Tag: Advent

O Antiphons 2024

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Advent, Catholic, Grief

O Antiphones

Evening prayer for the 7 days leading up to Christmas Eve contains a special focus. The Antiphon for the evening Canticle of Mary starts with the mystery of Salvation History. It starts with creation and completes with Emmanuel – God is with us! 2024 Refresh.

The Canticle of Mary is given especially heightened emphasis as her great “Yes” to the Lord comes to fruition in the birth of the Son of God, Son of Man. This Magnificat prayer is directly from scripture Gospel of Luke (1:46-55). Stylized version below:

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly farmer’s foot.

He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Below each O Antiphon and a mini reflection on each. Perhaps this can be your evening prayer leading up to Christmas Eve?

December 17
O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge!

Reflection: From the dawn of creation the Lord God had but one purpose, to share his infinite love. When we contemplate creation and even contemplate love itself, it is the Wisdom of God that informs us and makes intelligible his plan.

We desire to know. We desire to know him. Know him as like a Mother holds a baby. Mary held Emmanuel in her loving arms. Simeon did as well. So shall you, my friends.

R/ My Soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord….

December 18
O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power!

Reflection: The Lord God rescues us from our folly. We have this tendency to enslave others. The entire nation of Israel needed to be freed. Through His mighty power He freed them and gave Moses the Law on Mount Sinai.

The Law serves two purposes: to alert us to our negative tendencies (shall not) and to bring us to our highest perfection, to wit, Keep Holy this Day of the Lord. Mary’s keep (her womb and gift) and the fruit is her Son.

R/ My Soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord….

December 19
O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay!
Reflection: The Lord God has never forgotten. Wait on the Lord, He shall not delay. The Root of Jesse, long thought dead (400 years of no prophets speaking!). Yet now, through the earth or root of Mary comes Emmanuel.

R/ My Soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord….

December 20
O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness!

Reflection: The darkness of man is over. We are prisoners no longer to ignorance. Knowing God incarnate shall make us like Moses. We shall walk with God as one walks with a friend (Ex 33:11). Mary is the first to speak to Jesus. What did she say?

R/ My Soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord….

December 21
O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.

Reflection: We live under the shadow of death. Each of us facing that final justice. May this Perpetual Light shine on us in this life and the life to come! May justice, the Justice Mary proclaims in her song, be ours in this Emmanuel!

R/ My Soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord….

December 22
O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!

Reflection: We are dust and to dust we shall return. But not just dust. Breath. Rûaħ. You, O God, have made this dust alive with your own breath. Save your breath so closely knitted and integrated within us as Emmanuel is knitted within Mary.

R/ My Soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord….

December 23
O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God!

Reflection: Divine Love. Save us as only love can save. May the Law of Love guide us in all things. Let us learn to love as the way Mary beheld her son.

R/ My Soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord….

Peace be with you!

Deacon Gerry

Understanding Balaam: A Cautionary Tale for the Advent Season

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Advent, Catholic

Balaam and Donkey

Greetings on this the Monday of the Third Week of Advent
Readings: Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a; PS 25:4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9; Mt 21:23-27

Summary

The utterance of one who hears what God says,
and knows what the Most High knows,
Of one who sees what the Almighty sees,
enraptured, and with eyes unveiled.
I see him, though not now;
I behold him, though not near:
A star shall advance from Jacob,
and a staff shall rise from Israel.

Reflection

Balaam is a mystery. He is both held in a somewhat positive light and then in a very negative light. He has the role of a non-Hebrew diviner, yet an Oracle of the Lord. His story is one of fantastical events with angels and a donkey speaking to him and also receiving instruction from the Lord four times. He obeys the Lord yet it is hard to pinpoint why other than to say he was frightened of the power given him and the power of the one who gives power.

He was no prophet. A prophet has sympathy. A sympathy with God and a sympathy for God (The Prophets, p. 401, Abraham Heschel, Harper Perennial). He had but a moment in time, remembered for all time. He had a divine spark but this spark was lost in the darkness. What followed was superstition or complete oblivion (IBID, p. 605). Abandoning the straight road, they have gone astray, following the road of Balaam, the son of Bosor, who loved payment for wrongdoing, but he received a rebuke for his own crime: a mute beast spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness (2 Ptr 2:15-16).

His sparks:

  1. One who hears what God says, and knows what the Most High knows.
  2. I see him, though not now; I behold him, though not near: A star shall advance from Jacob, and a staff shall rise from Israel.

His darkness:

  1. Payment for wrongdoing.
  2. Madness (of a sort).

It is a fascinating subtext to the gospel portion today.

Jesus said to them in reply,
“I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me,
then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things.
Where was John’s baptism from?
Was it of heavenly or of human origin?”

Personal Reflection

They discussed this among themselves and said,
“If we say ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say to us,
‘Then why did you not believe him?’
But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd,
for they all regard John as a prophet.”
So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.”
He himself said to them,
“Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.

These were SO CLOSE to the Lord but so very far!

The warning of Balaam is a warning to all of us – and given as example for today’s gospel. If we evaluate our relationship with the Lord on the basis of advantage, alliance and acquisition we will lose the spark given us. Or more accurately, we will stomp out the spark given. What follows is superstition or complete oblivion.

When I encounter the Lord I must keep my focus on the sympathy.

  1. Sympathy with the Lord and all humans. Feel and sense and understand the way the Lord does, “a common feeling“.
  2. Sympathy for the Lord and all humans. Feel and sense the sorrow for misfortune, “comfort and console“.

Maranatha! for me and for everyone!

Then everything will be OK.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121624.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Rejoice! Celebrating the Third Sunday of Advent

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Advent, Catholic

Greetings on this the Third Sunday of Advent
Readings: Zep 3:14-18a; Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6.; Phil 4:4-7; Lk 3:10-18

Resources

Advent cross section:

Summary

Gaudete, i.e. Rejoice! That’s what we should do! The Christ has come and will come again!

Brothers and sisters:
Rejoice in the Lord always.
I shall say it again: rejoice!
Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. (Phil 4:4-5)

The unifying theme of the Third Sunday of Advent (across the three cycles) is to:

  1. Overcome self-doubt.
  2. Humbly accept life as it is.
  3. Seek a righteous way of living (today – your kindness).

Our Joy is we no longer need to doubt the divine interest in our life. We no longer need to doubt our self-worth and how God sees us. We have a pathway of a rule of living that prepares us even more for the intimate love of the divine.

Reflection

The LORD, your God, is in your midst,
a mighty savior;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
and renew you in his love,
he will sing joyfully because of you,
as one sings at festivals (Zep 3:17-18a).

One initially must be puzzled by the gospel portion for today. Our theme is Rejoice! But the crowd has heavier thoughts than rejoice: penance.

What should we do? A cross section by station and employment.

  1. Plenty of things? Share.
  2. Plenty of food? Share.
  3. Public Official? Stop stealing.
  4. Military? Stop extorting people, stop making false witness and be responsible with your station in life (the authority).
Now the people were filled with expectation,
and all were asking in their hearts
whether John might be the Christ.

But John was self-possessed. He knew who he was and who was to come. He wasn’t puffed up. And he made note that this Christ will give a gift beyond all known gifts: He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Holy Spirit and fire. The very nature of the divine as a gift to you.

So… Rejoice!

Personal Reflection

Ten days to Christmas! The wait is almost over.
Maranatha!

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121524.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Reflections on Self-Denial and Recognition

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Advent, Catholic

Waiting for Elijah

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Readings: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Ps 80:2ac and 3b, 15-16, 18-19; Mt 17:9a, 10-13

Saint of the Day

Franciscan 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!

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

Summary

The memorial of Saint John of the Cross fits well with today’s sacred readings in his self-denial and his openness to hear and see the Lord’s response. Our first reading comes from the section of Sirach which recalls the prophets Elijah and Elisha (who just out of range today). Elijah, his words a flaming furnace, disputed the idolatry of the day. By his actions he affirmed the supremacy of the Lord with fire from heaven, and power over death. And he was promised to return (by the prophet Malachi, represented by Sirach).

You are destined, it is written, in time to come
to put an end to wrath before the day of the LORD,
To turn back the hearts of parents toward their children,
and to re-establish the tribes of Israel.

Then come John the Baptist and Jesus.

IMPORTANT: Tomorrow, The Third Sunday of Advent, we get a full scripture reading of the ministry of John which always begin with: what should we do? Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.

Reflection

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.

Over two days we have been reflecting on the failure to consider the invitation into the divine life. Flute and Dirge and then Elijah and John. In the time of Jesus, John was the fulfillment of Elijah, a promise the elite and leadership waited for just the same as every ordinary people. It was the powerful who did not recognize John as Elijah. The people, the ordinary people, they got it. Worse still, the attitude toward John and Jesus was deadly, both murdered by the powerful.

Personal Reflection

How many times has the Lord visited me and I did not recognize him? I am no different than any of the others!

Tomorrow we’ll review doctor John the Baptist’s prescriptions. Today, we sit in our silence. Lord, forgive me for not recognizing you in your many visitations. Worse still, please Lord, let me not crucify you again! Amen! Amen! Maranatha, Lord!

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121424.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Overcoming Spiritual Indifference

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Advent, Catholic

The Pile of Reasons we Reject the Good

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr
Readings: Is 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6; Mt 11:16-19

Summary

Jesus said to the crowds:
"To what shall I compare this generation?
It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another,
'We played the flute for you, but you did not dance,
we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.'

Reflection

The meaning of this parable is the plain sense is to note the Divine Voice is spoken through many people each with their own particular strengths and perspective. There are some who gravitate toward one or another in style and content. But there is a group of people who reject all forms of divine instruction, worship and praise.

This is where preferences can trip us up. We begin to abandon the plain and literal sense of the scripture and apply our preferences as the ultimate value proposition. You can have preferences but they are subordinate to the generally understood meanings and purpose of sacred Scripture – which is, the assurance of Divine care and a Rule of Life.

The Problems

  1. We want God to speak to us within the limits we set.
  2. We judge others by these same limits.
  3. We miss out on the inspired truth being offered.
  4. By choosing neither we close off the reception of the divine benevolence.

The Solution

In the Church, even in our own families, some are joyful, some sorrowful, some at a banquet and some at a funeral. Every day everyone is at a different place. The Lord speaks to everyone in all the circumstances. Sometimes we dance and sometimes we mourn.

At all times and in every Mass these conditions are recognized throughout (in the Intentions, Intercessions, Collect prayer, Eucharistic prayer). And all are offered the divine gift of Holy Eucharist.

Personal Reflection

AI Generated Debbie Downer Image

You know the symptom. It even has a title: Debbie Downer. Someone who always finds fault and deficiency in anything and everything. Usually you can just roll your eyes to accommodate the person. But in the end, by choosing nothing good and assessing all things not good, we live a vain life (vain means hopeless, the second commandment requires trust).

Allow me to represent Jesus’ words here:

Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare this generation?

  1. I played the flute for you but you refused your moment of Joy.
  2. I sang a dirge for you in your mourning but you refused to be comforted.

Don’t let preferences stop you from receiving the love Jesus offers.

Footnotes

  • Plain Sense (peshat) is a Jewish phrase to describe the literal meaing of the text (contextual, systematic).
  • Literal Sense is a Catholic phrase to describe the literal meaning of the text (exegesis).
  • The Spiritual senses are Allegorical (symbolic/metaphorical meaning, Moral (life conduct meaning) and Anagogical (spiritual meaning).

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121324.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Celebrating Juan Diego and Divine Promises

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Advent, Catholic

Unlocking a blessing – Amen!

Greetings on this the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Readings: ZEC 2:14-17; JUDITH 13:18BCDE, 19; alt Lk 1:39-47

Summary

Amen on the trail of liberation

Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice:
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled.
And Mary said:
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”

Reflection

A beautiful Franciscan Reflection on Our Lady and Juan Diego is here: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/our-lady-of-guadalupe/

Life is a pilgrimage into an unknown future. But not all things are unknown. We know the love of our families, the friendship of community and the certainty of the divine promises. We are given to act rationally, prudently and with wisdom. And we are to embrace the divine wisdom of unconditional love. Believe, Bless and Rejoice.

Cuauhtlatohuac meets Mary

Elizabeth and Juan Diego share a very important role. They are the Amen to the promise. A blessings (benediction) is sealed (made complete) by the Amen of the hearer (as the final witness to the benediction). Elizabeth unlocks the blessing of Mary by proclaiming in a loud voice. Juan Diego opened his tilma in the bishop’s presence, the roses fell to the ground, and the bishop sank to his knees. On the tilma where the roses had been appeared an image of Mary exactly as she had appeared at the hill of Tepeyac.

  • It is then that Mary proclaims the Magnificat.
  • It is then the bishop reorders the Church for the indigenous and The Virgin of Guadalupe.

Your Amen, all your Amen’s, in every prayer are the sealing effects of believing becomes blessing becomes rejoicing.

Personal Reflection

Never underestimate your importance in sealing – Amen-ing – the blessings of the Lord. Elizabeth, Juan Diego and you all have the capacity to believe, bless and rejoice!

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121224.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

You Are A Feather to Me

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Advent, Catholic

You are a feather to me

Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent
Readings: Is 40:25-31; Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 and 10; Mt 11:28-30

Summary

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.

Reflection

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.

Personal Reflection

Many years ago, too many to count, I was at a festival with my daughter who rode happily upon my shoulders looking at the the delights a festival can bring. Somewhere along the way she asked, “Dad, Am I too heavy for you?” I responded, “You are a feather to me.”

Girl on Dad’s shoulders

She didn’t understand the reply then but was happy to continue to take in the sights without the burden of walking the street fair.

With this simple example we can imagine the burden lifted, the rest needed and the aid given by the Lord for those who accept his yoke. He really wants you to enjoy life upon his shoulders. As an adult we have burdens, yes, many in fact. But in love they aren’t anything either.

Because Jesus says: You are a feather to me.

Advent is an invitation to sit on the shoulders of Jesus.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121124.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

He Needs Me!

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Advent, Catholic

Sheep

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

Summary

It is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.

For me one of the most important things Jesus said. Ever.

Jesus said to his disciples: “What is your opinion?

Jesus tested the disciples. What is in your heart? Answer the question honestly he is asking AND be open to a change of heart that comes from the honest answer. Truth (even when less than flattering) is most profitable.

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 does, why does he?

And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.
This suggests beyond a material and financial relief and invokes the deeper relational affection of Shepherd and sheep. If one is lost the shepherd’s soul cries out HE NEEDS ME as the interior impetus. This interior movement is free from advantage, alliance and acquisition. It is the movement of truth.

Reflection

“Ideology is a simplification that kills reality, it kills thought, it kills community. They flatten everything to a single idea, which they then repeat obsessively and superficially, like parrots.” Reference: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-to-theologians-ideology-kills-reality.html

The Pope’s comments are in context of the need to revitalize theology and theological insights. The heart of a theologian should ring out HE NEEDS ME!

In this regard, plans are under way for outstanding interdisciplinary centres and initiatives aimed at accompanying the development of advanced technologies, the best use of human resources and programmes of integration. Ecclesiastical studies, in the spirit of a Church that “goes forth”, are likewise called to develop specialized centers capable of deeper dialogue with the different scientific fields. Specifically, shared and converging research between specialists of different disciplines represents a particular service to the people of God, and especially to the Magisterium. It also supports the Church’s mission of proclaiming the good news of Christ to all, in dialogue with the different sciences and in the service of a deeper understanding and application of truth in the life of individuals and society.

Source: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_constitutions/documents/papa-francesco_costituzione-ap_20171208_veritatis-gaudium.html

Personal Reflection

So many themes running through my head today. The news from the Vatican is so uplifting in terms of the realistic challenges and need to refactor our thinking and communications. I chose this theme for today’s gospel reflection above. Perhaps this statement of Jesus should be required as part of the opening prayer of any and all discussions, decisions, meetings, programs, and planning.

It is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.

  • Who is hidden from view?
  • Do they hide by fear of us?
  • Are they hidden because of our Myopia?
  • Who have we forgotten?
  • Who (gulp) is deliberately omitted from the Holy Presence?

Personal Notes on the Day Yesterday

Yesterday was a beautiful day in celebration of the Blessed Mother at Saint Mark’s assisting a 95 y/o priest celebrate the Mass and his life’s reflection on the aid of the Holy Mother. Then over to the VAMC for ad orientem Mass and veneration of a relic from The Holy House of Loreto (today’s optional memorial). Wednesday, the funeral mass for a decorated veteran at Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles with internment at the South Florida National Cemetery.

If Advent is a period of preparation and anticipation of the Lord then these days have been a living out of His Presence in a particular way. My entire diaconate has been to assist people in Transition. From drugs to sobriety, from PTSD to a healthy calm, from broken marriages to a new beginning, from active ministry to less active ministry, and from life in the body to rebirth in heaven.

When Jesus comes, I will be put out of work 🙂 Maranatha Lord!

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121024.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Understanding the Immaculate Conception of Mary

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Advent, Catholic

Mary consoles Eve and the rest of us too

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

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

What is it?

In 1854, Pius IX solemnly proclaimed: “The most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instant of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin.” Thus Immaculate Conception.

How developed?

It took a long time for this doctrine to develop. While many Fathers and Doctors of the Church considered Mary the greatest and holiest of the saints, they often had difficulty in seeing Mary as sinless—either at her conception or throughout her life.

Franciscan Reflection

The logic of piety helped God’s people to believe that Mary was full of grace and free of sin from the first moment of her existence. Moreover, this great privilege of Mary is the highlight of all that God has done in Jesus. Rightly understood, the incomparable holiness of Mary shows forth the incomparable goodness of God.

Reference: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/immaculate-conception-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary/

Further Study

For an easy to read book on Mary. Mary through the centuries, Jaroslav Pelikan, Yale University Press, 1996.

Summary

Mary was chosen from before time itself. In her conception she was preserved from the effects of original sin because she was ‘conceived’ in the Father’s heart before imperfection of sin occurred. Her natural human conception, singularly graced, brought about the perfect temple from which the Lord came forth to live and share his life with us. We look to the the Greek named book of the generation (genesis) of the heavens and earth (Genesis) which is also known as Bereshit – In the Beginning. It is there we learn her offspring, Jesus, will strike the serpent a fatal blow.

This savior, saving also Mary from the effects of sin a priori, gives us all hope in the divine promise.

In him we were also chosen,
destined in accord with the purpose of the One
who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,
so that we might exist for the praise of his glory,
we who first hoped in Christ.

Reflection

  1. The angel Gabriel was sent from God.
  2. And coming to [Mary], he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”

Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.

Personal Reflection

We celebrate everyone we love. As a general rule we can say, Who doesn’t love their Mom? Love seeks to know. Know where you came from, who your grandparents are, and what was your life’s course before I came to be. In Mary, the questions go so much deeper! Full of Grace before even the Angel approached her. Sharing herself with the Holy Spirit overshadowing her for the birth of Jesus, God and man. And what did she do in this amazing moment? Rush to the side of Elizabeth to help her in her hour of need. Love and service.

Greetings Mary! Full of Grace, help us your children love your Son and serve our human family.

Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120924.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Nobody can get in your way!

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Advent, Catholic

The Way of Saint James

Greetings on this the Second Sunday of Advent

Readings: Bar 5:1-9; Ps 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6; Phil 1:4-6, 8-11; Lk 3:1-6

Greetings at the Door (OCIA Rite of Acceptance)

There are inquirers here, who during the past months have heard the living God proclaimed, and they have encountered Jesus Christ, sent for the salvation of all. As a result of this initial conversion, they have begun to change their lives, and be transformed in the life of Christ. Today they come seeking entrance into this faith community, where they wish to continue to grow as disciple of the Lord. We give thanks to God for them, as they seek begin the Catechumenate period of their faith journey.

Summary

Today is a marvelous day for people becoming Catechumens – being recognized for their journey of seeking baptism, confirmation and First Holy Communion. We celebrate also those who are already baptized in the Rite of Welcoming the Candidates who seek to complete their Christian initiation through the sacraments of confirmation and Eucharist. They are all on a journey seeking closer union with the Lord and in His Church.

Reflection

The readings of the Second Sunday of Advent couldn’t be more perfect for today’s rite because Nobody can get in your way!

Think about it. All these powerful men are listed in our gospel portion. Partly to set the historical reference (the WHEN of the Christ). But mostly to set the limits of these earthly powerful men. There are many powerful people indeed: Caesars, Governors, and Tetrarchs. But it is John the son of Zechariah living in the desert who was given the task and honor of proclaiming the way of the Lord. None of these powerful men can get in the way of the Lord calling you or you calling out to the Lord.

  • There is no mountain that can stop you.
  • There are no age-old depths and deep gorges that can stop you.
  • Even if the journey can be difficult at times the psalmist reminds us to keep our eyes on the prize of Salvation and relation with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.

Let Us Pray

And this is our prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more  in knowledge and every kind of perception,  to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,  filled with the fruit of righteousness  that comes through Jesus Christ  for the glory and praise of God.

Know the whole Church prays for you and shares in the joy of your journey!

Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120824.cfm

Peace be with you,

Deacon Gerry