December 3
Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest
First Reading
Isaiah 26:1-6
On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah:
“A strong city have we; he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us. Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith. A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in you.
”Trust in the LORD forever! For the LORD is an eternal Rock. He humbles those in high places, and the lofty city he brings down; He tumbles it to the ground, levels it with the dust. It is trampled underfoot by the needy, by the footsteps of the poor.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 118:1 AND 8-9, 19-21, 25-27A
R. (26a) Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Open to me the gates of justice;
I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.
This gate is the LORD’s;
the just shall enter it.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
O LORD, grant salvation!
O LORD, grant prosperity!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God, and he has given us light.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Alleluia
Isaiah 55:6
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call him while he is near.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Matthew 7:21, 24-27
Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”
Give a Mass Offering
Prayer for Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”
Readings & Reflection
How firm is our foundation? Have we built our house on rock or sand? Is our faith rooted in the teachings of Christ and backed by our own profession or is it planted shallow and quick to be uprooted at the simplest of discrepancies? Our faith is one of the strongest defenses we have in our lives and it should be rooted in prayer, proper understanding of the faith, and application. How well do we see the foundation of our faith and is it being applied in the proper ways? When we build our house on rock, we build it on a firm foundation, but first we must know how to establish that foundation.
As any friendship requires communication, our communication with Christ is through prayer. During this Advent season, prayer is one of the strongest tools we have to empower us to speak to Christ. Prayer establishes that channel for us to encounter the Lord and grow in our relationship with Him. When we encounter the Lord what do we do? Are we idle or do we seize the moment and embrace Christ’s presence in our lives? How can you make your foundation stronger today?
Fr Matt Rawson
Readings for the Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, priest
Read the story of St. Francis Xavier
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