Monday, December 31, 2012
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Washed, Sanctified and Justified in the Sacraments of the Catholic Church.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Lighthouse Catholic special offer 12/31/12
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Thank you for helping
the St. Paul Center continue its work in this Year of Faith. Dear Friend in Christ,
On behalf of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, thank you for your support, encouragement and prayers in 2012. They've helped us make a difference in the lives of thousands of fellow Catholics, helping them to rediscover the transforming power of God’s Word.
The calendar year is ending tonight—the last opportunity to make a tax-deductible donation.
But the Church's Year of Faith continues. It is very important that we begin 2013 with as strong a financial foundation as possible. Please click here to give a gift before midnight tonight.
On average, non-profits raise 20% of their annual funds in the last few days of the year. If we receive your gift by the end of the day, it will help us to plan our programs for next year.
Since I founded the St. Paul Center more than ten years ago, over four dozen of the best Scripture scholars in the country have joined me in laying the foundations for a new generation of biblical scholarship.
Together, we’re working towards the day when the best Bible studies in your town, the best teaching in your town, and the best preaching in your town will all be found at your local Catholic parish.
None of this would be possible without your support. On behalf of the staff of the St. Paul Center, please accept our heart-felt gratitude and prayers.
Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year,
In Christ,
Dr. Scott Hahn
President
P.S. I invite you to view my video "Thank You" message below, where I review the year's accomplishments, made possible by the help of supporters like yourself, and God's Grace. Please continue to bless our work with your prayers, and please click here to make your most generous, tax deductible gift today.
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January 1, 2013
The Octave Day of Christmas
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
Scripture proclaims Mary the Mother of God:Luke 1:43
And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
And so she is. She is the mother of Jesus. Jesus is God. Therefore, she is the Mother of God.
Read more about the Mother of God. And more.
On the eighth day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me...eight maids a milking.
The eight maids a milking symbolize the eight beatitudes of Jesus Christ. The beatitudes come from the heart of the Church which is the bride of Christ.
Isaiah 66:10-12
King James Version (KJV)
10 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:
11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.
12 For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.
Lectionary: 18
Reading 1 from the Holy Book of Numbers
Nm 6:22-27
The LORD said to Moses:The Lord recited a prayer to Moses and instructed him to teach it to Aaron and his sons. Who is Aaron? Aaron is Moses' elder brother. He is the first High Priest of God, appointed by God. Both Moses and Aaron are from the tribe of Levi.
“Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:
This is how you shall bless the Israelites.
Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and
give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites,
and I will bless them.”
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8
R. (2a) May God bless us in his mercy.
May God have pity on us and bless us;may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
May the nations be glad and exultbecause you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
May the peoples praise you, O God;may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
On this day, we must understand, that the blessing of God, came to us through Mary, the Mother of God. The blessing of God, is God made man, Jesus Christ.
Reading 2 from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galations.
Gal 4:4-7
Brothers and sisters:When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son,born of a woman, born under the law,to ransom those under the law,so that we might receive adoption as sons.The key words I focus upon, on this day, are BORN OF A WOMAN. And what a woman! Conceived without sin, united to the Holy Spirit from the moment of her conception. Lived her entire life without committing a sin.
We received the blessing of God, through this wonderful woman.
As proof that you are sons,We are sons of God. Born of the same mother. Mary is the mother of all who keep the testimony of Jesus Christ and the Commandments of the Father.
God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,
crying out, “Abba, Father!”
So you are no longer a slave but a son,
and if a son then also an heir, through God.
Revelation 12:17
King James Version (KJV)
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke
Lk 2:16-21
The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,Having heard the message of the Angels, the shepherds hurried to witness the heavenly news they had received.
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,When the shepherds arrived, they reported what the Angels from heaven had told them.
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazedAnd Mary treasured all this information in her heart.
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,Then the shepherds returned to their fields, praising God for all they had heard and seen that night.
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to them.
When eight days were completed for his circumcision,And in eight days, the family took the child to the Temple in obedience to the Law of Moses.
he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel
before he was conceived in the womb.
Sincerely,
De Maria
Sunday, December 30, 2012
December 31, 2012
The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas
On the seventh day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me...seven swans a swimming. The seven swans a swimming represent the Seven Sacraments. The Sacraments are outpourings of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is referred to as "Living Water". Those who submit to and believe in the Seven Sacraments of Jesus Christ are swimming in the Living Water which He gives us.
The seven swans a swimming could also represent the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Again, because the Holy Spirit is represented by Living Water, then those who exercise the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit which we receive in Baptism, are swimming in the Fountain of Grace which Jesus Christ provided.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit are Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord. They belong in their fullness to Christ, Son of David. They complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them. They make the faithful docile in readily obeying divine inspirations. (CCC, 1831)
Lectionary: 204
Reading 1 from the first letter of St. John
1 Jn 2:18-21
Children, it is the last hour;St. John warns the Church that it is time to repent. And that they need to be aware that some people are preaching against and actively opposing the Will of God.
and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming,
so now many antichrists have appeared.
Thus we know this is the last hour.This has been confirmed throughout history. Our greatest opponents have come from our own families:
They went out from us, but they were not really of our number;
if they had been, they would have remained with us.
Matthew 10:36
King James Version (KJV)
36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
Their desertion shows that none of them was of our number.St. John seems to be saying that the reason they deserted is because they didn't really give themselves completely over to the faith of Jesus Christ. This, I think, is confirmed in the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:14-23).
But you have the anointing that comes from the Holy One,The anointing that comes from the Holy One is Baptism, which is the washing of the Holy Spirit.
and you all have knowledge.
Since, those who seek Baptism, must first be converted by the preaching of the Church and thus taught that which God commanded, therefore, he says that the Baptized, the anointed of God, have the knowledge of God and His saving plan.
I write to you not because you do not know the truthThe Truth that Jesus Christ is Lord. And knowing Christ, we reject sin.
but because you do, and because every lie is alien to the truth.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 96:1-2, 11-12, 13
R. (11a) Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Sing to the LORD a new song;sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name;
announce his salvation, day after day.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;let the sea and what fills it resound;
let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!
Then shall all the trees of the forest exult before the LORD.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
The LORD comes,he comes to rule the earth.
He shall rule the world with justice
and the peoples with his constancy.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Amen! God has done something new upon the world:
Isaiah 43:19
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
Let us rejoice and be glad!
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John
Jn 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word,The Word is Jesus.
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
The Holy Trinity is God.
Jesus, the Word of God, is God in the unity of God the Father and the Holy Spirit.
He was in the beginning with God.All things came to be through him,and without him nothing came to be.All things were made by Him and for Him.
Colossians 1:16
King James Version (KJV)
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
What came to be through him was life,Jesus Christ is the light of the world and even His death did not overcome Him:
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
1 Corinthians 15:54-55
King James Version (KJV)
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
A man named John was sent from God.God sent Elijah as He promised:
He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
Malachi 4:5St. John the Baptist is Elijah:
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
Matthew 11:13-15
King James Version (KJV)
13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
He was in the world,The Jews rejected Christ. The Jews, the People of God, rejected God in the flesh.
and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own,
but his own people did not accept him.
But to those who did accept himThose who are born again of the Spirit, love God.
he gave power to become children of God,
to those who believe in his name,
who were born not by natural generation
nor by human choice nor by a man's decision
but of God.
And the Word became fleshJesus is the Word made flesh. The very image of God the Father.
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father's only-begotten Son,
full of grace and truth.
John testified to him and cried out, saying,And St. John testified of the coming of the Great Prophet, the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
"This was he of whom I said,
'The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.'"
From his fullness we have all received,
grace in place of grace,
because while the law was given through Moses,
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God.
The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father's side,
has revealed him.
Sincerely,
De Maria
Ring the New Year, in Church!
Many people will ring in the New Year in a drunken haze. Like we need more of that in this country. With the recent tragedies in mind, it is time for us to change our ways.
The Catholic Church always rings in the New Year with prayer and thanksgiving to God. This year, find yourself a Church and make your joyful noise to God.
Let us turn over a new leaf. Let us turn to God.
Sincerely,
De Maria
The Catholic Church always rings in the New Year with prayer and thanksgiving to God. This year, find yourself a Church and make your joyful noise to God.
Let us turn over a new leaf. Let us turn to God.
Sincerely,
De Maria
Saturday, December 29, 2012
December 30, 2012
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
Read more about the Feast of the Holy Family.On the 6th day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me...six geese a laying.
The six geese represent the first 6 days of Creation. To me, they represent six eggs, because eggs represent new life.
Lectionary: 17
Reading 1 from the Holy Book of Sirach
Sir 3:2-6, 12-14
God sets a father in honor over his children;God is the source of all authority and life. He sets parents over children as their first teachers and authorities whom the children must honor for all their life.
a mother's authority he confirms over her sons.
Whoever honors his father atones for sins,
and preserves himself from them.
When he prays, he is heard;Whoever honors his father and mother is heard by God when he prays and stores up for himself treasures in heaven.
he stores up riches who reveres his mother.
Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children,
and, when he prays, is heard.
Whoever reveres his father will live a long life;Whoever respects his father makes his mother proud.
he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother.
My son, take care of your father when he is old;Take care of your parents. Be assured that God will take care of you in return.
grieve him not as long as he lives.
Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him;
revile him not all the days of his life;
kindness to a father will not be forgotten,
firmly planted against the debt of your sins
--a house raised in justice to you.
Alternate reading from the Holy Book of 1st Samuel
1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28
In those days Hannah conceived, and at the end of her term bore a sonThe good and faithful Hannah missed the customary assembly for the worship of God because she wanted to spend more time with her only begotten child, Samuel, whom she had determined to give back to the Lord.
whom she called Samuel, since she had asked the LORD for him.
The next time her husband Elkanah was going up
with the rest of his household
to offer the customary sacrifice to the LORD and to fulfill his vows,
Hannah did not go, explaining to her husband,
"Once the child is weaned,
I will take him to appear before the LORD
and to remain there forever;
I will offer him as a perpetual nazirite."
Once Samuel was weaned, Hannah brought him up with her,And when the time came, Hannah gave her son back to the Lord. In my eyes, an unimaginable sacrifice which shows the depth of her love and gratefulness to God.
along with a three-year-old bull,
an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine,
and presented him at the temple of the LORD in Shiloh.
After the boy's father had sacrificed the young bull,
Hannah, his mother, approached Eli and said:
"Pardon, my lord!
As you live, my lord,
I am the woman who stood near you here, praying to the LORD.
I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted my request.
Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD;
as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD."
Hannah left Samuel there.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5.
R. (cf. 1) Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,who walks in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vinein the recesses of your home;
your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Behold, thus is the man blessedwho fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Blessed are they who keep the Commandments:
Revelation 22:14
King James Version (KJV)
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Or Ps 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10.
R. (cf. 5a) Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord.
How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the LORD.
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
R. Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord.
Happy they who dwell in your house!Continually they praise you.
Happy the men whose strength you are!
Their hearts are set upon the pilgrimage.
R. Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord.
O LORD of hosts, hear our prayer;hearken, O God of Jacob!
O God, behold our shield,
and look upon the face of your anointed.
R. Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord.
The Church is the house of the Lord:
1 Timothy 3:15
King James Version (KJV)
15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Blessed are those who dwell in the house of God, Our Lord:
Hebrews 12:21-23
King James Version (KJV)
21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Reading 2 from St. Paul's epistle to the Colossians
Col 3:12-21
Brothers and sisters:If we love God, we must love one another. And forgiving each other as love forgives us.
Put on, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,Let love be what brings us together and the result will be that peace which only Christ can bring.
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.And always let our gratefulness of God be known in songs and prayers.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,And everything that you do, let the Word of God be your guide. Don't do anything without realizing that God is there present with you and observing all that you do.
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Wives, be subordinate to your husbands,Wives obey your husbands as you would Christ.
as is proper in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives,Husbands love your wives as you do your own bodies, which in truth, they are.
and avoid any bitterness toward them.
Children, obey your parents in everything,Children obey your parents for God has put them in charge over you.
for this is pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers, do not provoke your children,Parents, do not provoke your children, but treat them with respect so that they may blossom to a perfect love of God.
so they may not become discouraged.
Or Col 3:12-17
This is a brief version of the reading above, I'll just post it as is with no comment.
Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Or 1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24
Beloved:What is this love that the Father has bestowed upon us?
See what love the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God.
John 3:16
King James Version (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
And so we are.
The reason the world does not know us
is that it did not know him.
Matthew 10:25
It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
Beloved, we are God's children now;
what we shall be has not yet been revealed.
We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is.
1 Corinthians 13:12
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us,
we have confidence in God and receive from him whatever we ask,
because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
John 14:21-23
King James Version (KJV)
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
And his commandment is this:
we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,
and love one another just as he commanded us.
John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them,
and the way we know that he remains in us
is from the Spirit he gave us.
John 15:10
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke
Lk 2:41-52
Each year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the feastSts. Mary and Joseph were faithful Jews and therefore went every year to keep the feast of the Passover and God commanded.
of Passover,
and when he was twelve years old,
they went up according to festival custom.
After they had completed its days, as they were returning,One year, when they were returning home from keeping the Passover, they lost track of their son, Jesus.
the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem,
but his parents did not know it.
Thinking that he was in the caravan,They thought He was in the family caravan amongst their relatives. But they they noticed He was missing and they went to look for Him, in Jerusalem.
they journeyed for a day
and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
but not finding him,
they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.
After three days they found him in the temple,After three days they found Him in the Temple with the teachers of the Law. He was listening and asking questions. Everyone was astounded at His words.
sitting in the midst of the teachers,
listening to them and asking them questions,
and all who heard him were astounded
at his understanding and his answers.
When his parents saw him,When Sts. Mary and Joseph found their son, Mary asked, "
they were astonished,
and his mother said to him,
"Son, why have you done this to us?
Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety."
And he said to them,
"Why were you looking for me?
Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"
Son, didn't you know we would be searching for you?" He, responding, said, "Why? Didn't you know that I would be in my Father's house?"
But they did not understand what he said to them.No one understood what He was saying. But His mother kept all of this in her heart. And Jesus grew older and wiser and everyone loved Him more and more, both God and Man.
He went down with them and came to Nazareth,
and was obedient to them;
and his mother kept all these things in her heart.
And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor
before God and man.
Sincerely,
De Maria
Friday, December 28, 2012
December 29, 2012
The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Read about Octaves.On the fifth day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me...5 golden rings.
The 5 rings are the Pentateuch. The Pentateuch or Torah is the name given to the first five books of the Bible. They are considered the books which Moses wrote. They consist of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. I'm only speculating, but I "rings" remind me of the Covenant of Matrimony. And each one of these books of the Old Covenant, remind us of our union with God.
Lectionary: 202
Reading 1 from the first letter of St. John to the Church
1 Jn 2:3-11
Beloved:Some people don't think that the St. John who wrote the Gospel is the same St. John who wrote the Epistles or Letters. But the elements of the Gospel of St. John are so similar to the Letters that I have no doubt they are one and the same. In this case, this verse reminds me very firmly, of what St. John said in the 14th Chapter of his Gospel:
The way we may be sure that we know Jesus
is to keep his commandments.
Whoever says, "I know him," but does not keep his commandments
is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
John 14:21-23
King James Version (KJV)
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
But whoever keeps his word,St. John reminds us that in order to follow Christ, we must pick up our Cross:
the love of God is truly perfected in him.
This is the way we may know that we are in union with him:
whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked.
Luke 9:23
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Beloved, I am writing no new commandment to youThis reminds me of another Johanine verse (i.e. another verse in St. John's Gospel).
but an old commandment that you had from the beginning.
The old commandment is the word that you have heard.
And yet I do write a new commandment to you,
John 13:34
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
which holds true in him and among you,
for the darkness is passing away,
and the true light is already shining.
John 1:9
That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
Whoever says he is in the light,John 3:19
yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness.
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Whoever loves his brother remains in the light,
and there is nothing in him to cause a fall.
John 8:12
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Whoever hates his brother is in darkness;
he walks in darkness
and does not know where he is going
because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
John 12:46
I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6
R. (11a) Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Sing to the LORD a new song;sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Announce his salvation, day after day.Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
The LORD made the heavens.Splendor and majesty go before him;
praise and grandeur are in his sanctuary.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
This is a prophecy of the Song of the Angels when they came to proclaim the Glory of God to the Shepherds on that glorious day! GLORIA IN EXELSIS DEO!
Luke 2:8-14
King James Version (KJV)
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Lk 2:22-35
When the days were completed for their purificationThis sacrifice is a ritual sin offering which is offered by the woman who bore a male child. Frequently, it is questioned, why Mary had to pay a sin offering. The answer is simply that it is a ritual sin offering required by the law. It doesn't mean that she sinned. In essence, we can give the same response which Jesus gave St. John when He was baptized:
according to the law of Moses,
the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
Matthew 3:15
King James Version (KJV)
15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
"Lord, now let your servant go in peace;The extraordinarily holy St. Simeon. He left us a beautiful canticle which the Catholic Breviary traditionally includes in our nightly prayers.
your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you prepared in the sight of every people,
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel."
The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;There is a beautiful devotion which is associated with this verse. It is called the Seven Sorrows of Mary and is depicted by a heart with 7 swords piercing it. I imagine only a mother can identify with the suffering Mary endured seeing her only Child nailed to a cross.
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
"Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
(and you yourself a sword will pierce)
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
Sincerely,
De Maria
Thursday, December 27, 2012
December 28, 2012
Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs
The Holy Innocents, the children massacred by King Herod in his effort to exterminate the Christ. Read more.On the fourth day of Christmas my True Love gave to me...four calling birds.
The four calling birds stand for the Four Evangelists, or Gospel authors, Sts. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I imagine they are calling birds because they call us to the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Lectionary: 698
Reading 1 from the first letter of St. John to the Church
1 Jn 1:5-2:2
Beloved:The message of Jesus Christ to the world is that God is good and there is no evil in Him.
This is the message that we have heard from Jesus Christ
and proclaim to you:
God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.
If we say, "We have fellowship with him,"One can not love God and continue to walk in sin.
while we continue to walk in darkness,
we lie and do not act in truth.
But if we walk in the light as he is in the light,
then we have fellowship with one another,
and the Blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin.
If we say, "We are without sin,"Anyone who approaches God without repenting of his sins is lying.
we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and justBut if we repent of our sins and ask for forgiveness, He will wash us of our sins and we will be born again in the Spirit, children of God.
and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.
If we say, "We have not sinned," we make him a liar,
and his word is not in us.
My children, I am writing this to youAnd St. John advises all who come to God not to sin. But, if we sin, we are represented by Jesus Christ our advocate in heaven, if we repent and return to Him.
so that you may not commit sin.
But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous one.
He is expiation for our sins,
and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 124:2-3, 4-5, 7cd-8
R. (7) Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler's snare.
Had not the LORD been with us?When men rose up against us,
then would they have swallowed us alive,
When their fury was inflamed against us.
R. Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler's snare.
Then would the waters have overwhelmed us;The torrent would have swept over us;
over us then would have swept the raging waters.
R. Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler's snare.
Broken was the snare,and we were freed.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
R. Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler's snare.
This is a recalling of God rescuing the Hebrews from the pagan nations which had overpowered them because of their sins.
But it is also a spiritual reference to our being freed from the snares of Satan when we are washed in the waters of rebirth by the Holy Spirit.
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew
Mt 2:13-18
When the magi had departed, behold,Herod tried to trick the Magi into revealing where the Child was born. But they were warned in a dream, not to listen to Herod and they left by another way.
the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,
"Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,
and stay there until I tell you.
Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him."
At the same time, also in a dream, St. Joseph was warned by St. Gabriel, to flee with the Child and His mother to Egypt.
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by nightSt. Joseph obyed his dream and took his family to Egypt.
and departed for Egypt.
He stayed there until the death of Herod,
that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled,
Out of Egypt I called my son.
When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi,When Herod realized that the Magi had not obeyed his command, he ordered the massacre of all the babies in Bethlehem.
he became furious.
He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity
two years old and under,
in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi.
Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:
A voice was heard in Ramah,
sobbing and loud lamentation;
Rachel weeping for her children,
and she would not be consoled,
since they were no more.
Sincerely,
De Maria
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
December 27, 2012
Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist
St. John, the beloved disciple and the Apostle depicted as the Eagle, because he soars to the heights of truth. Read more about the great St. John the Evangelist.On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...three Frency hens.
The three French hens symbolize the theological virtues.
1 Corinthians 13:13
King James Version (KJV)
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Lectionary: 697
Reading 1 from the first letter of St. John1 Jn 1:1-4
Beloved:The Word of Life is Christ. St. John, St. James, St. Andrew and St. Peter were the first to see, hear and touch Him when St. John the Baptist revealed Him.
What was from the beginning,
what we have heard,
what we have seen with our eyes,
what we looked upon
and touched with our hands
concerns the Word of life --
for the life was made visible;St. John is declaring the Divinity of Christ. Christ is the Eternal Life which was with the Father.
we have seen it and testify to it
and proclaim to you the eternal life
that was with the Father and was made visible to us?
what we have seen and heardHe is proclaiming to us the Gospel so that we might be saved and the joy of all who traverse the heavens may be complete:
we proclaim now to you,
so that you too may have fellowship with us;
for our fellowship is with the Father
and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
We are writing this so that our joy may be complete.
Luke 15:10
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12
R. (12) Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;let the many isles be glad.
Clouds and darkness are around him,
justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
Light dawns for the just;and gladness, for the upright of heart.
Be glad in the LORD, you just,
and give thanks to his holy name.
R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
We must always rejoice in the goodness and mercy of God, who without our participation, sent His only begotten Son in order that He might die and we might receive life everlasting.
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John
Jn 20:1a And 2-8
On the first day of the week,St. Mary had not yet seen the Lord, but had found the empty tomb with the other holy women and informed the Apostles.
Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
"They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we do not know where they put him."
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.The other disciple is St. John himself. He is the one who arrived at the tomb before St. Peter.
They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first;
he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.When St. Peter arrived, he went in first, and surveyed the scene.
When Simon Peter arrived after him,
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,
and the cloth that had covered his head,
not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in,Then St. John went in and they observed and believed.
the one who had arrived at the tomb first,
and he saw and believed.
Merry Christmas!
Sincerely,
De Maria
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
December 26, 2012
Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr
Read more about St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr.On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love gave to me...two turtle doves
The two turtle doves symbolize the Old and New Testaments, which together bear witness to God's revelation and salvation history. They might also be a reminder of the two turtle doves which Mary gave in ritual atonement sin.
Luke 2:22-24
King James Version (KJV)
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
This video is to remind you that Christmas is a season, 12 days from Dec. 25 to Jan 6, the Epiphany.
Lectionary: 696
Reading 1 from St. Luke's record of the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59
Stephen, filled with grace and power,St. Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit and worked great miracles among the Jewish people.
was working great wonders and signs among the people.
Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen,A certain group of Jews, however, tried to obstruct St. Stephen in his work of God. But St. Stephen overcame their arguments with great wisdom.
Cyrenians, and Alexandrians,
and people from Cilicia and Asia,
came forward and debated with Stephen,
but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.
When they heard this, they were infuriated,Instead of being humbled, they were filled with hatred of St. Stephen.
and they ground their teeth at him.
But he, filled with the Holy Spirit,But God revealed Himself to St. Stepeh at that moment so that he saw Jesus Christ sitting on His Throne at the right hand of the Power.
looked up intently to heaven
and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,
and he said,
"Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man
standing at the right hand of God."
But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears,They became so angry that they lynched him and killed him.
and rushed upon him together.
They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him.
The witnesses laid down their cloaksA leader in this deed was a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees, whose name was Saul and would later be known as St. Paul of Tarsus.
at the feet of a young man named Saul.
As they were stoning Stephen, he called outAs they were stoning him, St. Stephen cried out to Our Lord and said, "receive my spirit."
"Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 And 8ab, 16bc And 17
R. (6) Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Be my rock of refuge,a stronghold to give me safety.
You are my rock and my fortress;
for your name's sake you will lead and guide me.
R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Into your hands I commend my spirit;you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.
I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy.
R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors.Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your kindness.
R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
We should not wait until our dying day to commend our spirit to God. We should do that daily and more frequently, we can do it with every breath we take. We should unite ourselves to God, continually:
Romans 13:14
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew
Mt 10:17-22
Jesus said to his disciples:Christ foresees that His Apostles and disciples will be persecuted.
"Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts
and scourge you in their synagogues,
and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake
as a witness before them and the pagans.
When they hand you over,
do not worry about how you are to speak
or what you are to say.
You will be given at that moment what you are to say.He doesn't say we will not suffer, but that we will, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, be told what to say.
For it will not be you who speakIn fact, it will be God speaking through us.
but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Brother will hand over brother to death,
and the father his child;
children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but whoever endures to the end will be saved."
Many Christians have been martyred and will be martyred in the name of Christ.
Merry Christmas!
Sincerely,
De Maria
Merry Christmas!
Sincerely,
De Maria
Hail Full of Grace!
Gospel According to Saint Luke
Chapter 1
[26] And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth,[27] To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. [28] And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. [29] Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. [30] And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God.
[31] Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus. [32] He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. [33] And of his kingdom there shall be no end. [34] And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man? [35] And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
[36] And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren: [37] Because no word shall be impossible with God. [38] And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. [39] And Mary rising up in those days, went into the hill country with haste into a city of Juda.[40] And she entered into the house of Zachary, and saluted Elizabeth.
[41] And it came to pass, that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: [42] And she cried out with a loud voice, and said: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. [43] And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? [44] For behold as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. [45] And blessed art thou that hast believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to thee by the Lord.
[46] And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord. [47] And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. [48] Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. [49] Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me; and holy is his name. [50] And his mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear him.
[48] Shall call me blessed: These words are a prediction of that honour which the church in all ages should pay to the Blessed Virgin. Let Protestants examine whether they are any way concerned in this prophecy.
[51] He hath shewed might in his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. [52] He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble. [53] He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. [54] He hath received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy: [55] As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.
[56] And Mary abode with her about three months; and she returned to her own house.
[31] Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus. [32] He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. [33] And of his kingdom there shall be no end. [34] And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man? [35] And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
[36] And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren: [37] Because no word shall be impossible with God. [38] And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. [39] And Mary rising up in those days, went into the hill country with haste into a city of Juda.[40] And she entered into the house of Zachary, and saluted Elizabeth.
[41] And it came to pass, that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: [42] And she cried out with a loud voice, and said: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. [43] And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? [44] For behold as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. [45] And blessed art thou that hast believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to thee by the Lord.
[46] And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord. [47] And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. [48] Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. [49] Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me; and holy is his name. [50] And his mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear him.
[48] Shall call me blessed: These words are a prediction of that honour which the church in all ages should pay to the Blessed Virgin. Let Protestants examine whether they are any way concerned in this prophecy.
[51] He hath shewed might in his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. [52] He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble. [53] He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. [54] He hath received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy: [55] As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.
[56] And Mary abode with her about three months; and she returned to her own house.
Monday, December 24, 2012
Consecration to our Lady
From Fr. Michael E. Gaitley, MIC, author of the popular book "Consoling the Heart of Jesus," comes an extraordinary 33-day journey to Marian consecration with four giants of Marian spirituality: St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and Blessed Pope John Paul II. Father Michael masterfully summarizes their teaching, making it easy to grasp, and simple enough to put into practice. More specifically, he weaves their thought into a user-friendly, do-it-yourself retreat that will bless even the busiest of people. So, if you've been thinking about entrusting yourself to Mary for the first time or if you're simply looking to deepen and renew your devotion to her, "33 Days to Morning Glory" is the right book to read and the perfect retreat to make.
December 25, 2012 | Mass During The Day
Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
God is our True Love and He gave us His only begotten Son who was crucified on a wooden Cross, frequently symbolized by a tree.
Christ is here symbolized as a Partridge, perhaps in remembrance of the verse in which He said:
Luke 13:34
King James Version (KJV)
34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!
Lectionary: 16
Reading 1 from the Holy Book of Isaiah
Is 52:7-10
How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings glad tidings,
announcing peace, bearing good news,
announcing salvation, and saying to Zion,
"Your God is King!"
Hark! Your sentinels raise a cry,
together they shout for joy,
for they see directly, before their eyes,
the LORD restoring Zion.
Break out together in song,
O ruins of Jerusalem!God has come in man's flesh to redeem all men from their sins:
For the LORD comforts his people,
he redeems Jerusalem.
The LORD has bared his holy arm
in the sight of all the nations;
all the ends of the earth will behold
the salvation of our God.
Philippians 2:5-10
King James Version (KJV)
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6.
R. (3c) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song,for he has done wondrous deeds;
his right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
The LORD has made his salvation known:in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
All the ends of the earth have seenthe salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Reading 2 from the epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews
Heb 1:1-6
Brothers and sisters:Christ who is God, became man and was made a little lower than the Angels. But now that He has accomplished the redemption of creation, He sits at the right hand of the Father.
In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways
to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son,
whom he made heir of all things
and through whom he created the universe,
who is the refulgence of his glory,
the very imprint of his being,
and who sustains all things by his mighty word.
When he had accomplished purification from sins,
he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
as far superior to the angels
as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
For to which of the angels did God ever say:For the Son of God is God. With the Father and the Holy Spirit. One God forever and ever.
You are my son; this day I have begotten you?
Or again:
I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me?
And again, when he leads the firstborn into the world, he says:
Let all the angels of God worship him.
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John
Jn 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word,Jesus Christ is the Alpha and the Omega, the same yesterday, today and tomorrow:
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
Revelation 22:12-14
King James Version (KJV)
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
He was in the beginning with God.Jesus Christ created all things:
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
Colossians 1:16
King James Version (KJV)
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
What came to be through him was life,He became man so that man could become like God:
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
Philippians 2:5-7
King James Version (KJV)
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
A man named John was sent from God.St. John the precursor was sent to prepare the way of the Lord:
Malachi 4:4-6
King James Version (KJV)
4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.
5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:
6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light,Christ was rejected by His own people, the Jews. And condemned to death on the Cross:
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world,
and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own,
but his own people did not accept him.
John 11:49-51
King James Version (KJV)
49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
But to those who did accept himOne must be born again of water and spirit in order to be children of God:
he gave power to become children of God,
to those who believe in his name,
who were born not by natural generation
nor by human choice nor by a man's decision
but of God.
Titus 3:5
King James Version (KJV)
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
And the Word became fleshJesus said:
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father's only Son,
full of grace and truth.
John testified to him and cried out, saying,
"This was he of whom I said,
'The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.'"
From his fullness we have all received,
grace in place of grace,
because while the law was given through Moses,
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God.
The only Son, God, who is at the Father's side,
has revealed him.
John 14:8-10
King James Version (KJV)
8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
Or the alternate reading also from the Gospel of St. JohnThis is a shorter version of the same reading. I'll leave it without comment.
Jn 1:1-5, 9-14
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world,
and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own,
but his own people did not accept him.
But to those who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to those who believe in his name,
who were born not by natural generation
nor by human choice nor by a man's decision
but of God.
And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father's only Son,
full of grace and truth.
Merry Christmas!
Sincerely,
De Maria
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