Meditation: Monday, January 1, 2007

The Catholic Calendar for Monday, January 1, 2007
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, The Mother of God

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Numbers 6:22-27
Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:16-21


A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

When God sent His Son to earth for our redemption, He chose to do so through the cooperation of Mary. We know the beautiful story of the angel Gabriel, appearing to Mary and her agreeing to God's plan.

Every January 1, the Church honors the Blessed Mother and asks for her intercession on our behalf. The United States also has chosen Mary as our patroness. Should we not also ask our Blessed Mother to guide and protect us, not just in general, but to guide our families, our work and our prayer-life?

She knows our cares and concerns, as any mother would. Let us turn to her daily in this coming year. We can never underestimate the love of a mother!!!

"Hail Mary, Mother of God, intercede for us, now and at the hour of our death."

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, December 31, 2006
Feast of the Holy Family -- Jesus, Mary, and Joseph


Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Sirach 3:2-7, 12-14
Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
Colossians 3:12-21 or 3:12-17
Luke 2:41-52


A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Every year, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family, on the Sunday within the Octave of Christmas.

In order for us to see how The Holy Family encountered problems just like other families, the Gospel passage chosen for this Sunday is about Jesus' boyhood years. Being God's divine Son did not prevent Jesus, however, from acting with all the inexperience and spontaneous behavior of any normal twelve-year-old.

Fascinated with the learned teachers He found in the Temple, He doesn't think about the terror that "being missing" might cause His parents and rather naively asks, "Didn't you realize I had to be in my Father's house?"

What Jesus did after that, is really the great gospel lesson. Seeing how upset His parents were, He promptly left the Temple, humbly bowed to their authority and obediently went back to Nazareth where He "advanced in age and grace and wisdom."

The second reading gives a great and simple recipe for successful family relationships. It is: just love one another and keep the commandments! Of course, simple solutions are often the hardest to accept. Yet, our families would find our disagreements, resentments and stressful relationships much easier to solve or bear if we followed the simple loving example of the Holy Family. That is: love and obedience--first to God, then to each other as our responsibilities and state in life demand.

- Msgr. Paul Whitmore (pwhitmore29 at yahoo dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, December 30, 2006
The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas


Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 John 2:12-17
Psalm 96:7-8a, 8b-9, 10
Luke 2:36-40


A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Through these days after Christmas we hear about the Holy Family and what took place after Jesus’ birth. The scriptures contain some information, but for the most part the time from Christ’s birth to the start of His ministry remains unknown to us. However, the information that is given by the evangelists rings clearly with one message: obedience.

Mary and Joseph were completely obedient in the times leading up to the holy birth. They both could have run away from what they faced or Joseph could have accused Mary and had her stoned to death. But they obeyed. After our Lord’s birth their obedience continued as they fled to Egypt and then followed all the points of the law requiring them to present their son Jesus in the temple. The holy family was one of unquestioning obedience to their God.

Today, obedience is sometimes something we rarely see. In fact, disobedience seems to be the modern way. But that is not true when it comes to our relationship with the Almighty. We are called to be obedient to His way, plain and simple. While the details of the Holy Family are few, the message is clear that they are an example for us all, in the way we are to follow our Lord.

- Don Claunch, SFO
(dlclaunch at bresnan dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Friday, December 29, 2006
The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
St. Thomas Becket, bishop and martyr


Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 John 2:3-11
Psalm 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6
Luke 2:22-35


A reflection on today's Scripture:

In the First Reading and the Gospel we see that the difference between those who see and those who are blind lies in how they respond to God and His commandment of love.

Anyone who hates his brother is blinded by darkness and doesn't know where he is going, while the just and holy, like Simeon, have vision to see.

So what is it that we want: to be blind or to see? If our answer is "to see," then we must understand how absolutely necessary it is for us to be loving individuals. That doesn't mean we necessarily "feel" love for everyone, but nevertheless choose to respond with love. It requires an act of our intellect and our will and not an act of our senses.

But what's the point about "seeing," the advantage of seeing? Why should we have to do what is sometimes so difficult, to love those who are unlovable, who irritate us, hurt us, make the world unhappy and violent? The point is that's what God requires us to do: to be like Jesus so that one day we might enjoy really seeing–seeing God face to face for all eternity. That's the point, that's the option we exercise when we choose to see or to be blind–everlasting glory or eternal horror!

Put in those terms, I know what I want: "I Want to See God!"

"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. He enabled those who accepted Him to become children of God." (adapted in today's Alleluia Verse from John 1:14, 12)

- Donna Nelson, OCDS (drn3rd at hughes dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, December 28, 2006
The Holy Innocents, martyrs


Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 John 1:5--2:2
Psalm 124:2-3, 4-5, 7cd-8
Matthew 2:13-18


A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)

In many ways, we are still basking in the glow of our celebrations honouring Christ's birth. For many weeks we had busied ourselves preparing for the festivities, we sang our carols and feasted with friends and family. But today, our Glorias! are being slowly replaced by a certain sense of foreboding--a quiet subtle message that sharing in the Good News also means a share in the coming cross. A sense that perhaps life will not be easy for the Infant King whose birth was so jubilantly celebrated only a few short days ago. That not all hearts will be open and ready to receive with joy the coming of our Lord and Saviour, and that in the dark corners of human hearts lurks an enemy waiting to destroy the light Christ brought into our world. That the Emmanuel was born into a world of weeping and sin--and that once the choirs of angels and bright Bethlehem star had vanished from the night sky--our little Lord Jesus would live His childhood a banished exile in a foreign country--and that He would be misunderstood, tormented and hated.

As the recent vibrant and happy season begins to fade from our memory, let us not forget that the tiny babe in the manger on that silent, holy night was simply sent to forgive us, to teach us, to heal us, to love us, to save us and to bring us peace--and hope!

- Anne (anne97@gmail.com)

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Meditation: Wednesday, December 27, 2006

The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Saint John, apostle and evangelist

Readings from the Liturgy of the Word:
1 John 1:1-4
Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12
John 20:1a and 2-8


A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"They rolled away the stone. . ."

With what great wisdom does the Church unite the feast of the apostle whom Jesus loved and Christmas! In the great glory of the Incarnation, as we celebrate the days between Christmas and Epiphany, we are reminded of that other great event—the Resurrection.

The Incarnation is one of the bookends of the Life of a Christian. Without the Incarnation there is no possibility of Easter. The birth of Jesus makes possible the salvation of humankind; the death and resurrection of Jesus realizes that possibility.

When they rolled away the stone and there was no body to be found, Mary Magdalene and others discovered our salvation. As we adore the Child in the manager, as we meditate upon the nativity, it is good to remember that this is the first step. God condescended to become Man, and we chose to repay Him by nailing Him to the cross.

The birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are essential mysteries of our salvation. They are all united in this great cycle of love and beauty that God ordained and that we celebrate. How good it is to remember all of these events as the Angels and all humankind look upon the new-born babe, remembering His great work even in His birth.

- JuandelaCruz (sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

Meditation: Tuesday, December 26, 2006

The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, December 26, 2006
St. Stephen, first martyr

Readings from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59
Psalm 31:3-4, 6-8, 16-17
Matthew 10:17-22


A reflection on today's Scripture . . . .

It will not be you who speak but the Spirit of Your Father speaking through you.
(see Matthew 10:20)

Over the centuries since the coming of Christ, many who were prompted by the Holy Spirit have repeated God's Word, showed us how Jesus revealed for those who truly desire it a way to live perpetually in the peace and joy of this Christmas season. Sadly many have lost all sense that Christ's birth in human flesh is the greatest possible gift God could ever have given us. In Christ, the God-man, we are shown what humanity can become if we agree to make sacrifices, abandon our selfish ways, and participate in God's holy life.

Thankfully, God's grace and hope still abounds; for the Spirit of Christmas lives on in every generation through men and women who martyr their lives and reputations to make God's truth heard and His boundless love seen. Stephen's spirit, that of our first Christian martyr, lives on in each succeeding generation, for Christ's love and truth are eternally given gifts.

Father God, open our hearts to receive the gift of life that You have given us in the sacrificial birth and death of Your Son. May Your Word flow from our hearts to bless others. Amen.

- Marie Bocko, OCDS
(mlbocko at earthlink dot net)

Meditation: Monday, December 25, 2006

The Catholic Calendar for Monday, December 25, 2006
Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)


Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6
Hebrews 1:1-6
John 1:1-18


A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

What can one say about Christmas? It is such an awesome reality, that the WORD became flesh for our salvation! We ponder the Infant Jesus with the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph.

When we see an infant, many of us are struck by the child's total innocence and total dependence on others. Many of us have the strong urge to love, touch and hold the baby, but then after our own needs are met we walk away, leaving their care to others.

Christmas is more than lights, music and presents! It is the realization once again that Christ dwells among us and that He is still totally dependent on us for love, nurturing and shelter. We can walk away from the Infant Jesus in others until next Christmas, or as responsible Catholic Christians we can love, teach, clothe, and feed Christ in others every day!

"Mary and Joseph please guide us in the care of your Son."

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

Meditation: Sunday, December 24, 2006

The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, December 24, 2006
The Fourth Sunday of Advent


Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Micah 5:1-4a
Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
Hebrews 10:5-10
Luke 1:39-45


A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

How many times have we said to a small child, “Now, close your eyes and don’t peek!” Then as we bring out the birthday gift he has wanted so badly, we say, “Now, open your eyes!”

What joy we experience as we hear his gasp of delight, and see his eyes sparkle and dance! How happy God must have been to hear the cry of joy from Elizabeth as she greeted her cousin Mary in today’s Gospel. Elizabeth’s joy doubled as John the Baptist leaped in her womb at the presence of the unborn Jesus. Both Micah and Luke proclaim that, through a woman, the Savior of the world will appear on earth. When Mary traveled to the hill country to aid her cousin, both women, filled with the Holy Spirit, reveal the greatest miracle the world has ever known. Elizabeth is the very first in Scripture to announce that Mary is the Mother of the Redeemer, and she proclaims her blessed because she has believed what God said he would do in her. And Mary, also through the Holy Spirit, sings, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord . . . from now on all ages will call me blessed . . . the Mighty One has done great things for me.”

The Fourth Sunday of Advent is always a happy one, and even more so this year, since on Saturday evening and Sunday morning, the liturgy begins with violet vestments. Then later in the day, everything changes! The Church puts away the violet, and dons white and gold vestments to celebrate the Christmas vigil. There is only one proper response—joy, gratitude, and sharing love with everyone around us. Let both body and spirit sing, for God has broken into His world once more to repair the damage done by satanic forces masquerading under the mask of religion, as well as the confusion of our leaders and the weak faith and paralyzed hearts of many good people.

May all whom we visit this Christmas recognize in us, as Elizabeth did in Mary, a bearer of the Divine Child, ready to give birth to God’s love in our hearts this Christmas. May we be eager to help it grow in those around us in the months ahead through prayer and action.

- Msgr. Paul Whitmore (pwhitmore29 at yahoo dot com)

The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, December 23, 2006
Saturday of the Third Week of Advent
St. John of Kanty, priest


Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24
Psalm 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and 14
Luke 1:57-66

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

“Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand.” (see Luke 21:28)

This has been our Advent message for these past few weeks. It is the same message Israel heard from the prophets for years before the Lord came. It will continue to be our message until He comes again.

Our Lord came as predicted only to be rejected by those who so anxiously awaited him. But His sacrifice was all in the Father’s plan and because of that sacrifice our redemption is always at hand. We no longer must wait for years, decades or centuries for our Savior to come. He is with us now and always.

Today lift up your heads and see. Your Savior is with you!

- Don Claunch, SFO
(dlclaunch at bresnan dot net)

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Meditation: Friday, December 22, 2006

The Catholic Calendar for Friday, December 22, 2006
Friday of the Third Week of Advent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 Samuel 1:24-28
1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd
Luke 1:46-56


A reflection on today's Scripture:

O come, King of all nations,
source of Your Church’s unity and faith:
Save all mankind, Your own creation!

Today’s “O Antiphon” (seen above) is an entreaty to the Lord, to come and save all mankind, His own creation!

It is a prayer that it is full of humility and wonder and awe at the magnificence of the Lord. Humility, in that the big round O is like the wide-open mouth of an innocent child—or perhaps even that of a mighty sinner who recognizes Who it is they are praying to. Add to that, wonder and awe because it acknowledges that all things have their origin and come into being by the will of God.

How important it is for us to remember that God longs only for our good, and as the Almighty, He has the power to save us. During this season we seem to cry out all the more for love and joy and peace to exist in our particular life circumstances and in the world, but we seldom recognize that God in His mysterious wisdom has made us His agents in His creative plan for good.

Let us then accept our responsibility and do what God has given us the grace to do, in order to bring about the long-desired peace of every human heart. Let the Word truly become Flesh, Flesh in our flesh so that God may dwell among us in all His goodness, truth and beauty.

O come,
King of all nations, source of Your Church’s unity and faith:
Save all mankind, Your own creation!

- Donna Nelson, OCDS (drn3rd at hughes dot net)

Read more about the O Antiphons at:
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0374.html

Meditation: Thursday, December 21, 2006

The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, December 21, 2006
Thursday of the Third Week of Advent
St. Peter Canisius, priest and doctor of the Church


Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Song of Songs 2:8-14
Psalm 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21
Luke 1:39-45


A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

With only a few days before the birth of Christ the readings for today reflect the joyful expectation of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. We cannot help but leap for joy with this upcoming birth. The first reading invites us to seek Christ out. Finding Christ can do nothing more than bring us joy.

Elizabeth was overjoyed to see Mary and even more so to be in the presence of the fruit of her womb, Jesus Christ. Elizabeth knew that she was in such presence because she knew how to listen to God. He speaks through us in so many different ways and when we simply listen for God we can find that He speaks to us in the most usual ways, thus tenderly making Himself a part of our everyday lives.

- Danielle

The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent


Readings from the Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 7:10-14
Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
Luke 1:26-38


A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

“May it be done to me according to thy word . . . .”

Humility and obedience—the two great gems in any Christian's crown. Through complete surrender, Mary gave the world a savior. Through our complete surrender, we give those around us a savior.

St. John of the Cross talks about each of us as a pane of glass in a lantern. Sin and self-will have so begrimed the glass that you cannot see the light within the lantern. Everything is hidden.

When we completely surrender to the Lord, when we can say to the Most Holy Trinity, "May it be done unto me according to thy word," grace begins to clean the glass of that lantern. As we continue in the life of humility and obedience, the pane becomes more and more transparent and what people begin to see is not us, but the Savior within us. We become the light of Christ in a dark, dark world.

Humility and obedience shine out in the darkness of the present world and show the world what it can be rather than what it is.

- JuandelaCruz (sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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Meditation: Tuesday, December 19, 2006

The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent


Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Judges 13:2-7, 24-25
Psalm 71:3-6, 16-17
Luke 1:5-25


A reflection on today's Scripture. . . .

On you I depend from birth;
from my mother's womb you are my strength. (Psalm 71:6)

Today's readings illustrate God's ability to write "straight" with "crooked" lines; He employs sinners as well as saints to accomplish His divine purposes. Samson, consecrated to God prior to his conception, was handsome and exceedingly strong. His strength proved useful in stemming the tide of Philistine violence against Israel. Being attractive, however, fed his fatal flaw˜an inordinate desire for beautiful women; this led him to marry one of the enemy and suffer her betrayal. Later, blinded by Delilah's beauty, he was seduced into revealing the source of his strength. His "haircut" led to his capture, but while awaiting death in the Philistine temple, he prayed to God for forgiveness and the return of his strength. His prayer was heard, enabling him to pull down their temple, destroying all enemy leaders.

John the Baptist's birth was also foretold prior to his conception which took place late in Zechariah and Elizabeth's marriage. From John's earliest years, he showed exceptional qualities, causing others to wonder if he would become a powerful tool in God's hands. Contrary to Samson's fleshly weakness, John lived in prayer and self-denial. Being sensitive to and obedient to God's Spirit, he set forth to prepare the Israelites to welcome the Messiah by awakening them to their sinful state, the need for forgiveness and cleansing necessary to their receiving a new life in Christ. John's candor, his faithfulness to God's law, cost him his life when he condemned Herod's adulterous marriage. Herod, aroused by a sensual dance performed by his "wife's" daughter, promised her anything she desired. Prompted by her mother, the girl asked for John's head. Lust is a deeply destructive force.

Christ, our Light, send us prophets strengthened by our Holy Spirit who will courageously reveal the world's sinful state by speaking and living Your holy love and truth. Amen.

- Marie Bocko, OCDS
(mlbocko at earthlink dot net)

Meditation: Monday, December 18, 2006

The Catholic Calendar for Monday, December 18, 2006
Monday of the Third Week of Advent


Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 23:5-8
Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19
Matthew 1:18-25


A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Throughout the liturgical readings of Advent we have heard the concepts of Justice, Hope and Peace. We have been urged by our pastors to reflect on any barriers that might have arisen over time in our relationship with Christ and with others. Some have taken advantage of the "penance" services conducted at local parishes. In between other obligations we send out Christmas greetings which also speak of peace and love.

Eventually the hustle and bustle will die down and then the ongoing challenges begin, or continue. Are we conduits or messengers of Hope and Peace throughout the year? Do we treat others with a sense of Justice? When we see injustices done to others, do we do anything about it? Do our Christmas messages really live, or are they just a tradition that we carry out at this time of year, like putting up the decorations?

May the true meaning of Christmas shine throughout the year and may Mary, our mother, who carried Jesus in her womb, help us to carry Him to others throughout the entire year!

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

Meditation: Sunday, December 17, 2006

The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, December 17, 2006
The Third Sunday of Advent
(Gaudete Sunday)


Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Zephaniah 3:14-18a
Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
Philippians Phil 4:4-7
Luke 3:10-18


A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Are you one of those people who are so impatient for Christmas that they sneak around the house, looking for hidden presents? I have a friend who still looks into closets until she finds a few, then shakes them, hoping to discover what’s in them! She just can’t wait!

That’s the spirit of the Third Sunday of Advent—“Gaudete Sunday” as it’s sometimes called, from the Latin word for “Rejoice!” The original hearers of Zephaniah’s prophecy must have gone wild with joy as he told them that the Lord has removed his original harsh judgment against them. This ordinarily gloomy prophet now urges them to rejoice and shout for joy, for God is in their midst.

St. Paul speaks in similar terms to the Philippians as he urges them to always rejoice, for the Lord’s coming is close at hand. Have you wondered about that name for Jesus that one sees frequently—Emmanuel? There it is again. God is with us!

Isn’t it time in our journey toward eternal life that we take to heart those words which we have heard every Advent of our lives? If we really haven’t taken this truth to heart, then, we cannot really stir up much reason for joy, especially as Christmas draws near. We are often far more present to the media news reports of murders, rapes, and the horrors of war than we are to the great truth that God lives in the midst of people, including our family and fellow-workers. Do we want to see God? Then we must look into the eyes of our neighbor. If we don’t see love there, then we must give them our loving smile. This daily exercise of finding God in others is the key to a good preparation for another coming of Jesus into our sad world this Christmas. It’s time to stir up our faith that, as it really happened two thousand years ago, it is really happening again in 2006.

Now, the Gospel has a different tone—it tells us to be serious about changing our lives. Soldiers, shopkeepers, politicians and clergy were all among that desert crowd listening to John the Baptist. As he persuaded them that the Messiah was really near, many anxiously shouted out to John, “What must we do?”

It’s later than we think. As we rejoice with the Church today, let’s focus on prayer, a good confession, and a well-planned resolution to make Christ’s coming this year the best one of our lives.

- Msgr. Paul Whitmore (pwhitmore29 at yahoo dot com)

Meditation: Saturday, December 16, 2006

The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, December 16, 2006
Saturday of the Second Week of Advent


Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11
Psalm 80:2ac and 3b, 15-16, 18-19
Matthew 17:9a, 10-13


A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

History is full of examples where God gave signs to His people, only to have them ignored, or worse. In many cases, the messengers—God’s prophets—were mistreated and even killed. Yet, His people still looked for a sign. Today we hear that John the Baptist was sent as another sign to tell of the Lord’s coming. While he attracted many to his call, he paid the ultimate sacrifice of martyrdom.

We know that Jesus will return again and He spoke of signs that would occur when that time was near. But more importantly, does Jesus give us signs that He is present with us here and now? Do we see these signs for what they are and recognize Christ in our lives?

Perhaps a prayer was answered. Perhaps a small miracle happened in your life. Perhaps it is something more subtle, like a gentle peace that comes over you. Open your ears, your eyes and your heart and rejoice, knowing that Jesus is with you always.

- Don Claunch, SFO
(dlclaunch at bresnan dot net)

The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, December 14, 2006
Thursday of the Second Week of Advent
St. John of the Cross, religious, priest and doctor of the Church

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 41:13-20
Psalm 145:1 and 9, 10-11, 12-13ab
Matthew 11:11-15


A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Gracious, merciful, kind, good, compassionate!

King David of the Old Testament used these loving words in today’s Psalm to characterize his God and King. We sometimes use the same expressions to describe people we know. But none of us can fit any one of these descriptions for long—especially when our graces run short!

Our Lord, however, is all of these—at all times! Whatever spiritual state we find ourselves in, we can count on seeing the magnitude of these qualities revealed by His greatness. David goes on to describe our Lord as “glorious” and “mighty,” but not one of us can share either of these qualities with Him.

O Jesus,
it is when I love you with all my heart, mind and soul,
that you fill me with the wonder of your powerful presence.
Teach me to center every thought on you,
so that I might sense your magnificence all over again.
Amen.

- Elizabeth (elizabethtichvon at comcast dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Friday, December 15, 2006
Friday of the Second Week of Advent


Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 48:17-19
Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
Matthew 11:16-19


A reflection on today's Scripture:

The scripture readings selected by the Church for today reiterate a fact that we have heard over and over, but apparently don’t always fully grasp and that is that the Lord has provided sufficient instruction on what we must do in order to find true prosperity and everlasting happiness.

Why is it then, that we don’t listen to the loving direction God provides, or see how time and time again faithlessness leads us into disaster? It seems so simple to do what God commands. Yet sin has so twisted us that doing what was intended for our salvation seems instead an impossible and oppressive burden.

Only with God’s help and our determination to let Him help us, can we overcome the crippling mutations that sin has wreaked in us and begin as though a new creation to follow His loving lead.

In this great season of grace, let us resolve to avail ourselves of God’s help by receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It will make our “crooked ways straight”; it will level out our rough spots and fill in all the gaping holes that sin has carved out of our once-whole and loving hearts. It will help us to more fully and more genuinely “Prepare ye the way of the Lord!”

- Donna Nelson, OCDS (drn3rd at hughes dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent
Saint Lucy, virgin and martyr

Readings from the Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 40:25-31
Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 and 10
Matthew 11:28-30


A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"I will give you rest . . ."

Some read this passage and seem to think that Jesus is promising that things will go well and easily once you turn to Him. But that isn't at all what is meant here. Life will continue to be life; there will be hardships, difficulties, turmoil, and every sort of thing that arises from people interacting with people. There will be no respite from these things.

But, once our entire life is centered on Jesus, these things will be the periphery. Life will become a perpetual hurricane and we will be at the center looking at the glorious Son of God. All around us things will swirl, the great parade and panoply of life will continue unabated.

But with Jesus as our foundation, that parade and panoply takes on a different form. We can see it differently. What used to wear and stress us, tear us down and destroy us, becomes less burdensome. When Jesus is what is important, we are at continual rest—all of our labors are in the joy of the Lord. There still will be sorrows, difficulties, and hardships, but we will endure them in the constant knowledge that we are not enduring them alone.

- JuandelaCruz (sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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Meditation: Tuesday, December 12, 2006

The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe


Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6, 10
Judith 13:18-19
Luke 1:39-47


A reflection on today's Scripture. . . .

Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. (Luke 1:42)

Though today's readings center on the role of women in God's saving plan, their attitudes and actions, their receptivity, trust and obedience to God have a universal application. Scripture reveals that God created humanity to share in His divine life by learning to participate in His attributes, to reflect His holy Image of truth and love so that we might live at peace with Him and one another. Elizabeth and Mary brought God's life into this world, under extraordinary circumstances; they received and nurtured two lives, John the Baptist and Jesus Christ, the central figures in salvation history.

John prepared the way for Christ by revealing to God's chosen people their need to repent and be cleansed of their sin; by showing them their illness, he hoped to instill in them a hunger for hearing Christ's healing words which would show them the path to sanctification and salvation. Jesus did this, offering also to fulfill our humanity perfectly; for through the ministry of His Holy Spirit we would all be enabled to bear God's life into this world in our own flesh, to reflect His very goodness and holiness and so attract all mankind to accepting His new, blessed and joyful life.

Sadly, God's message has been fragmented, garbled, reviled or ignored; for many people are deprived of Christ's truth and love and so observe other people and life through sinful, myopic eyes. Also, many calling themselves Christian have no intimate knowledge of Christ through prayer, remain vulnerable to sin, indulge in wayward behavior and so bring disrepute to His way. Evidently, we do not live in the best of all possible worlds. Our only hope for improvement is turning to God in humility, trust and obedience to receive His Word wholeheartedly, and asking Him to heal us in heart, soul and spirit. He will always hear and answer this prayer.

O God of all hope, open our hearts to discard all that impairs Your goodness in this world and replace these with the wisdom, love and truth imparted to us through Your Spirit. Amen.

- Marie Bocko, OCDS
(mlbocko at earthlink dot net)

Meditation: Monday, December 11, 2006

The Catholic Calendar for Monday, December 11, 2006
Monday of the Second Week of Advent
St. Damasus I, pope

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 35:1-10
Psalm 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14
Luke 5:17-26


A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Advent speaks to us of preparation and hope, of deserts springing forth in bloom. All of us can fill up our roads with self-made barriers, but basically because Christ died on the cross for us, our road is now free of obstacles. As baptized Christians, we are already welcomed as future citizens of heaven. Christ refers to us as His brothers and sisters.

Each of us is called personally by Christ to be perfect, to be a saint. What an invitation! Advent reminds us of this opportunity for complete union with Christ. Why would any of us decline such an invitation? What can be of more value . . . money, relationships, laziness? These all fade in comparison.

Let our deserts bloom with Christ!

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

Meditation: Sunday, December 10, 2006

The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, December 10, 2006
The Second Sunday of Advent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Baruch 5:1-9
Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6
Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11
Luke 3:1-6


A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The theme for the Second Sunday of Advent is found in the popular hymn Every Valley. “Every Valley shall be exalted, and every hill brought low.” The prophet Baruch, loyal disciple and friend of Jeremiah, wrote in the sixth century B.C. that God Himself had commanded that the lofty mountain be humbled, and the deep gorges filled in. Baruch had been sent by the Jews in exile to prophesy a future time in which justice would triumph. We certainly need to listen to the lector proclaim this encouraging message. Perhaps John the Baptist had Baruch in mind when he repeated that message to those who came to hear him in the desert. That forerunner of Jesus, the earnest prophet dressed in animal skins, holds center stage every Advent. He’s an essential voice for today’s Christians, urging us to repentance and vigilance even as he consoles us with a coming time of justice.

It’s not just a comforting message. It’s very much a challenge to us today, for our salvation depends on leveling the mountains of our pride, and filling in the empty holes left by our inactivity. Besides a personal dimension, the Church asks us to look at the larger picture. The Bishops of the United States have launched an Advent program, alerting all of us to a crisis of hunger and starvation in many countries. That hunger is both physical and spiritual, a hunger that cries out for action. Let’s reflect on our own personal response. As the inscription reads at the base of a sundial in an old English garden, “It’s later than you think!”

The second reading for today’s liturgy is from a letter of Paul from prison. His beloved Philippians have sent him a young man, Epaphrodites, to help alleviate his suffering. Now, Paul is sending that man back home, and urging the Christians of Philippi to “value the things that really matter,” and to reap a “harvest of justice” before the end comes. Isn’t that a timely message for us too, this Advent?

- Msgr. Paul Whitmore (pwhitmore29 at yahoo dot com)

Meditation: Saturday, December 9, 2006

The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, December 9, 2006
Saturday of the First Week of Advent
St Juan Diego, hermit

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26
Psalm 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Matthew 9:35—10:1, 5a, 6-8


A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

On this day, I ask you to pay close attention to the congregation’s refrain in today’s psalm: “Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.” Read this line slowly and then read it again. If you attend today’s mass, close your eyes as you repeat the refrain and absorb it totally within you: “Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.”

Advent is a time of renewal and waiting for the Lord’s appearance at Christmas. The psalmist tells us that we who wait on Him are blessed. In today’s first reading the prophet Isaiah tells us how blessed those who have been waiting on the Lord will be. And in today’s gospel, our Lord sends forth His disciples to deliver His many blessings to those who have waited.

We are waiting for our Lord during this season as we anticipate His holy birth. We await His return in glory. You are waiting for the Lord and you are truly blessed.

- Don Claunch, SFO
(dlclaunch at bresnan dot net)

Meditation: Friday, December 8, 2006

The Catholic Calendar for Friday, December 8, 2006
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today is a Holyday of Obligation!
Check your local diocesan regulations, and please read this first.
www.catholicculture.org/docs/doc_view.cfm?recnum=1371


Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Genesis 3:9-15, 20
Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12
Luke 1:26-38


A reflection on today's Scripture:

I’ve just discovered that I've written a meditation for the second Friday in Advent without realizing that this year the Second Friday is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception! I’m kind of tired and want to go to bed and don’t really want to have to write another one, but I must, because I've promised to write for this meditation apostolate.

Having said that, I am about to read the proper readings for this Solemnity and I pray for God’s help to be inspired and not to labor too greatly to offer a suitable reflection.

Without fail the Lord has saved me and no less than by the very words of Mary His Mother who submitted to the inconvenient and the unknown after being reassured by Gabriel that she had found favor with the Lord.

We too have found favor with the Lord who has called us “to be holy and blameless in His sight, to be full of love.” (Ephesians 1:3-4) Like Mary, though, we must respond.

Does heaven hold its breath as it did for Mary’s response? I think in some proportionate way it does. What then will be our reply?

Pray dear friends to be more and more like the Immaculate Virgin our Mother, who simply and unequivocally said, “I am the maidservant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say.” (Luke 1:38)

- Donna Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hughes dot net)

The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, December 7, 2006
Thursday of the First Week of Advent
Saint Ambrose, bishop and doctor of the Church

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 26:1-6
Psalm 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a
Matthew 7:21, 24-27


A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:


Who can enter the Kingdom of Heaven?

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ . . . but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)

It’s about saying vs. doing.

Jesus teaches that His Father’s will is accomplished through actions, not just words. It’s not sufficient to say, “I believe,” or “I’m sorry." When our days here end, having merely spoken these words will not have been enough.

On an encouraging note, God loves us more than we can comprehend. He wants to make our sin and His law visible to us so we can attain eternal life with Him. It’s not enough to confess, and then repeatedly commit the same sins. We must also resolve to do His will. So He left us with tools for strength and endurance: His Word and the Sacraments, to help us build our house on rock, not sand. We must let Him transform us, and when He sees we’re determined, He’ll replace our way with His way. During our lives, each of us is given the opportunity to develop the Kingdom of God, His very presence, within us! When we do, we begin to see a clearer path toward the Kingdom of Heaven.

How exciting, to realize today’s reading was not meant to dishearten. Jesus only wanted us to know that, to His Father, actions speak louder than words!

- Elizabeth
(elizabethtichvon at comcast dotnet)

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Meditation: Wednesday, December 6, 2006

The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Wednesday of the First Week of Advent
St. Nicholas, bishop

Readings from the Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 25:6-10a
Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
Matthew 15:29-37


A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"My heart is moved with pity for the crowd . . . ."

This is our Lord, the King who was and is and is to come, the very King whose birth we await and who cannot come soon enough. Our Lord is moved with pity. He is concerned about every aspect of our lives. He was so concerned that He died to give us the bread from heaven, the food imperishable, the sustenance of the soul.

This Lord will not let us down. He will not let us go hungry. He will not let us listen to Him and walk away empty lest we collapse. Our Lord is a generous Lord and His commandment now is that we feed one another.

There are many ways to do this. The many writers of these meditations feed the hungry by opening up the scroll of the word of God and helping to make the feast rich. The readers of these words feed the hungry with their prayers, with their hands and hearts, with their patient, loving conversations, with their loving attentions. Those who do not hear these words, and who have not heard these words, hunger for them. When we share the Word, we share the Lord of all.

As we await His coming, patiently or impatiently, let us talk with Him and come to know Him so that we can make Him known to others. Let us feast on the Feast He has given us, His very self and become what we eat. We become for others the Word incarnate as we pass the words we hear and love on to them.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

Meditation: Tuesday, December 5, 2006

The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Tuesday of the first week of Advent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
Luke 10:21-24


A reflection on today's Scripture . . . .

Although you have hidden these things from the learned, you have revealed them to the childlike. (see Luke 10:21)

A priest, while listening to a group of us complaining about the immoral state of the world, interrupted to ask, "Do you have any hope for the future?" We hesitated, but one finally ventured to say that if we have a genuine faith in God's living Word, Jesus Christ, "hope" is ever with us; for He not only sacrificed His life for the forgiveness of our sin but also gives us the grace to be reborn to a new and glorious life, beginning now and carrying us into eternity through the power of His Resurrection.

Advent is the season for reawakening and reaffirming our belief in God's plan to effect the spiritual and moral redemption of humanity. If we read Luke's chapter 10 entirely, we will see how our "free will" can be used for good or evil; for while some may humbly and joyfully accept and live in God's holy Word leading them to salvation, others will pridefully choose to be their own "little gods" and so starve their human souls to death. The latter often suffer blindness, judge Christianity ineffective by seeing only those who speak its words but do not follow its love and truths. They also don't realize that Christ's teachings do not define a narrow "religion;" His words have a universal application. Jesus gives us the ability to bring heaven to earth, to live in His peace, love, joy, truth, justice, honesty, forgiveness and generosity; but He also gives us the option of creating a hell on this earth.

When Christ speaks of the "childlike," he means humble souls who learn to trust their parents (and God), recognize that they are their protectors from evil, see them as the source of loving warmth and all that is to their good, and, in consequence, obey them. Today, parental Godlessness is creating a scarcity of childlike souls and instead is spawning vast numbers of faithless children deprived of truth, love and stability, who, with no moral compass to guide them, are filled with mistrust, dishonesty, disobedience and violence.

Blessed Lord, let the light of Your truth shine more brightly upon us that we may gain in humility and genuine faith in You, that Your love may reign in every human heart. Amen.

- Marie Bocko, OCDS
(mlbocko at earthlink dot net)

Meditation: Monday, December 4, 2006

The Catholic Calendar for Monday, December 4, 2006
Monday of the First Week of Advent
St. John of Damascus, priest, doctor of the Church

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4b, 4cd-5, 6-7, 8-9
Matthew 8:5-11


A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The gospel of today is a very familiar one to many of us—the story of the centurion coming to Christ and asking that He heal his servant who was ill. Two themes stand out clearly that are key to our fuller participation in the liturgical season of Advent, but more importantly to our growth in spirituality. They are the themes of humility and faith, or trust in God.

Immediately in the conversation, the centurion announces to Christ that he is not worthy that Christ come into his house, but quickly follows up with the statement of faith. He knows in his heart that if Christ comes, the servant will be healed.

Humility is depicted throughout Advent by our Blessed Mother Mary, through her humble submission to the will of God that she bring forth the Savior. As we begin this beautiful season of Advent, let us consider how we are doing with the virtue of humility. It is the cornerstone on which Christ can build our relationship with Him.

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

Meditation: Sunday, December 3, 2006

The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, December 3, 2006
The First Sunday of Advent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14
1 Thessalonians 3:12—4:2
Luke 21:25-28, 34-36


A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Every year as the dark and cold of winter close in, the Church proclaims a new beginning. Grace runs counter to nature; just when the northern hemisphere of our planet is plunged into darkness, those who enter our churches for weekly praise see a single candle lighted, followed by another and another each week as a sign of hope. Religious symbols bear an intense weight of meaning, going back centuries. That candle tells us that history is repeating itself. It tells us that the world has seen terror and despair before. Many times in ages past, when peace seemed impossible, that Advent candle has sparked new hope and inspired new energy to fight the hatred of that day.

And so it must do again, heralding yet another explosion of divine love into our present hatreds, wars, and religious divisions. Even at this writing, our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI is in Turkey on a mission of peace to the Moslem world. As did St. Francis of Assisi during the Third Crusade, he too, is risking his life in an attempt to alter the course of history.

As Jeremiah announced that God was sending a “just shoot” to assist King David, to do “what is right and just in the land,” so we pray that God be with our Holy Father as he attempts to aid our present world leaders. Only the power of divine love can bring reconciliation and a new world harmony, so, too, our fervent prayer. As St. Paul urged the Thessalonians in the second reading, he urges us to be filled with the power of love and to “make even greater progress” in prayer and good works for the sake of the Kingdom.

May our Advent observance have a new urgency as we earnestly beg the Prince of Peace to fill minds and hearts with new directions possible only through the electric power of His love. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

- Msgr. Paul Whitmore (pwhitmore29 at yahoo dot com)

The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, December 2, 2006
Saturday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Revelation 22:1-7
Psalm 95:1-2, 3-5, 6-7
Luke 21:34-36


A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today is the last day of this liturgical year, and today’s Gospel could not be more appropriate as we begin Advent tomorrow and start our annual journey over once again.

In today’s Gospel, our Lord gives a warning that is just as much, if not more, applicable today than it was 2000 years ago. That message is plain and simple: do not get caught up in the stresses of our daily lives and be careful to not become absorbed by the excesses our world seems to offer. In our fast-paced culture, this warning is so true and our Lord tells us to be vigilant, awake and fully aware at all times. He encourages us to pray for strength to withstand all these things that we face in our world.

There is no better time as we prepare to start a new year to examine our lives and become fully aware of those things that cause us anxiety and also those things that take us from our one true focus. Pray for strength, and pray for one another as we end this year today.

- Don Claunch, SFO
(dlclaunch at bresnan dot net)

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