December 15
Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent
Give a Mass Offering
Mass Intention
7:45 AM – Parishioners of Holy Cross
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 45:6c-8, 18, 21c-25
I am the LORD, there is no other; I form the light, and create the darkness, I make well-being and create woe; I, the LORD, do all these things. Let justice descend, O heavens, like dew from above, like gentle rain let the skies drop it down. Let the earth open and salvation bud forth; let justice also spring up! I, the LORD, have created this.
For thus says the LORD, The creator of the heavens, who is God, The designer and maker of the earth who established it, Not creating it to be a waste, but designing it be lived in: I am the LORD, and there is no other.
Who announced this from the beginning and foretold it from of old? Was it not I, the LORD, besides whom there is no other God? There is no just and saving God but me.
Turn to me and be safe, all you ends of the earth, for I am God; there is no other! By myself I swear, uttering my just decree and my unalterable word: To me every knee shall bend; by me every tongue shall swear, Saying, “Only in the LORD are just deeds and power. Before him in shame shall come all who vent their anger against him. In the LORD shall be the vindication and the glory of all the descendants of Israel.”
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14
R. (Isaiah 45:8) Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD–for he proclaims peace to his people.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
R. Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.
Gospel Acclamation
See Isaiah 40:9-10
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Raise your voice and tell the Good News:
Behold, the Lord God comes with power.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Luke 7:18b-23
At that time, John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” When the men came to the Lord, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?’” At that time Jesus cured many of their diseases, sufferings, and evil spirits; he also granted sight to many who were blind. And Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”
“Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.”
Reflection
Today we return to the book of the Prophet Isaiah. The text reminds us that it is God who created everything and that he has no equal. It also reminds us that what comes from the mouth of the Lord is truth. In our gospel from St Luke, we see two of John the Baptist’s disciples coming to Jesus to ask if he is the one who is to come. Rather than answer yes or no, Jesus simply tells them to report what they have seen–Jesus curing the sick, restoring sight, casting out spirits, the dead raised to life, and the Good News proclaimed.
He finishes by saying, “happy is the man that does not lose faith in me.” That last line is a challenge for us today and is something we need to think about in the coming days as we move towards Christmas. Do we really believe that Christ is the Son of God, our Savior? If we really do, then we will be truly happy, but if not, then we need to look closely at our faith and see what needs to be changed in order to achieve true happiness this Christmas.
Peace,
Deacon Dare
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