Taking Stock

Gospel reading: Luke 2:16-21

"Today is a good day for taking stock...asking pardon for our omissions, and the lack of love that caused them, and a good occasion of thanksgiving for all the good things God has given us...Time represents the separation between the present and that moment when we stand before God with our hands either empty or full." (In Conversation with God, p. 277)

"'Short indeed is our life for loving, for giving, for making atonement. It is wrong therefore to waste it or irresponsibly throw out of the window such a great treasure.'" (In Conversation with God, quoting Jose Escriva, p. 278)

"Together with sorrow and thanksgiving, we resolve to love God and struggle to acquire virtues and get rid of our defects, as if next year were to be the last that God was going to give us." (p. 281)

The shepherds went in haste to see the newborn King. As Dcn Gerry said tonight, an encounter with the divine energized them. There was an urgency, a need to pursue what God put in them. God is stirring in our midst. Let us pursue the Lord in haste as He stirs within us.

Emmanuel -God is with us!

The grace that rests on this day is the grace to say Yes to the Lord -- the grace for union with Him.

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Hail and blessed be the hour and the moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe I beseech thee, O my God to hear my pray and grant my desires through the merits of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Please feel free to share the fruit of your prayer with us by clicking on the comment, below, or by email.

When the fullness of time had come...

Grace for the week: Pray for the grace to accept God's will
Readings for Thursday: Gal 4:4-7 & Luke 1:67-79

"'Tomorrow' is the Church's cry of faith as we look forward in joy to the coming of the Lord. Our faith is based on the promise of salvation kept in the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem; our faith is sustained by our annual remembrance of that mystery; our faith is deepened by the years of our preparation for Christ's coming in glory." from Magnificat Magazine p.55

"Our Lady encourages us, on this eve of her Son's birth, never to neglect prayer, which is conversation with Our Lord. Without prayer we are lost; with it we are strong and are able to carry out our tasks." -- from In Conversation with God, vol. 1 p.215

The Light

Grace for the week: Pray for the grace to accept God's will.
Reading: Psalm 25

A little child is born for us, and he shall be called the mighty God; every race on earth shall be blessed in him. (Is 9:6; Ps 71:17)

John, the last great prophet, is the lamp, but Jesus Christ is the morning star for which the dark world yearns in hope. Magnificat p. 43

The daybreak from on high will visit us to shine on those who sit in darkness and death's shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace. (Lk 1: 78-79)

He remembered His promise

Grace for the week: Pray for the grace to accept God's will
Readings: Luke 1:46-56

The Almighty has done great things for us...because He remembered His promise to our fathers.

Trusting

Grace for week 4: Pray for the grace to accept God's will.
Readings for Monday: Luke 1:39-45

When we trust the Lord, like Mary, it enables us to obey more readily. "Blessed is she who trusted that the Lord's words to her would be fulfilled." (Lk 1:45)

Peace

Grace for week 4: Pray for the grace to accept God's will.
Readings for Sunday: Hebrews 10:5-10


Mary accepted God's will because she trusted Him. In that, she had peace and joy. In His will is peace and joy. Outside of His will, there is no peace or joy

This is a good rule of discernment. Where there is lack of peace consider whether you are outside of God's will. As Micah says "he shall be peace."(Micah 5:4)