Advent Daily Reflections

Transcription

1 Advent Daily Reflections Week Four Sr. Kathleen Boyle, Religion Chair Mr. Petrillo, Campus Minister Sydney Daniel 17 Jack Longstreet 17 Jada Weedon 19 Marjorie Pawlowicz 17 Ashley Ward 17

2 Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18 Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-24 Our readings this Sunday remind us that Advent is a time to remember and reflect on the fact that God comes into our lives each and every day. Isaiah tells us the Messiah shall be called Emmanuel which means, God is with us. In his Gospel, Matthew reveals how God came to Joseph in a dream and told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife. The child she bears was conceived through the Holy Spirit. Do we believe Isaiah s words that God is always with us? Do we believe like Joseph, when God comes to us in many ways throughout our day? Do we take the time to recognize God when he comes to us through a person, a kind act, or the beauty of nature? Yes, God does come to us each and every day be we just need to take the time to be aware and recognize Him. During this last week of Advent, let us ask God to help us to open our eyes and hearts to recognize His presence when He comes to us in the people and events of our day. -Sr. Kathleen Boyle S.S.J. Religion Dept. Chair

3 Monday, December 19 Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; Luke 1:26-38 Zechariah is struck speechless at his disbelief in the work of God. Zechariah was a priest, a learned man who should have known the great power of God and that nothing would be impossible for Him to accomplish. Rather than stand speechless in awe at the great news he had received. Zechariah questioned God, almost laughingly saying Yeah, right. I m an old man. That s not going to happen. This isn t how we should respond to God s initiative or invitation. We should respond like Mary who said, let it be done unto me according to your word (Luke 1:38). With Christmas less than a week away, we ask ourselves How am I responding to God? Do we believe the work that He began during Advent will bear any fruit? Do we believe that He can work miracles both in and through our lives? Is it possible to celebrate the birth of the Savior with great wonder and awe, even if all our time has been spent shopping and cooking? Are we awaiting His return with joy? What is God speaking to your heart? What is He inviting you to do? As 2016 comes to a close, let s ask the Lord to help us with our resolutions. Let s respond to His invitations like the Blessed Mother, with humility and docility. Let us say Yes, to God and not, you can t be serious! Let s make this Christmas a celebration of God s invitation to dwell among us and be with us. Let us welcome Him into our hearts and homes with a spirit of welcome and hope. -Mr. Petrillo Campus Minister

4 Tuesday, December 20 Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; Luke 1:26-38 Mary said, Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word. Then the angel departed from her. In this Gospel of Luke, God sends the angel Gabriel to Mary to deliver the news to her that she will be bearing a son named Jesus, the Son of God. It is perceived that Mary is frightened at first, pondering what she was being told. Mary trusted God with her whole self, believing that the plan that God held for her was the right one. We all have times in our lives where we are unsure of the plan God holds for us, and we become scared of the path that lies ahead. Just like Mary, we need to say yes to God s plan, and trust in His grace. When I was 10, I was diagnosed with a heart condition. I had to change my physical activities, become cautious with everything I did, and go to many doctors appointments that caused me to have great anxiety over what I could not control. However, once I let go and accepted God s plan for me, I knew that everything would be okay, even if it was not what I planned for. Similar to Mary, being faced with something that is challenging gives us the opportunity to grow in our relationship with God, and remember that His plan for us is the right one. - Sydney Daniel Class of 2017

5 Wednesday, December 21 Readings: Psalm 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Luke 1:39-45 As we near the end of the Advent season, we prepare our hearts and minds for Christ's coming. We are reminded always of the sacrifices God has made for us, sending His son down to earth and letting Him die in an excruciating way, to open the gates of heaven for us. The Advent season is a time of giving, so before you start thinking about what you're going to get on Christmas Day, remember that there is always opportunity to give. You could go to a soup kitchen and give a family food for the night. You could give a certain toy that you never play with anymore to a child of a family who cannot afford Christmas presents. You could even bring in canned foods for outreach for your religion classes. It's the small things that make God notice that you are doing what His will desires. -Jack Longstreeet Class of 2017

6 Thursday, December 22 Readings: 1 Samuel 1:24-28; 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8; Luke 1:46-56 Today s date is the 22nd of December and it s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. As we are approaching the end of this fourth week of Advent, in preparation for this coming Sunday, we should remind ourselves of the angel's message of Peace on Earth and Good will towards Men. This Psalm is used by Hannah to state the wonderful blessing God has bestowed upon her. She also warns the proud and boastful of God s humbling and tells those who have humility that they will be recognized and rewarded. In the Psalm we see God exalting and lifting the needy rather than those who seem to be righteous. This Christmas we must keep Hannah s warning close to the heart and pray on it. Ask yourself, Have I been as selfless or as humble that is required by God? I know during the holidays selflessness is a hard thing to achieve, but in times when you're obsessing over the latest toys or getting the perfect gift for someone remember this prayer. Remind yourself of those in worse predicaments than yours and ask God to bless those who have less and to lift their hearts/souls, because if you were in a worse situation, you would hope someone would pray for you. Take time to enjoy the blessings God has given you and let the thought of all those blessings cause your heart to be exalted. All in all, take a deep breath and rejoice in the feeling of Jesus and God engulfing your hearts and minds this Advent and Christmas. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior -Jada Weedon Class of 2019

7 Friday, December 23 Readings: Malaki 3:1-4, 23-24; Psalm 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14; Luke 1:57-66 In today s first reading the word messenger appears multiple times, however at first it may be unclear as to who the messenger is. The messenger could be any of the prophets. When writing this, Malachi did not know exactly who the messenger would be, but knew that he would come bearing our salvation, cleansing us, and teaching us love. When we apply what we now know, it becomes clear that Jesus is the messenger and The Elijah. He has the power to purify and cleanse us. Throughout today s Psalm, we ask God to send the messenger to redeem us from sin. We ask that he purify us just as Malachi wrote in the first reading. We are reminded that Jesus came to teach us and guide us on our journey through life while keeping God s commands. We learn to keep God s truth and to live lives of compassion and love. In today s second reading, we learn of the birth of John the Baptist. Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah were faithful to God and as a result he gifted them with the birth of a son. He is often interpreted as the messenger from the first reading. John the Baptist was considered to be one of the greatest prophets. He spread the compassion and mercy of God wherever he went. He was a messenger that taught the same truth as Jesus, but he was not the messenger. Later in scripture, we see that he was not even worthy enough to unstrap Jesus s sandal. Throughout this advent season, it is important to turn our hearts toward God and ask him to guide us in lives of truth and love. In all of the readings from today there is a constant theme of a future hope. They display a longing for a desired blessing and covenant. That covenant is our redemption bought for us by the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus. These passages are important to keep in mind as were prepare to celebrate the birth of our Redeemer. They remind us of who Jesus is. We were given the greatest blessing of salvation because of God s never ending mercy and unconditional love. -Marjorie Pawlowicz Class of 2017

8 Saturday, December 24 Readings: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16; Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29; Luke 1:67-79 The main purpose of the Advent season is to prepare ourselves for the anniversary of the Lord coming into our world. In 2 Samuel 7:1-5, we are chosen to reflect on all God has done for us. King David is finally settled and is in a house of great wealth and fortune. He ponders and remembers that God is dwelling in a tent. The contrast is what bothers King David and makes him want to take action. It is sometimes hard to accept nice things when others have close to nothing. During this Advent season we are called to give back as well as appreciate what we have. David goes out of his way to offer God a house for Him to dwell in. God never asked David to, he is just eager to do more than he is commanded to do. I feel as if sometimes we are stuck in a mindset of What is the least I can do to please the Lord? The central message in Psalm 89 is that we need to take pride in our faith. The repetition of Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord is what makes this so powerful. We can t just expose our faith just because it is the Advent season, we need to make it a constant in our daily lives. All God asks us to do is to continue kindness so that our Covenant stands firm in our relationship. We should want to accomplish it, not feel like we have to. Going back to the first passage, although the Lord does not accept the house David wants to build, he is given the recognition. The Lord responds to David by saying He will establish a house for him. This means his good deeds will not be forgotten. We have to be able to realize that God takes our intentions as a gift. This Advent we should all come together with our intentions and give back to those who do so much for us. -Ashley Ward Class of 2017

9 The Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord Christmas Day Sunday, December 25, 2016 The Nativity St. Rose Church Belmar NJ Behold a new and wondrous mystery. My ears resound to the Shepherd s song, piping no soft melody, but chanting full forth a heavenly hymn. The Angels sing. The Archangels blend their voice in harmony. The Cherubim hymn their joyful praise. The Seraphim exalt His glory. All join to praise this holy feast, beholding the Godhead here on earth, and man in heaven. He Who is above, now for our redemption dwells here below; and he that was lowly is by divine mercy raised. Bethlehem this day resembles heaven; hearing from the stars the singing of angelic voices; and in place of the sun, enfolds within itself on every side, the Sun of justice. And ask not how: for where God wills, the order of nature yields. For He willed; He had the power; He descended; He redeemed; all things yielded in obedience to God. This day He Who is, is Born;

10 and He Who is, becomes what He was not. For when He was God, He became man; yet not departing from the Godhead that is His. Nor yet by any loss of divinity became He man, nor through increase became He God from man; but being the Word He became flesh, His nature, because of impassability, remaining unchanged. And so the kings have come, and they have seen the heavenly King that has come upon the earth, not bringing with Him Angels, nor Archangels, nor Thrones, nor Dominations, nor Powers, nor Principalities, but, treading a new and solitary path, He has come forth from a spotless womb. Since this heavenly birth cannot be described, neither does His coming amongst us in these days permit of too curious scrutiny. Though I know that a Virgin this day gave birth, and I believe that God was begotten before all time, yet the manner of this generation I have learned to venerate in silence and I accept that this is not to be probed too curiously with wordy speech. For with God we look not for the order of nature, but rest our faith in the power of Him who works. What shall I say to you; what shall I tell you? I behold a Mother who has brought forth; I see a Child come to this light by birth. The manner of His conception I cannot comprehend. Nature here rested, while the Will of God labored. O ineffable grace! The Only Begotten, Who is before all ages, Who cannot be touched or be perceived, Who is simple, without body, has now put on my body, that is visible and liable to corruption. For what reason? That coming amongst us he may teach us, and teaching, lead us by the hand to the things that men cannot see. For since men believe that the eyes are more trustworthy than the ears, they doubt of that which they do not see, and so He has deigned to show Himself in bodily presence, that He may remove all doubt. Christ, finding the holy body and soul of the Virgin, builds for Himself a living temple, and as He had willed, formed there a man from the Virgin; and, putting Him on, this day came forth; unashamed of the lowliness of our nature. For it was to Him no lowering to put on what He Himself had made. Let that handiwork be forever glorified, which became the cloak of its own Creator. For as in the first creation of flesh, man could not be made before the clay had come into His hand, so neither could this corruptible body be glorified, until it had first become the garment of its Maker.

11 What shall I say! And how shall I describe this Birth to you? For this wonder fills me with astonishment. The Ancient of days has become an infant. He Who sits upon the sublime and heavenly Throne, now lies in a manger. And He Who cannot be touched, Who is simple, without complexity, and incorporeal, now lies subject to the hands of men. He Who has broken the bonds of sinners, is now bound by an infants bands. But He has decreed that ignominy shall become honor, infamy be clothed with glory, and total humiliation the measure of His Goodness. For this He assumed my body, that I may become capable of His Word; taking my flesh, He gives me His spirit; and so He bestowing and I receiving, He prepares for me the treasure of Life. He takes my flesh, to sanctify me; He gives me His Spirit that He may save me. Come, then, let us observe the Feast. Truly wondrous is the whole chronicle of the Nativity. For this day the ancient slavery is ended, the devil confounded, the demons take to flight, the power of death is broken, paradise is unlocked, the curse is taken away, sin is removed from us, error driven out, truth has been brought back, the speech of kindliness diffused, and spreads on every side, a heavenly way of life has been in planted on the earth, angels communicate with men without fear, and men now hold speech with angels. Why is this? Because God is now on earth, and man in heaven; on every side all things commingle. He became Flesh. He did not become God. He was God. Wherefore He became flesh, so that He Whom heaven did not contain, a manger would this day receive. He was placed in a manger, so that He, by whom all things are nourished, may receive an infants food from His Virgin Mother. So, the Father of all ages, as an infant at the breast, nestles in the virginal arms, that the Magi may more easily see Him. Since this day the Magi too have come, and made a beginning of withstanding tyranny; and the heavens give glory, as the Lord is revealed by a star. To Him, then, Who out of confusion has wrought a clear path, to Christ, to the Father, and to the Holy Spirit, we offer all praise, now and forever. Amen. -St. John Chrysostom ( ) Doctor of the Church