Archive for December 23, 2023

4th Sunday of Advent

Posted: December 23, 2023 by CatholicJules in Sunday Reflections
Tags: ,
0

The Mystery Kept Secret: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Fourth Sunday of Advent

Readings:

2 Samuel 7:1–5, 8–11, 16

Psalm 89:2–5, 27, 29

Romans 16:25–27

Luke 1:26–38

What is announced to Mary in today’s Gospel is the revelation of all that the prophets had spoken. It is, as Paul declares in today’s Epistle, the mystery kept secret since before the foundation of the world (see Ephesians 1:9; 3:3–9).

Mary is the virgin prophesied to bear a son of the house of David (see Isaiah 7:13–14). And nearly every word the angel speaks to her today evokes and echoes the long history of salvation recorded in the Bible.

Mary is hailed as the “daughter Jerusalem,” called to rejoice that her king, the Lord God, has come into her midst as a mighty savior (see Zephaniah 3:14–17).

The One whom Mary is to bear will be Son of “the Most High”—an ancient divine title first used to describe the God of the priest-king Melchizedek, who brought out bread and wine to bless Abraham at the dawn of salvation history (see Genesis 14:18–19).

He will fulfill the covenant God makes with His chosen one, David, in today’s First Reading. As we sing in today’s Psalm, He will reign forever as highest of the kings of the earth, and He will call God “my Father.” As Daniel saw the Most High grant everlasting dominion to the Son of Man (see Daniel 4:34–35; 7:14), His kingdom will have no end.

He is to rule over the house of Jacob—the title God used in making His covenant with Israel at Sinai (see Exodus 19:3) and again used in promising that all nations would worship the God of Jacob (see Isaiah 2:1–5).

Jesus has been made known, Paul says today, to bring all nations to the obedience of faith. We are called with Mary today to marvel at all that the Lord has done throughout the ages for our salvation. And we, too, must respond to this annunciation with humble obedience—that His will be done, that our lives be lived according to His word.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: December 23, 2023 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
Tags:
0

Faithful is the Lord our God that He keeps all His promises! In today’s first reading the prophecy of sending the ‘Elijah’ was fulfilled in John. He prepared the way for Jesus and by his call for repentance and the waters of his baptism He turned the hearts of fathers towards their children and the hearts of children towards their fathers.

Have we then prepared the way for Jesus in the hearts of our families, friends, colleagues, even the stranger that we meet? Are we docile and obedient to His soft promptings? Are we steadfast in our convictions for the Lord, just as Elizabeth and Zechariah were in the naming and bringing up their son who was to be dedicated to the Lord our God?

Jesus my Lord, for all that I have failed to do have mercy. O Holy Spirit guide me, that I may lead with integrity and zeal; everyone to my Lord by preparing the way for Him. Amen

Saint John of Kęty pray for us…

________

First reading

Malachi 3:1-4,23-24 ·

Before my day comes, I will send you Elijah my prophet

The Lord God says this: Look, I am going to send my messenger to prepare a way before me. And the Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter his Temple; and the angel of the covenant whom you are longing for, yes, he is coming, says the Lord of Hosts. Who will be able to resist the day of his coming? Who will remain standing when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire and the fullers’ alkali. He will take his seat as refiner and purifier; he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and then they will make the offering to the Lord as it should be made. The offering of Judah and Jerusalem will then be welcomed by the Lord as in former days, as in the years of old.

    Know that I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before my day comes, that great and terrible day. He shall turn the hearts of fathers towards their children and the hearts of children towards their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a curse.

________

Gospel

Luke 1:57-66

‘His name is John’

The time came for Elizabeth to have her child, and she gave birth to a son; and when her neighbours and relations heard that the Lord had shown her so great a kindness, they shared her joy.

    Now on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother spoke up. ‘No,’ she said ‘he is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘But no one in your family has that name’, and made signs to his father to find out what he wanted him called. The father asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And they were all astonished. At that instant his power of speech returned and he spoke and praised God. All their neighbours were filled with awe and the whole affair was talked about throughout the hill country of Judaea. All those who heard of it treasured it in their hearts. ‘What will this child turn out to be?’ they wondered. And indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.