|
|
| |
The
Nativity of the Lord |
| |
This is from the
St. Vincent de Paul website, on the
Gospel
of
Mt 1:18-24,
for
The Fourth Sunday of
Advent |
| |
 |
Reflection:
The gospel for this Fourth Sunday of Advent helps
us to reflect on the relationship between Jesus’
conception by the Holy Spirit and his birth, as
both are clothed in the mystery of God’s
revelation and presence to us.
Two
names are given the One incarnated in Mary’s womb:
Jesus, meaning “God saves the people from their
sins” and Emmanuel, meaning “God is with us.” The
names reveal that the presence of God among us is
experienced most profoundly in the forgiveness of
our sins.
This
is the deepest mystery that we celebrate as we see
how the joy of Christmas connects and points to
the triumph of Easter. Not even the compassionate, |
| |
righteous Joseph could imagine such a merciful
work of God. It is to dream the impossible: God
with us (Emmanuel) not as a condemnation but as
Savior (Jesus). (Living Liturgy, p.18) |
| |
|
| |
Vincentian Meditation:
The mystery of the birth of Jesus is supremely a
mystery of love. The purpose of the coming of
Christ was to speak to us humans about the love
which the great, eternal and all-powerful God has
for us short-lived, weak, fragile and sinful human
beings. A newborn infant calls forth from our
hearts love. The language of God at Christmas is
one of love. Our vocation as Vincentians is to
continue learning the language of love, not only
at Christmas but throughout our lives. It is the
language that we must learn to speak if we wish to
draw near to the poor.
(McCullen, Deep Down Things: Selected Writing
- page 509 )
Other Readings:
Robert P. Maloney,
Seasons in Spirituality: Reflections on Vincentian Spirituality in Today's World , |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Christmas, 2007
“Glory to God in the
highest and on earth peace to those on whom
his favor rests.” Luke 2:14 |
December 25,
2007:
The
Nativity of the Lord
|
First Reading From
the Book of Isaiah: |
|
Is 9:1-6
|
|
The
people who walked in darkness have seen a great
light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a
light has shone.
You have brought them abundant joy and great
rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the
harvest, as people make merry when dividing
spoils.
For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their
shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have
smashed, as on the day of Midian.
For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak
rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for
flames.
For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon
his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.
His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from
David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which he
confirms and sustains by judgment and justice,
both now and forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Responsorial From the Book of Psalms:
|
|
Ps
96: 1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13 |
|
|
|
R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
let the sea and what fills it resound;
let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!
Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.
R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
They shall exult before the LORD, for he comes;
for he comes to rule the earth.
He shall rule the world with justice
and the peoples with his constancy.
R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Reading from the Letter to the
Timothy |
|
Ti 2:11-14 |
| |
Beloved:
The grace of God has appeared, saving all and
training us to reject godless ways and worldly
desires and to live temperately, justly, and
devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed
hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God
and savior Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for us to deliver us from all
lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as
his own, eager to do what is good. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reading From
the Gospel of Matthew:
|
|
Lk
2:1-14 |
| |
|
In
those days a decree went out from Caesar
Augustus that the whole world should be
enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when
Quirinius was governor of Syria.
So
all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.
And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the
town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of
David that is called Bethlehem, because he was
of the house and family of David, to be
enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was
with child. |
| |
|
|
While they were there, the time came for her
to have her child, and she gave birth to her
firstborn son.
She
wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him
in a manger, because there was no room for
them in the inn.
Now there were shepherds in that region living
in the fields and keeping the night watch over
their flock.
The
angel of the Lord appeared to them and the
glory of the Lord shone around them, and they
were struck with great fear.
The
angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to
you good news of great joy that will be for
all the people. For today in the city of David
a savior has been born for you who is Christ
and Lord. |
 |
|
| |
|
| |
And
this will be a sign for you:
you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling
clothes and lying in a manger.”
And
suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly
host with the angel, praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to
those on whom his favor rests.” |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
References |
|
 |
Straight Answers, Answers to 100 Questions about
the Catholic Faith
by Ph.D Rev. William P.
Saunders (Author)
Review by:
Reverend William G. Curlin Bishop of Charlotte
Straight Answers offers Catholics a simple and
direct response to the many questions concerning
the Catholic Church. It spells out profound
truths in very |
|
simple language for all who seek a better
understanding of their Faith. I highly recommend
it for Catholics, both young and old. |
|
|
|
 |
The Power of Intention: Learning to Co-create Your World Your Way
From Amazon:
After years of spiritual study and reflection,
inspirational speaker and |
|
bestselling
author Wayne Dyer has emerged a highly esteemed
teacher. His current message about tapping into
the power of intention may sound like good old
positive thinking: just stay focused on what you
want, rather than focusing on the lack of having
what you want. But the teaching here goes deeper
than just controlling thoughts (although he does
acknowledge that thought control is a
surprisingly challenging and significant
endeavor).
This book might
help readers land a better job, but it's more
relevant for those who are ready to detach from
an ego-driven life filled with quick fixes of
happiness and step into a more authentic,
joyful, and spiritually fulfilling life. His
core teachings speak to tapping into a universal
source of energy that can also be called the
"power of intention." |
|
|
|
 |
The Chariot of Israel: Exploits of the Prophet of Elijah
THE CHARIOT OF ISRAEL: When Elijah was caught up
to heaven, his disciple Elisha cried out, "the
chariot of Israel, and its horsemen." Elisha was
referring not to the chariot but to the prophet.
This study of Elijah’s life will captivate you
as it walks you through a pivotal period in
Israel’s history, and illustrative maps will
give you a better picture of the physical
geography of this ancient land. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Read more about the Liturgical Year |
| |
|
 |
The Origins of the Liturgical Year (Pueblo
Books)
by
Thomas J. Talley (Author) The Rev. Dr.
Thomas J. Talley, Professor of Liturgics
at the General Theological Seminary in New
York, is one of the leading liturgists in
the country. He gives us a fresh
examination of the complex history of the
Liturgical Year. |
|
|
 |
The Cultural World of Jesus: Sunday by Sunday, Cycle C. (Bestseller! the Cultural World of Jesus: Sunday by Sunday)
by
John J. Pilch (Author)
Reader
Review: The book by Pilch provides
those who not only fill the pulpits across
this country but also all interested in
the cultural world in which Jesus lived
with a lot of pertinent information that
sheds light on a lot of areas that have
been "muddled" in the past. Yes, I highly
recommend this book. - James Mauldin |
|
|
|
Learn more and read the Old Testament. |
 |
Preaching from the Old Testament
by Elizabeth Achtemeier (Author) Reader
Review: The author of these
thirty-two short chapters begins and ends
with the assumption that problems we
experience with the Old Testament are our
problem, not the Bible's. This
subordinating of the Bible reader to the
well-weathered book he holds in his hand
opens doors, not to forced harmonisations
of problematic passages, but to fresh
reappraisal of difficult texts on their
own terms. -
David A. Baer |
|
|
 |
The Navarre Bible: Pentateuch (The Navarre Bible: Old Testament)
This volume helps you make the first five
books of the Old Testament a vital part of
your spiritual reading and practical
growth in the Christian life. It contains
the full English and Latin texts of these
books, along with extensive and faithfully
Catholic commentaries. Like other volumes
in the world-renowned Navarre Bible
series, these commentaries draw on Church
documents, the exegesis of Fathers and
|
|
Doctors of the Church, and the works of contemporary
spiritual writers — particularly St. Josemaría
Escrivá, who initiated the Navarre Bible
project. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Comments and
Suggestions are Most Welcome.
If you have any
comments or contributions, please
use the form in this link.
|
| |
|
| |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
OLD TESTAMENT
PARENTING I
“Lamentations of the
Father” by Ian Frazier |
| |
|
| |
Laws of
Forbidden Places |
|
|
 |
Of the beasts of
the field, and of the fishes of the sea, and
of all foods that are acceptable in my sight
you may eat, but not in the living room.
|
| |
|
|
|
Of the hoofed
animals, broiled or ground into burgers, you
may eat, but not in the living room. |
| |
|
|
|
Of the
cloven-hoofed animal, plain or with cheese,
you may eat, but not in the living room.
|
| |
|
|
|
Of the cereal
grains, of the corn and of the wheat and of
the oats, and of all the cereals that are of
bright color and unknown provenance you may
eat, but not in the living room. |
|
|
|
|
|
Of quiescently
frozen dessert and of all frozen after-meal
treats you may eat, but absolutely not in the
living room. |
|
|
|
|
|
Of the juices
and other beverages, yea, even of those in
sippy-cups, you may drink, but not in the
living room; neither may you carry such
therein. |
|
|
|
|
|
Indeed, when you
reach the place where the living room carpet
begins, of any food or beverage there you may
not eat, neither may you drink. |
|
|
|
|
|
But if you are
sick, and are lying down and watching
something, then may you eat in the living
room. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recipes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Fish with
Tomato and Pine Nuts |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Comments and Suggestions are Most Welcome.
If you have any comments or contributions,
please
use the form in this link.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Our Engine |
| |
 |
This newsletter
and the website is powered by Site Build It!
It really is a "Genie In A Box."
Don't forget to check out the Quick Tour Slide Show!
|
|
| |
Want to try to win a free copy of the "Genie In A Box?"
Click right here!
|
|
|
|
This
volume of commentary on the New English Bible text of the First Book of Kings
follows the pattern of the now well-established series on the Old and New
Testaments. The main divisions of the text are those provided by the New English
Bible itself, but these are further subdivided for the purposes of the
commentary, which is printed in short sections following the relevant portion of
the text.
