Friday, December 19, 2008
SATURDAY 3RD WEEK OF ADVENT
SATURDAY 3RD WEEK OF ADVENT – YEAR II
ISAIAH 7:10-14
Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, "Ask the LORD your God for a sign,
whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights." But Ahaz
said, "I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test." Then
Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try
the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also?
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be
with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
LUKE 1:26-38
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in
Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a
descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her
and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with
you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of
greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid,
Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give
birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be
great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will
give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the
house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." "How will this
be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered,
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High
will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son
of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her
old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For
nothing is impossible with God." "I am the Lord's servant," Mary
answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
REFLECTION
Today's Gospel is the Annunciation to our Blessed Mother. Luke
narrates that Jesus comes to us as the Son of God and the bearer of
the Kingdom of Heaven.
As preparations become intense these last few days before Christmas,
today's readings remind us that Christmas is not only an opportunity
for holidays, giving and receiving gifts. It is also a time to renew
our faith in our Savior.
Let us strive to be like the Blessed Virgin Mary, who not only
accepted wholeheartedly to become God's Handmaid but also persevered
in her role as Mother of Our Lord and eventually Mother of us all.
PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Lisa
- Graham
- Sophia Gonzalez
- Julie Manzon, Charlie Castro, Josephine Ureta
… for the personal intentions of
- Amy
- Pauline
- Mary Jane
… In Thanksgiving for prayers answered: Manzon family, Barayoga
family, Ureta family, Escamilla family, De Castro family, Castro
family
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Marcus Ng
- Birthday: Noelle J. Del Carmen
- In Memoriam (+): Mary Yang
… for world peace and reconciliation.
Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers
and for those who need our prayers the most.
Have a good day!
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STAR
Contibuted by Bill Walters
Dec 19 2008
Over 2,000 years ago on a dark winter night, an amazing event
occurred. A star of incredible brightness appeared over a small town
in the area we now call the "Middle East". This star was a signal that
the Savior had been born.
Its brightness drowned out the light of all the other stars, a bright
shining light in the darkness of man's existence. The light of this
stellar event was to serve as a beacon to all. It was not just visible
to the rich, but also the poor. Kings and paupers both trembled in awe
of this signal from the Almighty. The sight of the angel of the Lord,
appearing to the shepherds in the fields, was to announce the coming
of the Savior.
The wisemen of the time knew that this coming had been foretold, and
journeyed to the town to worship the newly born child. The celestial
body acted as a guide, an ancient day "Bat signal". Calling those from
near and far, to Bethlehem. This infant was the promise of the
Messiah, the Lamb of sacrifice. Born so that the world might know God,
and sent to his death so that the world might have everlasting life. A
shining beacon that both the poor and the prosperous were drawn to. A
symbol of unquestioning love, of forgiveness and of the life we should
lead.
In His birth, all eyes turned toward heaven, for this was a miraculous
star. And in His death all eyes again were lifted upward, there
hanging on a cross, beaten and bleeding. Both of these scenes hold the
same promise, Love from the Father and forgiveness for all of our
sins.
When you look at your Christmas tree this year, look at the gifts
under it, then allow your eyes to move upward to the star. Remember
what it represents.. . a new life, announced by a brilliant, sparkling
light.
Sent to show the way, to remove our sin, and to bring the love of the
Lord into our hearts. As you look at this decoration, take time to
think of this...you are doing the same thing that peasants and princes
did over 2,000 years ago. Lifting their eyes to a sign from God, and
bending their knees in honor of the gift below.
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To subscribe email: dailyhomily@gmail.com
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© 2008 Daily-Homily
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