3rd Sunday of Advent (A) - The JOY of the Lord3rd Sunday of Advent : Sunday 15th December 2019Is. 35:1-6,10; Ps. 146(145):7,8-10; Jm. 5:7-10; Mt. 11:2-11 (Ps Wk III) Isaiah prophesied the return of the people of Israel to Zion. In a dark time, he encouraged the people not to fear. He gave them a…
Lord, give me the courage to announce You to others2nd Week of Advent : Saturday 14th December 2019Sir. 48:1-4,9-11; Ps. 80(79):2,3,15-16,18-19; Mt. 17:10-13 (Ps Wk II) Both readings mention Elijah, one of the great prophets of the Hebrew Testament (Old Testament). “He arose like a fire, his word flaring like a torch”. He did great…
Lord, help me know and obey You2nd Week of Advent : Friday 13th December 2019Is. 48:17-19; Ps. 1:1-2,3,4 & 6 Mt. 11:16-19 (Ps Wk II) A feeling of exasperation seems to prevail in the reading today. In the first reading the prophet Isaiah laments the disobedience to God’s commandments of the people of his generation.…
I, the Lord, your God, I am holding you by the right hand; I tell you, ‘Do not be afraid, I will help you.2nd Week of Advent : Thursday 12th December 2019Is. 41:13-20; Ps. 145(144): 1,9,10-11,12-13; Mt. 11:11-15 (Ps Wk II) The book of Isaiah is divided generally into 2 parts - the Book of…
Lord, grant me strength and courage. 2nd Week of Advent : Wednesday 11th December 2019Is. 40:25-31; Ps. 103(102):1-2,3-4,8,10; Mt. 11:28-30 (Ps Wk II) Sometimes groups of Christian runners wear T-shirts with Isaiah’s quotation on them. It would be great to run and never grow weary — and eagles’ wings would be a big help. We…
It is no part of your heavenly Father’s plan that a single one of these little ones shall even come to grief.2nd Week of Advent : Tuesday 10th December 2019Is. 40:1-11; Ps. 96(95):1-2,3,10,11-13; Mt. 18:12-14 (Ps Wk II) As we approach Christmas, the feast of the childhood of God amongst us, the Church in different…
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin MaryImmaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary : Monday 9th December 2019Gen. 3:9-15,20; Ps. 98(97):1,2-4; Eph. 1:3-6,11-12; Lk. 1:26-38 (Ps Wk II) The passage from Ephesians speaks about a moment in time “before the world was made” when God chose us in Christ “to be holy and spotless ……
2nd Sunday of Advent (A)2nd Sunday of Advent (A) : Sunday 8th December 2019Is. 11:1-10; Ps. 72(71):2,7-8,12-13,17; Rom. 15:4-9; Mt. 3:1-12 (Ps Wk II) Today’s scriptures make clear that the only adequate preparation for Christ’s coming is a radical turning away from all complacency. We may not take Christ’s coming and presence for granted. He…
St Ambrose, bishop & doctor - Lord, grant us Your missionary spirit so that we become Your true disciples in mission1st Week of Advent (A) : Saturday 7th December 2019Is. 30:19-21,23-26; Ps. 147(146):1-2,3-4,5-6; Mt. 9:35-10:1,5a,6-8 (Ps Wk I) The images of the ‘Shepherd sheep’ and the ‘harvest’ reflect the discipleship of Jesus which involves mission.…
The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear?1st Week of Advent (A) : Friday 6th December 2019Is. 29:17-24; Ps. 27(26):1,4,13-14; Mt. 9:27-31 (Ps Wk I) The first reading describes the internal social and moral reform that will take place in Judah when God puts forth His hand once again on the…