Archive for December 21, 2013

December 22nd 2013 – Fourth Sunday of Advent

Posted: December 21, 2013 by CatholicJules in Sunday Reflections
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Sunday Bible Reflections with Dr. Scott Hahn

December 22nd 2013 – Fourth Sunday of Advent

God Is With Us

Readings:
Isaiah 7:10-14
Psalm 24:1-6
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-24

The mystery kept secret for long ages, promised through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, is today revealed (see Romans 16:25-26).

This is the “Gospel of God” that Paul celebrates in today’s Epistle – the good news that “God is with us” in Jesus Christ. The sign promised to the House of David in today’s First Reading is given in today’s Gospel. In the virgin found with child, God himself has brought to Israel a savior from David’s royal line (see Acts 13:22-23).

Son of David according to the flesh, Jesus is the Son of God, born of the Spirit. He will be anointed with the Spirit (see Acts 10:38), and by the power of Spirit will be raised from the dead and established at God’s right hand in the heavens (see Acts 2:33-34; Ephesians 1:20-21).

He is the “King of Glory” we sing of in today’s Psalm. The earth in its fullness has been given to Him. And as God swore long ago to David, His Kingdom will have no end (see Psalm 89:4-5).

In Jesus Christ we have a new creation. Like the creation of the world, it is a work of the Spirit, a blessing from the Lord (see Genesis 1:2). In Him, we are saved from our sins, are called now “the beloved of God.”

All nations now are called to belong to Jesus Christ, to enter into the House of David and Kingdom of God, the Church. Together, through the obedience of faith, we have been made a new race – a royal people that seeks for the face of the God of Jacob.

He has made our hearts clean, made us worthy to enter His holy place, to stand in His presence and serve Him.

In the Eucharist, the everlasting covenant is renewed, the Advent promise of virgin with child – God with us – continues until the end of the age (see Matthew 28:20; Ezekiel 37:24-28).

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: December 21, 2013 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Thank You Jesus for giving us Your Mother. She is so loving, so understanding, so kind. Upon receiving the Good News, she is the first to share it and to be there to help for her aged cousin who was to bear St John the Baptist. Filled with the Holy Spirit, her greeting brought Your peace, love and such joy.

By her example which is most pleasing to God, may we put others before self. May we always and everwhere give thanks and praise to God our heavenly Father by both our word and deeds. May we always stand ready and prepared to give answer for the reason for our hope, peace and joy to be found in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

FIRST READING
Zephaniah 3:14–18a

GOSPEL
Luke 1:39–45

Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”