24 Rejoice, pray, and give thanks. Don't quench the Spirit or despise prophecies. Test everything; retain what's good. Refrain from evil. May God make you holy and preserve you blameless for Christ's coming. He who calls you is faithful and will do it.
- Jn 1:6-8, 19-28 God sent John to testify to the light, so all might believe. “I'm not the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet but the voice crying out, ‘make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah said. I baptize with water, but I'm not worthy to untie the sandal strap of the one coming after me.”
Reflect
- Creighton: 'Gaudete' Sunday = 'Rejoice' Sunday, from all the 'Rejoice's in the readings and prayers. "I rejoice in the Lord; he's clothed me with salvation and justice." We're the poor receiving glad tidings, the captives offered liberty. We may not rejoice if our sense of isolation distracts us. Accept God's healing and love and bring it to the poor, brokenhearted, and captives; Christian joy comes from what Jesus promised us. After suffering, the Lord will come. Rejoice, recognizing Jesus in our presence, healing us in our 'unlovable' places.
- One Bread One Body: 'Gaudete' Sunday = 'Rejoice' Sunday." Christ is coming soon! Rejoice despite sorrowful circumstances; we're "in the Lord." We write you so our joy may be complete.
- Passionist: How shall I prepare the way of Jesus today, "testifying to the light," sharing what God has done for us? May I follow John's example and herald the Messiah's presence.
- DailyScripture.net: Every 50 years Israel celebrated a Jubilee Year of remembering God's favor. Isaiah: in a Jubilee Year God will send his anointed and bring his people back from exile, bringing good news of freedom. When John announced the Messiah's coming, leaders questioned his authority. John was the last Old Testament prophet and first New Testament witness, heralding Jesus, announcing his mission, seeing our redemption from afar. Do I recognize who I am in Christ? Great prophet John lived as God's humble and faithful servant, pointed others to Jesus. The Church has given him names like Witness of the Lord, Trumpet of Heaven, Herald of Christ, Voice of the Word, Precursor of Truth, Friend of the Bridegroom, Crown of Prophets, Forerunner of the Redeemer, Preparer of Salvation, Light of Martyrs, and Servant of the Word. Do I point others to Christ by my example?
- Universalis: If not trumped by Sunday: St. John of the Cross, Carmelite reformer, great poet, Church Doctor. Read his works online; see Catholic Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
- SSJ-TOSF online Advent retreat: Jesus went to the desert to prepare for his ministry. St. Francis prayed in caves, on islands, in forests, and in a pit, but said our bodies were the real places of prayer. The 'cave' is within us because the Trinity is in us. Prayer deepens us in our relationship with God, but also strengthens us to live in peace and joy and so build up the Body of Christ. Make 'cave time' this week.
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