December 2
Thursday of the First Week of Advent
Give a Mass Offering
Mass Intention
7:45 AM – Kristen Gerthoffer Woodmansee / Pat Garvey
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.
Readings
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.
Gospel Acclamation
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.”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”
Reflection
Trust in the Lord forever! For the Lord is an eternal rock (Isa 26:4).
A few construction images for us today! How important it is for us to find our strength and spiritual foundation rooted in the Lord. The more we are built up in him, the more we are able to withstand the storms of life! Okay, maybe we know this well…it is pretty intuitive after all. Jesus’ images today make perfect sense. Of course when storms and strong waters come, the house without a firm foundation will be swept away.
More often than not, however, our spiritual life isn’t always like one of those ‘houses’. We might find ourselves under the impression that our house is solid on rock, but an unexpected storm strikes and makes us feel like our house was the one built on sand! What do we make of this?
What if we were to consider another angle and anticipate the storms before they come?
The fourteenth rule of St. Ignatius’ Rules of Discernment is that the Enemy will act like a chief or commander who is ruthless in his desire to conquer. What does he then do? In measuring up our own defenses and strongholds, he attacks where the foundation is weakest. He considers our virtues and knows where we are most in need, and there he aims at taking us. I’d be surprised if you haven’t experienced this before.
Maybe to help us prepare for certain ‘storms’ we could intentionally pray for the graces of particular virtues in opposition to particular vices we face:
Humility against pride
Generosity and Liberality against greed, covetousness, deceitfulness
Chastity against lust, blindness of mind, selfishness
Meekness and Patience against anger, indignation, disordered speech, shaming others
Temperance against gluttony, inept joy, uncleanness/impurity of thoughts
Kindness against envy, hatred, detraction, murmuring
Diligence against sloth, spite, malice
Peace,
Fr. Foley
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