Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Third Sunday of Advent
The Book of Zephaniah, chapter three, verses fourteen thru eighteen(a);
The Book of Isaiah, chapter twelve, verses two & three, four, & five & six;
The Letter to the Philippians, chapter four, verses four thru seven;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter three, verses ten thru eighteen.
Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, like those in the time of John the Baptist, we ask: "What should we do?" How should we live our lives?
This question, of course, tells us something else about repentance: that it has to do with action more than simply changing our minds. The spiritual life is, finally, a set of behaviors.
So what does John the Baptist tell us to do? His first recommendation is this: "Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none." This is so basic, so elemental—yet so almost thoroughly ignored! In the Church’s social teaching, we find a constant reminder that although private property is a social good, the use of our private property must always have a social orientation.
An early Church Father, St. Basil the Great, expressed the idea in tones that echo John the Baptist: "The bread in your cupboard belongs to the hungry. The cloak in your wardrobe belongs to the naked. The shoes you allow to rot belong to the barefoot. The money in your vaults belongs to the destitute. You do injustice to every man whom you could help but do not."
So what should we do this Advent, we who seek repentance, we who await the coming of the Messiah? Serve justice, render to each his due, and give to those who are in need.
Video reflection by Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Video reflection by Father Claude Burns (uCatholic): Weekend Reflection with Father Pontifex.
Audio reflection by Scott Hahn, Ph.D. (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology): Breaking the Bread.
Mass Journal: Week Three
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:
Two thousand years ago, a small group of people captured the attention & intrigued the imagination of the entire Western world. At first, these people were thought to be of no consequence, the followers of a man most considered to be nothing more than an itinerant preacher. But when this man was put to death, a dozen of His followers rose up & began telling people about His life & teachings. They began telling the story of Jesus Christ. They were not the educated elite of their time, they had no political or social status, they were not wealthy, & they had no worldly authority, yet from the very beginning people were joining this quiet revolutionary group one hundred at a time. This small group of people were the first Christians. They were the original followers of Jesus of Nazareth & the first members of what we know today as the Catholic Church.†
Otherwise, 16 December would be the festival of Saint Ado of Vienne, Bishop, O.S.B. (died circa 875, also spelt Adonis): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
Commentary: Wayback Machine.
'Twould also be the festival of Saint Nicholas Chrysoberges, Bishop (died circa 996, A.K.A. Nicholas II of Constantinople): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
'Twould also be the festival of Saint Adelaide of Italy (circa 931-999, A.K.A. of Burgundy, Alice), Holy Roman Emperor: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Sebastian Maggi, Priest, O.P. (1414-1496): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.
'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Honorat of Biała, Priest, O.F.M. Cap. (1829-1916, A.K.A. Florentyn Wacław Koźmiński): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.
Papal Quote o' the Day
"O Eternal Word of the Father, Son of God & of Mary, renew in our hearts the miracle of Your birth. Clothe again with immortality the children You have redeemed, enkindle our love, bind all in Your Mystical Body."Little Flower Quote o' the Day
—Pope St. John XXIII (1881-1963, feast day: 11 October)
"How do I react when in my mind's eye, I see the defects of someone who doesn't attract me? I remind myself of all that person's good qualities, all her good intentions."Saint Quote o' the Day
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
"Just as there are also uncatholic things in the Catholic Church, so too we can find something catholic even outside the Catholic Church. Many who seem to be outside are inside; many who seem to be inside are outside."
—St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of the Church (354-430, feast day: 28 August)
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