December 20
Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent
Give a Mass Offering
Mass Intention
7:45 AM - Walter Kleinschrod / Klucsik Family
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 7:10-14
The LORD spoke to Ahaz: Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God; let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky! But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!” Then Isaiah said: Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary men, must you also weary my God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
R. (see 7c and 10b) Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.
The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
R. Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
R. Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.
Gospel Acclamation
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
O Key of David,
opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom:
come and free the prisoners of darkness!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
“Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.”
Reflection
How do we hear our Gospel—or even our first reading today—with new ears and renewed with open heart and mind? This passage of Luke (1:26-38) is one of the most profound texts in all of Sacred Scripture. It is so easy for us to just hear them with a sentimental sense and not appreciate the remarkable Truth they communicate. Let’s actually sit and humbly ask Mary’s same question with the same courageous faith: How can this be? How is it, this most radical claim of our faith…that God in fact assumed human flesh in the womb of Mary for the salvation of all the world. How can this be? Why did God do such a thing? What kind of Love is this? May we have the grace today to appreciate this incredible miracle and not simply take it for granted. We are forever indebted to God for the beautiful gift of his constantly abiding presence that now never abandons us. God with us, Emmanuel.
Let’s meditate in conversation with our Blessed Mother—who is in fact our Mother, she was not divine, and while she certainly deserves to be on a pedestal—remember that she chooses to be at our side holding us and ushering us closer to her Son. Always.
“O Mary, Mother of God and my Mother, what light and strength your sweet image brings me! So ‘full of grace’ that you were worthy to bear within you the Author and Source of all grace, you do not disdain to give yourself to me—as a poor creature, conscious of my sin and misery—as a model of purity, love, and holiness…
I am so reluctant, O Immaculate Virgin, in giving myself to God, so immersed in the things of earth! Teach me how pure my heart ought to be, so that I will never refuse anything to the Lord, and will always be able to repeat with you my sweet, prompt fiat.
Illumine my mind, then, with the light which emanates from your resplendent purity, so that no attachment, no earthly affection may remain hidden in me to prevent my leading a life truly and fully consecrated to my God.”
- Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalene
Peace,
Fr. Foley
P.S. The Light is on for YOU today! The Lord is always inviting you to receive his mercy! Sacrament of Reconciliation at Holy Cross from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM!
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