Daily Reflection | Gospel Reading | RVA

2nd SUNDAY OF ADVENT
 Psalter: Week 2 / (Violet)

Ps 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14
Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

1^st Reading: Is 40:1-5, 9-11

Be comforted, my people, be strengthened, says your God.

Speak to the heart of Jerusalem, proclaim to her that her time of bondage is at an end, that her guilt has been paid for, that from the hand of Yahweh she has received double punishment for all her iniquity.

A voice cries, “In the wilderness prepare the way for Yahweh. Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley will be raised up; every mountain and hill will be laid low. The stumbling blocks shall become level and the rugged places smooth. The glory of Yahweh will be revealed, and all mortals together will see it; for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken.“

Go up onto the high mountain, messenger of good news to Zion, lift up your voice with strength, fear not to cry aloud when you tell Jerusalem and announce to the cities of Judah: Here is your God!

Here comes Yahweh Sabaoth with might; his strong arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and here before him is his booty.

Like a shepherd he tends his flock: he gathers the lambs in his arms, he carries them in his bosom, gently leading those that are with young.

2^nd Reading: 2 P 3:8-14

Do not forget, beloved, that with the Lord, one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like one day. The Lord does not delay in fulfilling his promise, though some speak of delay; rather, he gives you time, because he does not want anyone to perish, but that all may come to conversion. The Day of the Lord is to come like a thief. Then, the heavens will dissolve with a great noise; the elements will melt away by fire, and the earth, with all that is on it, will be burned up.

Since all things are to vanish, how holy and religious your way of life must be, as you wait for the day of God, and long for its coming, when the heavens will dissolve in fire, and the elements melt away in the heat. We wait for a new heaven and a new earth, in which justice reigns, according to God‘s promise.

Therefore, beloved, as you wait in expectation of this, strive, that God may find you rooted in peace, without blemish or fault.

Gospel: Mk 1:1-8

This is the beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in the book of Isaiah, the prophet, “I am sending my messenger ahead of you, to prepare your way. Let the people hear the voice calling in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord, level his paths.“

So John began to baptize in the desert; he preached a baptism of repentance, for the forgiveness of sins. All Judea and all the people from the city of Jerusalem went out to John to confess their sins, and to be baptized by him in the river Jordan.

John was clothed in camel‘s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and honey. He preached to the people, saying, “After me comes one who is more powerful than I am; I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.“

REFLECTION:

Read: The call rings out for preparing the way of the Lord. God patiently grants us time so that we come to conversion and be rooted in peace. John the Baptist preaches the baptism of repentance.

Reflect: In a world of fast food, lightning speed, and instant results, waiting or taking time to prepare sounds out of place. It feels like waste of time. Advent hardly exists for many–soon after thanksgiving begins Christmas celebration, and by the time Christmas begins, everyone is worn out. However, life and relationships of quality can only develop over careful preparation and patient waiting. It energizes our soul, concentrates the mind, and intensifies our desire for what we are waiting for. How good is our preparation for the coming of the Lord?

Pray: Lord, create in me a chastity of mind that waits in preparedness for your coming.

Act: Undertake a meaningful fast today.

Daily Reflection

Daily Gospel ® is a product Claretian Publications, a division of Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc. (CCFI) which is a pastoral endeavor of the Claretian Missionaries in the Philippines that brings the Word of God to people from all walks of life. CCFI aims to promote integral evangelization and renewed spirituality that is geared towards empowerment and total liberation in response to the needs and challenges of the Church today.

CCFI is a member of Claret Publishing Group, a consortium of the publishing houses of the Claretian Missionaries all over the world: Bangalore, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Chennai, Colombo, Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Madrid, Macao, Manila, Owerry, São Paolo, Varsaw , Yaoundé.

Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57^th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL

With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

 

DAILY GOSPEL ® 2017
Readings and Reflections
Copyright © 2O16
Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc.
U.P. P.O. Box 4, Diliman,
1101 Quezon City, Philippines
Tel.: (63-2) 921-3984
Fax: (6352) 921-7429
Email: ccfi@claretianpublicationscom
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.claretianph.com

1st WEEK OF ADVENT
 Psalter: Week 1 / (Violet/White)
St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin

Ps 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.

1^st Reading: Is 30:19-21, 23-26

O people of Zion, who dwell in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. When you cry, he will listen; when he hears, he will answer.

 When the Lord has given you the bread of anguish and the water of distress, he, your teacher will hide no longer. Your own eyes will see him, and your ear will listen to his words behind you: “This is the way, walk in it.“

He will then give rain for the seed you sow and make the harvest abundant from the crops you grow. On that day your cattle will graze in wide pastures. Your beasts of burden will eat silage tossed to them with pitchfork and shovel.

For on the day of the great slaughter, when fortresses fall, streams of water will flow on every mountain and lofty hill.

The light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun seven times greater, like the light of seven days, when Yahweh binds up the wounds of his people and heals the bruises inflicted by his blows.

Gospel: Mt 9:35–10:1, 5a, 6-8

Jesus went around all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom; and he cured every sickness and disease. When he saw the crowds, he was moved with pity; for they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are only few. Ask the master of the harvest to send workers to gather his harvest.“

Jesus called his Twelve disciples to him, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and to heal every disease and sickness.

Jesus sent these Twelve on mission, with the instructions: “Do not visit pagan territory and do not enter a Samaritan town. Go, instead, to the lost sheep of the people of Israel.

Go, and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, cleanse the lepers, and drive out demons. Freely have you received, freely give.

REFLECTION:

Isaiah‘s prophecy gives so much hope to the people waiting for the coming of the promised Messiah. He told his people that God will heal and comfort the people in their weeping and the land in its dryness. He assures them that God is merciful. Advent brings this hope to all who are waiting for the Lord.

Isaiah prophesied the messiah as a healer. The gospel today shows us how Jesus was healing. He did not only preach about the kingdom but “he cured every sickness and diseases.“ He made the experience the reign of God through His healing, coming not from the power He received, but, out of compassion and love of a shepherd‘s heart. Jesus wants to gather all the scattered people. This is the reason for His coming and dwelling among.

Jesus shared His power to His apostles to “drive the unclean spirits, heal the sick, raise the dead, clean the lepers.“ The power is not their own personal possession nor to hoard it for their own use. They were instructed: “Freely you received, freely give.“ The gift of one is a gift for everyone. They have to use their power especially for the lost, the last and the least. Jesus is our greatest gift. Let us share Him to others.

Daily Reflection

Daily Reflection

Daily Gospel ® is a product Claretian Publications, a division of Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc. (CCFI) which is a pastoral endeavor of the Claretian Missionaries in the Philippines that brings the Word of God to people from all walks of life. CCFI aims to promote integral evangelization and renewed spirituality that is geared towards empowerment and total liberation in response to the needs and challenges of the Church today.

CCFI is a member of Claret Publishing Group, a consortium of the publishing houses of the Claretian Missionaries all over the world: Bangalore, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Chennai, Colombo, Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Madrid, Macao, Manila, Owerry, São Paolo, Varsaw , Yaoundé.

Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57^th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL

With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

 

DAILY GOSPEL ® 2017
Readings and Reflections
Copyright © 2O16
Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc.
U.P. P.O. Box 4, Diliman,
1101 Quezon City, Philippines
Tel.: (63-2) 921-3984
Fax: (6352) 921-7429
Email: ccfi@claretianpublicationscom
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.claretianph.com

SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Psalter: Proper / (White)

Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.

1^st Reading: Gen 3:9-15, 20

Yahweh God called the man saying to him, “Where are you?“ He said, “I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.“ God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree I ordered you not to eat?“ The man answered, “The woman you put with me gave me fruit from the tree and I ate it.“ God said to the woman, “What have you done?“ The woman said, “The serpent deceived me and I ate.“

Yahweh God said to the serpent, “Since you have done that, be cursed among all the cattle and wild beasts! You will crawl on your belly and eat dust all the days of your life. I will make you enemies, you and the woman, your offspring and her offspring. He will crush your head and you will strike his heel.“

The man called his wife by the name of Eve, because she was the mother of all the living.

2^nd Reading: Eph 1:3-6, 11-12

Blessed be God, the Father of Christ Jesus our Lord, who, in Christ, has blessed us from heaven, with every spiritual blessing. God chose us, in Christ, before the creation of the world, to be holy, and without sin in his presence.

From eternity he destined us, in love, to be his adopted sons and daughters, through Christ Jesus, thus fulfilling his free and generous will. This goal suited him: that his loving-kindness, which he granted us in his beloved might finally receive all glory and praise.

By a decree of him, who disposes all things, according to his own plan and decision, we, the Jews, have been chosen and called, and we were awaiting the Messiah, for the praise of his glory.

Gospel: Lk 1:26-38

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God, to a town of Galilee called Nazareth. He was sent to a virgin, who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the virgin‘s name was Mary.

The angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you!“ Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean.

But the angel said, “Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you. You shall conceive and bear a son; and you shall call him Jesus. He will be great, and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the kingdom of David, his ancestor; he will rule over the people of Jacob forever; and his reign shall have no end.“

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?“ And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the holy child to be born of you shall be called Son of God. Even your relative, Elizabeth, is expecting a son in her old age, although she was unable to have a child; and she is now in her sixth month. With God nothing is impossible.“

Then Mary said, “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said.“ And the angel left her.

REFLECTION:

Like Mary, all Christians are called for a purpose. They received the same grace like that of Mary. Mary received before her birth through the Immaculate Conception. Christians receive it during their baptismal birth. Through baptism, Christians receive the “Baptismal Innocence.“ They are washed of all their sins. They become pure and clean.

The difference between us and Mary is not that Mary was chosen while we are not; rather, it is how we responded to God‘s call. Mary responded fully, unconditionally and did not allow herself to be contaminated by sin. We responded with hesitancy and half-heartedly. Tempted, we sinned. God asks of us. God has chosen us all. Mary had a big “YES“, ours is small “yes.“

The angel greeted Mary; “Rejoice! Do not fear, God has looked kindly on you.“ “You will conceive and bear a son.“ Mary was troubled. However, she assured: “nothing is impossible with God.“ Many times, we have heard the same greetings from God, inviting us to a church ministry, apostolate or office. We hesitated, feeling unworthy of the call, of the position. God many times assured us too that with Him we can do much. The moment we trust God, we begin to experience joy and fulfillment. Mary carried out God‘s plan for her through her response of trust, “let it be done to me as you said.“

Daily Reflection

Daily Reflection

Daily Reflection

Daily Gospel ® is a product Claretian Publications, a division of Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc. (CCFI) which is a pastoral endeavor of the Claretian Missionaries in the Philippines that brings the Word of God to people from all walks of life. CCFI aims to promote integral evangelization and renewed spirituality that is geared towards empowerment and total liberation in response to the needs and challenges of the Church today.

CCFI is a member of Claret Publishing Group, a consortium of the publishing houses of the Claretian Missionaries all over the world: Bangalore, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Chennai, Colombo, Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Madrid, Macao, Manila, Owerry, São Paolo, Varsaw , Yaoundé.

Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57^th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL

With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

 

DAILY GOSPEL ® 2017
Readings and Reflections
Copyright © 2O16
Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc.
U.P. P.O. Box 4, Diliman,
1101 Quezon City, Philippines
Tel.: (63-2) 921-3984
Fax: (6352) 921-7429
Email: ccfi@claretianpublicationscom
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.claretianph.com

1st WEEK OF ADVENT
 Psalter: Week 1 / (White)
St. Ambrose, bishop & doctor

Ps 118:1 & 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

1^st Reading: Is 26:1-6

On that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city, he himself has set up walls and fortifications to protect us. Open the gates! Let the righteous nation enter, she who is firm in faithfulness. You keep in perfect peace the one of steadfast mind, the one who trusts in you. Trust in Yahweh forever, for Yahweh is an everlasting Rock. He brought down those who dwell on high, he laid low the lofty city, he razed it to the ground, leveled it to the dust, Now it is trampled the poor and the lowly tread upon it.

Gospel: Mt 7:21, 24-27

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord! Lord!‘ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my heavenly Father.

“Therefore, anyone who hears these words of mine, and acts according to them, is like a wise man, who built his house on rock. The rain poured down, the rivers flooded, and the wind blew and struck that house. But it did not collapse, because it was built on rock. But anyone who hears these words of mine, and does not act accordingly, is like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain poured, the rivers flooded, and the wind blew and struck that house; it collapsed, and what a terrible collapse that was!“

REFLECTION:

The readings from Isaiah and Matthew speak of the comparison of strength between a house built on solid rock and the one built on sand. The house on the solid rock does not fall. While the house on sand, is easily carried by flood and blown by wind.

We are joyfully expecting and hoping for Jesus to come. We want Him to come on Christmas as we celebrate His birthday. Why do we expect him? Why are we waiting for Him? What will He bring to us?

Jesus is the rock and the solid foundation of our life. Experience taught us many times, we stood up on our beliefs, on peoples‘ promises, on our strength, on our knowledge, at the end of the day we regretted, we failed. Jesus will come to teach us to build on Him and on His teachings.

How should we build our foundation of life? Jesus teaches: “anyone who hears these words of mine and does not act accordingly, is like a fool who built his house on the sand, the rain poured, the wind blew, it collapsed.“ Jesus is telling us today, what is the use of buying a car if we do not use it? Why go to a doctor if you will not follow his prescription and diagnosis? Jesus and His word is our solid rock foundation. St Augustine told us of his findings in life: “My soul is restless until it rested on God.“

Daily Reflection

Daily Reflection

Daily Reflection

Daily Reflection

Daily Gospel ® is a product Claretian Publications, a division of Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc. (CCFI) which is a pastoral endeavor of the Claretian Missionaries in the Philippines that brings the Word of God to people from all walks of life. CCFI aims to promote integral evangelization and renewed spirituality that is geared towards empowerment and total liberation in response to the needs and challenges of the Church today.

CCFI is a member of Claret Publishing Group, a consortium of the publishing houses of the Claretian Missionaries all over the world: Bangalore, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Chennai, Colombo, Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Madrid, Macao, Manila, Owerry, São Paolo, Varsaw , Yaoundé.

Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57^th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL

With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

 

DAILY GOSPEL ® 2017
Readings and Reflections
Copyright © 2O16
Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc.
U.P. P.O. Box 4, Diliman,
1101 Quezon City, Philippines
Tel.: (63-2) 921-3984
Fax: (6352) 921-7429
Email: ccfi@claretianpublicationscom
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.claretianph.com