December 23, 2013

December 23

December 23, 2013:  Monday, 4th week of Advent

Readings
  • Mal 3:1-4, 23-24  I'm sending my messenger to prepare the way.  The Lord will come to the temple, but who will endure that day?  He, like the refiner’s fire, will purify the sons of Levi, that they may offer sacrifice pleasing to the Lord.  I'll send you Elijah to turn fathers' hearts to children and children's to fathers.
    Wordle: Readings 12-23-13
  • Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-10, 14  "Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand."  Teach me your paths.  God shows sinners the way, guides the humble, is friend to those who fear him..
  • Lk 1:57-66  Elizabeth bore a son; friends and family rejoiced.  She said he was to be named John; when Zechariah confirmed, his mouth was opened.  They said, “What will this child be? God's hand was with him.”
Pope Francis
  • Homily:  3rd coming of the Lord:  he visits each of us daily.  Our soul is waiting for the Lord.  Open your soul; be vigilant and expectant.  What difference does the Lord’s coming make in us?  Is there a place for God, or only for shopping and parties?  Is our soul open like Mary's?  The world ends with the Lord, Mary, and the Church, not us, so repeat, "O Wisdom , O Key of David, O King of the nations, come!  Come, Lord Jesus!" not, “Do not disturb!”  Receive the Lord and see his glory!
Culture, thought, and education:  Proclaim the Gospel to professional, scientific and academic circles:  a faith/reason/science encounter with new approaches and creative apologetics.  Science and reason can become evangelization tools, the Spirit's instruments of enlightenment and renewal, when used to proclaim the Gospel. 
It's not enough just to reach each person, or proclaim the Gospel to cultures; our theology must be in dialogue with science and experience.  Theologians, advance that dialogue as part of the Church’s saving mission, remembering that the Church and theology exist to evangelize; don't settle for desk-bound theology.

Universities and Catholic schools are outstanding environments for articulating and developing our evangelization of culture, even when hostility challenges us to be more creative.  (3.I, 132-134, pp. 106-107)
Reflections
    • Today's O Antiphon:  O EmmanuelKing and Giver of Law:  come to save us, Lord our God!
    • Creighton:  We await and pray for the Lord's coming, but the Lord is at hand whenever we welcome him:  "Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in."  Let him come and transform us.
    • RC.net:  John means "the Lord is gracious"; God graciously fills us with the Spirit.  Is my life an offering to God?  
    Music
    • John/ Winter (gospel) [leadsheet and related note]
    • What child is this?/ Dix is about Jesus, but our presider today mentioned that in today's gospel, people asked that about John the Baptist [Thanks, Monsignor!]
    • Please send music suggestions, especially for Christmas!  I welcome audio, video, sheet music, and lyrics links and will happily credit you.
    Apparel
    • Tie with signs:  signs:  virgin shall bear a son (yesterday's 1st reading), Elizabeth with child (Friday's gospel)
    • "Angel" tie pin:  angel Gabriel (yesterday's gospel), repeating with guest interpretation:  it looks (to me and at least one other) both like an angel and like a flying pig.  Someone quipped after Mass:  "a virgin bearing a son?  When pigs fly!"
    • Purple shirt:  Advent (season)
    • Purple and white in suspenders:  
    • Christmas pin (see Tuesday for legend):  Nativity Novena (subseason)
    Dress your life!

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