'Tis the Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent: Advent-link & Wikipedia-link.
'Tis the festival of Saint Gregory of Spoleto, Priest & Martyr (died circa 304), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian, a victim of the Great Persecution: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Persecutions-link & Wikipedia-link Great Persecution.
Commentary: Wayback Machine.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Delphinus of Bordeaux, Bishop (died circa 404), Bishop of Bordeaux (380-404), a foe of the Priscillianist heresy: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link (List); Wikipedia-link Bordeaux, & Heresy-link Priscillianism & Wikipedia-link Priscillianism.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Trasilla, Virgin (sixth century): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
Commentary: Sister of St. Emiliana [5 January], descendants of Pope St. Felix III [1 March].
'Tis also the festival of Saint Irmina of Oeren, Abbess, O.S.B. (died circa 710, A.K.A. of Trier), second (II) abbess of Saint Mary's Convent at Oeren, donor of the land for the Abbey of Echternach: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Abbey-link Echternach & Wikipedia-link Echternach.
Commentary: Daughter of St. Dagobert [23 December]; sister, or possibly mother, of St. Adela of Pfalzel [see: below]; & possibly great-great grandmother of Bl. Charlemagne [28 January].
'Tis also the festival of Saint Adela of Pfalzel, Abbess, O.S.B. (died 735), foundress & second (II) abbess of the Convent of Palatiolum: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
Commentary: Daughter, or possibly granddaughter, of St. Dagobert [23 December] & sister, or possibly daughter, of St. Irmina of Oeren [see: above].
'Tis also the festival of Saint Hanno of Worms, Bishop & Abbot, O.S.B. (died 978), ninth (IX) Bishop of Worms (950-978), abbot of the Monastery of Saint Mauritius at Magdeburg: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link (List).
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent
The Second Book of Samuel, chapter seven, verses one thru five, eight(b) thru twelve, fourteen(a), & sixteen;
Psalm Eighty-nine (R/. two), verses two & three, four & five, & twenty-seven & twenty-nine;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter one, verses sixty-seven thru seventy-nine.
Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel the Canticle of Zechariah declares how Jesus fulfills the Old Testament’s expectations of salvation.Video reflection by Bishop Mitchell Rozanski: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Once we grasp that Jesus was no ordinary teacher and healer, but Yahweh moving among his people, we can begin to understand his words and actions more clearly. If we survey the texts of the Old Testament—and the first Christians relentlessly read Jesus in light of these writings—we see that Yahweh was expected to do four great things: he would gather the scattered tribes of Israel; he would cleanse the holy temple in Jerusalem; he would definitively deal with the enemies of the nation; and finally, he would reign as Lord of the world.
The eschatological hope expressed especially in the prophets and the Psalms was that through these actions, Yahweh would purify Israel, and through the purified Israel bring salvation to all. What startled the first followers of Jesus is that he accomplished these four tasks, but in the most unexpected way.
Reflect: To more fully understand who Jesus is, Christians also have to "read" him through the lens of the Old Testament. What insights does the Canticle of Zechariah provide and what do those insights mean to you?
"Advent of Hope" reflection (Array of Hope):
This song of Zechariah, John the Baptist’s father, is the epitome of what it means to know Jesus is our hope. Zechariah’s hymn summarizes our experience this Advent. In recounting God’s promise of the Messiah throughout the centuries, Zechariah reminds us of the ways we have worked to put our hope into action this Advent. It was hard work!Papal Quote o' the Day
So too was it hard work for the Jews to continue hoping for the Savior, who was foretold from the time of Adam and Eve, promised to Abraham, and whom the prophets constantly proclaimed. But God was faithful. He gave the Messiah He promised. God is always faithful. Jesus is the Father’s compassion incarnate, the fount of God’s endless mercy, and the freedom from anything that binds. This is what the past weeks of Advent have been all about; focusing on cultivating hope and hoping in God’s love for us and His promise of everlasting life.
Tomorrow Christ comes, let us rejoice! Even if your Christmas preparation has been overcome with the busy-ness of the season, you can still prepare yourself by rejoicing. The Father loves you so much that He will let nothing keep you from eternal happiness with Him. Jesus Christ cares for you so much that He became a man to to save us and to teach us how to live. The Holy Spirit delights in you so much that He dwells in you to help you along your way to Heaven. Rejoice, O child of God! The Messiah has come to guide our feet into the Way of Peace!
"Setting up the Christmas crèche in our homes helps us to relive the history of what took place in Bethlehem. Naturally, the Gospels remain our source for understanding & reflecting on that event. At the same time, its portrayal in the crèche helps us to imagine the scene. It touches our hearts & makes us enter into salvation history as contemporaries of an event that is living & real."Saint Quote o' the Day
—Pope Francis (born 1936, reigning since 2013)
"Tomorow, no tonight, we shall contemplate Him, meek & mild, a child like any other 'born of woman.' We shall be invited to admire & recognize Him, just as the shepherds once did. He will bestow 'grace & peace' on 'all God's beloved who are called to be Saints.'"Chesterton Quote o' the Day
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)
"Here is a light, now let the candles flare,
Show to all travelers that the Child is here.
Come, take it so, see how the lantern bright
Bids all poor stragglers welcome here tonight."
—Frances Chesterton (1869-1938)
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