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

 

ADVENT  2020 GOSPEL ACCLAMATION SERIES

Advent 2020 Gospel Acclamation Series.

TUESDAY 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 1:46-56. It is a continuation from yesterday’s Gospel of the Visitation.  It is Mary’s response to Elizabeth.  Mary’s response which we know as the Magnificat was taken from the Old Testament. She did not compose it there and then whilst responding to Elizabeth.  However, the words were heartfelt and she meant to praise God for all that He had done and was doing in her life as well as for the joy of Elizabeth her cousin, who despite her advanced years was able to conceive herself after many years of being barren. Being barren in those days was considered a slight from God whereas children were considered a blessing from God.  Sadly, many people in our times not only do not consider it a blessing but many kill the unborn child through abortion.  What a difference in the response to conceiving a child.

Mary did not laud it over Elizabeth because she was bearing the Son of God as her child. For many people, that could have been an occasion for pride or power. No, Mary was conceived without sin herself but she also never sinned either personally.  She was able to live her life without ever sinning.  Can we live an hour, a morning, a day without some form of sin of thought, word or deed or omission?  Mary knew that this was because of the grace she had received but she also cooperated with this grace.

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We may wish to reflect upon:

How do I give God praise and thanksgiving every day in gratitude?

What is my attitude to conceiving a child?

How can I cooperate with grace that God gives me and not sin or sin less?

When do I use power or pride to ’be superior’ with others?  Am I really superior to others?

What have I learned from my advent journey?

What goals will I set for continual growth for the upcoming Christmas season?

 

KEY ACTION WORDS.

O King of all nations.

Keystone of the Church.

Come and save man.

You formed from the dust.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Jesus, I praise You and I love You today.  You are King of my heart and King of all nations.  You are the keystone of the Church, since You came to save us from sin and to put right the sin of Adam and Eve.   Like Mary, may I praise You and thank You throughout today for  Your many blessings to me.  May I cooperate, like Mary with the graces You provide me today.

 

 

 

 

 

Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent Gospel Acclamation Series 2020

 

ADVENT  2020 GOSPEL ACCLAMATION SERIES

Advent 2020 Gospel Acclamation Series.

MONDAY OF THE THIRD 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 Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law:
come to save us, Lord our God!.  . Alleluia.

 

Today’s Gospel is taken from LK 1:39-45.  It is the Gospel that retells the Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. It is important to remember the terrain and the hilly country that Mary had to travel- no cars in those days.  Remember too she was pregnant in what would have been considered peculiar circumstances.  Her cousin Elizabeth who people had called barren, which in those days was considered a slight from God was now in her 6^th month.  Elizabeth did conceive herself as distinct from Mary, which was through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Nothing is impossible with God. It should also be considered that Elizabeth and Zechariah had prayed for a child but none, up to this point had been conceived. Still both mothers were together as pregnant mums to be.  Elizabeth was taken back to see Mary and to have a visit from her- ‘Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord’. Notice too that John the Baptist in the womb’ recognised’ Jesus too.  Yes, babies do kick but we can surmise that John the Baptist when he kicked in the womb also had a sense of who Mary was and who it was she was carrying also.   Mary stayed with Elizabeth 3 months- many people have morning sickness in the early months but Mary stayed with Elizabeth for 3 months up until the time of the birth of John the Baptist.  She realised that Elizabeth needed her. She was unselfish and did not think of her own pregnancy needs, but of Elizabeth.

We may wish to reflect upon:

How do I respond to someone I know is in need?

Am I willing to place the other person’s need over my own needs/wants/’desires?

What attitude do I have towards pregnant women?

Do I respect life of the unborn child or think I have the right to kill anunborn child through abortion?

Think of a time/incident in your life when someone came to give you help that you needed?

With advent near to a close, what can I spiritually do in these days?

How have I grown in the Advent season  and what have I learned about my spiritual life during this time?

 

KEY ACTION WORDS.

O Emmanuel

Our King

Giver of the law.

Come

To save us

Lord our God.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Jesus come to us and save us.  You are Emmanuel which means God is with us.  Be with us today. Help me to have a generous heart and to put other people’s needs before my own. Help me to reach out to those in need who come across my path today. Come Lord Jesus and be born in my heart again today.. Let my spirit leap for joy like John the Baptist.

 

 

 

 

 

Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Advent Year B

 

COLLECT SERIES.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR B

The Mass: Collect series icon.

COLLECT 

The Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Advent Year B reads as follows:

 

O God, eternal majesty, whose ineffable Word

the immaculate Virgin received through the message of an Angel

and so became the dwelling-place of divinity,

filled with the light of the Holy Spirit,

grant, we pray, that by her example

we may in humility hold fast to your will.

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. What has been our spiritual goal this advent- have we made progress during this advent?
2. What changes do I need to make to meet my advent goal this coming week?
3. What would it mean to me for Christ to truly come into my heart?
4. Why is the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ referred to in this prayer?
5. What good news will you reveal to family, friends, work colleagues, parishioners as an angel in their lives?
6. What gift will you give Jesus this Christmas?

 

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Today we get closer to Christmas with the appearance of the angel to Mary.  In fact it is the scene of the annunciation- where the angel Gabriel is sent by God to ask Mary to be the mother of His Son.  It is important to note that the angel is sent by God to ask Mary.  God does not impose or force Mary to say yes. Her yes is an act of free will mixed with many moments of doubts and fears. This can give us encouragement too, since God can ask of us what seems to be impossible and yet, with our yes and doubts and fears, we can do God's will.

 

Another aspect of this gospel is that the angel Gabriel provided Mary with the details and answered Mary's question 'How can this come about since I am a virgin''.  The angel entered into dialogue with Mary. We too can enter into dialogue with God when we are doubtful and afraid and ask God the questions of our hearts.

 

The angel also provides Mary with the news about her cousin Elizabeth expecting a child. The gospel makes the clear distinction that Mary would conceive through the Holy Spirit whereas her cousin Elizabeth 'had in her old age, herself coneived a son''.  

 

At this time of the year we often hear unsavoury secular jokes about the virgin birth or that Mary was not a virgin, or that she had other children. We, as catholics need to be prepared to speak out and not allow our faith to be rubbished or trampled on. 

 

As advent draws to a close, let us remember the message from today's Gospel 

 

nothing is impossible to God.

 

Saturday of the Third Week of Advent Gospel Acclamation Series.

 

ADVENT  2020 GOSPEL ACCLAMATION SERIES

Advent 2020 Gospel Acclamation series.

SATURDAY OF THE THIRD 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 Root of Jesse's stem, 

sign of God's Love for all His people.  

Come to saye us without delay. Alleluia.
 

Today’s Gospel is taken from: LK 1:5-25.  It is the Gospel that brings into focus the parents of John the Baptist, in particular his father Zechariah.   When Angel Gabriel announced the good news that he and Elizabeth were going to have a child, the details about the baby’s identity and role he would have in the salvation history of Israel, sadly Zechariah did not believe the angel and consequently became mute for the whole 9 months.  This is important because his muteness leaves him when he writes on a tablet (not a tablet of the modern era of course) ‘his name is John’.  Only then, his speech returns.

When I used to hear this Gospel, I used to think that it was unfair that he lost his speech because he asked the question “How shall I know this? 
For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”  I used to compare it with Mary asking at the annunciation “ How can this come about since I am a Virgin?”.  Seemed to me to be the same question really and Zechariah got a rough deal.
The key to understanding the difference is in the text

 ‘Both (Zechariah and Elizabeth) were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly’. 

In other words, Zechariah should have known better. He was a priest and presumably he had received other visions because the crowds outside knew that this must have been the case. If this was the first vision he had received, then the crowd would have been more puzzled.  One gets the impression that Zechariah may have scoffed at the suggestion that Elizabeth and he would have a child since despite wanting to have a child, they were advanced in years (i.e., the body clock for conceiving was a very narrow window).  We know from the story of the annunciation that Elizabeth did conceive herself since the angel makes a point of telling Mary about it.

The other key is understanding that to be barren was considered a slight from God, something shameful must have occurred. He however had been righteous before God and had been praying that they could have a child.  His prayer had been answered and yet when it was answered with the news from the angel, he did not believe.
However, let us not be too harsh with Zechariah.  We do not know the tone of voice and he may have been overwhelmed with all that the angel told him would happen with the child yet to be born.  He did redeem himself when facing opposition from the neighbours 9 months later consent to the name John for the baby- the name the angel gave him in his Gospel. He made his act of faith then. He had no idea when or if his speech would return. Imagine 9 months without being able to speak. He had probably reflected many times on that encounter with the angel.
 
As you can probably tell, I am very partial to the Gospel.  It is a Gospel that I have had to wrestle with over the years to come to a place of understanding and peace. I think this Gospel can teach us a lot.
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We may wish to reflect upon
When do I remain silent when I need to speak out?
When do I speak when I need to remain silent?
Do I pray for a great need but doubt I will receive it from God?
How do I respond to God when He provides surprises for me?
What areas in my life do I feel humiliated/shameful?
How do I make other people feel shameful, humiliated or less than human?
 

KEY ACTION WORDS.

Sign of God’s love

For all His people

Come

To save us

Without delay.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Jesus Come today and save me without delay.  Come and save me without delay from ( name it/them).  You are love itself. You came to save me.  You came to save all Your people. 

Help me to believe more fully in You, to believe and trust when I pray and to accept that my circumstances are unique.  I do not need to feel ashamed as You love me.  I should not make others feel less than either since You love them. 

Come Lord Jesus teach me to use my tongue for the Glory of You and to learn to keep my tongue still and my ears open to listen to You.

 

Friday of the Third Week of Advent Year B Gospel Acclamation Series

 

ADVENT  2020 GOSPEL ACCLAMATION SERIES

Advent 2020 Gospel Acclamation Series.

FRIDAY OF THE THIRD 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 Leader of the House of Israel,
giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
come to rescue us with your mighty power! Alleluia.

 

Today’s Gospel is taken from Mt 1:18-25 which. relates to the circumstances of the birth of Jesus and how an angel came to Joseph in a dream to reassure him and to help him understand further how and why Mary, his betrothed was pregnant.  Joseph did not want to hurt Mary in any way and wanted to divorce her informally so that it saved then but particularly Mary of any humiliation and embarrassment.  The angel in the dream was able to tell Joseph what he needed to know ie Mary had become pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit. She had not been unfaithful and that he needed to understand that the baby that she was carrying was the Son of the High.  By learning more about the situation, Joseph was able to take Mary and make her His wife.  He also began to learn more about his role in this plan of God for salvation for the whole human race.

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We may wish to reflect upon:

What does God tell me about my own life situations in my dreams, in my subconscious or when I let go of preconceived ideas/outcomes?

What does this Gospel teach me about Joseph, his faith in God and his commitment?

Who are the angels/messengers that God sends into my life?  What do they say to me?

 

KEY ACTION WORDS.

O Leader of the House of Israel,
giver of the Law
come to rescue us

with your mighty power.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Jesus, come to rescue us with Your Mighty Power.  Help me to know, love and serve You today.  Give me a greater understanding of Your Law.  Be O Leader of my House and come to rescue me.  Come Lord Jesus.

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday of Third Week of Advent Gospel Acclamation Series.

 

ADVENT  2020 GOSPEL ACCLAMATION SERIES

Advent 2020 Gospel Acclamation series.

THURSDAY OF THE THIRD 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 Wisdom of our God Most High,
guiding creation with power and love:
come to teach us the path of knowledge! Alleluia.

 

Today’s Gospel is taken from Mt 1:1-17 which is the known as the Genealogy of Jesus.  Why do we hear this in Advent.  It reminds us that Jesus came into the family of the world- obviously with Mary as His Divine Mother and Joseph, His Stepfather but also there was a lineage, a family tree and a heritage.  It is also important because it helps us think of our own background as well as being a member of the family of God.  It is interesting to note that only some women are mentioned and that not all of the ancestors of Jesus were perfect morally- no one is perfect of course but some of the ancestors of Jesus could have been considered the black sheep of their families.  Are we a black sheep of the family or perhaps are we considered by others as black sheep?  God never considers us black sheep. He loves us always.

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• We may wish to reflect upon:
• What is my relationship with my family and extended family  currently?
• Are there areas that could be improved this advent?
• If there is estrangement from the family, how does this affect my attitude with God’s family in my parish?
• How do I feel that God despite any past mistakes always has a place for me in His family?

KEY ACTION WORDS.

O Wisdom of Our God Most High

Guiding creation

With power and love

Come

To teach us

The path of knowledge.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Jesus, I need your wisdom to guide creation with the power of Your Love.  Come and teach me this path of knowledge today. Let Your Wisdom be my guide and let the path of knowledge that You show be lit up. Guide all of creation. Come Lord Jesus. Come.

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent Gospel Acclamation Series

 

ADVENT  2020 GOSPEL ACCLAMATION SERIES

Advent 2020 Gospel Acclamation series.

WEDNESDAY  OF THE THIRD 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 Raise your voice and tell the Good News:
Behold, the Lord GOD comes with power. Alleluia.

 

Today’s Gospel is taken from LK 7:18B-23. John wishes to clarify that Jesus is the One – the Saviour or do they have to wait for someone else.  One might wonder whey he did not know, since he was a cousin.  Jesus gave his reply with the proof that John would understand. He would have known the Prophets so showing him that He was fulfilling what the Prophets had foretold would have helped John to understand.

It is interesting to note I think too that when the disciples went to Jesus, they used direct conversation pattern. No games like the Pharisees nor did they reword it into their own language. No, they relayed the message just as John asked.  There is a learning for us all I think right there.  How many times are things repeated with a different wording, a different emphasis  or focus than the person intended. This can become a problem, friends can lose trust in each other and all sorts of personal complications, hurts, misunderstandings can arise.  These disciples teach us something.  Jesus teaches us something too, of course since He provides what John needs to understand. He meets John through the disciples at his level of understanding.  This is so important to connect with the person where they are at not where we hope they could be or even where we are at if we are to help in the evangelisation process. 

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 We may wish to reflect upon:

•          What is our conversation pattern like with others- direct or manipulative or indirect with hidden agenda? 
•          What stops us from direct communication- fear, never been taught this process, holding onto our own power to manipulate others?
•          How do we relate to others when it comes to encouraging them in learning the faith- to tell the Good News?
•          What one step will I take during today or this week to live out this gospel?
•          Ponder the words of the Gospel Acclamation and use them throughout the day in prayer.

KEY ACTION WORDS.

Raise Your voice

Tell the Good News

Behold

The Lord God comes

With power.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Jesus, today’s gospel teaches us that You meet us where we are at just like You helped John the Baptist to understand Your identity as Saviour.   Come and be my Saviour today.  Remove the blindness in my heart and soul, the paralysis in my being and come with power. Yes come Lord Jesus with power to me today.