Category: Advent

Mercy Me!

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Advent, Catholic

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Readings: IS 45:6C-8, 18, 21C-25; PS 85:9AB AND 10, 11-12, 13-14; LK 7:18B-23
Notes: The LORD our God LIMITS the effects of our mistakes and MAXIMIZES the effects of our good works.

Because as the perfect Father, that’s what you do.

I love you, Lord!

Today is a splendid mix of the mercy of God and in celebrating John of the Cross our calling to be just like him!

A set of some of my favorite scriptural quotes on mercy:

Know, then, that the LORD, your God, is God: the faithful God who keeps covenant mercy to the thousandth generation toward those who love him and keep his commandments (Deut 7:9).

For I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God, inflicting punishment for their ancestors’ wickedness on the children of those who hate me, down to the third and fourth generation; but showing love down to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments (Ex 20:5b-6).

Franciscan Understanding of John of the Cross

Uniquely and strongly John underlines the gospel paradox: The cross leads to resurrection, agony to ecstasy, darkness to light, abandonment to possession, denial to self to union with God. If you want to save your life, you must lose it. John is truly “of the Cross.” He died at 49—a life short, but full.

Reflection

In his life and writings, John of the Cross has a crucial word for us today. We tend to be rich, soft, comfortable. We shrink even from words like self-denial, mortification, purification, asceticism, discipline. We run from the cross. John’s message—like the gospel—is loud and clear: Don’t—if you really want to live!

Saint John of the Cross

First reading
I am the LORD, there is no other; I form the light, and create the darkness, I make well-being and create woe; I, the LORD, do all these things. Let justice descend, O heavens, like dew from above, like gentle rain let the skies drop it down. Let the earth open and salvation bud forth; let justice also spring up! I, the LORD, have created this.

Responsorial Psalm
Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.

Alleluia Verse
Raise your voice and tell the Good News: Behold, the Lord GOD comes with power.

Gospel Portion
“Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”

“Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.

Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise. (LK 10:37)”

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Which of the two did his father’s will?

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Advent, Catholic

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr
Readings: ZEP 3:1-2, 9-13; PS 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-18, 19 AND 23; MT 21:28-32
Notes: Today’s gospel portion is taken from the series of three parables in Matthew that consider the difference between what we say and what we do.

  • The Parable of the Two Sons – Saying Yes instead of Doing Yes.
  • The Parable of the Tenants – Taking responsibility and instead seizing ownership.
  • The Parable of the Wedding Feast – Being invited and refusing to come.

These are the things within our power.

  1. Doing YES.
  2. Taking proper responsibility for the kingdom.
  3. Accepting the gracious invitation to the wedding feast of the Lord.

This is the Father’s will.

Do not be afraid.

The Lord provides the strength, the wisdom and the power to do right and resist wrong.
He knows:

The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Come, O Lord, do not delay; forgive the sins of your people.

Reflection

If you are a little girl named Lucy, you need not bite your tongue in disappointment. Your patron is a genuine authentic heroine, first class, an abiding inspiration for you and for all Christians. The moral courage of the young Sicilian martyr shines forth as a guiding light, just as bright for today’s youth as it was in A.D. 304. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-lucy/

First reading
Who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD: the remnant of Israel. They shall do no wrong and speak no lies; Nor shall there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue; They shall pasture and couch their flocks with none to disturb them.

Responsorial Psalm
The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

Alleluia Verse
Come, O Lord, do not delay; forgive the sins of your people.

Gospel Portion
The Parable of the Two Sons.

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “What is your opinion?
Which of the two did his father’s will?

Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you [instead of you].

When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.

  • Believe!
  • Change your mind.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Faith Heroes

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Advent, Catholic

Greetings on this the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Readings: ZEC 2:14-17; JUDITH 13:18BCDE, 19; LK 1:26-38
Notes: The praise of Judith is a prefiguring of the work and praises of the Blessed Mother.

  • Judith Beheads Holofernes.
  • Judith and Her Maid Return to Bethulia.
  • Judith Displays the Head of Holofernes.

All the people were greatly astonished. They bowed down and worshiped God, saying with one accord, “Blessed are you, our God, who today have humiliated the enemies of your people.” Then Uzziah said to her, “Blessed are you, daughter, by the Most High God, above all the women on earth; and blessed be the Lord God, the creator of heaven and earth, who guided your blow at the head of the leader of our enemies. Your deed of hope will never be forgotten by those who recall the might of God. May God make this redound to your everlasting honor, rewarding you with blessings, because you risked your life when our people were being oppressed, and you averted our disaster, walking in the straight path before our God.” And all the people answered, “Amen! Amen! (Jud 13:17-20).

Reflection

Mary’s appearance to Juan Diego as one of his people is a powerful reminder that Mary—and the God who sent her—accept all peoples. In the context of the sometimes rude and cruel treatment of the Indians by the Spaniards, the apparition was a rebuke to the Spaniards and an event of vast significance for the indigenous population. While a number of them had converted before this incident, they now came in droves. According to a contemporary chronicler, nine million Indians became Catholic in a very short time. In these days when we hear so much about God’s preferential option for the poor, Our Lady of Guadalupe cries out to us that God’s love for and identification with the poor is an age-old truth that stems from the Gospel itself.

Franciscanmedia: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/our-lady-of-guadalupe/

First reading
Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the LORD.

Responsorial Psalm
You are the highest honor of our race.

Alleluia Verse
Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise; from you rose the sun of justice, Christ our God.

Gospel Portion
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed (LK 1:48).

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

It is much easier to read about heroes than to be one

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Advent, Catholic

Greetings on this the Third Sunday of Advent
Readings: Is 35:1-6a, 10; Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10.; Jas 5:7-10; Mt 11:2-11
Notes: The homily at the 4PM Mass is distinctly different from the 11:00 AM Mass tomorrow. That is because of the intimate relationship between the readings this morning and this afternoon. I will only post one.

Saturday reflection helps us understand Sunday’s homily: https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2022/12/10/praise-of-israels-great-ancestors/

Jesus is inviting the people to finish the Praise of Israel’s Great Ancestors by adding a new and final entry: Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, … Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist.

John the Baptist is the final Prophet of the Old Testament and the Initiator of the new. He can be thought of much like Samuel is the bridge between the Period of the Judges and the Period of the Monarchs.

Gaudete Sunday (Rejoice!) is the third Sunday of Advent in the liturgical calendar of Western Christianity, including the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, Lutheran Churches, and other mainline Protestant churches (Wiki).

Rejoice!!

In our gospel portion today, John’s facing near certain death for his preaching.
Jesus reminds him that the oral tradition of remembering all those who served the Lord and all the wonders of God’s love is the best way to encounter the difficulties of the day. Maybe John did not imagine his role as like Elijah’s (quite an honor wouldn’t you say, to be known as such?). Maybe even if he knew he expected the reality on the ground to be more pleasant. It is much easier to read about heroes than to be one.

Be reassured that all you do for the kingdom is for the good of humanity!

It is not a waste:

  • to pray
  • to heal
  • to preach
  • to give alms
  • to fast
  • to help the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them!

It is the work of the Divine One you participate in!

Rejoice!!

First reading
Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; they will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee.

Responsorial Psalm
Lord, come and save us.

Second reading
Be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You too must be patient.

Alleluia Verse
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.

Gospel Portion
When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Deal with the Devil

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Advent, Catholic, Justice

Pastor testifies on the reason evangelicals support Republicans: We “made a deal with the devil”

“From that point on that community that I had served, and still do, made a deal with the devil,” he said. “That deal was, we would support everything on the conservative agenda, whether or not we had conscientious conflict with them. The means were justified by the ends of that.”


“That deal was, we would support everything on the conservative agenda,” says Rev. Robert Schenck
By BRAD REED PUBLISHED DECEMBER 9, 2022 12:30PM (EST)

Article details here: https://www.salon.com/2022/12/09/pastor-testifies-on-the-reason-evangelicals-support-we-made-a-deal-with-the-devil_partner/

Testimony of Reverend Schenck

Video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/IA9VjIeuPkA

The Temptation of Jesus.

Filled with the holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’” Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to him, “I shall give to you all this power and their glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.’” Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ and: ‘With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, ‘You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.’” When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time (LK 4:1-13).

Commentary

In the ordinary reading of the temptations of Jesus in the desert, most commentators talk in terms of Jesus’ needs and wants. It makes sense as this is how we think.

  1. He was hungry.
  2. He needed power to do his work.
  3. He needed someone to watch his back.

The devil offered all these things.

The devil offered the fast and easy path: I will do it for you. At a price.

Jesus replies:

  1. The Lord is my nurishment.
  2. My work is enpowered by the Lord not man or devil.
  3. The Lord has my back.

Jesus in popular language:

  1. I don’t need your deal.
  2. I don’t need shortcuts.
  3. I don’t need to use ‘the ends justify the means.’

The Anti-abortion movement made abortion the god of their faith. It made the sin (and virtue) of higher importance than relation and divine life. A grave error in judgement.

I am glad this Evangelical Pastor confessed is his sin.

Waiting for the Catholic Church to do the same.

Salvation is hard work, prayer and fasting. Truth and compassion.

Not the work of a boiler room.

Peace be with you,

Deacon Gerry

Praise of Israel’s Great Ancestors

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Advent, Catholic

Greetings on this the Saturday of the Second Week of Advent
Readings: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; PS 80:2ac and 3b, 15-16, 18-19; Mt 17:9a, 10-13
Notes: Today’s readings are a tribute to John the Baptist, the returning of Elijah. The Book of Sirach contains the eulogy of the heroes of Israel. John is the last entry of the tribute now. In the Age of the Church, a new list forms of those heroes that profess Christ and the Message of Salvation.

Praise of Israel’s Great Ancestors

  • ENOCH walked with the LORD and was taken.
  • NOAH, found just and perfect, renewed the race in the time of devastation.
  • ABRAHAM, father of many peoples, kept his glory without stain.
  • ISAAC, too, he renewed the same promise because of Abraham, his father.
  • Blessing rested upon the head of ISRAEL. God acknowledged him as the firstborn, and gave him his inheritance.
  • Dear to God and human beings, MOSES, whose memory is a blessing. That he might teach his precepts to Jacob, his judgments and decrees to Israel.
  • Like Moses in holiness, His brother AARON, of the tribe of Levi.
  • PHINEHAS too, the son of Eleazar.
  • For even his covenant with David, the son of Jesse of the tribe of Judah.
  • Valiant warrior was JOSHUA, son of Nun.
  • CALEB, son of Jephunneh, when they opposed the rebel assembly.
  • The JUDGES, each one of them, whose hearts were not deceived.
  • As one consecrated to the LORD in the prophetic office, was SAMUEL, the judge who offered sacrifice.
  • After him came NATHAN who served in David’s presence.
  • Like the choice fat of sacred offerings, so was DAVID in Israel.
  • SOLOMON reigned during an era of peace, for God brought rest to all his borders. He built a house to the name of God, and established a lasting sanctuary.
  • Rehoboam and Jeroboam – Broad in folly, narrow in sense, whose policy made the people rebel. Then arose the one who should not be remembered, the sinner who led Israel into sin.
  • Elijah – Until like fire a prophet appeared, his words a flaming furnace.
    • Shut up the heavens
    • Three times brought down fire.
    • Dead body back to life
    • Kings to destruction
    • Saved nobels from their sick bed
    • Made avenging justice.
    • Aloft in a whirlwind
    • To come to put an end to wrath before the day of the Lord
  • and Elisha filled with his spirit. Even after death marvelous deeds.
  • But Judah remained, a tiny people, with its ruler from the house of David.
  • HEZEKIAH fortified his city and had water brought into it.
  • Isaiah, who saw truth in visions. In his lifetime he turned back the sun and prolonged the life of the king.
  • The name JOSIAH is like blended incense, made lasting by a skilled perfumer.
  • As foretold by JEREMIAH. They mistreated him who even in the womb had been made a prophet.
  • EZEKIEL beheld a vision and described the different creatures of the chariot.
  • He also referred to JOB, who always persevered in the right path.
  • Then, too, the TWELVE PROPHETS— may their bones flourish with new life where they lie!
  • How to extol ZERUBBABEL? He was like a signet ring on the right hand.
  • And JESHUA, Jozadak’s son? In their time they rebuilt the altar and erected the holy temple, destined for everlasting glory.
  • Exalted be the memory of NEHEMIAH! He rebuilt our ruined walls, Restored our shattered defenses, and set up gates and bars.
  • Early Patriarchs: Few on earth have been created like ENOCH; he also was taken up bodily. Was ever a man born like JOSEPH? Even his dead body was provided for. Glorious, too, were SHEM and SETH and ENOSH; but beyond that of any living being was the splendor of ADAM.
  • Greatest of his family, the glory of his people, was SIMEON the priest, son of Jochanan, In whose time the house of God was renovated, in whose days the temple was reinforced.

And now we add John the Baptist to this exalted list of Praise of Israel’s Great Ancestors.

Happy those who meditate upon these things; wise those who take them to heart! If they put them into practice, they can cope with anything, for the fear of the LORD is their lamp (Sir 50:28-29).

The Sunday gospel portion reveals the great moment of crisis for John as he sits in prison awaiting his unjust judgment by King Herod Antipas.

Father Duffy has a nice reflection for Gaudette Sunday: https://www.fatherduffy.com/on-joy/

First reading
I already gave you this above 🙂

Responsorial Psalm
Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Alleluia Verse
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: All flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Gospel Portion
As they were coming down from the mountain, the disciples asked Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Blessed are the Meek

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Advent, Catholic, Grief, Justice

Greetings on this the Optional Memorial of Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin
Readings: 1 Cor 1:26-31; Ps 131:1bcde, 2, 3; Mt 11:25-30
Notes: One man, in faith, through the Blessed Mother, in the power of Jesus, changed the world.

But the poor will inherit the earth, will delight in great prosperity (PS 37:11).

The first indigenous Saint of the American Continent.
Among the thousands present for the event were members of Mexico’s 64 indigenous groups.

Excerpt from the Canonization

“The Guadalupe Event”, as the Mexican Episcopate has pointed out, “meant the beginning of evangelization with a vitality that surpassed all expectations. Christ’s message, through his Mother, took up the central elements of the indigenous culture, purified them and gave them the definitive sense of salvation” (14 May 2002, No. 8). Consequently Guadalupe and Juan Diego have a deep ecclesial and missionary meaning and are a model of perfectly inculturated evangelization.

Happy Juan Diego, true and faithful man! We entrust to you our lay brothers and sisters so that, feeling the call to holiness, they may imbue every area of social life with the spirit of the Gospel. Bless families, strengthen spouses in their marriage, sustain the efforts of parents to give their children a Christian upbringing. Look with favour upon the pain of those who are suffering in body or in spirit, on those afflicted by poverty, loneliness, marginalization or ignorance. May all people, civic leaders and ordinary citizens, always act in accordance with the demands of justice and with respect for the dignity of each person, so that in this way peace may be reinforced.

Beloved Juan Diego, “the talking eagle”! Show us the way that leads to the “Dark Virgin” of Tepeyac, that she may receive us in the depths of her heart, for she is the loving, compassionate Mother who guides us to the true God. Amen.

Source: https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/media/articles/canonization-of-juan-diego/

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12.

Reflection

God counted on Juan Diego to play a humble, yet huge role in bringing the Good News to the peoples of Mexico. Overcoming his own fear and the doubts of Bishop Juan de Zumarraga, Juan Diego cooperated with God’s grace in showing his people that the Good News of Jesus is for everyone. Pope John Paul II used the occasion of Juan Diego’s beatification to urge Mexican lay people to assume their responsibilities for passing on the Good News and witnessing to it.

Source: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-juan-diego/

First reading
No human being [should] boast before God.
Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.
Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters.

We are:

  • Not wise by human standards
  • not noble birth
  • weak
  • lowly
  • despised
  • count for nothing

It is in God:

  • Due to him that you are in Christ Jesus.
  • [Jesus is our] wisdom from God,
  • As well as [our]:
  • righteousness,
  • sanctification,
  • and redemption.

Responsorial Psalm
In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor are my eyes haughty; I busy not myself with great things, nor with things too sublime for me.

Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child. Like a weaned child on its mother’s lap, so is my soul within me.

O Israel, hope in the LORD, both now and forever.

Alleluia Verse
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

Gospel Portion
At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

I hid myself

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Advent, Catholic

Greetings on this the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Readings: Gn 3:9-15, 20; PS 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk 1:26-38
Notes: Hiding is usually not a good thing.

Hiding from God.
Hiding from your parents/spouse/children.
Hiding from yourself.

I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid (Gen 3:10).

  • Divine Naked: open and unguarded. Innocent.
  • Derivative Naked: unprotected, exposed, uncovered. At risk.

Which nakedness did the snake want them to know, the divine or the derivative?

  1. In the course of the different epochs, beginning with antiquity—and especially in the great epoch of classical Greek art—there are works of art, whose theme is the human body in its nakedness, and whose contemplation allows us to concentrate, in a certain sense, on the total truth of man, on the dignity and beauty — even that “suprasensual” — of his masculinity and femininity. These works have in themselves, as if hidden, an element of sublimation, which leads the viewer, through the body, to the whole personal mystery of man. In contact with these works, where we do not feel led by their content towards the “look to desire”, of which the Sermon on the Mount speaks, we learn, in a certain sense, that spousal meaning of the body, which corresponds to and is the measure of “purity of heart” (JOHN PAUL II, GENERAL AUDIENCE, Wednesday, 6 May 1981).

Then they hid from God, who came searching for them. He gave them the opportunity to confess and take responsibility for their sin, which they did not do; instead, they blamed each other (Sophia Press).

The Blessed Mother reverses the mistakes of Eve.

Reference used: Behold Your Mother: Helping Students Grow in Their Devotion to Our Lady
ISBN: 978-1-64413-074-2. I recommend their scholarship for catechetical teachers.

I pinched an image from their book for the intro.

Borrowing from 3rd Advent and John’s self-doubt, focus on the divine nakedness. Do not allow the derivative nakedness cause you to stumble. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me (Matt 11:6).

First reading
After the man, Adam, had eaten of the tree, the LORD God called to the man and asked him, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself.” Then he asked, “Who told you that you were naked? You have eaten, then, from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!”

The man replied, “The woman whom you put here with me she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it.”

The woman answered, “The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it.”

Responsorial Psalm
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.

Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm.

The LORD has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel.

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise.

Second reading
Brothers and sisters: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved.

Alleluia Verse
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women.

Gospel Portion
And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Mary was naked.
Naked: open and unguarded. Innocent.
She did not hide from the love that overshadows.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Come to me

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Advent, Catholic

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Readings: Is 40:25-31; PS 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 and 10; Mt 11:28-30
Notes: “Come to me” is an invitation.

In today’s gospel portion Jesus offers the answer to our deepest desires by simply walking with him.

Come to Me, a Poem

Come to me.
I know your hard work and burdens.
Come to me and rest.

Come to me.
Feel my warmth and breath upon you.
Learn from my hands, side by side.

Come to me.
Without fear of me, without fear of yourself.
I am quiet and gentle.

Come to me.
I am not interested in my importance.
How important you are to me!

Come to me.
I lead you in my peaceful ways.
I burden you in love, with love, for love.

Come to me.

“Which is the way to good?” and walk it; thus you will find rest for yourselves (Jer 6:16).

Reflection

Ambrose exemplifies for us the truly catholic character of Christianity. He is a man steeped in the learning, law, and culture of the ancients and of his contemporaries. Yet, in the midst of active involvement in this world, this thought runs through Ambrose’s life and preaching: The hidden meaning of the Scriptures calls our spirit to rise to another world.

Source https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-ambrose/

First reading
They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.

Responsorial Psalm
O bless the Lord, my soul!

Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

Alleluia Verse
Behold, the Lord comes to save his people; blessed are those prepared to meet him.

Gospel Portion
The Gentle Mastery of Christ.

Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry