Tuesday, December 22, 2015
WEDNESDAY, 4th Week of Advent
December 23, 2015 WEDNESDAY, 4th Week of Advent
[Misa de Gallo - White, with Gloria]
Violet
Mal 3:1 – 4, 23 - 24 / Lk 1:57 – 66
Reading: Mal 3:1– 4, 23 - 24
Now I am sending my messenger ahead of me to clear the way; then suddenly the Lord for whom you long will enter the sanctuary. The envoy of the covenant which you so greatly desire already comes, says Yahweh of hosts. Who can bear the day of his coming and remain standing when he appears? For he will be like fire in the foundry and like the lye used for bleaching.
He will be as a refiner or a fuller. He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. So Yahweh will have priests who will present the offering as it should be. Then Yahweh will accept with pleasure the offering of Judah and Jerusalem, as in former days.
I am going to send you the prophet Elijah before the day of Yahweh comes, for it will be a great and terrible day. He will reconcile parents with their children, and the children with their parents, so that I may not have to curse this land when I come."
Gospel: Lk 1:57 - 66
When the time came for Elizabeth, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the merciful Lord had done a wonderful thing for her and they rejoiced with her.
When on the eighth day they came to attend the circumcision of the child, they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, "Not so; he shall be called John." They said to her, "No one in your family has that name"; and they asked the father by means of signs for the name he wanted to give. Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote on it, "His name is John," and they were very surprised. Immediately Zechariah could speak again and his first words were in praise of God.
A holy fear came on all in the neighborhood, and throughout the Hills of Judea the people talked about these events. All who heard of it pondered in their minds and wondered, "What will this child be?" For they understood that the hand of the Lord was with him.
Reflection:
When a married couple expects a child, one of the first things they prepare, upon knowing the gender of the child, is the child's name. In many cultures a name was not only something one is to be called by or known but ultimately sets out what one is be or do in life.
In the Scriptures we see a number of people whose names were changed to suit their new roles. God changed the name of Abram to Abraham. Simon was re-named Peter to indicate his role as the foundation rock of the Church of Christ. Saul who persecuted the early Christians was re-named Paul, meaning small, to indicate the need for humility. Until now the Bishops of Rome, the successors of St. Peter as head of the Catholic Church, choose a new name upon their election by the College of Cardinals.
When Elizabeth said her child was to be named John, her relatives objected because no one in her family bore that name. The mute Zechariah confirmed that his son was to be named John and, penalized with being unable to speak for his disbelief at the angel's revelation to him, was rewarded by regaining his speech: "My words will come true in their time. But you would not believe and now you will be silent and unable to speak until this has happened." (Lk 1:19b – 20)
People were in awe at all these happenings: "'What will this child be?' For they understood that the hand of the Lord was with him."
Do I know what my name means? Do I know how my parents chose this name for me? Have I lived up to what is expected of someone with my name? Or to what my parents hoped for me?
WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:
BIRTHDAY
BENITA Q. TEE TEN
GAVIN JOHN ANTHONY UY
JOY CHUA
OTHER INTENTIONS:
For the healing and recovery of Josefina Cabrera.
For the special intentions and thanksgiving intentions of Beny Chua.
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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# posted by F O O D F O R T H O U G H T @ 12:53 PM 
