Reflection Starter from Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"Being a Christian is less about cautiously avoiding sin than about courageously and actively doing God's will." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Birthday Blessings, Liam!!!

Birthday greetings to Myrna's grandson Liam, whose birthday is today!!! May this day, and each day of the upcoming year, be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Birthday Blessings, Mimi!!!

Birthday greetings to Myrna's daughter Mimi, whose birthday is today!!! May this day, and each day of the upcoming year, be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Christmas Barbershop Quartet: "Jingle Bell Rock"

It's time for some more barbershop harmony. Here is a presentation of "Jingle Bell Rock" by the Christmas Barbershop Quartet:

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Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the many unexpected blessings You send our way.

Fr. Luigi Maria Epicoco on Keeping Our Trust in Good

'Zechariah and Elizabeth are prototypically good people, but they are also the prototypical good people who, despite their fairness and loyalty, experience dramas that follow them throughout their lives

"Their drama is represented by their inability to have children. . . ."

In a recent commentary, Father Luigi Maria Epicoco reflected on how God accomplishes what He has put in our hearts in the most unpredictable way and at the most unexpected times.

To access Fr. Epicoco's complete post, please visit:

Aleteia: Fr. Luigi Maria Epicoco: Gospel lesson: Try to banish "too late" from your vocabulary (19 DEC 22)

Reflection Starter from St.,Hildegard of Bingen

"Don't let yourself forget that God's grace rewards not only those who never slip, but also those who bend and fall. So sing! The song of rejoicing softens hard hearts. It makes tears of godly sorrow flow from them. Singing summons the Holy Spirit. Happy praises offered in simplicity and love lead the faithful to complete harmony, without discord. Don't stop singing" - Saint Hildegard of Bingen

Lexington Road: "Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus"

As we continue our Sunday celebration, I offer this version of Lexington Road (a Boyce College, Louisville, KY, worship team) presenting "Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus":

 

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Today the Church celebrates the Third Sunday of Advent. The assigned readings are Isaiah 7:10-14, Romans 1:1-7, and Matthew 1:18-24. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 24 (Psalm 24:1-6). 

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Spirit & Psalm - 4th Sunday of Advent, 2022 - Year A - Psalm 24 - Walther

The Gospel reading is as follows:

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means "God is with us." When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflections: Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18, 2022

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Fourth Sunday of Advent (December 18, 2022)

Community in Mission: Crisis At Christmas - A Homily for the 4th Sunday of Advent (17 DEC 22)

St. Paul Center: God Is with Us: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Fourth Sunday of Advent

Ex Corde at Benedictine College: This Sunday, Sacrifice Everything for Christmas, Like Joseph Did (15 DEC 22)

Magis Center for Catholic Spirituality: Fourth Sunday of Advent 

Word on Fire: The Promise of Emmanuel (Cycle A * 4th Week of Advent)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of classic Christmas movies.

Msgr. Pope on the Hidden Mercy of the Tilma of Guadalupe

"On the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, it is a chance for us to rejoice in the great mercy of our divine Lord and our blessed Lady. I am drawn to mediate on the miraculous quality of our Lady's eyes on the tilma.

"As many of you know, recent discoveries using modern magnification and ophthalmological equipment have shown the seemingly miraculous reflection of as many as a dozen persons in her eyes. How such tiny and accurate reflections could occur in both eyes at just the angles that human stereoscopic sight requires is mysterious to say the least. Even more, there are claims from eye specialists who have had the opportunity to look into our Lady's eyes on the tilma that they have an iridescence that make the eyes seem almost alive."

In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on the tilma stands up to rigorous scientific investigation, but also defies simple scientific or technical answers.

To access Msgr. Pope's complete post, please visit:

Community in Mission: On The Hidden Mercy of the Tilma of Guadalupe (12 DEC 22)

Reflection Starter from Pope Francos

"The time is right to evaluate ourselves, to learn, to grow and to allow ourselves to be transformed, both as individuals and as communities. This is a privileged moment to prepare ourselves for 'the day of the Lord.'" - Pope Francis