Second Advent
Category: Advent
Search and Rescue – Cry out!
Greetings on this the Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent
Readings: Is 40:1-11; Ps 96:1-2, 3 and 10ac, 11-12, 13; Mt 18:12-14
Notes: Cry out!
- Cry out! So, they can find you – to the one who searches!
- Cry out! So, the lost can hear you – to the one who is lost!
- Speak tenderly, always, and cry out!
In today’s Old Testament portion, we see the necessity to cry out!
A voice cries out:
In the desert prepare the way of the LORD!
A voice says, “Cry out!” I answer, “What shall I cry out?”
All flesh is grass, and all their glory like the flower of the field.
Cry out at the top of your voice:
Jerusalem, herald of good news!
Fear not to cry out and say to the cities of Judah:
Here is your God! Here comes with power the Lord GOD.
Our community services of police and fire rescue are gems of the common life.
Anyone who has suffered an accident, crime, fire or medical emergency can attest to this wonderful service.
It wasn’t always this way.
In the not-so-distant past, fire brigades were ‘for hire’ and demanded payment at the curb before rendering aid. Policing was a service for the wealthy and powerful and not for the tranquility of common life.
See History of firefighting. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_firefighting
See Law enforcement in the United States https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_enforcement_in_the_United_States#History
We clearly have made progress.
The Lord is always on a Search and Rescue mission.
Without charge and completely based in love, He scans the world and all souls for any in trouble and needing of divine aid. And he renders aid without charge and with great tenderness.
First reading
Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated; Indeed, she has received from the hand of the LORD double for all her sins.
Responsorial Psalm
The Lord our God comes with power.
Alleluia Verse
The day of the Lord is near; Behold, he comes to save us.
Gospel Portion
Jesus said to his disciples: “What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.”
- Cry out! So, they can find you – to the one who searches!
- Cry out! So, the lost can hear you – to the one who is lost!
- Speak tenderly, always, and cry out!
He hears you.
He is coming!
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Be THAT Friend
Greetings on this the Monday of the Second Week of Advent
Readings: Is 35:1-10; PS 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14; Lk 5:17-26
Notes: I watch and listen to the disintegration of America by the political right.
Donald Trump’s call for “the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution” because he thinks the 2020 election was stolen from him.
Trump is sick enough to take down the entirety of our nation’s governance and gift.
“That’s a remarkable statement,” Stephanopoulos said. “You just said you’d support a candidate who’s come out for suspending the Constitution.” (in response to Republican Ohio Rep. Dave Joyce).
Politicians sick enough to support Trump.
Kevin McCarthy already has plans for Jan. 3, the first day of the 118th congressional session, as Republicans regain control of the House of Representatives. The current House minority leader said the entirety of the United States Constitution will be read on the first day of the new Congress.
A hollow and meaningless gesture in light of the systematically disregard of the constitution by the Republicans.
In the history books the failure to convict Trump in the second Impeachment trial will be recognized as the fatal blow to democracy. The Republican party is paralyzed by ambition and fear.
I would prefer forgiveness and right thinking.
I want to be THAT friend. You too be THAT friend. The one who brings the sick to Jesus.
And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying to bring him in and set him in his presence. But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus.
First reading
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; Then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing.
Responsorial Psalm
Our God will come to save us!
Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven.
Alleluia Verse
Behold the king will come, the Lord of the earth, and he himself will lift the yoke of our captivity.
Gospel Portion
One day as Jesus was teaching… and the power of the Lord was with him for healing.
Some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.”
Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply, “What are you thinking in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”– he said to the one who was paralyzed, “I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”
He stood up immediately before them, picked up what he had been lying and went home, glorifying God.
Democrats and Independents – pray for Republicans trapped in regret and remorse. Pray for Republicans trapped in a cult and disdain of the very institutions that bring freedom. Then pray for yourself for the same reasons, different topics. Be THAT friend.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Crying Out in the Desert
Greetings on this the Second Sunday of Advent
Readings: Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Rom 15:4-9; Mt 3:1-12
Notes: These are very helpful writing for today’s reflection and homily.
https://gerrypalermo.files.wordpress.com/2022/11/a-short-story-allergic-reaction.pdf
https://gerrypalermo.files.wordpress.com/2022/11/advent-three-year-cycle.jpg
Ever get lost walking or driving? It makes for a laser focus on getting out, yes?
In a parched desert, one wishes to find either an oasis and a way out.
O God, you are my God—it is you I seek! For you my body yearns; for you my soul thirsts, In a land parched, lifeless, and without water (PS 63:2).
It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: “A voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths (Matt 3:3 x-ref Isa 40:3).
The name “Elijah” means “the Lord is my God.”
Now I am sending to you Elijah the prophet, Before the day of the LORD comes, the great and terrible day; (Mal 3:23). And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is to come (Matt 11:14).
Elijah and John, Prophets of the Lord share these things in common:
- One who receives a divine word.
- One who obeys divine instruction.
- One who conveys an effective divine word of threat and promise.
- One who speaks an effective human word of entreaty to God.
Source: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1kings/17?1#11017001-2
First reading
On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious.
Responsorial Psalm
Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
Second reading
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Alleluia Verse
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
Gospel Portion
John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.
John is calling us to Oasis and a Way Out (later called The Way).
Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
John, you called us out.
At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.
Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.
I am baptizing you with water, for repentance.
Here we can get into a linear perspective of time. Repentance then baptism. Baptism then repentance. Baptism as repentance. Baptism as the outter sign of an inner change. Simultaniously? Sequentially?
Only God knows.
Our common problem. John finally gets to the heart of the matter. Pharisees, Sadducees, John you and me, all have the same problem. His entreaty to God:
The one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals.
What God wishes to do with us in our need for Oasis and a way out.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Kairos Time
Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest
Readings: IS 30:19-21, 23-26; PS 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; MT 9:35–10:1, 5A, 6-8
Notes: (The franciscan media reflection is particulary appropriate for our times.)
I will use their theme today: Time.
The Lord makes time for you.
Kairos time – the appointed time of God.
This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel (Mk 1:15).
- In person – Holy Spirit
- In person – The Son
- Teacher
- Healer
- Gives bread and water
- Help with crops and flock
- On the day the LORD binds up the wounds of his people, he will heal the bruises left by his blows.
- He calls us to make TIME for one another.
Reflection
All of us are called to “go and preach to all nations—see Matthew 28:19. Our preaching is not necessarily on distant shores but to our families, our children, our husband or wife, our coworkers. And we are called to preach not with words, but by our everyday lives. Only by sacrifice, the giving up of all selfish gain, could Francis Xavier be free to bear the Good News to the world. Sacrifice is leaving yourself behind at times for a greater good, the good of prayer, the good of helping someone in need, the good of just listening to another. The greatest gift we have is our time. Francis Xavier gave his to others.
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-francis-xavier
First reading
Thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel:
No longer will your Teacher hide himself, but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher,
While from behind, a voice shall sound in your ears: “This is the way; walk in it,” when you would turn to the right or to the left.
Responsorial Psalm
Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He tells the number of the stars; he calls each by name.
Alleluia Verse
The LORD is our Judge, our Lawgiver, our King; he it is who will save us.
Gospel Portion
Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
As Jesus passed by
Greetings on this the Friday of the First Week of Advent
Readings: IS 29:17-24; PS 27:1, 4, 13-14; MT 9:27-31
Notes: When the Lord Jesus passes by you, what will you ask of him?
Short Story on Bypasses
Story about highway bypasses in the United States and Mexico and how devastating bypass roads are to so many small towns. The balancing act between fast, safe travel through and the needs of local commerce. But this is not our topic directly. You see if you bypass, you don’t get to pass by. When Jesus passes by, what will you ask of him?
If you need help with asking, see the first reading!
[Moses] So the LORD passed before him and proclaimed: The LORD, the LORD, a God gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love and fidelity. Moses at once knelt and bowed down to the ground (Ex 34:6, 8).
[Elijah] Then the LORD said: Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will pass by (1 Kng 19:11).
As Jesus passed by or Jesus passing by or similar expressions of movement Jesus is always on the move.
Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness (Mt 9:35).
Pass by – not bypass!
First reading
When his children see the work of my hands in his midst, They shall keep my name holy; they shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob, and be in awe of the God of Israel.
- Orchard so full as if a forest
- Deaf Hear
- Blind See
- Lowly find Joy
- Poor Rejoice
- Tyrant no more
- Arrogant gone
- Doers of evil cut off
- Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding, and those who find fault shall receive instruction.
Responsorial Psalm
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
Alleluia Verse
Behold, our Lord shall come with power; he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.
Gospel Portion
The Healing of Two Blind Men.
As Jesus passed by…
Pass by – not bypass!
When the Lord Jesus passes by you, what will you ask of him?
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Only the one
Greetings on this the Thursday of the First Week of Advent
Readings: Is 26:1-6; PS 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a; Mt 7:21, 24-27
Notes: In today’s gospel portion we are reminded that the foundation of your life and way of being determines how our life goes in troubled times and decides our final end.
Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.
The final storm of our life is death.
What is the will of my Father in heaven?
- For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him [on] the last day (Jn 6:40).
- Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it (PS 34:15).
First reading
Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith. A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in you.
Responsorial Psalm
(26a) Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Alleluia Verse
Seek the LORD while he may be found; call him while he is near.
Gospel Portion
Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
Your house, your home
Is it built on sand or set solidly on rock.
It is not a question of architecture or geolocation but of character and life choices.
- For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him [on] the last day (Jn 6:40).
- Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it (PS 34:15).
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Goodbye Twitter
Greetings on this the Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle
Readings: Rom 10:9-18; PS 19:8, 9, 10, 11; Mt 4:18-22
Notes:
Sharing the gospel message is an honor. The Law of the Lord, the Law of Love, is The Way to share.
I left FaceBook August 2018 when it became clear they were not going to meet the increase in poor membership with good governance and system management. https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2018/08/02/goodbye-facebook/
I left LinkedIN a few months after January 6th, 2021. It became clear some of the people I dialog with (if dialog can be used to describe the interactions) were the very same people in Speaker Pelosi’s Office that day. Then on LinkedIN bragged about it. A job and professional site. I was in shock for a number of days afterwards. But I hung in there to see if right thinking would come about. Nope. Even worse. Eventually I capitulated.
I left Twitter yesterday. Same. Same.
I wanted to be a calming voice, a reasoned approach – at least to the capacity I am capable of.
This is all way to crazy now.
Taking my leave.
Down to Instagram.
Social Media is media but not Social.
- Gossip.
- Rumor mongering.
- Guilt by Association.
- Attacking of families.
All of this has filtered into every level of social life. Families, neighbors, communities, associations, schools and so on, are infused with intolerant, aggressive, mischaracterization of people and motives.
Like on the Baptist in the second Sunday of Advent. Regained his composure. He refocused on mission.
https://gerrypalermo.files.wordpress.com/2022/11/a-short-story-allergic-reaction.pdf
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The Law of the Lord is:
- Perfect
- Trustworthy
- Wise
- Right
- Clear
- Pure
- Enduring
- True
- Just
- Gold
- Honey
The Law of the Lord sustains us:
- Refreshing
- Rejoicing
- Enlightening
- Fear (Awe)
- Justice making and giving
- Desirable
- Sweetness
Reflection (franciscanmedia)
As in the case of all the apostles except Peter and John, the Gospels give us little about the holiness of Andrew. He was an apostle. That is enough. He was called personally by Jesus to proclaim the Good News, to heal with Jesus’ power and to share his life and death. Holiness today is no different. It is a gift that includes a call to be concerned about the Kingdom, an outgoing attitude that wants nothing more than to share the riches of Christ with all people.
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-andrew
First reading
Brothers and sisters: If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.
Apotsles
- Heard
- Believed
- Sent
- Preached
Everyone
- Hears
- Believes
- Lives Out
- Supports
Responsorial Psalm
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
Alleluia Verse
Come after me, says the Lord, and I will make you fishers of men.
Gospel Portion
As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Awe of the Father
Greetings on this the Tuesday of the First Week of Advent
Readings: IS 11:1-10; PS 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; LK 10:21-24
Notes: The Lord brings life from even the most difficult of circumstances.
How many times and how many messes have we created individually and as a society?
Yet we know when hearts turn back to God, God is able to make life anew in us.
This new King of Isaiah is the very personification of God and his ways because he is God.
But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.
First reading
The Ideal Davidic King.
On that day, The root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, The Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious.
The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, A Spirit of counsel and of strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.
The son has awe of his father. Do you believe this saying? The older I get the smarter my father gets.
Most people I know, know this is true. Dads have a unique wisdom and guidance that a son can only appreciate as he encounters the reason for the wisdom.
Responsorial Psalm
Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
Alleluia Verse
Behold, our Lord shall come with power; he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.
Gospel Portion
Praise of the Father.
Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, 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.
The older I get the smarter my father gets.
The older I get the more I realize the kindness of the father and the depths of our needs.
Let the Lord blossom in you!
Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Roof Over Your Head
Greetings on this the First Sunday of Advent
Readings: Is 2:1-5; Ps 122: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Rom 13:11-14; Mt 24:37-44
Notes: Life is full of surprises. Actually we often say, don’t be surprised that there are surprises.
Advent is the looking forward to the coming of the King!
As it was in the days of Noah, people seem to live like without regard to the consequences of their actions or inactions. But also ignoring the divine aid available to them.
God said to Noah (seven times he spoke to Noah, abbreviated here):
- God said to Noah: I see that the end of all mortals has come, for the earth is full of lawlessness because of them. So I am going to destroy them with the earth. I will establish my covenant with you. You shall go into the ark, you and your sons, your wife and your sons’ wives with you.
- The LORD said to Noah: Go into the ark, you and all your household, for you alone in this generation have I found to be righteous before me.
- Then God said to Noah: Go out of the ark, together with your wife and your sons and your sons’ wives.
- God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them: Be fertile and multiply and fill the earth.
- God said to Noah and to his sons with him: See, I am now establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you.
- God said: This is the sign of the covenant that I am making between me and you and every living creature with you for all ages to come: I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.
- God told Noah: This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and every mortal being that is on earth.
Two modern parables:
The Leaking Roof
Man to his neighbor: My roof has a leak.
Neighbor: You want I recommend a roofer to fix it?
Man to his neighbor: Nah, it’s the dry season.
Drinking Too Much
Dr to patient: Listen, Johnny, you can’t survive drinking 41 shots of whiskey at a time.
Johnny to Dr: OK, so the limit is 40 then.
In our humorous examples I am sure you would agree that the person with the problem isn’t really engaging in reality but instead a sort of wishful thinking about life, decisions and consequence. Jesus warns us in a similar way:
So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.
Noah warned.
How big was the ark? As many as wanted to come in.
Highlight of Advent gospel readings: https://gerrypalermo.files.wordpress.com/2022/11/advent-three-year-cycle.jpg
- AV1: The Unknown Day and Hour (Sign of Noah).
- AV2: The Preaching of John the Baptist (Repent!).
- AV3: The Messengers from John the Baptist (John’s self-doubt).
- AV4: The Birth of Jesus (Joseph’s vision).
Father Duffy: https://www.fatherduffy.com/he-sent-me-to-proclaim/
First reading
They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.
Responsorial Psalm
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me, “We will go up to the house of the LORD.” And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May those who love you prosper! May peace be within your walls, prosperity in your buildings.
Second reading
Brothers and sisters: You know the time; it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.
Alleluia Verse
Show us Lord, your love; and grant us your salvation.
Gospel Portion
So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
Jesus said to his disciples: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 