Day 7 of 12 Days of Christmas. The light of Christ shining in the darkness.

 

DAY 7 OF THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS 2020 SERIES.

Manger Scene: 12 days of Christmas 2020 series.

Today is the seventh day of the 12 days of Christmas. Today’s Gospel is JN 1:1-18.  It speaks of Christ coming into the world to shine a light into its darkness.  It also speaks of John the Baptist who prepared the way but also points us to Christ the Light. This Gospel makes it clear that John knew his role- to be a testimony to the light so that all may believe in the One who was sent by the Father, the Incarnate One- Jesus.

It is interesting to consider why this Gospel is chosen for the last day of the year.  We had prepared the way during Advent for Christmas. I think this Gospel is to remind us that we must testify to the light every day.  Jesus, the Son of God came to earth through Mary as a new born babe in Bethlehem.  Jesus is the light of the world and we, who follow Him need to be like John the Baptist by pointing others to Him.

 

So, in our reflection today on the seventh day of Christmastide we might like to:

• Reflect upon our year personally, as a family, our parish and the world.  What blessings have you received throughout this year? 
• How do I point others to Christ and shine light into their darkness?
• What steps will I take during 2021 to continue to be a true disciple of Christ who is the light of the World?
• Am I like John the Baptist and know my role or do I have no idea what my purpose in life in God’s plan is?  What can I do about  knowing and accepting my role that God asks of me?
•  How does this Gospel connect with the Solemnity of Christmas?
• How do I nurture my faith so that I know the truth and am able to share it with others?
• What has 2020 taught me personally?
• You may wish to reflect upon this hymn Christ be our Light.

As we complete a very difficult but blessed year, I pray that you will continue to be a light in the darkness, sharing God’s truth and being a beacon of hope to our families, our parish and to our world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 6 of the 12 Days of Christmas series: Wisdom of old age.

 

DAY 6  OF THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS 2020 SERIES.

Manger scene: 12 days of Christmas 2020 series.

Today is the sixth day of the 12 days of Christmas. We hear the continuation of the Presentation of the Temple scene in LK 2:36-40.  The focus is on Anna so we might wonder what Anna might offer us during Christmastide. The Gospel is at pains to describe Anna’s status in life and/or background.  She was married for a short time of 7 years and is now a widow.  We are told that she does not leave the temple and prays and fasts. She too, like Simeon praises God when she sees the infant acknowledging that there had been a long waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.  

 

So, in our reflection today on the sixth day of Christmastide we might like to:

Consider the power of prayer and fasting in my life.  How can I incorporate fasting into my life daily/weekly?  Fasting is not only for advent and Lent.  It is meant especially for Fridays of the year as well in memory of Christ’s suffering and death on the cross.

Consider how to live in old age and not just exist?  What is my attitude to old age- do I consider it to be a life passed its used by date or old age as the opportunity to pass on wisdom to others and to continue living well by doing.

What respect do I give to older people eg grandparents, older parishioners, older people in the street)

Consider Mary and Joseph as young parents listening to both Simeon and Anna with their prophecies about Jesus?  What is their listening to Anna saying to me?

 

 

 

 

 

Day 5 of the 12 Days of Christmas Series : Presentation of the Lord in the Temple

 

DAY 5  OF THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS 2020 SERIES.

Manger scene: 12 days of Christmas 2020 series.

Today is the fifth day of the 12 days of Christmas when the church has the option to celebrate St Thomas a Beckett whom you can read about here.    When the Church celebrates this optional memorial, the celebrant wears red vestments to indicate that the liturgy relates to a martyr saint.

When the priest chooses not the celebrate the above-mentioned optional memorial, the vestments worn will be white to indicate the celebration of the octave of Christmas. The Gospel is from LK 2:22-35 which is the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple.  There are a lot of aspects packed into this Gospel and some may be overlooked.

GOSPEL REFLECTION

The opening couple of paragraphs gives us background to the event- a teaser to bring us into the scene.  However, we can note though that Mary and Joseph were familiar with their faith and traditions and were keen that their infant would be raised accordingly.  They followed the law and the rituals of the time.

Then we are introduced to Simeon who longed for the Lord’s coming. He was privileged to see Jesus, the Word Incarnate. He performed the rituals and customs of the day.  However, there is one phrase that stood out to me and that is ‘prompted by the Spirit.’  Simeon was not only in tune with the voice of the Holy Spirit, was aware of being prompted and acted upon the promptings. He also was able to praise God when the revelation came to pass. He did not miss the moment.

The other sentence that struck me when reading this Gospel was ‘ the child’s mother and father were amazed at what was being said about him’. Mary and Joseph had each been visited by an angel before the birth of Christ, yet at this moment of the Presentation in the Temple, they were still amazed.  It does not mean that Joseph and Mary did not believe what they had been told by the angel- they clearly did by saying yes.  Yet, at this moment, when hearing more revelations about Him, they were amazed. How amazed are we at the wonders of God especially when we think we are solid ground?

 

 REFLECTION QUESTIONS.

So, in our reflection today on the feast of Holy Innocents we might like to:

• Ask myself what the rituals, traditions and observances of the Church mean to me?
• How familiar am I with the meanings of the rituals, traditions and observances of the Catholic Church?
• How can I develop a relationship with the Holy Spirit daily, be in tune with His promptings and act upon them like Simeon?
• What would I like God to reveal to me?  
• Would the fulfilment of what God has revealed to me pass me by or would I be ready to praise God and be thankful?
• Ponder the wonders of God- what am I amazed at when it comes to the Incarnation?
• What is my understanding of the sacrament of Baptism- how do I live out my Baptismal promises every day?

 

On the Fifth day of Christmastide, we may wish to consider out attitude to when we present ourselves to God and in the Church. We may also wish to take this opportunity during Christmastide to renew our Baptismal Promises https://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=1653 in the light of the Incarnation.

 

 

Day 4 of 12 Days of Christmastide 2020 Feast of the Holy Innocents

 

DAY4  OF THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS 2020 SERIES.

Manger scene: 12 days of Christmastide 2020 icon.

FEAST OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS

The Holy Innocents saved the Child Jesus from death by King Herod by the shedding of their own blood. The Holy Innocents are the special patrons of small children, who can please the Christ Child by being obedient and helpful to parents, and by sharing their toys and loving their siblings and playmates.

During this octave of Christmas, the Church celebrates the memory of the small children of the neighbourhood of Bethlehem put to death by Herod. Sacrificed by a wicked monarch, these innocent lives bear witness to Christ who was persecuted from the time of His birth by a world which would not receive Him. It is Christ Himself who is at stake in this mass-murder of the children; already the choice, for or against Him, is put clearly before men. But the persecutors are powerless, for Christ came to perform a work of salvation that nothing can prevent; when He fell into the hands of His enemies at the time chosen by God it was to redeem the world by His own Blood.

 

So, in our reflection today on the feast of Holy Innocents we might like to:

• Read today’s Gospel MT 2:13-18.  There are 3 parts to this Gospel- the flight into Egypt by Joseph and Mary to protect Jesus and Herod’s violent reaction of mass murder of all children under 2 and the loss and grief of those parents who lost their child through this murder.
  
  
• Pray for the right of the unborn child to live daily.  There are valuable resources at https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/what-can-people-do-to-help-defend-life-12698
  
  
•  Pray for the mothers/father’s who have had an abortion but now realise what they have done.
  
  
• Pray and/or do something practical for asylum seekers and/or their organizations.
  
  
• Discuss this feast with your children in an age-appropriate way.  You may wish to inaugurate the custom of blessing your children. From the Ritual comes the form which we use on solemn occasions, such as First Communion. However, parents can simply sign a cross on the child's forehead with the right thumb dipped in holy water and say: May God bless you, and may He be the Guardian of your heart and mind—the Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

On the Fourth day of Christmastide on the Feast of Holy Innocents is a great opportunity to: review this Gospel and take some decisive step to stop injustice and killing in the world.  We may feel helpless but bringing these huge issues to God is essential. We can also stop killing even by what we say about another person ( in our family, in our parish, in our workplace or neighbourhood). We can make our effort to stop injustice in the workplace or in our homes (eg does one child end up doing more chores and other children get off scot free).

 

 

 

 

Day 3 of 12 Days of Christmas. The Feast of the Holy Family

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DAY3 OF THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS 2020 SERIES.

Manger scene:12 days of Christmas series 2020 icon.

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY.

We are told in Scripture little about the first years and the boyhood of the Child Jesus. Scripture does tell us the facts of

·         the visit in Egypt also known as the flight into Egypt.
·         the return to Nazareth,
·         the finding of Jesus in the temple as a twelve-year-old boy whilst Joseph and Mary had been looking for him for 3 days.

With the general breakdown of the family, the far-sighted Leo XIII, decided to promote the observance of this feast with the hope that it might instil into Christian families something of the faithful love and the devoted attachment that characterize the family of Nazareth. The primary purpose of the Church in instituting and promoting this feast is to present the Holy Family as the model and exemplar of all Christian families.

Children must learn to see in their father the foster-father St Joseph, and the Blessed Mother as the perfect model for their own mother.  The practical and theoretical lesson to be learned is that the children must learn how to obey and to love their parents in thought, word and action just as Christ was obedient to Mary and Joseph.  Children must learn what it is to perform tasks asked/offered by or for their parents with a Christ like spirit.

It is even more important nowadays with marriage and family life being mocked in the media. However, it is interesting to note that even those who profess no faith have, during the coronavirus have missed being with their families and have longed to see loved ones. Perhaps, this virus has helped people to refocus on what is important especially family.

 

So in our reflection today on the feast of Holy Family we might like to:

• Consider the Blessed Virgin Mary and her role in salvation.
  
  
• Consider the step father role of St Joseph and what father hold really means.
  
  
• Consider the place of children in a marriage and how Christ, the Son of God had enough humility to be obedient to Mary and Joseph.
  
  
• Consider the qualities in Mary, Joseph and Christ in this Holy Family- what qualities can we emulate in our own families?
  
  
• Consider our own childhood.  Today can be an opportunity to forgive parents for their failures or perceived failures towards yourself.  Ask Christ to give healing to deep family wounds of the past. It is also important to remember despite how hurtful your early upcoming may have been, you do have

 

On the Third day of Christmas, the Feast of Holy Family is a great opportunity to celebrate as a family.  It is the feast day of families.  However, there are many lessons that every family, domestic, spiritual family of our parishes and the family of the world can learn from it.

 

 

Collect for Feast of the Holy Family.

 

COLLECT SERIES.

FEAST OF HOLY FAMILY YEAR B

The Mass: Collect Series Icon.

COLLECT 

The Collect for the Feast of the Holy Family Year B reads as follows:

 

O God, who were pleased to give us

the shining example of the Holy Family,

graciously grant that we may imitate them

in practicing the virtues of family life

and in the bonds of charity,

and so, in the joy of your house,

delight one day in eternal rewards.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, 

who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

 one God, for ever and ever.

 

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

 

In making this prayer tangible, the following reflection questions emerged:

1. How is the Holy Family a shining example to me?

1. How will the Holy Family be a shining example in my family this coming week?

1. What are the virtues of family life?

1. What do the bonds of charity mean to me and how might I strengthen these bonds?

1. What is my response when I think and ponder the joy Hoof Your House?

1. Name at least one area I will change/start to change with God’s help this coming week to refocus on Heaven- my eternal reward?  

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION

The devotion to the Holy Family was born in Bethlehem, together with the Baby Jesus. The shepherds went to adore the Child and, at the same time, they gave honour to His family. Later, in a similar way, the three wise men came from the East to adore and give honour to the newborn King with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh that would be safeguarded by His family.

We can go further to affirm that in a certain sense Christ, Himself, was the first devotee of His family. He showed His devotion to His mother and foster father by submitting Himself, with infinite humility, to the duty of filial obedience towards them. This is what St Bernard of Clairvaux said in this regard, ‘God, to whom angels submit themselves and who principalities and powers obey, was subject to Mary; and not only to Mary but Joseph also for Mary’s sake [….]. God obeyed a human creature; this is humility without precedent. A human creature commands God; it is sublime beyond measure.’ (First Homily on the ‘Missus Est’).

Today’s celebration demonstrates Christ’s humility and obedience with respect to the fourth commandment, whilst also highlighting the loving care that His parents exercised in His keeping. The servant of God, Pope John Paul II, in 1989, entitled his Apostolic Exhortation, ‘Redemptoris Custos’ (Guardian of the Redeemer) which was dedicated to the person and the mission of Saint Joseph in the life of Christ and of the Church. After exactly a century, he resumed the teaching of Pope Leo XIII, for who Saint Joseph ‘.. shines among all mankind by the most august dignity, since by divine will, he was the guardian of the Son of God and reputed as His father among men’ (Encyclical Quamquam Pluries [1889] n. 3). Pope Leo XIII continued, ‘.. Joseph became the guardian, the administrator, and the legal defender of the divine house whose chief he was.[…] It is, then, natural and worthy that as the Blessed Joseph ministered to all the needs of the family at Nazareth and girt it about with his protection, he should now cover with the cloak of his heavenly patronage and defend the Church of Jesus Christ.’ Not many years before, blessed Pope Pius IX had proclaimed Saint Joseph, ‘Patron of the Catholic Church’ (1870)

Almost intuitively, one can recognize that the mysterious, exemplary, guardianship enacted by Joseph was conducted firstly, in a yet more intimate way, by Mary. Consequently, the liturgical feast of the Holy Family speaks to us of the fond and loving care that we must render to the Body of Christ. We can understand this in a mystical sense, as guardians of the Church, and also in the Eucharistic sense. Mary and Joseph took great care of Jesus’ physical body. Following their example, we can and must take great care of His Mystical Body, the Church, and the Eucharist which He has entrusted to us. If Mary was, in some way, ‘the first tabernacle in history’ (John Paul II Ecclesia de Eucharistia, n. 55) then we the Tabernacle in which Our Lord chose to reside in person, in His Real Presence, was also entrusted to us. We can learn from Mary and Joseph! What would they ever have overlooked in the care of Jesus’ physical body? Is there something, therefore, that we can withhold for the right and adoring care of His Eucharistic Body? No amount of attention, no sane act of love and adoring respect will ever be too much! On the contrary, our adoration and respect will always be inferior to the great gift that comes to us in the Holy Eucharist.

Looking at the Holy Family, we see the love, the protection, and the diligent care that they gave to the Redeemer. We cannot fail to feel uneasiness, perhaps a shameful thought, for the times in which we have not rendered the appropriate care and attention to the Blessed Eucharist. We can only ask for forgiveness and do penance for all the sacrilegious acts and the lack of respect that are committed in front of the Blessed Eucharist. We can only ask the Lord, through the intersession of the Holy Family of Nazareth, for a greater love for their Son Incarnate, who has decided to remain here on earth with us every day until the end of time.

 

Day 2 of 12 Days of Christmas series: Feast of St Stehen Faith

 

DAY 2 OF THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS 2020 SERIES.

Manger scene: 12 Days of Christmas 2020 series.

Feast of St Stephen. First Martyr.

 

We may of sung or heard the carol Good King Wenceslas. If not here is one rendition of this Christmas carol. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVoANsKnlLs

Today is the feast of St Stephen.   What do we know from Scripture about St Stephen?

St. Stephen

The deacon Stephen, stoned in Jerusalem two years after the death of Christ, has always been the object of very special veneration by the faithful. He is the first martyr. The account in the Acts of the Apostles relating his arrest and the accusations brought against him emphasize the parallel with our Saviour's trial; he was stoned outside the city wall and died, like his Master, praying for his executioners.

Stephen belongs to the group of seven deacons whom the Apostles associated with their work in order to lighten their load. He was "filled with faith and with the Holy Spirit," "full of grace and strength" he showed himself as a man of God, radiating divine grace and apostolic zeal. As the first witness to Christ he confronted his opponents with quiet courage and the promise made by Jesus (Mark 13.11) was fulfilled: ". . .Disputing with Stephen they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit that spoke."

In St. Stephen, the first martyr, the liturgy emphasizes the imitator of Christ even to the extent of the complete gift of self, to the extent of that great charity which made him pray in his suffering for his executioners. By establishing the feast on the day after Christmas the Church draws an even closer comparison between the disciple and the Master and thus extends his witness to the whole mission of the redeeming Messiah.

 

So in our reflection today on the feast of St Stephen we might like to:

•     Consider our own faith- what are its strengths and weaknesses right now? 
•     What areas of my faith  do I need to strengthen through God’s help? 
•   Are we filled with faith and with the Holy Spirit? 
•  Who is the Holy Spirit for you?  Do you have a relationship with the Holy Spirit? Do you pray to the Holy Spirit daily?
•  How do I do my part to evangelise- to bring other people to God?
•  Am I willing to hold on to my faith to the point of death?  If not, what would stop me doing it?

 

On the second day of Christmas, the Feast of St. Stephen has a lot to offer us and to help us consider our faith.  In this time of the coronavirus, our faith may have been sorely tested and/or we have also received blessings during this time.  How are you nurturing your faith daily especially in this time?

We can also reflect at the crib in our homes or in our parish church ( if it is open) or online in a church or even find a manger scene on pixabay.com or unsplash.com to help you reflect on the faith of Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds and the Kings.  Each one of the characters in the manger scene had faith but also had their faith tested and stood up to do God’s will for them when it counted.

Read the Gospel of the Annunciation for Mary’s faith in action when she said yes to being the Mother of God?

Read the Gospel when the angel appears to Joseph. He was considering divorcing Mary informally to spare her; publicity but the angel told Joseph that Mary had conceived through the Holy Spirit. She had not been unfaithful and he was to take Mary home as his wife.  He was to be foster father to Jesus, the Son of God. 

Read the Gospel relating the angels appearing to the shepherds and telling of the birth of Jesus. Shepherds were simple people but they had enough faith to believe the angel and to take action.  What do the shepherds say to me this Christmastide?

Read the Gospel relating to the visit of the Magi.  They were intelligent people but they also knew they did not know everything. They had enough humility to adore God and to know that their intelligence came from Him.

So Day 2 of Christmastide has a lot to offer us if we sit and ponder and through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit take action.

Happy Christmas Day 1 of 12 Days of Christmas 2020

 

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS 2020 SERIES.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS READERS.

 

12 Days of Christmastide 2020 series icon.

Happy Christmas to all of my readers.  I wish to say thank you for taking an interest in my blog throughout the year.  Knowing that some people are following and reading my posts inspires me to want to write more posts.  So, thank you.  I hope that my posts are on target for your needs.  However, I have allowed my podcasts this year to slide sadly. I am sorry.  I hope I can rectify this in this coming year.

 

Christmas is not for a day as the secular world would have us believe or even 12 days as the Church presents it to give us time to reflect on the meaning of the season.  We need to use Christmastide well by reflecting so that we may carry the reflection all year and let the message of Christmas carry forward 365 days. 

 

I am acutely aware of this as I have a Christmas clock that plays carols on the hour.  Of course, I can take the batteries out during the year if I wish.  Interestingly enough, I have not done this very often at all.  There is something rather lovely to hear the carols played on the hour.

My hope for us all is to keep the message of peace, joy and love and goodwill to all in our hearts all the year.  Find your way of making this happen in 2021. 

 CHRISTMAS SEASON  THE WHOLE YEAR.

• ask the priest for a copy. Many priests are only too happy to give you a copy.
• If not, then jot down what touched your heart and use that as a basis for your Christmas season
• Meditate each day during the Christmas season on the Gospel of the day.
•  Make a visit to a church either in person or online each day to spend some time with Jesus, Mary and Joseph.  Imagine there is a new born baby in your family. Would you not want to visit this family and see the babe.  Many people forget to visit Jesus as a babe and realise in their hearts- this is truly Jesus- the Son of God who came from heaven as a small baby so that He would save us from our sins.
•  Reflect on each of the characters that the story presents ( perhaps 1 per day even including the animals).  What will each of these characters say to you this year?  You may have done this in the past. You are different than last year or the years before.  Reflect of what Christmas means to you in 2020.  Then think of how your reflection can be carried into the new year.  
• Explore traditions of other cultures of how Christmas is celebrated. Jesus came for all of us. Understanding other traditions of Christmas can be a wonderful way to help us integrate tolerance and understanding of others into our lives. For example you might like to check out my Classic Christmas CD and buy a copy .  Why not explore some of the Polish traditions.   You can read more about it here.

  

Start today on Christmas Day and throughout the Christmas season to make a note in a journal of what fills you with joy about Christmas season, what lifts your heart with hope, what gives you a sense of goodwill towards others. Be aware of the sights and smells, the tastes and the sounds of Christmas.  Ask yourself how you can hold on to these throughout 2021 and spread the message of Christmas throughout the new year by our lives.

 

I was involved in music ministry a number of Masses, so I had the privilege to hear different reading and different homilies.  If you hear a homily during the Christmas season that touches you, you might like to:

So as we begin Christmastide in the liturgy ( 12 days of Christmas not the 12 days before Christmas as the shops would lead us to believe), we too need to reflect on what Christmas means to us. 

 Christmas is not for a day as the secular world would have us believe or even 12 days as the Church presents it to give us time to reflect on the meaning of the season.  We need to use Christmastide well by reflecting so that we may carry the reflection all year and let the message of Christmas carry forward 365 days.

HAPPY CHRISTMASTIDE.

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent Year B Gospel Acclamation Series.

 

ADVENT  2020 GOSPEL ACCLAMATION SERIES

Advent 2020 Gospel Acclamation series.

THURSDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT:

In preparing for Christmas during Advent, I would like to reflect up on the Gospel Acclamations each day.

You might wonder why I chose to reflect upon the Gospel Acclamations. My reasons are as follows:

 

1.    They are short and can be used as a prayer focus throughout the day.

2.    It encourages me to re-examine the Gospel itself for the day and the connections between the Gospel Acclamation and the Gospel itself.

3.    Gospel Acclamations at Mass can pass by quickly. This advent I want to sit with them prayerfully and give them attention.

 

Each post will proclaim the Gospel Acclamation and then ponder how the acclamation can be lived throughout Advent.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION:

Alleluia, Alleluia O Radiant Dawn,
splendour of eternal light, sun of justice:
come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death. Alleluia.

 

Today’s Gospel is taken from LK 1:67-79.  It is known in the Church as the Benedictus and is recited/chanted as part of Morning Prayer in the Prayer of the Church. There are many lines to ponder. It is Zechariah’s act of faith and praise.

.

 

We may wish to reflect upon:

Take a moment this Christmas eve to say this prayer slowly and to let it speak to you.

 

KEY ACTION WORDS.

O Radiant Dawn,
splendour of eternal light,

sun of justice:
come

shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death

 
PRAYER FOR TODAY

Jesus as we prepare for Your birthday, let me remember amongst the tinsel and gift giving and fine food the real reason for the season of Christmas. I want to welcome You with joy.  I want this Christmas to give you my gift (name it).

Come with splendour and eternal light into my soul. Come and shine on those areas of my life that are in darkness and are in the shadow of death.  Come O Radiant dawn and sun of justice and shine on me this Christmas.

 

 

This is the last post of this series as today is Christmas Eve.  The Gospel Acclamation and Gospel are those of Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent not Vigil of Christmas readings.

I hope you have found this series helpful for Advent.  I have been pleased to write a post most days in Advent.  If you have found this series helpful, how might you incorporate it into your spiritual journey on an ongoing basis.  I hope that it has helped you realise how much can be gained from participating in the Gospel Acclamation fully both at Mass and in your own prayer time.

 

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent Year B Gospel Acclamation Series.

 

ADVENT  2020 GOSPEL ACCLAMATION SERIES

Advent 2020 Gospel Acclamation series.

WEDNESDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT:

In preparing for Christmas during Advent, I would like to reflect up on the Gospel Acclamations each day.

You might wonder why I chose to reflect upon the Gospel Acclamations. My reasons are as follows:

 

1.    They are short and can be used as a prayer focus throughout the day.

2.    It encourages me to re-examine the Gospel itself for the day and the connections between the Gospel Acclamation and the Gospel itself.

3.    Gospel Acclamations at Mass can pass by quickly. This advent I want to sit with them prayerfully and give them attention.

 

Each post will proclaim the Gospel Acclamation and then ponder how the acclamation can be lived throughout Advent.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION:

Alleluia, Alleluia. O King of all nations and keystone of the Church:
come and save man, whom you formed from the dust! Alleluia.

 

Today’s Gospel is taken from LK 1:57-66 which is the naming of John the Baptist. It is important to remember in this Gospel that until Zechariah wrote on the table’ His name is John”, he was still mute.  It was only then that his speech returned and he praised God. 

It is interesting to note the reaction of the neighbours too and presumably extended family.  They wanted to weigh in on the naming of the child.  Every expecting parent has been through that with either neighbours/extended family or friends at some point through the pregnancy.  Everyone can have an opinion but it is only the parent’s right to name the child.  In fact, it is God the Holy Spirit who names the child and inspires the parents to give the baby a certain name.  How many times have you heard of someone say that they were going to be called a particular name, but the parents changed their minds at the last minute?  This is no coincidence.

The other interesting point I find about the neighbours is no one suggested or reminded Zechariah that the angel had called him John.  Scripture does not tell us whether the neighbours were privy to the angel’s visit.  However, we can assume that at least some neighbours would have heard about it if they were not told by Zechariah himself or Elizabeth. With no prompting from others, Zechariah still holds out and calls the baby John.

Thankfully, Zechariah was strong enough to stand up to the opposition even though it was not the tradition of the time to call a first-born son another name.  He was normally named after the father.  He would have pondered the event of the angel coming to him before the baby was conceived who gave him the name John.  However, when he wrote on the tablet, ‘his name is John’ his speech returned and his punishment for doubting God through the message of Gabriel was finished.

 

We may wish to reflect upon:

What does my name mean and what does it convey about my personality?

What alternative names was I going to be called?

How do I engage in discussions that are not really my business?

Why is interference in other people’s business different from suggestion when asked?

 

KEY ACTION WORDS.

O King of all nations

Keystone of the Church

Come and save man

Whom You formed from the dust.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Jesus You came to save me, to save all humanity. You are king of my heart today. You formed me from my mother’s womb yet to dust, I shall return. 
Help me to be open to a visit from an angel in whatever form that takes today and to be attuned to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to do Your Will.