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Gospel & reflection 12.06 .2020Click December 6 to review Gospel text.
Meditation: The prophet’s reference to a straight path implies that a path is now crooked in a way that it is an obstacle to the Lord. Given the context, the evangelists seems to be telling us that something may be preventing the Lord from reaching us, and what could that something be if not a factor in our own lives?
Straightening out the path, means straightening out ourselves. That can mean repenting and making amends for a serious sin, but more often it can mean eliminating some habit, inclination, or attitude that keeps us from recognizing God as the center of our lives. Straightening the path could mean weighing every decision we make and action we take, not matter how mundane, by what would please God and – by doing so – opening ourselves to a deeper and more intimate relationship with our Creator. ( Daily Devotion for Advent 2020 – The Living Gospel, Deacon Charlies Paulino, p. 23, Renew International)
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questions for action
- Is there any habit, inclination, or attitude in my life that may be standing in the way of a fully loving relationship with God?
- Can I include those parts of my life in a sincere Act of Contrition? (See the traditional prayer below or pray the one you know.)
- What act of kindness or forgiveness is God calling me to do this week to prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus?
- Act of Contrition (traditional) O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen.
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GOSPEL & reflection 12.13.2020
Click December 13 to review Gospel text.
Meditation: We are told of “a man sent from God” whose name was John. The Baptist came, St. John tells us, “as a witness to testify to the light,” for he was not, himself, the light. From time immemorial, God has sent messengers, spokespersons. Think of all the prophets and patriarchs of Israel, indeed of every sage, philosopher, artist, or poet who has communicated something of God’s truth and beauty. All of these could be characterized as witnesses to the light. The point is that the one to whom the Baptist bears witness is someone qualitatively different, not one more bearer of the Word, however impressive, but the Word himself. What is being held off here is the tendency – as prevalent today as in the ancient world – to domesticate Jesus and turn him into one more in a long line of prophets and seers. (Bishop Barron, commentary, p. 462, The Word on Fire Bible, The Gospels)
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QUESTIONS FOR ACTION
- Am I grateful for those “witnesses to the light,” that God has sent into my life?
- Have I realized the uniqueness of Jesus as the Word Himself, or do I domesticate Him by thinking of Him as just one more in a long line of prophets?
- What act of adoration or prayer is God calling me to do this week to help me acknowledge the uniqueness of Jesus so that I am prepared to celebrate His birth?
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GOSPEL & reflection 12.20.2020
Click December 20 to review Gospel text.
Meditation: Today’s gospel shows how Mary became the mother of all the members of the Body of Christ. At the Annunciation, the angel declared to the maiden at Nazareth: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God." The two persons required for the Incarnation were, in other words, the Holy Spirit and the Blessed Mother.
Then we can recall that from the cross, Jesus pronounced this word to St. John: Son, behold your mother.” He was giving Mary, not only John but through John to the whole Church. Mary would be the mother of all the beloved disciples of Jesus up and down the centuries. (Bishop Barron, Advent Gospel Reflections, p. 61, Word on Fire Catholic Ministries)
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QUESTIONS FOR ACTION
- Do I pray to the Holy Spirit and to Mary to bring about the birth of Christ more vividly into my soul? (Reflection question by Peggy Pendaleon of Word on Fire Ministries)
- Do I acknowledge that Jesus offers Himself to me in the Eucharist at every liturgy?
- What preparation can I do this week to better prepare to receive the Body of Christ in the Eucharist and better prepare to celebrate His birth (our greatest gift)?