December 4, 2017

Dec. 4

December 4, 2017:  Monday, 1st week, Advent

  • 'Alps' pin:  "Come, let us climb the Lord's mountain..." (1st reading)
  • 'Walker' tie pin:  "...that we may walk in his paths" (1st reading)
  • 'Fire' pin:  The Lord will create a light of flaming fire (1st reading)
  • 'Blood drop' pin:  The Lord will purge Jerusalem’s blood (1st reading)
  • 'Feet' pin:  We've set foot within your gates (psalm)
  • 'Peace sign' tie bar:  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! (psalm)
  • 'Doctor's office' tie:  Jesus healed centurion's servant (gospel)
  • 'Silverware' tie bar:  "Many will recline at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven" (gospel)
  • Purple shirt and suspenders:  Advent season
Listen
For Psalm 122
Pope Francis December prayer intention

A people that doesn't treat grandparents well has no future!  The elderly are entrusted with responsibility to transmit history and life experience.  Pray for our elders, so they may with wisdom collaborate in the education of new generations.

Read

  • Is 4:2-6  The branch of the Lord will be luster and glory, the fruit of the earth honor and splendor.  Those who remain in Zion will be called holy, everyone marked for life.  When the Lord purges Jerusalem’s blood with searing judgment, he'll create a smoking cloud by day and flaming fire by night.  His glory will be shelter and protection for all....
  • Ps 122:1-9  "Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord."  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
  • Mt 8:5-11  Centurion / Jesus:  “My servant is home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.” / “I'll come and cure him.” / “I'm not worthy to have you enter; just say the word and he'll be healed, just as soldiers do what I say.” / “In no one in Israel have I found such faith.  Many will come and recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the Kingdom.”
Reflect

  • Creighton:  Today’s 1st reading foreshadows Jesus' coming:  Isaiah describes a "safe haven," a home on the highest mountain. To reach it, we must follow God's directions.  How open are we to God's directions?  May we learn from others who live out the gospel, models of faith for us....
  • One Bread, One Body:  "The Word for Advent":  As you begin Advent and your preparations for Christ's Christmas coming, receive and share God's Word.  If each of us does our part, the Lord's promise will be fulfilled:  "One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.  Let us walk in the Lord's light," messengers of God's Word.
    Jesus healing the servant of a Centurion/ Veronese
  • Passionist:  "Beyond the beauty of Advent and Christmas":  Though our Christmas season this year goes to Jan. 8, around us the Christmas milieu, and spirit, abruptly ends on Dec. 26.  From today's gospel:  “Not everyone who says, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom; only those who do my Father's will.”  Is our Christmas caroling like crying out “Lord, Lord” without an ongoing effort to do God’s will?  God’s will is that we live together in peace, with love, concern, patience, and acceptance for each other.  God wants this all the time, not just when we're in the mood.  During Advent let's reflect on how we treat others and get serious about putting our faith and love into practice, praying God will be present to us and help us live as his children.  If we change our hearts and actions, we can experience Christmas all year.
    • DailyScripture.net:  "Many will sit at table in God's kingdom":  God invites everyone who will turn to him with faith and obedience.  Jesus promised that everyone who believed in him would feast at his Father's table; he said it in response to a centurion, an outsider despised by many, not one of the "chosen."  The Romans represented everything the Jews stood against:  foreign domination, pagan beliefs and practices....  This centurion was courageous and faith-filled; in seeking Jesus' help, he risked ridicule and mockery, but he approached with confidence and humility.  Slaves were usually treated as animals, but he loved his slave and wanted Jesus to heal him.  Am I willing to suffer ridicule in practicing my faith?  Do I approach the Lord with faith?
    Isaiah foretold a time of restoration and universal peace.  Jesus fulfills this prophecy by restoring Jews and Gentiles to friendship with God through his victory on the cross.  When he returns, he'll fully establish peace and justice and unite all things in himself.  His promise extends to all who believe in him.  The Lord wants us to seek him and his kingdom in our lives. We can approach him with faith, like the centurion did, knowing he'll show us mercy and give us help.
    Posted by at

    No comments:

    Post a Comment

    Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)