Monday

Introduction – MON

Isaiah 4:2-6
The weekday readings of Advent open on a note of hope for healing and restoration. This reassuring reading invites us to acknowledge our need of bring washed clean, our need of the healing of the presence of the Lord.

Matthew 8:5-11
The faith of the centurion is indeed remarkable: “just give the word.” What “word” from the Lord do I need at this moment in my life?

SOURCE: Hearers of the Word

Commentary – MON

Key Points – MON

KEY VERSE: “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith” (Matthew 8:10).
TO KNOW: As Jesus entered Capernaum, a Centurion (a commander of 100 men at a military post), approached and asked Jesus to heal his servant. A slave was of little importance in the Roman Empire, yet the Centurion had compassion for him. Even though Jesus’ ministry was to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Mt 15:24), he consented to go with this non-Israelite. The Centurion protested that he was unworthy to have Jesus enter his house, since according to Jewish law, a Jew could not enter the Gentile’s house since they were considered unclean. As an officer, the Centurion knew the power of a command, and he believed that Jesus only needed to speak a word to heal his servant. Jesus was amazed at the man’s faith, and acknowledged that many would come from the “east and the west” (Luke 4:11), and would find a place at the banquet in God’s kingdom. The faith of the Centurion anticipated the Church’s missionary activity among the Gentiles.
TO LOVE: Do I have the courage to bring others to Jesus for healing?
TO SERVE: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof; but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.

SOURCE: Together with God’s Word

Thoughts on Today’s Gospel

• “What do you suppose Jesus praised in this man’s faith? Humility. The centurion’s humility was the door for the Lord to enter by.” (Saint Augustine)
• “The Lord marvelled at the centurion. He marvelled at his faith. Therefore, he not only encountered the Lord, but he came to know the joy of being encountered by him. This is very important.” (Pope Francis)
• “Before so great a sacrament [Eucharist], the faithful can only echo humbly and with ardent faith the words of the Centurion: ‘Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul will be healed’.” (Catechism Of The Catholic Church Nº 1386)

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SOURCE: Evangeli.net

Saint of the Day – MON

Saint John Damascene | Franciscan Media

Saint John Damascene was born in Damascus, but spent most of his life in a monastery near Jerusalem. Little is known about his life, but John is remembered as the last of the Eastern Church Fathers. He gained fame as a poet and an author.

Franciscan Media

Tuesday

Introduction – TUE

Isaiah 11:1-10

The human hope for harmony is por- trayed in this reading as a harmony in nature itself, even among the most unikely animals.

Luke 10:21-24

Jesus pronounces a remarkable prayer in today’s gospel, a very encouraging prayer: we all stand before the mystery and mercy of God, thank God!

SOURCE: Hearers of the Word

Commentary – TUE

Key Points – TUE

KEY VERSE: “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see” (Luke 10:23).
TO KNOW: Jesus sent out seventy-two of his disciples to proclaim the gospel and heal the sick. When they returned from their mission, Jesus was overjoyed to hear of God’s power at work in them. Through their proclamation of God’s kingdom, they witnessed the collapse of Satan’s reign. The unique relationship of the Trinity is seen in this passage: Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and gave praise to the Father. Jesus thanked the Father for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to his disciples who followed him like little children. The “wise and learned” had no understanding of these heavenly things. The Father conferred this knowledge upon the Son, and he in turn revealed it to those whom he chose. Jesus reminded his disciples of their great privilege in witnessing things that the prophets and kings longed to see and hear.
TO LOVE: In what ways will I share the gospel with others this Advent?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to proclaim your kingdom with joy.​

SOURCE: Together with God’s Word

Thoughts on Today’s Gospel

• “For what idea could the human person have of God before, except maybe that of an idol which his own heart had made? Once God was incomprehensible. But now He wanted us to be able to understand him. How was this done? By lying in a manger. When I think on this, I am thinking of God.” (Saint Bernard)
• “Jesus exalted in the joy of the Holy Spirit and praised the Father. This the interior life of Jesus: his relationship with the Father in the Spirit. Jesus is the closeness and the tenderness of the Father to us.” (Francis)
• “The dual dimension of the Christian liturgy is evident. On the one hand, the Church, united with her Lord and ‘in the Holy Spirit’ (Lk 10:21), blesses the Father ‘for his inexpressible gift’ (2 Cor 9:15) in her adoration, praise, and thanksgiving. On the other hand… the Church never ceases to present to the Father the ‘offering of his own gifts’ and to beg him to send the Holy Spirit upon that offering, upon herself, upon the faithful, and upon the whole world, so that… these divine blessings will bring forth the fruits of life.” (Catechism Of The Catholic Church, Nº 1083)

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SOURCE: Evangeli.net

Saint of the Day – TUE

Saint Sabas | Franciscan Media

After an abusive childhood, Saint Sabas found refuge in a monastery, where he also found his vocation to the monastic life. Permitted to live as a hermit, Saint Sabas soon found others attracted to his way of life, and he eventually became the abbot of a monastic community. As a result, he is known as one of the founders of Eastern monasticism.

Franciscan Media

Wednesday

Introduction – WED

Isaiah 25:6-10

This reading is familiar from funerals, but not confined to those sad occasions. On the contrary, the invitation, open all the time, is full of joy and hope.

Matthew 15:29-37

The compassion of Jesus is outstanding in this reading: it is he who names the need and supplies the food. What hunger does he identify in us today? How are we nourished by him?

SOURCE: Hearers of the Word

Commentary – WED

Key Points – WED

KEY VERSE: “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd” (Matthew 15:32).
TO KNOW: Like Moses, Jesus went up on a mountain to teach the people. Jesus was a compassionate teacher who had concern for the needs of his people, both spiritual and physical. He took pity on the crowd, which had been following him for three days and were without food. The disciples were at a loss as to how they could feed so many hungry people. Jesus took what the disciples had, seven loaves of bread and some fish, gave thanks, broke the bread, and distributed it to the disciples who in turn satisfied the hungry people. This “Gentile feeding” corresponds to the “Jewish feeding” (Mt 14:13–21). The seven remaining baskets signified the fullness of God’s care for all people, gentile and Jew. These same acts: taking, thanking, breaking and offering are what priests continue to do in the Eucharistic sacrifice of the Mass. The “Breaking of the Bread” was an early name for the Eucharist (Greek, eucharistia, “the giving of thanks,” Acts.2:42). The followers of Jesus believed in his miracles of, and they didn’t see them as mere symbols. They saw them for what they truly are: the real presence of Christ in our hungry world.
TO LOVE: In what ways will I feed God’s people this Advent?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, thank you for satisfying my hunger in your Eucharistic presence.

SOURCE: Together with God’s Word

Thoughts on Today’s Gospel

• “Sick, our nature demanded to be healed; fallen, to be raised up; dead, to rise again. We had lost the possession of the good; it was necessary for it to be given back to us. Closed in the darkness, it was necessary to bring us the light.” (St. Gregory of Nyssa)
• “Mercy is love’s second name.” (Pope Francis)
• “Christ’s compassion (…) toward all who suffer goes so far that he identifies himself with them: `I was sick and you visited me’ (Mt 25:36). His preferential love for the sick has not ceased through the centuries to draw the very special attention of Christians toward all those who suffer in body and soul. It is the source of tireless efforts to comfort them.” (Catechism Of The Catholic Church, Nº 1.503)

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SOURCE: Evangeli.net

Saint of the Day – WED

Saint Nicholas | Franciscan Media

The absence of “hard historical facts” is not necessarily an obstacle to the popularity of saints, as the devotion to Saint Nicholas shows. Both the Eastern and Western Churches honor him, and it is claimed that after the Blessed Virgin, he is the saint most pictured by Christian artists.

Franciscan Media

Thursday

Introduction – THU

Isaiah 26:1-6

As you listen, you may notice all the words to do with protection: strong city, gates, rock, citadel, forming a great call to faith and trust in God.

Matthew 7:21, 24-27

It is always tempting to think that once you’ve said your prayers, you’re done. The prophets regularly pillory such complacency and so does Jesus. In addition, awareness of local geography adds over to his words. In the Judean desert, there are dry river beds called wadis, subject to flash floods. To build on such an exposed foundation is the very height of foolishness.

SOURCE: Hearers of the Word

Commentary – THU

Key Points – THU

KEY VERSE: “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock” (Matthew 7:24).
TO KNOW: Jesus concluded his Sermon on the Mount by saying that it was not enough to perform works of healing and miracles yet live contrary to his teachings. The true disciple was one who imitated Jesus’ dedication to God’s will. Jesus illustrated his teaching with the Palestinian practice of building houses on a rock foundation. The house built on the sand of a ravine was in danger of being swept away by the floods that followed the winter rains. Those who ignored Jesus’ words were building upon a superficial footing. Their faith would collapse when trials beset them. Christians who obey Christ’s teachings are building on a stable foundation that will withstand the storms of life.
TO LOVE: What can I do to strengthen my spiritual house this Advent?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me obey your word in your Church.

SOURCE: Together with God’s Word

Thoughts on Today’s Gospel

• “Watch, for when a heavy torpor of weakness and sadness rules over the soul, it is the enemy who holds sway over it and leads it against its own desire. That is why our Lord spoke of vigilance of soul and of body.” (St. Ephrem)
• “Today’s Gospel (Mt 7:21;24-27) comes down to a mathematical equation: I know the word, I put it into practice, I am established on rock. How I put it into practice? It is like building a house upon rock. And this figure of the rock refers to the Lord.” (Pope Francis)
• “The prayer of faith consists not only in saying ‘Lord, Lord, ’ but in disposing the heart to do the will of the Father (Mt 7:21). Jesus calls his disciples to bring into their prayer this concern for cooperating with the divine plan. (Cf. Mt 9:38).” (Catechism Of The Catholic Church Nº 2611)

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SOURCE: Evangeli.net

Saint of the Day – THU

Saint Ambrose | Franciscan Media

One of Ambrose’s historical claims to fame is that he was instrumental in the conversion of Saint Augustine, and also baptized him. Known for his lively preaching and writing, Saint Ambrose must have been a force to be reckoned with. Maybe those qualities were what attracted Saint Augustine. But Saint Ambrose stands on his own merits--independent of his protégé.

Franciscan Media

Friday

Introduction – FRI

Genesis 3:9-15, 20

The early stories in Genesis explore common human experiences , including sin, shame and the “ outsourcing ” o f blame! All very human, of course. The serpent symbolises something more sinister—the power of sin, against which we need the grace of God.

Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-2 The great hymn from Ephesians explores God’s grace in Christ, thus invit- ing us to engagement gratitude.

Luke 1:26-38 Mary’s yes is in contrast to the “no” of Adam and Eve…and all the rest of us of course! It is great to hear again that “nothing is impossible for God.”

SOURCE: Hearers of the Word

Commentary – FRI

Key Points – FRI

KEY VERSE: “Hail favored one! The Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28).
TO KNOW: After centuries of waiting for the long-expected Messiah, God’s messenger, the angel Gabriel, announced the glorious event to a young woman who lived in Nazareth, an obscure village in Galilee. The virgin’s name was Mary (Hebrew, Miryam, “the exalted one”). The angel told Mary that she had found favor with God and would bear a son who was to be named Jesus (Hebrew, Yeshua, “Yahweh saves”). Mary was deeply troubled by the angel’s message as she was a virgin. She was told not to be afraid as God’s Son would be conceived by the Holy Spirit. This “Son of the Most High” would rule eternally over the “house of Jacob” (v. 32-33) fulfilling the promises made to King David (2 Sam 7:16). Mary responded with faithful submission to the will of God (fiat, “Let it be done”). Even before her son’s birth, Mary prayed the prayer that Jesus taught: “Thy will be done.”
TO LOVE: Can I say with Mary, “Be it done unto me according to your will”?
TO SERVE: Blessed Mother, pray that I might always live in union with your son Jesus.

SOURCE: Together with God’s Word

Thoughts on Today’s Gospel

• “God is the father of created things; and Mary is the mother of recreated things. For God begot Him by whom all things were made; and Mary gave birth to Him by whom all things were saved.” (Saint Anselm)
• “The angel’s greeting is interwoven with threads from the Old Testament. Mary is the shoot which sprouts from the stump of David in the dark winter night of history: from her sprouts the tree of redemption. God has not failed, as it might seem at the beginning of history: God saved and saves his people.” (Benedict XVI)
• The “splendor of an entirely unique holiness” by which Mary is “enriched from the first instant of her conception” comes wholly from Christ: she is “redeemed, in a more exalted fashion, by reason of the merits of her Son.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 492)

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SOURCE: Evangeli.net

Saint of the Day – FRI

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary | Franciscan Media

Under the title of the Immaculate Conception, the Blessed Virgin is the patron of the United States. Thus this is a major feast—in fact a Holy Day of Obligation—for the Church in the United States of America.

Franciscan Media

Saturday

Introduction – SAT

Isaiah 30:19-21,23-26

The prophet raises the hopes of his hearers with a grand vision of peace and prosperity, a gift of God himself. Such harmony and well being come from following the way offered by God. Their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. (Psalms 1:2–3)

Matthew 9:35-10:1,5,6-8

Again, it is the compassion of Jesus which is outstanding. He feels and he acts and he sends out. Our need for the word of compassion and the healing touch of God is great. Perhaps I too am being called to some ministry in the community of faith or in society at large?

SOURCE: Hearers of the Word

Commentary – SAT

Key Points – SAT

KEY VERSE: “As you go, make this proclamation: `The kingdom of heaven is at hand'” (Matthew 10:7).
TO KNOW: Through Jesus’ teaching and healing, he proclaimed that the kingdom of God had arrived. Jesus was moved with compassion because the people were like “sheep without a shepherd” (Mt 9:36). He asked his disciples to pray that the “master of the harvest” (v. 38) would send out more laborers to care for God’s people. The Divine Shepherd (Jesus) and the Harvest-master (God) needed human cooperation to achieve this purpose. Jesus chose twelve who would share his authority and mission and serve as apostles. The Greek word Apostolos means “one sent forth with a message.” Jesus sent his apostles forth to announce his gospel to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” (10:6). The miracles that accompanied their proclamation were signs of God’s reign. The gift that they received was not to be kept to themselves but was to be freely shared with others.
TO LOVE: In what ways will I share the Lord’s gospel with others this Advent?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, I pray that I will be generous in answering your call.​

SOURCE: Together with God’s Word

Thoughts on Today’s Gospel

• “The harvest is great but the laborers are few. This cannot be said without a heavy heart, for although there are many to hear the good news there are only a few to preach it. Pray for us so that our tongue may not grow weary of exhortation.” (Saint Gregory the Great)
• “The world is not a futile confusion of drudgery and pain, for all the distress the world contains is supported in the arms of merciful love. The person who celebrates Advent in this spirit will legitimately be able to speak of the joyous, blessed and grace-filled season of Christmas.” (Benedict XVI)
• “With the Nicene Creed, we answer by confessing: ‘For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit, he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and was made man’.” (Catechism Of The Catholic Church Nº 456)

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SOURCE: Evangeli.net

Saint of the Day – SAT

Saint Juan Diego | Franciscan Media

Thousands of people gathered in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe July 31, 2002, for the canonization of Juan Diego, to whom the Blessed Mother appeared in the 16th century. Pope John Paul II celebrated the ceremony at which the poor Indian peasant became the Church’s first saint indigenous to the Americas.

Franciscan Media