ADVENT
Week
I: Jesus came at a specific time in history
Day
1:
born under the law…” (Galatians 4:4)
The fullness of time was when there was peace and order in
Judea and
Galilee under the Roman occupation. At this time and place decreed by
God
He sent his only Begotten Son. “And the Word became flesh and made his
dwelling among us, and we saw his
glory, the glory as of the Father’s only
Son, full of grace and truth.” (John
1:14)
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, born of a
woman. She
was not just any woman, but one chosen and graced by God to be
worthy
of bearing and giving birth to the Son of God, the Messiah.
He was born
under the law and covenant of Moses. “When eight days
were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given
him by the angel before he
was conceived in the womb. When the days
were completed for their purification according to the law of
Moses,
written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every male that
opens the womb shall
turtledoves or two
young pigeons,’ in accordance with the dictate in the
law of the Lord.” (Luke 2:21-24)
Thought of the Day November 30, 2018 Eucharist as a sacrifice
By spiritaflame 9:58 AM Thought of the Day
The Eucharist is a sacrifice!
In the Eucharist, Christ makes present to us anew the sacrifice offered once
for all on Golgotha. “In instituting it, he did not merely say: “This is my body”, “this
is my blood”, but went on to add: “which is given for you”, “which is poured out for
you” (Lk 22:19-20). Jesus did not simply state that what he was giving them to eat
and drink was his body and his blood; he also expressed its sacrificial meaning and
made sacramentally present his sacrifice which would soon be offered on the Cross
for the salvation of all.”
“The Eucharist thus applies to men and women today the reconciliation won once
for all by Christ for mankind in every age. “The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of
the Eucharist are one single sacrifice”. Saint John Chrysostom put it well: “We always
offer the same Lamb, not one today and another tomorrow, but always the same one.
For this reason the sacrifice is always only one... Even now we offer that victim who
was once offered and who will never be consumed”.
The Mass makes present the sacrifice of the Cross...makes Christ's one, definitive
redemptive sacrifice always present in time. The sacrificial nature of the Eucharistic
mystery cannot therefore be understood as something separate, independent of the Cross
or only indirectly referring to the sacrifice of Calvary.”
The Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross is a gift of love and obedience to the Father.
In and through this sacrifice Christ glorifies the Father by giving his life for our life, by
becoming the expiation of all sin, by reconciling us to the Father through the shedding
of his blood. For this gift of perfect love, the Father in turn raised Jesus up and exalted
him at his right hand, giving him the name Lord. In the Eucharist Jesus unites us to his
sacrificial gift to the Father so that we too can give ourselves in union with him to the Father.
In the Eucharist, Christ makes present to us anew the sacrifice offered once
for all on Golgotha. “In instituting it, he did not merely say: “This is my body”, “this
is my blood”, but went on to add: “which is given for you”, “which is poured out for
you” (Lk 22:19-20). Jesus did not simply state that what he was giving them to eat
and drink was his body and his blood; he also expressed its sacrificial meaning and
made sacramentally present his sacrifice which would soon be offered on the Cross
for the salvation of all.”
“The Eucharist thus applies to men and women today the reconciliation won once
for all by Christ for mankind in every age. “The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of
the Eucharist are one single sacrifice”. Saint John Chrysostom put it well: “We always
offer the same Lamb, not one today and another tomorrow, but always the same one.
For this reason the sacrifice is always only one... Even now we offer that victim who
was once offered and who will never be consumed”.
The Mass makes present the sacrifice of the Cross...makes Christ's one, definitive
redemptive sacrifice always present in time. The sacrificial nature of the Eucharistic
mystery cannot therefore be understood as something separate, independent of the Cross
or only indirectly referring to the sacrifice of Calvary.”
The Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross is a gift of love and obedience to the Father.
In and through this sacrifice Christ glorifies the Father by giving his life for our life, by
becoming the expiation of all sin, by reconciling us to the Father through the shedding
of his blood. For this gift of perfect love, the Father in turn raised Jesus up and exalted
him at his right hand, giving him the name Lord. In the Eucharist Jesus unites us to his
sacrificial gift to the Father so that we too can give ourselves in union with him to the Father.
The Eucharist is a meal! A paschal banquet.
It was in the context of the Passover meal that the Eucharist was instituted. The elements of the Eucharist are meal elements: bread and wine; food and drink. As a meal, “it expresses the fellowship which God wishes to establish with us and which we ourselves must build with one another.” At the Last Supper Jesus specifically said, "take and eat" and "take and drink".
We can say not only that each of us receives Christ, but also that Christ receives each of us. He enters into friendship with us: “You are my friends” (Jn 15:14). Indeed, it is because of him that we have life: “He who eats me will live because of me”(Jn 6:57). Eucharistic communion brings about in a sublime way the mutual “abiding” of Christ and each of his followers: “Abide in me, and I in you” (Jn 15:4).
As a meal it anticipates our participation in the eternal, wedding banquet prepared for us with God in glory.
It was in the context of the Passover meal that the Eucharist was instituted. The elements of the Eucharist are meal elements: bread and wine; food and drink. As a meal, “it expresses the fellowship which God wishes to establish with us and which we ourselves must build with one another.” At the Last Supper Jesus specifically said, "take and eat" and "take and drink".
We can say not only that each of us receives Christ, but also that Christ receives each of us. He enters into friendship with us: “You are my friends” (Jn 15:14). Indeed, it is because of him that we have life: “He who eats me will live because of me”(Jn 6:57). Eucharistic communion brings about in a sublime way the mutual “abiding” of Christ and each of his followers: “Abide in me, and I in you” (Jn 15:4).
As a meal it anticipates our participation in the eternal, wedding banquet prepared for us with God in glory.
Novena to the Immaculate Conception
November 29 and ending on December 7
Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
Immaculate Virgin! Mary, conceived without sin! Remember, you were miraculously preserved from even the shadow of sin, because you were destined to become not only the Mother of God, but also the mother, the refuge, and the advocate of man; penetrated therefore, with the most lively confidence in your never-failing intercession, we most humbly implore you to look with favor upon the intentions of this novena, and to obtain for us the graces and the favors we request. You know, O Mary, how often our hearts are the sanctuaries of God, Who abhors iniquity. Obtain for us, then, your angelic purity which was your favorite virtue, that purity of heart which will attach us to God alone, and that purity of intention which will consecrate every thought, word, and action to His greater glory. Obtain also for us a constant spirit of prayer and self-denial, that we may recover by penance that innocence which we have lost by sin, and at length attain safety to that blessed abode of the saints, where nothing defiled can enter.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
You are all fair, O Mary.
And the original stain is not in you.
You are the glory of Jerusalem.
You are the joy of Israel.
You are the honor of our people.
You are the advocate of sinners.
O Mary. Virgin, most prudent.
Mother, most tender.
Pray for us.
Intercede for us with Jesus our Lord. (Mention your request)
In your conception, Holy Virgin, you were immaculate.
Pray for us to the Father Whose Son you did bring forth.
O Lady! Hear my prayer.
And let my cry come to you.
Let us pray
Holy Mary, Queen of Heaven, Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and mistress of the world, who forsakes no one, and despises no one, look upon me, O Lady! with an eye of pity, and entreat for me from your beloved Son the forgiveness of all my sins; that, as I now celebrate, with devout affection, your holy and immaculate conception, so, hereafter I may receive the prize of eternal blessedness, by the grace of Him whom you, in virginity, did bring forth, Jesus Christ Our Lord: Who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, lives and reigns, in perfect Trinity, God, world without end. Amen.
November 29 and ending on December 7
Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
Immaculate Virgin! Mary, conceived without sin! Remember, you were miraculously preserved from even the shadow of sin, because you were destined to become not only the Mother of God, but also the mother, the refuge, and the advocate of man; penetrated therefore, with the most lively confidence in your never-failing intercession, we most humbly implore you to look with favor upon the intentions of this novena, and to obtain for us the graces and the favors we request. You know, O Mary, how often our hearts are the sanctuaries of God, Who abhors iniquity. Obtain for us, then, your angelic purity which was your favorite virtue, that purity of heart which will attach us to God alone, and that purity of intention which will consecrate every thought, word, and action to His greater glory. Obtain also for us a constant spirit of prayer and self-denial, that we may recover by penance that innocence which we have lost by sin, and at length attain safety to that blessed abode of the saints, where nothing defiled can enter.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
You are all fair, O Mary.
And the original stain is not in you.
You are the glory of Jerusalem.
You are the joy of Israel.
You are the honor of our people.
You are the advocate of sinners.
O Mary. Virgin, most prudent.
Mother, most tender.
Pray for us.
Intercede for us with Jesus our Lord. (Mention your request)
In your conception, Holy Virgin, you were immaculate.
Pray for us to the Father Whose Son you did bring forth.
O Lady! Hear my prayer.
And let my cry come to you.
Let us pray
Holy Mary, Queen of Heaven, Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and mistress of the world, who forsakes no one, and despises no one, look upon me, O Lady! with an eye of pity, and entreat for me from your beloved Son the forgiveness of all my sins; that, as I now celebrate, with devout affection, your holy and immaculate conception, so, hereafter I may receive the prize of eternal blessedness, by the grace of Him whom you, in virginity, did bring forth, Jesus Christ Our Lord: Who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, lives and reigns, in perfect Trinity, God, world without end. Amen.
Homily
First Sunday of Advent Year C
Reading
1: The prophet Jeremiah speaks a word of hope and anticipated joy to a people
in desolation. The people of Israel have been exiled from Judea because they
had not heeded the word of God to remain faithful to their covenant with God.
Thus, the prophetic word they did not heed became a reality, namely exile from
Jerusalem and specifically from the Temple, symbol of God’s presence.
Now,
God speaks a new word and this promise of God will be fulfilled. What is that
word of hope? God will raise up a descendant of David the King, who will
deliver the people. He will do what is right and just. Where those in the past
were not faithful to the covenant, this savior will be, teaching us how to
likewise be faithful.
When
will this happen? There will be a time of security and peace in Judea. Jeremiah
was urging the people to once more look forward to the fulfillment of God’s
promise. Jeremiah himself was looking forward to the coming of the Christ in
time.
Just
as that promise of God has been fulfilled in the coming of Jesus, we are called
to look forward to the fulfillment of God’s promises in our life time. To do
this we need to put our trust and hope and life in God. What we are called to
be attentive to is Jesus’ coming in the present moment, which is his coming in
mystery. In this way we will be prepared for his second coming either at the
end of our personal life or the end of the world. This will be his coming in
majesty.
Reading
2: Our response to the prophetic promise of God fulfilled in the person of Jesus
is twofold. First we are called to increase and abound in love for one another
so that we may be blameless in holiness before God. Secondly, we are called to
conduct ourselves in a way that pleases God. In both we are told never to be
satisfied that we have done enough but ask God for the grace to do more.
Why? Our focus is to be ready for the coming of Jesus
in the present moment and in the end. For what we do in our relatively short
life-time will impact our eternity. To love one another even more and to do what
pleases God the more are really complimentary.
Gospel:
Last Sunday we read the vision of Daniel in the Old Testament and the vision of
John the Apostle in the Book of Revelation. Both saw the Son of Man coming on
clouds with power and authority. In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of the same
image: the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and glory.
Jesus
has come in time and he will come again. When he comes again, will we be
frightened or will we be joyful? When he comes in the present moment or in a
future time will we be expectant or caught off guard? What is the attitude that
Jesus urges us to have? “But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and
raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” That is the first. The
second is: “Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to
escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”
The
best way to prepare for that moment is to learn from the past and live in
relationship to God in the present moment. For if I am in union with God in the
present moment, then, when that future moment comes, it will find me ready and
not afraid.
We
are called to live each moment as if it is our last moment, so that, when that
last moment of earthly life comes, we are in union with God.
Advent
means “coming”. Each year we are given a new opportunity to make a new
beginning. It is a grace time. As we prepare to celebrate his first coming in
time, we need to be attentive to his coming in the present moment, so that when
he comes in majesty we are prepared to receive him and he us.
Thought of the Day November 28, 2018 Eucharist: a mystery of light
By spiritaflame 11:46 AM Thought of the Day
The Eucharist is a mystery of light! In Jesus’ encounter of the two disciples on the
road to Emmaus, he first broke open the revealed word about the Messiah and then
he revealed himself in the breaking of the bread. The light of one gave clarity in faith
to the reality of the other. The disciples’ response to the revelation of the Scriptures
to the true understanding of the Messiah was “Stay with us, Lord.” He acknowledged
and responded to this desire for it is his desire as well. For he said: “I will be with you
to the end of time.” He revealed that he will fulfill this desire in the same way that he came.
For in the mystery of the breaking of the bread and in the mystery of his revealed word
he will remain with them.
road to Emmaus, he first broke open the revealed word about the Messiah and then
he revealed himself in the breaking of the bread. The light of one gave clarity in faith
to the reality of the other. The disciples’ response to the revelation of the Scriptures
to the true understanding of the Messiah was “Stay with us, Lord.” He acknowledged
and responded to this desire for it is his desire as well. For he said: “I will be with you
to the end of time.” He revealed that he will fulfill this desire in the same way that he came.
For in the mystery of the breaking of the bread and in the mystery of his revealed word
he will remain with them.
