THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD (Christmas), Holy Day of Obligation

Also Read: Mass Readings for 25 December 2021 – Midnight Mass

First Reading: Isaiah 9: 1-6

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace!

And HE has been born for us! (6) Amen!

What a joy must break out in our cold hearts today, as the sound of these words touches our ears. In being born for us, God came to live and die for us! Once for all he took our burdens and redeemed us! May we lift our eyes from the mess around us and meditate on HIM in our hearts.

Come let us welcome our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace in our hearts and on this earth! Amen!

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 96: 1-3, 11-13

Therefore Rejoice!

The Lord is coming to judge the earth…The earth rejoices! Amen!

Second Reading: Titus 2: 11-14

Mend Ways!

Renounce impiety and worldly passions. (12)

God humbled Himself to be born a human, live and die for us. All he asks us is to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives. We must try, for he sees our efforts – HE is near! For we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!

Gospel: Luke 2: 1-14

The Child is born!

Mary and Joseph simply and humbly followed God’s plan in their lives. They welcomed the Son of God in their lives with obedience and faith.

Christ lives in us today, through the Eucharist! How obedient or humble are we to let him be truly born in our hearts and spirits?

May His Light live in and through us always. Amen!

HOLY FAMILY Feast

Also Read: Mass Readings for 26 December 2021

First Reading: Sirach 3: 2-6, 12-14

Blessed be the Parents!

For kindness to a father will not be forgotten, and will be credited to you against your sins. (14)

On the feast of the Holy Family, we are reminded to respect our parents. Even those who have passed on ahead still do intercede for us. May we always remember that!

Amen!

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 84: 2-3, 5-6, 9-10

The actual job!

A day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. (10)

I would rather walk about a humble watchman in the divine kingdom than be a pompous fool in satan’s circus!

Second Reading: Colossians 3: 12-21

Life Skills!

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. (12)

Ruthlessness, rudeness, pride, arrogance, and instant results rule the hearts and minds of people these days. Yet, we who are set apart are called to operate in the opposite manner beginning within our own families! Our behavior then is a testimony to whether we are truly the beloved ones of God.

May we realize our position in this world and act accordingly! Amen!

Gospel: Luke 2: 41-52

Family-Life 101

Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went on a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. (44)

Mary and Joseph assumed that he was there! -How could they? They lost child Jesus in a crowded area for three days! -Were they being irresponsible or careless? In fact, on the contrary, they would have been one of the most alert sets of parents around! They knew who he was from the time he was conceived! But this just goes to show, nobody close to God will have it easy!

Looking at how they react to this storm, we learn a great many lessons in family life. Mother Mary was anxious, St. Joseph would have been distraught, but did they play the blame game? No, they pondered in their hearts! Clothed in compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience toward each other, whilst facing a challenge; the Holy Family proved that they were truly the Beloved and Holy Ones of God!

As for us, are we looking for him in the right place? Do our friends and family point us to Jesus and vice-versa?

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT (O Radix Jesse)

Also Read: Mass Readings for 19 December 2021

First Reading: Micah 5: 1-4a

Humbled!

The little town of Bethlehem is exalted. (2) The humble virgin from the poor is glorified. (3)

The humble and little-known ones are the closest to the Lord! The world’s greatest love story was enacted in the most unassuming manner. There was no pomp or show in letting the world know that it was being saved!

If this is the God we serve, then ought we to walk any different?

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 80: 2-3, 15-16, 18-19

Saved!

Restore us O God, let your face shine on us that we may be saved. (3)

Second Reading: Hebrews 10: 5-10

Sanctified!

And it is by God’s will, that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (10)

God’s love for us humankind can never be fathomed. We can only allow ourselves to experience His Love. And yet, we must not fall into the deception of despair, however unworthy we might consider ourselves. We ought to now take up the robe of his righteousness and walk by His light because he has redeemed us ‘once for all. We then must walk in peace and joy of the Lord, while here on earth. Amen!

Gospel: Luke 1: 39-45

Loved!

“And why has this happened to me that the mother of my Lord comes to me?” (43)

Mother Mary comes to us every time we run amok. She will tug at our errant hearts until we turn to notice her. She is our Mother and will never leave us. In this time of great uncertainty across the world, she gently nudges us towards her divine son Jesus Christ. As we gaze upon Mother and Son may we exclaim in our contrite hearts like Elizabeth: “Why must my Mother come to me?” May we bend and stop to listen to the voice of the dear Holy Spirit within us that replies: “Because Mary loves us as her own true children!”

Amen!

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Also Read: Mass Readings for 12 December 2021

First Reading: Zephaniah 3: 14-18a

The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. The Lord your God is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory. (15-17)

The Lord our God is amongst us and we must not weaken. The words here bring solace and encouragement. We have a Warrior God who is the Triumphant Victor! Therefore, our hands must continue our ministry in whichever field we are planted. The Lord is there, alongside us tilling the earth! Be strong and bold, have no fear of them. (Deut 31:6)

Amen!

Responsorial Psalm: Isaiah 12: 2-6

Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. (6)

Second Reading: Philippians 4: 4-7

Let your gentleness be known to everyone, The Lord is near. (5)

This short passage must be lived in practical life to truly understand its importance! By faith, we can move mountains, but it is the daily walk uphill that tests our faith! The more we are assured of the Lord’s coming, the stronger we must resolve to hold on to our peace. Because the devil comes only to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10), beginning with our peace, joy, and faith! In the midst of our upward climb, no matter the storms or stones; it is a necessity for us to keep praising Our Lord. The moment we speak out the name of Jesus, the demons flee.

Let not the daily activities and preparations for the Lord’s coming this month and the time to come; keep us from praising him as we work! We will experience The Lord’s Peace subtly descend in our yearning and quiet hearts.

Make room in your hearts! Amen!

Gospel: Luke 3: 10-18

St. John the Baptist here is exhorting the people to be charitable, just, and content with their own wages. That was the first coming of our Lord; are we ready today for Our Dear Lord Jesus Christ’s second coming? It was heard once, that there is another coming too – The Coming of Our Lord in our hearts!

While proclaiming about Christ’s arrival, St John details his ministry work too! May we recognize the times we are in and be dedicated to refining ourselves! May we endeavor to remove the chaffy bits from our hearts. Are we charitable with our time? Are we just with our treasure? Do we recognize and hone our own talents/ or remain envious of others?

We are a saved people, may we walk in accordance! Amen!

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Also Read: Mass Readings for 05 December 2021

First Reading: Baruch 5: 1-9

Hope!

Arise, O Jerusalem, stand upon the height; look toward the east and see your children gathered from west and east at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that God has remembered them. (5)

In this wondrous and beautiful season of awaiting the Lord, Prophet Baruch proclaims to us words that bring great joy and hope. The gathering of her children from west and east symbolizes the church today, gathering universally. Especially, with the online services, we have a sense of unique oneness with our brothers and sisters across continents! Amen! Therefore, what was meant for evil has been turned into good, through the mighty working of God! Though churches closed last year, we came together as one family in spirit and in truth! Amen! For unless we were called, we wouldn’t have attended any online services either.

The woods and every fragrant tree have truly shaded us at God’s command! (8)  Praise God!

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 126: 1-6

Joy!

Those who go out weeping bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves. (6)

There is a hope shared here. When we are faced with trouble, we know who holds our tomorrow. Amen!

Second Reading: Philippians 1: 4-6, 8-11

Love!

And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight. (9)

To help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless. (10)

To gain true insight into all things, we are called by dear St. Paul today, to increase our love! Very unique teaching, indeed! No surprises that Christianity is a peculiar religion, then!

So if we seek discernment from the Lord, we need to ask him to increase our capacity to Love! Are we truly willing?

Gospel: Luke 3: 1-6

Salvation!

And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. (6)

This is a historically proven account with the exact time and names of the reigning Rulers. We must understand that the Bible doesn’t carry any ‘stories’ or ‘fables’. God came to us, lived among us, died, and rose for us; on this very same earth, we live on today! Might we just consider this fact in simple faith today, we ought to tremble at the thought!

We are blessed and have been given salvation, once and for all! Amen.

May we venerate Our Holy Trinity One God continually, just as St. Paul explains to the Philippians! Amen.