Gospel Reading – 31st December

Monday 31st December, 2012

 

The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas

St Silvester I. 1 John 2:18-21. Let heaven and earth exult in joy!—Ps 95(96):1-2, 11-13. John 1:1-18.

 

Gospel John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.

A man named John was sent from God.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world,
and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own,
but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to those who believe in his name,
who were born not by natural generation
nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision
but of God.

And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son,
full of grace and truth.

John testified to him and cried out, saying,
“This was he of whom I said,
‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.'”
From his fullness we have all received,
grace in place of grace,
because while the law was given through Moses,
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God.
The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side,
has revealed him.

 

Meditation:
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God.

Is there a more magnificent sentence in our language than that with which John opens his gospel? All the agencies through which God has spoken to humankind across the ages (the created world itself, the Old Testament patriarchs and prophets, men and women of conspicuous wisdom and holiness, the sacred scriptures and charismatic preachers) converge and find their ultimate expression in the mission and ministry of the one who alone is the Word of God incarnate.

‘By the revelation of the mystery of the Father and his love, Jesus Christ fully reveals humanity to itself and makes our supreme calling clear’ (Gaudium et spes, 22). Let our prayer today be that of St Augustine: ‘O God, ever the same, let me know myself, let me know you!’‘Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life’ (Proverbs 4:23).

http://churchresources.info/pray/gospel.php

Gospel Reading – 29th December

Saturday 29th December, 2012
The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas

St Thomas Becket. 1 John 2:3-11. Let heaven and earth exult in joy!—Ps 95(96):1-3, 5-6. Luke 2:22-35.

Gospel Lk 2:22-35

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Lord, now let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you prepared in the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Meditation:

‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace.’

Praying daily in the temple, the upright and devout Simeon awaited in patient expectation the day on which all the messianic prophecies and the hopes of Israel would be fulfilled. With the eyes of faith and enlightened by the Holy Spirit, he saw in the infant Jesus the glory of his people, the light of the world—the saviour whom God had promised.

Our faith offers us a like assurance. Through the saving death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus our deepest yearnings are realised. As Paul affirmed, God is ever present to us; for we ourselves are living temples in which the Holy Spirit dwells (see 1 Corinthians 3:16-17). Dear Lord, ‘grant that our lives may always be founded on the power of this holy mystery.’

http://www.churchresources.info/pray/gospel.php

http://www.dailyscripture.net

Gospel Reading – 28th December

Friday 28th December, 2012
Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs
Holy Innocents. Day of penance. 1 John 1:5 – 2:2. Our soul has escaped like a bird from the hunter’s nest—Ps 123(124):2-5, 7-8. Matthew 2:13-18.

 

Gospel Mt 2:13-18

When the magi had departed, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,
“Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,
and stay there until I tell you.
Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night
and departed for Egypt.
He stayed there until the death of Herod,
that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled,
Out of Egypt I called my son.

When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi,
he became furious.
He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity
two years old and under,
in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi.
Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:

A voice was heard in Ramah,
sobbing and loud lamentation;
Rachel weeping for her children,
and she would not be consoled,
since they were no more.

 

Meditation:

Still a baby, Jesus is already a refugee.

The picture of this family confronts us so often in the media: facing danger, travelling with a small collection of belongings, any hopes of an untroubled family life dashed. Mary is unsure of even the next night’s shelter. Joseph too is confused, but he has the Lord’s reassurance. Somehow it is all in God’s plan.

Gradually, Mary shares his optimism and strength. God only wants their trust.

As they slip away in the darkness, panic is already gripping the city as soldiers pour onto the streets. Mary clings desperately to her baby. He is all she has. He is all any of us have. And he is beginning to cry.

http://www.churchresources.info/pray/gospel.php

Gospel Reading – 27th December

Thursday 27th December, 2012
Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist
St John. 1 John 1:1-4. Let the just rejoice in the Lord — Ps 96(97):1-2, 5-6, 11-12. John 20:2-8.

Gospel John 20:1a And 2-8

On the first day of the week,
Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
“They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they put him.”
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first;
he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
When Simon Peter arrived after him,
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head,
not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in,
the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed.

Meditation:

‘Something we have heard, have seen with our own eyes, have watched and touched with our own hands …’

Confronted by the empty tomb, Mary Magdalene was puzzled and Peter was without words. John saw the same empty tomb, but, with the eyes of faith, he saw and believed. This is the faith we act by too—a faith that comes not through the senses but through the heart.

Jesus, you have enriched our life with the gift of knowing you. We are not eyewitness to the events of your life, but we believe in you. You once blessed those who have not seen and yet believe. May we experience that blessing again and again, especially at those times when our faith seems to flag.

http://www.churchresources.info/pray/gospel.php

Gospel Reading – 26th December

Wednesday 26th December, 2012
Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59. Into your hands, O Lord, I entrust my spirit—Ps 30(31):3-4, 6, 8, 16-17. Matthew 10:17‑22.

Gospel Mt 10:17-22

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts
and scourge you in their synagogues,
and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake
as a witness before them and the pagans.
When they hand you over,
do not worry about how you are to speak
or what you are to say.
You will be given at that moment what you are to say.
For it will not be you who speak
but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Brother will hand over brother to death,
and the father his child;
children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”

Meditation:

They could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which Stephen spoke.

The gospel today is far from comfortable. We realise that earthly kingdoms, so very different from the kingdom of God, will struggle with the radical message of God’s love. God’s message of intimate partnership in adversity is clear—God will speak through us. We remember the voices that have spoken for justice and freedom with a clarity and depth that comes from beyond them. Nelson Mandela, after 27 years in prison, emerged as a leader, a person who spoke and led from a place of compassion and love. I imagine he was quite like Stephen!

How do we stand against injustice, when it comes at a cost to us? When it may curtail our own freedom? Let us pray for courage to do this, and gratefulness for those who have across time.

Gospel Reading – 24th December

Monday 24th December, 2012
Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent

Christmas Eve. 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord—Ps 88(89):2-5, 27, 29. Luke 1:67-79.

Gospel Lk 1:67-79

Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
for he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty Savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hand of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

 
Meditation:

When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son into the world.

Jesukristo gawin sentro ng pasko hindi si Santa Claus

Jesukristo gawin sentro ng pasko hindi si Santa Claus
Posted by veritasadmin2 on Sunday, November 18, 2012

Manila,Philippines– Ipinaalala ng mga opisyal ng Simbahang Katolika sa mga mamamayan na huwag gawing komersiyalismo ang pagdiriwang ng pasko. Ayon kay Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros, mas mainam na gawing simple ang selebrasyon ng pasko. Anya, mas mahalaga ang “internal preparations” kaysa external preparations. “Externally nagiging commercial dahil sa ating mga ginagastos kapag pasko,dapat maiwasan natin ang excessive materialistic way of celebration.Unahin natin yung internal,yung spiritual preparation ng celabration.True joy must come from within sa pagtanggap natin kay Hesus na ipinanganak sa sabsaban.”pahayag ni Bishop Oliveros sa panayam ng Radio Veritas.
Inihayag naman ni CBCP-NASSA chairman Manila Auxiliary Bishop Jose Oliveros na walang kaugnayan sa kasaysayan ng pasko si Santa Claus.
Sinabi ni Bishop Pabillo na kailangang nang baguhin ng mga mananampalataya ang pagpapakilala kay Santa Claus sa mga bata tuwing pasko bilang bahagi ng selebrasyon ng year of faith ngayong taon ng Simbahang Katolika.
Ipinaliwanag ni Bishop Pabillo na hindi si Santa Claus ang sentro ng selebrasyon ng pasko na dapat ituro ng Simbahan dahil ito ay walang kaugnayan sa kasaysayan ng pagsilang ni Hesus.
“Iyon ang nakalulungkot na pangyayari na mas  ina-identify si Santa Claus kaysa kay Hesus sa pagdiriwang ng Pasko. Si Santa Claus ay hindi naman dahilan ng ating pagpapasko kundi si Hesus. Tingnan din natin na ang original na Santa Claus ay isang Santong mapagbigay na si San Nicholas.  Ang pasko ay pagsilang ng ating manunubos na si Hesukristo.” paglilinaw ni Bishop Pabillo sa panayam ng Radio Veritas
Bunsod nito, ipinaalala ni Bishop Pabillo sa mga mamamayan na ibalik ang tunay na kahulugan ng Pasko.
Inihayag ng Obispo na mahalagang ituro ng mga magulang at mga paaralan sa mga bata na ang dahilan ng ating pagpa-party tuwing pasko ay Hesus at hindi si Santa Claus.
Samantala, hinimok ng Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines o C-E-A-P ang mga mananampalataya at mga Catholic school na huwag gawing komersiyalismo ang pasko.
Ayon Kay CEAP President Fr.Greg Banaga, dapat ituro ng mga Catholic school sa mga mag-aaral na ang sentro ng pasko ay ang Panginoong Hesus at hindi material na bagay.
Sinabi ni Fr.Banaga na ang diwa ng pasko ay hindi pagtanggap ng regalo at magarbong dekorasyon kundi pagdiriwang sa pagdating ni Hesu Kristo.
Ipinaliwanag din ng pari na ang pagtulong sa mga nangangailangan at mahihirap na mamamayan ay bahagi ng “spiritual dimension” ng pasko.
“Ang pasko, paalala ko sana na huwag nating kalimutan na ang tunay na diwa ng pasko, ang dahilan kung bakit mayroon tayong pasko ay dahil kay Jesus Christ. Ito ang nakakalimutan natin dahil nagiging commercialized na ang pasko. Naalala lamang ng tao ang pasko kapag makakatanggap at magbibigayan ng regalo.”paalala ni Fr.Banaga sa panayam ng Radio Veritas
Hinikayat ni Fr.Banaga ang mga Catholic school na ituro sa mga estudyante na ang pasko ay magiging makabuluhan kapag natutunan ng mga mag-aaral ang pagbibigayan .(Riza Mendoza)

 

Gospel Reading – 23rd December

Sunday 23rd December, 2012
4th Sunday of Advent. V. Micah 5:1-4. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved—Ps 79(80):2-3, 15-16, 18-19. Hebrews 10:5-10. Luke 1:39-44 [St John of Kenty].

Gospel Lk 1:39-45

Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
“Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled.”

Meditation: 

Was it the urging of her heart that sent Mary over the hills to visit Elizabeth?

Someone once said, ‘Mission rises from within, it is an unspoken itch in the heart.’ Today we are reminded that Mary’s mission was to carry Jesus to the world. Mary responded to the urge in her heart to visit her cousin, who was old to be bearing her first child. Elizabeth’s greeting also rose from the heart.

We can see Mary as our model for mission, and we do well to ask for her help in discerning our role in the kingdom: she never keeps us for herself, she always turns us towards her son. We remember her words at Cana: ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ Our Lady of the Way, pray for us.

http://www.usccb.org

http://churchresources.info/pray/gospel.php

Gospel Reading – 22nd December

“FROM THIS DAY ALL GENERATIONS WILL CALL ME BLESSED…”

OUR GOSPEL READING FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 22, SATURDAY OF THE 3rd WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME 2012:
LUKE 1:46-56

Mary said:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.

for he has looked upon 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,
and has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones
and has lifted up the lowly.

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 remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.”

Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months
and then returned to her home.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:

Gospel Reading – 21st December

Friday 21st December, 2012
Friday of the Third Week of Advent

St Peter Canisius. Day of penance. Song of Songs 2:8-14 / Zephaniah 3:14-18.
Cry out with joy in the Lord, you holy ones; sing a new song to him—Ps 32(33):2-3, 11-12, 20-21. 

Gospel Lk 1:39-45

Mary set out in those days
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
“Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled.”