'Tis the Monday of the Second Week of Advent: Advent-link & Wikipedia-link.
Saints of the Day
'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Nicholas, Bishop (circa 270-346; of Myra, of Bari, A.K.A. the Wonderworker), Bishop of Myra.
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Monday of the Second Week of Advent
The Book of Isaiah, chapter thirty-five, verses one thru ten;
Psalm Eighty-five (R/. the Book of Isaiah, chapter thirty-five, verse four[f]), verses nine(a/b) & ten, eleven & twelve, & thirteen & fourteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter five, verses seventeen thru twenty-six.
Friends, our Gospel for today tells that wonderful story of the healing of the paralytic. People gather by the dozens to hear Jesus, crowding around the doorway of the house. They bring him a paralyzed man, and because there is no way to get him through the door, they climb up on the roof and open a space to lower him down.Video reflection by Monsignor James Vlaun (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Advent Reflection.
Can I suggest a connection between this wonderful narrative and our present evangelical situation? There are an awful lot of Catholics who are paralyzed, unable to move, frozen in regard to Christ and the Church. This might be from doubt, from fear, from anger, from old resentment, from ignorance, or from self-reproach. Some of these reasons might be good; some might be bad.
Your job, as a believer, is to bring others to Christ. How? A word of encouragement, a challenge, an explanation, a word of forgiveness, a note, a phone call. We notice the wonderful urgency of these people as they bring the sick man to Jesus. Do we feel the same urgency within his Mystical Body today?
Reflect: Think of a fellow Christian who is "paralyzed" in re- gard to Christ and the Church. This week, commit to doing some- thing to help her/him move a step closer to the Lord.
Video reflection by Doctor Tim Gray (Augustine Institute/Formed.org): Advent Reflection.
Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Nicholas
The Book of Isaiah, chapter six, verses one thru eight;
Psalm Forty (R/. eight[a] & nine[a]), verses two & four, seven & eight(a), eight(b) & nine, ten, & eleven;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter ten, verses one thru nine.
"Over the centuries shining pages have been written of heroism in suffering accepted & offered in union with Christ. Likewise we see humble service to the poor & the sick, in whose tormented flesh the presence of the poor, crucified Christ has been recognized."Mother Teresa Quote o' the Day
—Pope Saint John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, r. 1978-2005; feast: 22 October)
"God dwells in us. It doesn't matter where you are as long as you are clean of heart. Clean of heart means openness, that complete freedom, that detachment that allows you to love God without hinderance, without obstacles. When sin comes into our lives that is a personal obstacle between us & God. Sin is nothing but slavery."Archbishop Sheen Quote o' the Day
—Saint Teresa of Calcutta, M.C. (1910-1997, feast: 5 September)
"It is not particularly difficult to find thousands who will spend two or three hours a day in exercising, but if you ask them to bend their knees to God in five minutes of prayer they protest that it is too long."Saint Quote o' the Day
—Venerable Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)
"When you see the storm coming, if you seek safety in that firm refuge which is Mary, there will be no danger of your wavering or going down."
—Saint Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975, feast: 26 June)
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