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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| The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the
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TUESDAY, 4th Week of Advent
December 22, 2015 TUESDAY, 4th Week of Advent
[Misa de Gallo - White, with Gloria]
Violet
1 Sm 1:24 – 28 / Lk 1:46 – 56
Reading: 1 Sm 1:24 -28
When the child was weaned, Han-nah took him with her along with a three-year-old bull, a measure of flour and a flask of wine, and she brought him to Yahweh's house at Shiloh. The child was still young.
After they had slain the bull, they brought the child to Eli. Hannah ex-claimed: "Oh, my lord, look! I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to Yahweh. I asked for this child and Yahweh granted me the favor I begged of him. Now, I think, Yahweh is asking for this child. As long as he lives, he belongs to Yah-weh."
Gospel: Lk 1:46 - 56
And Mary said, "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit exults in God my Savior! He has looked upon his servant in her lowliness, and people forever will call me blessed.
"The Mighty One has done great things for me, Holy is his Name! From age to age his mercy extends to those who live in his presence. He has acted with power and done great wonders, and scattered the proud with their plans.
"He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and lifted up those who are downtrodden. He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty. He held out his hand to Israel, his servant, for he remembered his mercy, even as he promised our fathers, Abraham and his descendants forever."
Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned home.
Reflection:
In the first reading from the book of Samuel about the birth of her son Samuel, Hannah offered him to the Lord: the birth of Samuel was a special grace of God, like the birth of John the Baptist and of Jesus himself.
The Magnificat is Mary's prayer of thanksgiving to such a great God. The Magnificat of Mary praises and glorifies God for his great works of power and of mercy.
At the same time the Magnificat proclaims a radical change in the human condition, of God "putting down the mighty from their thrones and lifting up those who are downtrodden, of filling the hungry with good things and sending the rich away empty."
Everyone should have enough to eat. No one should be denied the right to sustainable livelihood: a family living wage is a human right. There should be proper management and allocation of goods so our people can lead decent human lives. Why should only a few benefit when a greater majority can be better served?
God wants to provide for all his children. Maybe if we were more generous and relied on his generous and loving providence, we could learn to share more. If we truly believe that all men are created equal, we should strive for just structures and destroy corrupt practices. We should elect God-fearing leaders who can inspire us to be morally upright citizens, loving and caring for their fellows.
Let us continue to give thanks and place our complete trust in such a great God, just like Mary. Change is just around the corner. Is this not the Good News of our Lord?
WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:
BIRTHDAY
CHRISTOPHER E. REYES
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!
**************************************************
These reflections are distributed free and are for personal use only. Feel free to send the Daily Prayer reflections to your friends, colleagues and relatives; however, if you do, please include the following:
+================================================+
| The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the
| priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish
| distributed free and for personal use only.
+================================================+
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