Born of Faith

Greetings on this the Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent
Readings: JGS 13:2-7, 24-25A; PS 71:3-4A, 5-6AB, 16-17; LK 1:5-25
Notes: This week is an exciting week! Today is an exciting day!

Day – Today I post my 1,000 post on this blog.

• 1,000 Blog entries.
• 2,602 Images mostly of nature areas, pilgrimages, Churches and others.
• 195 Short Stories or Teachings in PDF format.
• 3 Audio files.
• 14 Videos.
• End of year stats in January they aren’t very impressive. I have a core group of readers (thank you) and my need to write before preaching is a constant impetus to write and improve my calling well.

Week – The 4th Week of Advent is a rare 7 days long. We encounter the scriptures in a unique way in this time.

This week is about Righteous Men and Women.
Those who want to follow the Lord perfectly but need help doing so.

Dream holy dreams, my friends.

With the exception of Mary, without sin, each finds their way forward incrementally trusting the Lord.
So should you.

First reading
The Birth of Samson.
Worthy of a complete read if you have the time: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/judges/13?1

An angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, “Though you are barren and have had no children, yet you will conceive and bear a son.

The woman bore a son and named him Samson. The boy grew up and the LORD blessed him; the Spirit of the LORD stirred him.

Responsorial Psalm
My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!

Alleluia Verse
O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay!

Gospel Portion
Of Zechariah and Elizabeth
(for those of you who listened to me preach yesterday, you recall the righteous man Joseph, who was open to the inspiration of God and listened to his divine correction. Both righteous. Both open. Joseph trusted the Lord more than Zechariah. Zechariah needed a little more help than Joseph did.

Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years.

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.

And the angel said to him in reply, “I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.

Nothing is impossible for the Lord. Infertility since ages past is a most heartbreaking of situations. It is but a feather to the Lord.

Trust

• Manoah and his wife.
• Zechariah and Elizabeth
• Joseph and Mary.

Wonder

• Samson.
• John.
• Jesus.

Born of faith, all.

You! You can trust the Lord, too.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry