Category: Advent

Greetings on this the Second Sunday of Advent
Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Romans 15:4-9; Matthew 3:1-12

Summary

Those who came to John were challenged to know themselves. The “Who are you really” question – and John says you can discover that by the evidence.

When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance (Mt 3:7-8).

We have in this world phrases like:

• Evidence-based Science
• Evidence-based Medicine
• Evidence-based Law

John the Baptist requests no less the same with Evidence-based Repentance. Remember, John is not excluding anyone from the healing power of repentance. He is calling a small group out due to their apparent contradiction of seeking John’s baptism and the missing evidence of the good fruit (by reputation, by experience or by direct witness).

It all makes perfect sense. We use evidence as a way to prove what cannot be seen. I can’t see medicine work but I can see a broken fever or a tumor that shrinks. I can see the scientific method used but it is proven in it’s repeatability. I can know the law but must have evidence to apply the law by way of judgment.

John is the long awaited Herald of the Messiah. Instead of them demanding proof of him, he demands proof from them. It’s an interesting difference. John performed no miracles and did not have any special insights or things to say that were radical as to be tested and adjudged in the Synoptic gospels. Only in the gospel of John is he challenged on whether he is the Christ or Elijah or a Prophet (an Authority figure), nothing more. Certainly not as they later challenged Jesus.

The Herald of the Good News offers baptism of repentance which brings the desire to produce good fruit if the good fruit is not yet present. A change of heart and conduct, a turning of one’s life from rebellion to obedience towards God (NABRE Commentary Mt 3:2).

Reflection

I am offering an opinion. Those of us who profess religious righteousness must pass the particular test of John the Baptist – show the fruits of repentance (by the way – he did not deny them, he warned them of dishonesty). If we claim to know the Lord and his will then we must already be prepared for baptism — or we risk our soul. On the other hand, if we are just a regular guy, John welcomes with a prescription of easy-to-understand rules of repentance. In the gospel of Luke he gives practical solutions for ‘the crowds’, tax collectors and soldiers (see Luke 3:7ff).

So what to make of all this?

John is the Herald of the Good News. He wants us to repair our ways and make a straight path right to Jesus. Not pretending but with honesty.

And for all of us, begin a life with evidence of good works.

Personal Reflection

I went to confession this morning. I was last in line. When I got in the confessional and after the initial prayer, I said:

Father, just so you know I am the last in the Line (pregnant pause) Not like John, the last levitical priest of the davidic line, but in the confessional line here.

Every hear a priest belly laugh out loud in a confessional?
I have.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120725.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Saturday of the First Week of Advent
Readings: Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26; Psalm 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; Matthew 9:35–10:1, 5a, 6-8

Summary

The LORD is our Judge, our Lawgiver, our King; he it is who will save us (Isa 33:22).
Today ends the first week of Advent. How are we doing? Is your confidence growing as your faith strengthens?

Reflection

Isaiah brings us reasons to be joyful and have a hopeful expectation! The scripture picked for today is from the promise of Zion’s Future Deliverance. Isaiah offers the hope of freedom from Assyrian oppression and freedom from individual errors.

In our gospel portion today, the liberation continues in Jesus Christ, and, remarkably, he appoints us to do likewise! Not only set free, set on a mission of salvation and healing. Our gospel portion covers two parts:

• The Compassion of Jesus.
• The Mission of the Twelve.

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. Then he summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. (Mt 9:35, 10:1).

Personal Reflection

The Lord is offering us a share in the divine work! Faith restored and faith enlivened! Advent has arrived full on and it’s great! We are being healed and made agents to heal others. We’re making room for Jesus!

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120625.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Friday of the First Week of Advent
Readings: Isaiah 29:17-24; Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14; Matthew 9:27-31

Summary

Do you believe that I can do this? (Mt 9:28).

In our Friday gospel reading (writing this in the night Saturday morning), a time of renewal is upon us. Jesus is asking us to believe the ancient promises as current, universal, and powerfully present for us too. ‘Do you believe?’ is the precious question we must answer, each of us. Are you set adrift in the universe or are you a part of the divine family?

Reflection

In our gospel portion today, we encounter the fast-moving Jesus. The entirety of Matthew chapter 9 Jesus is moving from one place to another, going into one house or another, attending from one human need to the next, while never hesitating and always moving forward gathering people back to the family of God.

• He entered a boat, made the crossing, and came into his own town (Mt 9:1).
• As Jesus passed on from there, while he was at table in his house (Mt 9:9a-10a).
• And as Jesus passed on from there (Mt 9:27).
• 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).

As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him. Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” (Mt 9:27, 28b-29)

Personal Reflection

Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding, and those who find fault shall receive instruction (Isa 29:24).

The great tragedy of this age is the derogation of our Aspirational View being reduced to Illusion and from Illusion to Delusion and, soon, from Delusion to Prohibition. Christmas is historical and aspirational. Some have reduced it to illusion without foundations – Saying ‘Merry Christmas‘ is the height of the meaning voiding the aspirational change we seek in ourselves during Advent. The Nativity of Jesus without aspiration of holiness is a contrived Illusion. It will not be long where the illusion (ceremonials) gives way to derisive delusionment (optional, superficial, irrelevant).

Modern version of that: You can’t have Christmas without the Christ.

Do you believe that I can do this? Means not simply, Can I do these things (Heal). It is more substantially, Do I (Jesus) want to do these things?

“Yes, Lord,” they said to him.

In the same way, Jesus asks us to do. The two now-sighted men did not understand the assignment. And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” (Mt 9:30). They wanted to sell an illusion. Jesus wanted them to adapt the Aspiration.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120525.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Thursday of the First Week of Advent
Readings: Isaiah 26:1-6; Psalm 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a; Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Summary

[For] the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. [Even when] 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. (Mt 7:21b, 25).

Reflection

• This is the life.
  • The rains will fall.
  • Floods will come.
  • Winds will blow.

But trust in the Lord never disappoints.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120425.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest
Readings: Isaiah 25:6-10a; Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6; Matthew 15:29-37

Summary

Jesus said, “My heart is moved (Mt 15:32).”

The people glorified God when they saw:
1) the mute speaking.
2) the deformed made whole.
3) the lame walking.
4) the blind able to see.
5) They have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way. And he fed them.

Reflection

In our gospel portion today we receive two stories about Jesus:
1) The Healing of Many People.
1) The Feeding of the Four Thousand.

Because that what you do when your heart is moved.

Personal Reflection

Our question to consider… is my heart moving toward acting like Jesus or is my heart already moved to be like Jesus?

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120325.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Tuesday of the First Week of Advent
Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Luke 10:21-24

Summary

On that day, The root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the peoples— Him the nations will seek out; his dwelling shall be glorious. Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.” (Isa 11:10, Lk 10:23-24)).

Reflection

How do you feel about the Good News? Can we see the signal? Do we seek him out as Isaiah predicted?

Then Jesus, speaking to his disciples, makes this result in an updated version of the question: many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.

How do we feel? Can we see him? Can we hear him?

We can use the Psalmist to refire the question — Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17. Can we hold up the Church (and myself) to the standard set by the King?

Promote Justice

O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king's son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.

Promote Peace

Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.

Aid the Poor and Afflicted

He shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.

Bless the Nations

May his name be blessed forever;
as long as the sun his name shall remain.
In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;
all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.

Personal Reflection

In all my Advent waiting do I see and Hear the Good News – the Messiah?
In all my Advent waiting do I see and Hear him – the person?

If I am a part of the Church, I am not boasting, pass through the four tests of the Royal Psalm 72, then I can say I have seen and heard him, Messiah, King, Prophet. Psalm 72 is the final Davidic Royal Psalm.

Otherwise, it’s just a fairy tale.

• Do I promote Justice?
• Do I promote peace?
• Do I aid the poor and afflicted?
• Do I bless the nations?

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120225.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Monday of the First Week of Advent
Readings: Isaiah 4:2-6; Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4b, 4cd-5, 6-7, 8-9; Matthew 8:5-11

Summary

In our sacred scripture today, we are reminded to rely upon the Lord and not upon our own craftiness calculations, and military alliances.

Jerusalem Purified

For over all, his glory will be shelter and protection: shade from the parching heat of day, refuge and cover from storm and rain (Isa 4:6).

The Healing of a Centurion’s Servant

“Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.” He said to him, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed (Mt 8:6-8).

Reflection

In both Isaiah, the first reading, and in Matthew, the gospel portion, Jews and the Gentile alike seek and receive comfort from the Lord. Isaiah, warned Israel to not put their hope in military alliances. In the gospel portion, the Centurion did not rely upon his military authority to solve his problem either.

It seem that military power is a keystone of human power. Isaiah and the Centurion reject that way of solving the problem of human misery. Rather, rely upon the Lord.

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. And Jesus said to the centurion, “You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you.” And at that very hour [his] servant was healed (Mt 8:10, 13).

Personal Reflection

May the power of the Centurion’s faith be your power. May his faith, stronger than all Israel’s faith be your strength. May his humility, which we repeat at every Mass, be our disposition.

Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my soul shall be healed (Roman Missal).

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120125.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the First Sunday of Advent
Readings: Isaiah 2:1–5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11–14; Matthew 24:37–44

Summary

The Sign of Noah
But Noah found favor with the Lord. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God. (Gen 6:8–9)

The Sign of the Times
Come, let us go up to the Lord’s mountain… that He may instruct us in His ways and we may walk in His paths (Isa 2:3). I rejoiced when they said to me, “We will go up to the house of the Lord.” And now our feet stand within your gates, Jerusalem (Ps 122:1–2).
Put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 13:14). Show us, Lord, your love; and grant us your salvation (Ps 85:8).

The Sign for Me and You
So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come. (Mt 24:44)

Reflection

Advent begins with a simple invitation: walk with God, as Noah did.
We prepare for the Lord’s coming by using our freedom wisely—choosing to live as Christ lived, taking His teaching as the rule of our conduct, and allowing His love to shape our daily decisions.

Personal Reflection

As Advent begins, I want to hear Jesus’ reminder: Be like Noah.
Noah was righteous. He listened. He obeyed.
He built the Ark—a place of refuge for others.
May I build that same refuge through faith, compassion, and love.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/113025.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Saturday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Daniel 7:15-27; Daniel 3:82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87; Luke 21:34-36

Summary

The Liturgical Year comes to a close today.
As we prepare to enter Advent, Jesus Himself gives us the perfect End-of-Year advice.

Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise (Lk 21:34).

A few simple points:

• Heart = the object of your affection (your affect, what moves you).
• Drowsy = to be apathetic or listless in believing in the divine love or acting in concert with the divine love.
• Carousing (loud, noisy, busy) and drunkenness (filled to excess).
• Concerns being the anxieties of daily life.

A two two sentence reminder of Jesus’ End of Year Advice:

• Don’t let these things control you: a loud noisy/busy life, following every whim/desire to excess, not to mention, the 100 things that can make us anxious.
• Let not apathy toward God and the listlessness in obeying God be true, instead, make the object of my attention be love.

Now let us go stand before the Son of Man. Give glory and eternal praise to him.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112925.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

We are in the process of preparing for the new Liturgical year this Sunday. The Season of Advent and the Cycle A readings for the year. It’s an exciting time in the Church in so many ways. I’d like to modestly prepare you for the Season of Advent in perhaps a different way than you are accustomed to preparing?

The Gospel readings for Advent, Cycle A, all come from the Gospel of Matthew. In a surprising twist the Church starts you off with The Unknown Day and Hour. The reference is late in the Gospel of Matthew and concerning the Second Coming – the Parousia – not the first coming of Jesus – the Nativity – the topic of Advent. The Church directs you to the End of the Story before inviting you to the beginning of the story.

Surprise!
As in the days of Noah – surprise!

Included here are three aids for encountering Advent in a refreshing way.

A Short teaching – https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/a-short-teaching-on-advent.pdf
The Three Year Cycle of Four Weeks – https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/three-year-cycle-four-week-advent.pdf
The Three Songs of Advent – https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/threesongsofadvent.pdf

I hope you find them valuable in your Advent journey.