Journey to Bethlehem Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels 2017 Parish Weekly Advent Reflections Cycle B For Families, Groups and Individual Reflection Contributors: Claudia Avila Torres, Fr. David Gallardo, Daniel Martinez and Fr. Juan Ochoa
Journey to Bethlehem Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels 2017 Advent Schedule of Blessings 8AM & 10AM English Masses, 12:30PM Spanish Mass 1st Sunday of Advent- December 3, 2017 Blessing of your Advent Wreath Candles 2nd Sunday of Advent- December 10, 2017 Blessing of your Nativity s St. Joseph 3rd Sunday of Advent- December 17, 2017 Blessing of your Nativity s Virgin Mary 4th Sunday of Advent- December 24, 2017 Blessing of your Nativity s Infant Jesus * Do not bring items for blessing in bags or boxes, items must be visible upon arrival to the Cathedral. The Cathedral is not responsible for any damages to personal items. * Visit our Cathedral Gift Shop for anything you may need. 2
First Sunday of Advent Be Watchful! Be Alert! Fr. David Gallardo, Pastor of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels Opening Prayer Light the first candle of your Advent Wreath. Preparation As you gather with your family, prayer group, friends or by yourself prepare a quite place where there will be no interruptions round your Advent Wreath. You may place a bible, a crucifix and even an image of the Virgin Mary if you like. Have the Sunday readings ready for reading. If you are gathering with a group of people, you may assign different members of the group to read the different sections of this reflection. We begin our prayer in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirt. Amen. We come together to pray in the spirit of Advent, Advent is a time of waiting. We wait for the birth of Jesus who came to show us God s love and mercy. Advent is also a time of journey. We journey spiritually to Bethlehem in reverence knowing that God has become human so that we may come to imitate His love and mercy. God our Father, you created us to be with you forever. We ask you now to help us pray with one heart and one mind as we anticipate the birth of Jesus. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen. Readings Readings for the 1st Sunday of Advent: December 3, 2017 These may be found at www.usccb.org daily readings or you may find them in your bible First Reading: Isaiah 63:16-17, 19 and 64:2-7 Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Gospel: Mark 13: 33-37 3
Reflecting On Faith On this First Sunday of Advent, the first day of a new liturgical year, Jesus tells His disciples: Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come What I say to you, I say to all: Watch! These words of Jesus help us to understand the meaning and purpose of the Advent Season. The Advent Season is a time in which we are reminded of God s love for us. In the fullness of time, He sent His only Son into the world to be our Savior and to show us the way that leads to eternal life. His love is so great that He does not want for any of us to jeopardize our future life of eternal glory with Him. So, during the Advent Season He invites us to be watchful and alert for the day when He will return again in glory. We do this by taking time each day, despite how busy it is during this time of year - slow down and spend time in quiet reflection and prayer. In the first reading, taken from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, God s people acknowledge Him as their father and redeemer O God, you are the maker of heaven and and ask, Why do you let us wander, O Lord, from your ways, earth, the potter who fashioned all of and harden our hearts so that we fear you not? Like our creation. Come and rouse our hearts from despair and fill us with the light of faith as ancestors in faith we too wander from the Lord s ways and we await your return. allow our hearts to become hardened. We grow complacent in our relationship with the Lord and with one another. During the Advent Season we call to mind that Jesus has placed us in charge of His kingdom here on earth and that one day He will return again in glory. Unfortunately, we do not know when He will return again. Therefore, now is the time to wake up, to stay awake and remember His words, may he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: Watch! Sharing Our Faith Allow each gathered member to share whenever they are ready. Simply honor the other s sharing without judgement and without correcting him or her, instead, simply listen with reverence. After that person is done sharing, thank them for their sharing and move on to the next person. Family: As a family share about the ways in which you keep watch and stay alert for the day when the Lord will return. For example: What are your religious practices? How often do you talk about God and talk with God? Do you serve as a family? How do you communicate with each other? How do you forgive each other? Young Adults: Knowing that Jesus has placed us in charge of His kingdom, how can you assist others in remaining alert and keeping watch for the Lord in our daily lives? Think about your various contexts: work, school, community, friendships, relationships, family, etc. 4
Everyone: As the Advent Season begins, we are called to recall the ways in which we have allowed our hearts to harden. In what ways throughout the past year have you grown complacent in your relationship with the Lord and with others? What can you do to be more alert and prepared for the coming of the Lord? Faith In Action During this First Week of Advent, as each day comes to an end, take a few minutes of quiet reflection and ask yourself, In what way(s) did I experience the presence of God in my life today? How does this experience remind me of the importance of remaining Watchful and Alert during Advent? Closing Prayer Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19 All Respond: Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved. O shepherd of Israel, hearken, from your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth. Rouse your power, and come to save us. R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved. Once again, O LORD of hosts, look down from heaven, and see; take care of this vine, and protect what your right hand has planted the son of man whom you yourself made strong. R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved. May your help be with the man of your right hand, with the son of man whom you yourself made strong. Then we will no more withdraw from you; give us new life, and we will call upon your name. R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved Personal Prayer Petitions: Each gathered member is invited to share one prayer that they have for this first week of Advent. After each petition all respond: Lord hear our Prayer. Conclude by praying the prayer our Lord Jesus Christ taught us: Our Father, who art in heaven Extinguish the advent candle. Next Sunday: Next week we begin to prepare our Nativity Scene. Remember to bring the St. Joseph statue for your Nativity Scene for blessing during the regular Sunday Mass, December 10, 2017. Make sure to not bring items for blessing in bags or boxes, items must be visible upon arriving at the Cathedral and please remember that the Cathedral is not responsible for any damages to personal items. 5
Second Sunday of Advent A Time to Change Daniel Martinez, Cathedral Coordinator for Special Liturgical Events Preparation Opening Prayer As you gather with your family, prayer group, friends or by yourself prepare a quite place where there will be no interruptions round your Advent Wreath. You may place a bible, a crucifix and even an image of the Virgin Mary if you like. You may also place St. Joseph in your nativity Scene. Have the Sunday readings ready for reading. If you are gathering with a group of people, you may assign different members of the group to read the different sections of this reflection. Light the first and second candle of your Advent Wreath. We begin our prayer in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirt. Amen. Almighty and ever-living God, you are the source of all consolation and font of our salvation. You have saved your people from the wilderness, gathered them like lambs into your bosom, and fed them with a mother s care. Make level within us all that sin has made rugged; take the crooked paths of our hearts and make them straight. May our repentant hearts turn to you and, at the coming of your Son, be found eager to welcome Him so that, in joyful celebration, your chosen people can say, Here is your God! Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Readings Readings for the 2nd Sunday of Advent: December 10, 2017 These may be found at www.usccb.org daily readings or you may find them in your bible First Reading: Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9-11 Second Reading: 2 Peter 3: 8-14 Gospel: Mark 1: 1-8 6
Reflecting On Faith Advent is a time of joy and a time to prepare ourselves to encounter the Lord. The message in the first reading (Isaiah 40:1-5. 9-11) is a message full of joy and hope. And the greatest joy is that God is coming, that God is near. In today s Gospel. John the Baptist is presented to us as a model during Advent. He was preparing the way for Jesus and the salvation that He would bring to us. We see him helping people prepare their hearts to encounter the living God by proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He stood out as being different, even strange, in comparison to the people around him. Yet people were drawn to him and to what he said; they heard his call to repentance and to be prepared to encounter someone greater than him. Like John the Baptist we, too, are called to prepare the way for the Lord, and to be joyful messengers in service to one who is greater than we are. Our Baptism commissions us to call others to live as disciples of Jesus. Let us open our hearts every day to receive Him, and let Him be the king of our lives. This Sunday, the Word of the Lord gives us all a chance to leave the desert and to join the crowds at the Jordan River, feeling the cleansing, cool waters of God s unconditional love. Therefore the first step is to make a change in our lives. Almighty and ever-living God, you have saved your people from the wilderness, gathered them like lambs into your bosom, and fed them with a mother s care. Take the crooked paths of our hearts and make them straight. Sharing Our Faith Allow each gathered member to share whenever they are ready. Simply honor the other s sharing without judgement and without correcting him or her, instead, simply listen with reverence. After that person is done sharing, thank them for their sharing and move on to the next person. Family: The love of God is shared among all of God s people, as a response to your baptismal call what kind deeds do you practice towards each other and your neighbors? What are some things you could begin to do? Young Adults: In today s readings we hear Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths! What paths in your life require letting God in so that they may be repaired? What steps can you take to prepare the way in which to let God into your life? Everyone: Using John the Baptism as a model, he went into the wilderness to prepare for his time of inviting others into an encounter with God. In the same way we are in need of preparing ourselves so that we may find the joy the zeal to proclaim Jesus. Describe what your prayer life is like, does it move you to be a better disciple of Jesus? Have you considered returning to the the love of Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation? 7
Faith In Action Today, consider a coworker, family member, classmate, friend, or neighbor who stands out as being different. What can you learn from them? What can you do this week to get to know them better and be more compassionate towards them? May you offer a prayer for them? Closing Prayer Psalm 85: 9-10, 11-12, 13-14 All Respond: Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation. I will hear what God proclaims; the LORD for he proclaims peace to his people. Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land. R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation. Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven. R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation. The LORD himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. Justice shall walk before him, and prepare the way of his steps. R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation. Personal Prayer Petitions: Each gathered member is invited to share one prayer that they have for this second week of Advent. After each petition all respond: Lord hear our Prayer. Conclude by praying the prayer our Lord Jesus Christ taught us: Our Father, who art in heaven Extinguish the advent candles. Next Sunday: Next week we continue to prepare our Nativity Scene. Remember to bring the Virgin Mary statue for your Nativity Scene for blessing during the regular Sunday Mass, December 17, 2017. Make sure to not bring items for blessing in bags or boxes, items must be visible upon arriving at the Cathedral and please remember that the Cathedral is not responsible for any damages to personal items. 8
Third Sunday of Advent Rejoice! Fr. Juan Ochoa, Associate Pastor of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels Preparation Opening Prayer As you gather with your family, prayer group, friends or by yourself prepare a quite place where there will be no interruptions round your Advent Wreath. You may place a bible, a crucifix and even an image of the Virgin Mary if you like. You may also place St. Joseph and the Virgin Mary in your nativity Scene. Have the Sunday readings ready for reading. If you are gathering with a group of people, you may assign different members of the group to read the different sections of this reflection. Light the first, second, and pink candle of your Advent Wreath. We begin our prayer in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirt. Amen. O God of Justice, you called the prophet John the Baptism, to prepare the way for the coming of your Son. John s message of repentance led others to embrace you. Grant your servants ears to hear his cry in the desert of their hearts so that, transformed by love, we, too, may turn and embrace you. Fill us, O God, with the Spirit of Courage and strengthen our will to be heralds of the Light. Make us fervent in our prayer and direct us to bring glad tidings to the poor so that, on that final day, we may be found holy and blameless in your sight as we rejoice in the gift of your mercy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Readings Readings for the 3rd Sunday of Advent: December 17, 2017 These may be found at www.usccb.org daily readings or you may find them in your bible First Reading: Isaiah 61: 1-2, 10-11 Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24 Gospel: John 1: 6-8, 19-28 9
Reflecting On Faith The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday from the Latin of the Entrance Antiphon for today: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near (Philippians 4:4-5). During this third Sunday and week of Advent, we are invited to reflect on what it means to be a people of joy. For many people, the anticipation of celebrating Christmas is already an experience of joy. People are planning where and with whom they are spending Christmas with, purchasing Lord, grant us, your servants, ears to hear John s cry in the desert gifts for their loved ones, decorating the of our hearts so that, transformed by love, we, too, may turn and home and listening to Christmas music, embrace you. among other things. Far more than the immediate and fleeting feelings of these things and experiences, our hearts seek a perfect, full and lasting joy capable of giving flavor to our existence all year long not just during this time. The source of this everlasting joy is Jesus Christ. Now, not everyone looks forward to Christmas with joy due to personal circumstances. Each day we face any number of difficulties. Even those who joyfully anticipate Christmas may worry about the future and wonder if the full and lasting joy for which we long for might be an illusion and an escape from reality. We ask ourselves, is perfect joy really possible? The quest for joy can follow various paths, and some of the paths we choose to take may not be the best ones sometimes even dangerous ones. The invitation is to choose the paths that keep us centered on Christian joy. Christian joy is not the same as happiness. In fact Christian Joy can coexist with unhappiness and even sorrow because the source of Christian Joy is the knowledge of God's love for us. Christian joy consists in being open to God s love and belonging to Him. It is, as Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, says the experience of knowing that you are unconditionally loved and that nothing -sickness, failure, emotional distress, oppression, war, or even death -- can take that love away. Sharing Our Faith Allow each gathered member to share whenever they are ready. Simply honor the other s sharing without judgement and without correcting him or her, instead, simply listen with reverence. After that person is done sharing, thank them for their sharing and move on to the next person. Family: Families can be places of heightened emotions; great happiness and great sorrow. What can you do as a family to remind each other that the love of God is always present regardless of you may experience together? 10
Young Adults: We often hear about the difficulties in life and the struggles we face on a day to day basis. Reflect on your own struggles? How is God made present to you in these difficulties? Everyone: Faith In Action In today s first reading from the Prophet Isaiah we hear, The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the LORD and a day of vindication by our God. As we approach the celebration of the birth of our Savior we celebrate the reality of the words from Isaiah. How can this be a reality in your life? This week, as you continue to finalize your preparations for the Christmas Season, set aside time each day to reflect on all that you are grateful for. For some it is helpful to write it. Allow your gratitude to be transformed into joy that you share with someone who is going through a difficult time. Closing Prayer Luke 1: 46-48, 49-50, 53-54 Response: Isaiah 61:10b All Respond: My soul rejoices in my God. My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked upon his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: R. My soul rejoices in my God. the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. R. My soul rejoices in my God. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy. R. My soul rejoices in my God. Personal Prayer Petitions: Each gathered member is invited to share one prayer that they have for this second week of Advent. After each petition all respond: Lord hear our Prayer. Conclude by praying the prayer our Lord Jesus Christ taught us: Our Father, who art in heaven Next Sunday: Extinguish the advent candles. Next week we finish preparing our Nativity Scene. Remember to bring your infant Jesus statue for your Nativity Scene for blessing during the regular Sunday Mass, December 24, 2017. Make sure to not bring items for blessing in bags or boxes, items must be visible upon arriving at the Cathedral and please remember that the Cathedral is not responsible for any damages to personal items. Also, make sure to see our website or pick up a bulletin for our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Schedule. 11