FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT = YEAR a =

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1 @ctkmetropolitan Christ the KING Parish Kampala UG Since October 30, 1930 PARISH PRIEST Msgr. Gerard Kalumba ASSISTING PRIESTS Msgr. Joseph Mugambe Rev. Fr. John Bosco Ssembatya Rev. Fr. Arthur Richard Muwonge LEAD CATECHIST Evaristo Mary Baguma FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT = YEAR a = FIRST READING: Isaiah 7:10-14; Behold a virgin shall conceive Sunday, 18 th December 2016 Poor human reason, when it trusts in itself, substitutes the strangest absurdities for the highest divine concepts. --- St. John Chrysostom CHAIRPERSON LAITY Rogers Semakula SECRETARY LAITY John Baptist Ssemitego PARISH EXEC. SECRETARY Mrs. Euphemia Kiwuwa SUNDAY MASSES 07.00am: Luganda 08.00am: English 09.00am: Luganda 10.00am: English 11.15am: English 05.00pm: English (Charismatic) SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Monday - Friday 7:45am (after 7.00am Mass) 12:15pm (before 1:00pm Mass) 1:45pm (after 1:00pm Mass) Saturday 7:45am (after 7.00am Mass) A reading from the Book of Isaiah In those days: Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test. And He said, Hear then, O house of David! CONTINUED APPRECIATION FOR YOUR SUPPORT! The work of renovation and expansion of our Church already began. We continue to thank you all for making this possible. We invite members of the community to continue supporting this - our project; both financially and in prayers. May members who took envelopes endeavour to return them. Further donations and offers are most welcome at this time. Tuzimbe We Build CTK!! DAILY MASSES: Monday to Friday: 6:30am 7:00am 1:00pm; Saturday: 7:00am 6:00pm

2 Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His Name Immanuel. The Word of the LORD. RESPONSORIAL PSALMS: Ps 24:1-6 (R. see 7c, 10c); R. Let the Lord enter; He is the King of Glory The LORD s is the earth and its fullness, the world, and all who dwell in it; it is He Who set it on the seas; on the rivers He made it firm. R Who shall climb the mountain of the LORD? Who shall stand in His Holy Place? The clean of hands and pure of heart, whose soul is not set on vain things. R. Blessing from the LORD shall he receive, and right reward from the God Who saves him. Such are the people who seek Him, and seek the face of the God of Jacob. R. SECOND READING: Romans 1:1-7; Jesus Christ, descended from David, is the Son of God. A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the Gospel of God which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, the Gospel concerning His Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and designated Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by His resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through Whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of His Name among all the nations, including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ; To all God s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The Word of the LORD. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Matthew 2:3 V. Alleluia R. Alleluia V. Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son; and His Name shall be called Emmanuel: God is with us. R. Alleluia 2 Remember, Rejoice, Renew

3 GOSPEL: Matthew 1:18-24; Jesus was born of Mary, who was betrothed to Joseph, the son of David. A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew The birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When His Mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together She was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and Her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send Her away quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in Her is of the Holy Spirit; She will bear a Son, and you shall call His Name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and His Name shall be called Emmanuel (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him. The Gospel of the LORD. Remember, Rejoice, Renew 3

4 PARISH PRIEST S REFLECTION Isaiah 7: Romans 1: 1-7 Matthew 1: A VIRGIN SHALL BEAR A SON, HIS NAME SHALL BE EMMANUEL WHICH MEANS GOD WITH US. Msgr. Gerard Kalumba In seven days time we shall celebrate the MYSTERY of the presence of God in human life -namely the birth of a Son by a Virgin Whose Angelic Name is Emmanuel a Hebrew name which means God with us This is a return of God to human life It is the restoration of the Image of God in humanity. Our biblical concept is clear: Man and woman were created in the Image of God. Unfortunately this image was distorted by the crafty devil. The devil suggested to man (and woman) that God was a liar and he, the devil had the truth. Christmas starts a great journey of undoing the devil s big lie to Adam and Eve. Failure to abide by God s word to Adam and Eve attracted sufferings and death. This is re-manifested in the call of Abraham and the subsequent Lovecovenants between God and his servant Abraham. Abraham becomes the Father of nations through his descendants in the Hebrew family. God s relationship with the Hebrew family is as a result of numerous challenges linked to the human weakness that resulted from the distorted image of God in human beings. God built His relationship with Abraham s descendants on several covenants 4 Remember, Rejoice, Renew which were broken by the people of Israel. God kept recovering these covenants and in today s First Reading God gives a new sign for this covenant: A Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His Name Immanuel. This is where the Gospel of St. Matthew (Today s Gospel text) links up the house of David with the birth of Jesus, the one to save His people from their sins. And He concluded that All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet (Isaiah 7:10-14): Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and His Name shall be called Immanuel (which means, God with us). This is the meaning of Christmas - God with us Restoration of God s image in human life. St. Paul in the Second Reading affirms that his work is to spread this Good News of God s return to our life the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been disclosed in prophetic writings. May Christmas bring us the Joy of Renewed Humanity; Joy, Peace and Love. Msgr. Gerard Kalumba Christ the King Parish Kampala

5 THE VIRTUE OF PATIENCE: PEACE OF SOUL The blossom of Patience in the Garden of my Soul is a work of the Holy Ghost. Richly sowed, watered, weeded, and nurtured, the fruit of this seed is Peace of Soul. With eagerness then, and docility, let us discover the richness and necessity of the virtue of Patience. This life is a vale of tears. Trouble of every kind surrounds me; trouble from without, trouble from within, trouble of body, trouble of soul, troubles temporal and troubles spiritual, troubles quite unmerited and troubles that come to me through my own fault. These troubles are the means of my probation upon earth. They truly test whether I am a Child of God. If I bear them with patience I will be saved. If I rebel against them and refuse to submit to them I will be lost. DIVINE PATIENCE My God, how infinitely patient You have been with me when I rebelled against You! How long You have borne with all my ingratitude and sinfulness and stubbornness and disobedience! Holy Scripture contains many examples of the patience of God. When the human family had become so wicked that God determined to destroy them with the Flood, He waited 100 years before carrying out the sentence. When Saul forfeited his kingdom by his disobedience, God waited for ten years before He carried out His sentence. May I learn from Thy example, O my God, to be patient with evildoers and to love mercy rather than vengeance. My patience is tried by everything that puts an obstacle in the way of my action. Am I kept waiting? Am I interrupted during my speech? How keenly my patience is tried by those who misunderstand and misrepresent me. Do I avoid them or openly show my dislike for them? My patience is tried by poverty, sickness, desolation, loneliness and all employments which are not to my taste. Why has a merciful God created me to suffer? Why is it that the innocent must suffer while the guilty seem to prosper? Suffering is indeed a mystery. Herod feasted while St. John the Baptist was butchered. The Roman Emperors were covered in luxury while the friends of God were torn to pieces by wild beasts. What an apparent contradiction. Am I inclined to find fault with God s arrangements? How foolish! In the beginning there was no suffering. It was not until the angels rebelled that pain and suffering came to this earth. Suffering is the necessary expiation of the outrage offered to the majesty of God by His creatures. It is a fulfilment of the eternal law that He who sins must suffer. What else is my suffering but a just punishment for my sins? But, it is a great deal more than this. It is a remedy for the disease of sin, the kindly knife that cuts but cures. The prodigal son led by suffering returned to his father s house. It purifies the soul and almost forces one to humility and submission. Suffering is a payment for the joy to come. The willing acceptance of it is the surest road to a high place in Heaven. I can earn more grace for myself and for others Remember, Rejoice, Renew 5

6 by patient endurance of suffering than by the most active zeal; it is a safer as well as surer means of glorifying God for I cannot be proud of my sufferings whereas I might be proud of my actions. Thus, patient suffering is one of the best gifts that God can give me. STEP BY STEP... DAY BY DAY Discipline of self is necessary for the development of any virtue. My external actions begin with interior dispositions. My path is crossed, the troubles come and this gives way to resentment and anger. I must learn to remain unmoved and with tranquil countenance avoid all expression of annoyance: slow to act and slow to anger in imitation of the great patience God has with me. This is not an unhealthy response. Exterior patience helps enormously to calm my interior feelings. Peace will soon return if I but keep a serene face and quiet demeanour. Exterior calmness edifies others and honours Christ Our Lord, just as impatience and anger dishonour my very name as a Christian. Christ instructs us Himself: Learn of Me for I am meek and humble of heart. Out of love for God I must be more gentle to those who give me pain, more tranquil under words and actions that wound or hurt me. or injury is done to me, there arises a double feeling of pain and hurt. In this there is no sin. But, quick to follow is another feeling; a desire to retaliate, animosity and even hatred. These must be expelled from my soul if I am to resemble Him who is meek and humble of heart. I must beg God for calmness and a spirit of forgiveness, and I must pray for the offender. These wounds and offenses, troubles and trials are very useful for me. In time, I will be convinced of this. They are indispensable for the beating down of my pride. God resists the proud and exalts the humble. What was the attitude of the saints towards those who despised them, persecuted them and killed them? They thanked God for them as their greatest benefactors. What a long way I have yet to go in order to reach this degree of sanctity. The repression of external signs of anger has no value in the eyes of God, except that it is a step towards acquiring interior virtue. The soldier, the courtier and the servant suppress their exterior marks of anger out of fear of punishment or hope of reward. As a Christian, I must do more than this. My motive must be to please Christ and to imitate Him. When unkindness 6 Remember, Rejoice, Renew

7 My impatience is a reliable measure of my pride. Impatience is one of the most foolish of all faults. It gains for me nothing! It does not relieve me of my sufferings, but aggravates them making me discontented, miserable and uneasy. Impatience, when indulged in, is a rebellion against God. It is a practical refusal to accept His Divine Will in my regard. It is a mark of pride not completely subdued and of self-will that has not fully learned to submit. I must school myself in patience by making little sacrifices throughout the day in bearing willingly small contradictions and checking the word of complaint. This may seem like only trifles, but my victory over self is no trifle. It is the labour of a life-time! Him, to love Him, and to serve Him, with all my mind, heart and soul, upon this earth for a short time that I may spend all eternity with Him in Heaven in perfect peace and happiness! ALL SOULS FOR CHRIST THROUGH THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY! Communications Office If I could have seen Mary upon earth, Her undisturbed peace would have made a lasting impression upon me. Her flight into Egypt, the loss of Jesus in the Temple, standing broken-hearted at the foot of the Cross, all this was borne in perfect patience. Within this divine blossom of patience we find the priceless gem of HOPE! In all my daily troubles, trials and sufferings, I must remain dependent upon God, constantly asking for His help and never failing to place all my trust in Him. If I stumble, fall, and fail in patience, it is because I have lost sight of the great reality of my existence. God made me to know Remember, Rejoice, Renew 7

8 WEEKDAY SAINTS & READINGS OF THE WEEK READINGS Celebrations to be planned and organised: ADVENT SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION PENITENTIAL CELEBRATIONS NOVENA OF CHRISTMAS THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD (CHRISTMAS) FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY WORLD DAY OF PEACE (JANUARY 1) Monday 19th December 2016 Advent Weekday: First reading: Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a; Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 71:3-6, 16-17; Gospel: Luke 1:5-25 Tuesday 20th December 2016 Advent Weekday: First reading: Isaiah 7:10-14; Responsorial Psalm: Ps.24:1-6; Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 Wednesday 21st December 2016 Advent Weekday: or St. Peter Canisius priest and doctor (optional memorial): First reading: Sgs 2:8-14 (or Zephaniah 3:14-18a); Responsorial Psalm: Ps.33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Gospel: Luke 1:39-45 The optional memorial of St. Peter Canisius is celebrated as acommemoration Thursday 22nd December 2016 Advent Weekday: First reading: 1 Samuel 1:24-28; Responsorial Psalm: 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-8; Gospel: Luke 1:46-56 Friday 23rd December 2016 Advent Weekday: or St. John of Kanty priest (optional memorial): First reading: Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24; Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14; Gospel: Luke 1:57-66 The optional memorial of St. John of Kanty is celebrated as acommemoration Saturday 24th December 2016 Advent Weekday: First reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16; Responsorial Psalms: Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29; Gospel: Luke 1:67-79 Advent ends before evening prayer of the Nativity (Christmas) Sunday 25th December 2016 Saturday Evening - THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD, solemnity(vigil Mass) First reading: Isaiah 62:1-5; Responsorial Psalms: Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29; Second reading: Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Gospel: Matthew 1:1-25 (or: Matthew 1:18-25) THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD, solemnity Mass at Mid-night: First reading: Isaiah 9:1-6; Responsorial Psalms: Ps 96:1-3, 11-13; Second reading: Titus 2:11-14; Gospel: Luke 2:1-14 Mass at Dawn: First reading: Isaiah 62:11-12; Responsorial Psalms: Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12; Second reading: Titus 3:4-7; Gospel: Luke 2:15-20 Mass during the Day: First reading: Isaiah 52:7-10; Responsorial Psalms: Ps 98:1-6; Second reading: Hebrews 1:1-6; Gospel: John 1:1-18 (or John 1:1-5, 9-14) Other Masses are not permitted, not even funeral Masses. Christ the King Parish, Kampala Tel: Plot 3 Colville Street, P. O. Box 2551, Kampala - Uganda info@christthekingkampala.org