December 22, 2017

Dec. 22

December 22, 2017:  Friday, 3rd week, Advent

  • 'Wheat' pin:  "The well-fed hire themselves out for bread" (canticle); an ephah of flour... (1st reading)
  • Purple suspenders:  ...and a skin of wine (1st reading); Advent season
  • 'Heart' pin:  "My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior" (canticle); "He has mercy on every generation" (gospel)
  • 'Crowns' tie:  O King of Nations (O Antiphon)
  • 'Angel with horn' tie pin:  "My horn is exalted in my God" (canticle)
  • 'Magnificat' pin:  Mary's Magnificat canticle (gospel)
  • 'Eyeball' pin:  The Lord has looked on his servant (gospel)
  • 'Blessed Mother blue' shirt
  • 'Bull' pin:  Hannah brought Samuel and a 3-year-old bull with her... (1st reading)
Listen

Song of Hannah settings (canticle)
Magnificat settings (for gospel)
Read
  • 1 Sm 1:24-28  Hannah presented Samuel at the temple:  “I prayed for this child, and you granted my request.  Now I give him to you; he'll be dedicated to the Lord all his life.”  She left Samuel there.
    Samuel dedicated by Hannah at the Temple/ Topham
  • 1 Sm 2:1, 4-8abcd  "My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior."  “The bows of the mighty are broken, while the weak gain strength.  The well-fed go hungry, while the hungry are satisfied.  The barren wife bears sons, while the mother of many languishes.  The Lord puts to death and gives life, casts down and raises up, makes poor and rich, humbles and exalts, raises the needy and poor.”
  • Lk 1:46-56  Mary:  “I proclaim the Lord's greatness, for he looked upon his lowly servant.  All will call me blessed:  the Almighty has done great things for me.  He has mercy on those who fear him, showed strength, scattered the proud, cast down the mighty, lifted up the lowly, filled the hungry, sent away the rich.  He helped Israel, remembering his promise of mercy.”  She stayed with Elizabeth then returned home.
Reflect


  • Today's O Antiphon:  O Rex Gentium, O King of All Nations and Keystone of the Church;  come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!  Reflection (thanks, Sr. Kathleen!)
  • Creighton:  It's important to create empty space for God to fill.  Just how many goods do we need before we're so full that God sends us away empty?  Consuming leaves us empty.  What makes you happy?  If you're feeling empty because you're full, set time aside to open yourself to God:  visit church, meditate on the Savior's coming....  Create space God can fill.  Give yourself the greatest gift:  time to prepare for the Lord's coming....
  • One Bread, One Body:  "Give the children to Jesus":  Christmas is God's gift of a Child.  We should be like Hannah and give our children to the Lord:  Married couples, lovingly have all the children the Lord wants to give you.  Parents, teach your children the beauty, fruitfulness, and mystery of all vocations, and offer them to the Lord as priests, deacons, religious, or lay ministers.  Godparents, prayerfully discern your godchildren's place in the body of Christ.  Pray the Harvest-Master send workers, and lead people to Christ.  Help change our culture of death into one of love and life.  The Lord promised a little child would guide us....
  • Passionist:  Today’s readings take us to two mothers who experienced miraculous conceptions and births; both had been given a mission to bear sons to make an enormous difference to Israel and the world.  Hannah’s Samuel would lead Israel from tribal rule and custom to a kingdom; he was an Israelite through and through, avoiding pagan customs like strong drink and haircuts.  He would anoint David king and so bring about the monarchy.  We know what Mary’s Jesus would bring the world salvation through his preaching, healing, suffering, dying, and rising; his conception and birth was the turning point of faith for human history, and he fulfilled all God’s promises.  What's the story behind the stories?  Both mothers helped their sons become the men they were, living with God, faithful to prayer, living with courage and wisdom, leading God’s People toward the fulfillment of God’s promises in them.  Remember with love your mother and her influence, and pray for her.  Remember too your mission to be one with Jesus, living his values and sharing the Good News of salvation.
  • DailyScripture.net:  "Joyful expectation of the Messiah":  If you hunger for the Lord, the Lord will fill you with peace, joy, and justice.  As events lead to the birth of our Savior, prophecies, promises and prayers of the Old Testament become fulfilled.  Luke reveals the Holy Spirit's presence and power in Mary's life.  Elizabeth and Mary were filled with the Spirit and joyful anticipation of the fulfillment of God's promise of a Savior.  John the Baptist pointed to his coming and leapt for joy in the womb as the Spirit revealed his presence to him.  The Spirit enables us to know and experience God's presence and power; through the Spirit, God reigns in each of us.  Mary accepted her mission with faith and obedience, believing God would fulfill his word.  Her Magnificat echoes Hannah's song and proclaims the Lord's favor.  Hannah like Mary had been childless and God gave her a son, Samuel, whom she dedicated to the Lord's service.  Mary, too, would lose her son to service that would lead to the cross. This is a time to renew our faith and hope in God and his promises and to deepen our love for God and each other....
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