Tuesday, December 20, 2011

 

TUESDAY 4TH WEEK OF ADVENT – YEAR I

DECEMBER 20, 2011
TUESDAY 4TH WEEK OF ADVENT – YEAR I

Is 7:10-14 / Ps 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 / Lk 1:26-38

ISAIAH 7:10-14
Once again Yahweh addressed Ahaz, "Ask for a sign from Yahweh your
God, let it come either from the deepest depths or from the heights of
heaven." But Ahaz answered, "I will not ask, I will not put Yahweh to
the test." Then Isaiah said, "Now listen, descendants of David. Have
you not been satisfied trying the patience of people, that you also
try the patience of my God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a
sign: The Virgin is with child and bears a son and calls his name
Immanuel.

LUKE 1:26-38
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of
Galilee called Nazareth. He was sent to a young virgin who was
betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the
virgin's name was Mary. The angel came to her and said, `Rejoice full
of grace, the Lord is with you." Mary was troubled at these words,
wondering what this greeting could mean. But the angel said, "Do not
fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you. You shall conceive and
bear a son and you shall call him Jesus. He will be great and shall
rightly be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the
kingdom of David, his ancestor; he will rule over the people of Jacob
forever and his reign shall have no end. Then Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be if I am a virgin?" And the angel said to her, "The
Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will
overshadow you; therefore, the holy child to be born shall be called
Son of God. Even your relative Elizabeth is expecting a son in her old
age, although she was unable to have a child, and she is now in her
six th month. With God nothing is impossible." Then Mary said, "I am
the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said." And
the angel left her.

REFLECTION
Today's readings speak of Divine intervention and how God affects our
everyday world. In the first reading, Isaiah's discussion of King Ahaz
tells of offer and rejection. God offered a sign to Ahaz to strengthen
his faith during a time when Ahaz's kingdom was being threatened. For
some reason, Ahaz wanted to avoid God's help. His reaction could mask
the stubbornness we sometimes feel. Sometimes, even when we are
anxious or suffering, we prefer the consolation of solitude and
anxiety rather than allowing God to enter into our hearts.

Luke's account of the announcement to Mary reflects a different
reaction to a sign. Mary's humanity is evident during the visitation
by the angel Gabriel, and to the questions she raises. God sent
Gabriel to Nazareth to bring her news and words of comfort to calm her
fears. However, those words were disruptive.

Mary is also given another sign, which is distinct from the angel's
visit. She is told that Elizabeth is pregnant, even though she is
thought to be too old to bear children. Mary is thus shown that
"nothing will be impossible for God." Mary's acceptance of the
visitation and the sign is a reflection of her faith in the promise of
God, in His Love, and in His creative power to bring about His will.

When we are faced with the disruptive creative powers of God in our
lives, let us remember Mary's example of faith.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Shonee Mendoza
- Mitchell, Brian, Michael G, Kristen, Maria, Delores, Linda O, Mary
Ann, Rudy, Frank
- Jo Marcelo
- Mon Torres
- Rakkie Villa
- Anthony Lu
… for the personal intentions of
- Pam and Rita, Eugene R and Dana
- Pauline
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Marcus Ng
- Birthday: Ma. Paz K. Fabella
- In Memoriam (+): Mary Yang
… for families who are in need of healing
… for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers
and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

**************************************************

These reflections are distributed free and are for personal use only.
Feel free to send the Daily Prayer reflections to your friends,
colleagues and relatives; however, if you do, please include the
following:

+================================================+
| The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the
| priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish
| http://www.marythequeen.org
| Distributed free and for personal use only.
+================================================+

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MEMORIAL, ST. PETER CANISIUS, PRIEST, DOCTOR

DECEMBER 21, 2011
MEMORIAL, ST. PETER CANISIUS, PRIEST, DOCTOR
WEDNESDAY 4TH WEEK OF ADVENT – YEAR I

Sg 2: 8-14 or Zep 3:14-18 / Ps 33: 2-3, 11-12, 20-21 / Lk 1: 39-45

ZEPHANIAH 3:14-18
Cry out with joy, O daughter of Zion; rejoice, O people of Israel!
Sing joyfully with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem! Yahweh has
lifted your sentence and has driven your enemies away. Yahweh, the
king of Israel is with you; do not fear any misfortune. On that day
they will say to Jerusalem: Do not be afraid nor let your hands
tremble, for Yahweh your God is within you, Yahweh, saving warrior. He
will jump for joy on seeing you, for he has revived his love. For you
he will cry out with joy, as you do in the days of the Feast. I will
drive away the evil I warned you about, and you will no longer be
shamed.

LUKE 1:39-45
Mary then set out for a town in the Hills of Judah. She entered the
house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's
greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with holy
spirit, and giving a loud cry, said, "You are most blessed among women
and blessed is the fruit of your womb! How is it that the mother of my
Lord comes to me? The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the
baby within me suddenly leapt for joy. Blessed are you who believed
that the Lord's word would come true!"

REFLECTION
To be chosen by God to carry out His plans is a tremendous privilege
and responsibility. There is no prerequisite to being picked, only
complete faith in Him. He did not chose an earthly queen or an
aristocratic woman to be the vessel of salvation, He chose a humble
young virgin who burned with hope and trust in His promises.

When God chooses someone to do His will, He showers awesome grace and
joy on those who say "yes" and put their trust in Him. Mary was full
of this grace and joy, which is why Elizabeth and the child in her
womb knew at once that the Savior was with her. She believed and the
Lord filled her with the Holy Spirit— a gift to know and experience
the presence of God. The Holy Spirit is the way in which God reigns
within each of us.

Do you live in the joy and knowledge of God's presence in you through
his Holy Spirit? As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior,
ask the Holy Spirit to come into your heart that you may feel and
experience the presence of God in your life today.

Come, Holy Spirit, I need you. Come, Holy Spirit, I pray. Come with
your strength and your power. Come in your own special way.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Mitchell, Brian, Michael G, Kristen, Maria, Delores, Linda O, Mary
Ann, Rudy, Frank
- Jo Marcelo
- Mon Torres
- Rakkie Villa
- Anthony Lu
- Chief Samrose Anyaugo
- Mon Torres
- Rakkie Villa
… for the personal intentions of
- Pam and Rita, Eugene R and Dana
- Pauline
- Josheil Dapo
- Dr. Ugo Anyaugo, Mr. Ogechi Anyaugo, Barr Obinna Okoronkwo, Barr Mrs
Barbs Adaugo Okoronkwo, Mr .Ifeanyi Anyaugo, Mr Chuboy Anyaugo,
Cordelia Anyaugo
.. for the victims of the floods in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan and
their families.
… for the eternal repose of the soul of Jo Marcelo. Eternal rest grant
unto them and may perpetual light shine upon them. May they and all
the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Tess Catindig
- Birthday: Janet Sibala
- Birthday: Cresencia Roleda
- Birthday: Arjan Ramnani
- Birthday: Cecilla R. Fernandez
- Birthday: Fr. Bienvenito Luke Dobles
- Wedding Anniversary: Philip & Nancy Young
- Wedding Anniversary: Carlo & Lesan Malana
- Thanksgiving: Bishop Gabriel V. Reyes Ordination Day as Priest
… for families who are in need of healing
… for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers
and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

**************************************************

These reflections are distributed free and are for personal use only.
Feel free to send the Daily Prayer reflections to your friends,
colleagues and relatives; however, if you do, please include the
following:

+================================================+
| The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the
| priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish
| http://www.marythequeen.org
| Distributed free and for personal use only.
+================================================+


--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GoogleGroup Address: http://groups.google.com/group/daily_homily
To subscribe from this free mailing service, send email to: dailyhomily@earthlink.net
To unsubscribe: daily_homily-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

© 2011 Daily-Homily


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