December 15, 2024 Third Sunday of Advent
Zephaniah 3: 14-18a
Psalm Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
Philippians 4: 4-7
Luke 3: 10-18
Already, But Not Yet Be Ready
Here we are more than halfway through the Season of Advent. This season is about preparing for the second coming of Christ. The week after this we prepare to celebrate the first coming of Christ when we observe the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord. Yet, we are always preparing for the moment of our personal earthly death and going to the Lord. The journey of life to eternity is on-going.
When a good Roman Catholic Christian is asked “are you saved” he or she should answer “already, but not yet.” What does that mean?
As stated above, each person and indeed all of creation is on a journey. With every step we take and every breath we make we must say ”yes” to God. It is not a matter of accepting Jesus once in life. It is a matter of constantly doing so. Thus, as in the gospel for today, as we make the journey we ask, “what shall we do?”
What we do is practice the disciplines of the faith. In so doing we clear away some of the clutter of life. Live right. And, while at times each of us experiences the excitement of expectation, we must keep a level mind and remain observant. Remain observant so that we may see God’s presence and influence and follow the Lord’s guidance.
As we carry on along the way of God, even as the way may be difficult, there are moments we experience joy. We recognize the Lord’s presence and rise up with Him. We say, “Rejoice in the Lord always.”
So, keep on the journey. We are “already, but not yet” to its end.
When a good Roman Catholic Christian is asked “are you saved” he or she should answer “already, but not yet.” What does that mean?
As stated above, each person and indeed all of creation is on a journey. With every step we take and every breath we make we must say ”yes” to God. It is not a matter of accepting Jesus once in life. It is a matter of constantly doing so. Thus, as in the gospel for today, as we make the journey we ask, “what shall we do?”
What we do is practice the disciplines of the faith. In so doing we clear away some of the clutter of life. Live right. And, while at times each of us experiences the excitement of expectation, we must keep a level mind and remain observant. Remain observant so that we may see God’s presence and influence and follow the Lord’s guidance.
As we carry on along the way of God, even as the way may be difficult, there are moments we experience joy. We recognize the Lord’s presence and rise up with Him. We say, “Rejoice in the Lord always.”
So, keep on the journey. We are “already, but not yet” to its end.
Peace and blessings,
Father Bob
Father Bob
Father Bob's
Video Reflections
Each week Father Bob posts a Video Reflection on the Spiritual readings for the weekend Mass. These Videos are not intended to replace your prescence at mass each week! Much like Scripture Sharing on Thursday evening from 7 pm - 8 pm, these videos act as a point of reference to enhance your knowledge and better prepare you to participate in each weeks celebration.
Each week the videos are archive and can be streamed by clicking on the Bulletin/Videos button above.
Each week the videos are archive and can be streamed by clicking on the Bulletin/Videos button above.
The Jesus Prayer...
Lord Jesus Christ
have Mercy on me a Poor Sinner.
have Mercy on me a Poor Sinner.
Pope Francis’ Prayer for Peace
Now, Lord, come to our aid! Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts, and give us the courage to say: "Never again war!"; "With war everything is lost". Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace.
Amen
Amen
Sacraments of Christian Initiation
Click on the links below for more information
Sacraments of Healing
Sacraments of Service
This Weeks Scripture Readings
December 22, 2024
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Reading I
Mi 5:1-4a
Thus says the LORD:
You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah
too small to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel;
whose origin is from of old,
from ancient times.
Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time
when she who is to give birth has borne,
and the rest of his kindred shall return
to the children of Israel.
He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock
by the strength of the LORD,
in the majestic name of the LORD, his God;
and they shall remain, for now his greatness
shall reach to the ends of the earth;
he shall be peace.
too small to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel;
whose origin is from of old,
from ancient times.
Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time
when she who is to give birth has borne,
and the rest of his kindred shall return
to the children of Israel.
He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock
by the strength of the LORD,
in the majestic name of the LORD, his God;
and they shall remain, for now his greatness
shall reach to the ends of the earth;
he shall be peace.
Responsorial Psalm
PS 80
R. (4) Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
from your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power,
and come to save us.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
from your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power,
and come to save us.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Reading II
Heb 10:5-10
Brothers and sisters:
When Christ came into the world, he said:
“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but a body you prepared for me;
in holocausts and sin offerings you took no delight.
Then I said, ‘As is written of me in the scroll,
behold, I come to do your will, O God.’“
First he says, “Sacrifices and offerings,
holocausts and sin offerings,
you neither desired nor delighted in.”
These are offered according to the law.
Then he says, :Behold, I come to do your will.”
He takes away the first to establish the second.
By this “will,” we have been consecrated
through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
When Christ came into the world, he said:
“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but a body you prepared for me;
in holocausts and sin offerings you took no delight.
Then I said, ‘As is written of me in the scroll,
behold, I come to do your will, O God.’“
First he says, “Sacrifices and offerings,
holocausts and sin offerings,
you neither desired nor delighted in.”
These are offered according to the law.
Then he says, :Behold, I come to do your will.”
He takes away the first to establish the second.
By this “will,” we have been consecrated
through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Alleluia
Lk 1:38
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Gospel
Lk 1:39-45
Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
“Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled.”
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
“Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled.”