Jesus, you are the Light of the worldNATIVITY OF THE LORD (Day Mass) : Monday 25th December 2023Is. 52:7-10; Ps. 97:1,2-4,5-6; Heb. 1:1-6; Jn. 1:1-18 (or 1-5,9-14) (Psalter proper) Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus goes back to Abraham, the father of God’s people; Luke’s genealogy of Jesus’ ancestry goes all the way back to Adam, thus…
Lord, help me to trust you4th Week of Advent (B) : Sunday 24th December 20232 Sam 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps. 88:2-5,27,29; Rom. 16:25-27; Lk 1:26-38 (Ps. Wk. IV) David wanted to build God an elaborate house – a temple – but God was uninterested. God pointed out that He had never needed nor asked…
St John of Kanty, priest3rd Week of Advent (B) : Saturday 23rd December 2023Mal. 3:1-4,23-24; Ps. 24:4-5,8-9,10,14; Lk. 1:57-66 (Ps. Wk. III) John the Baptist’s conception and birth are closely linked with Jesus. God has made John part of His revealed word in Scripture; now, John is a source of grace for us. In the…
Lord, help me to be open to You & the promptings of the Holy Spirit3rd Week of Advent (B) : Friday 22nd December 20231 Sam. 1:24-28; (R. Ps.) 1 Sam. 2:1,4-5,6-7,8; Lk. 1:46-56 (Ps. Wk. III) It is of the greatest significance that Mary did not sing her Magnificat in the presence of the angel…
Lord, help me to be open to You & the promptings of the Holy Spirit3rd Week of Advent (B) : Thursday 21st December 2023Songs 2:8-14 or Zeph. 3:14-18a; Ps. 32:2-3,11-12,20-21; Lk. 1:39-45 (Ps. Wk. III) God’s love creates the whole universe and holds all creation into being. In the first reading, the love poetry, the…
God can do great things with us, too. Lord, help me to trust more3rd Week of Advent (B) : Wednesday 20th December 2023Is. 7:10-14; Ps. 23:1-2,3-4ab,5-6; Lk. 1:26-38 (Ps. Wk. III) King Ahaz was frightened and in despair because of the enemy besieging Jerusalem. The prophet encouraged him and invited him to ask for any…
Do we recognise how God shows His love for us? 3rd Week of Advent (B) : Tuesday 19th December 2023Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Ps. 70:3-6,16-17; Lk 1:5-25 (Ps. Wk. III) In the story of the birth of Samson, we are never told the name of the child’s mother. However, she was the one to whom the…
Jesus, Son of David, You are our Saviour3rd Week of Advent (B) :Monday 18th December 2023Jer. 23:5-8; Ps. 71:1-2,12-13,18-19; Mt. 1:18-24 (Ps. Wk. III) The first reading describes the prophecy of Jeremiah about a future “son of David” who will reign successfully in contrast to the kings of the past. The future ideal king is…
Lord, enlighten my mind and heart. Keep me focus on You.3rd Sunday of Advent (B) : 17th December 2023Is. 61:1-2a,10-11; (R. Ps) Lk. 1:46-48,49-50,53-54; 1 Thess. 5:16-24; Jn. 1:6-8,19-28 (Ps. Wk. III) ‘The Spirit of the Lord has anointed me’ – Jesus read these words in the synagogue in the Gospel of Luke and applied…
Lord, please hear and answer our prayers for Your beloved in the world2nd Week of Advent (B) : Saturday 16th December 2023Sir. 48:1-4,9-11; Ps. 79:2ac and 3bc,15-16,18-19; Mt. 17:10-13 (Ps. Wk. II) Psalm 80 speaks about a time in Israel’s history when it was invaded by foreigners (presumably Assyrians). Having to move elsewhere because of…