Category: Memory Verse

CHRISTMAS RUSH

“Observe what is right, do what is just; for My salvation is about to come, My justice, about to be revealed.” –Isaiah 56:1 Mass Readings: December 16 First: Isaiah 56:1-3,6-8; Resp: Psalm 67:2-3,5,7-8; Gospel: John 5:33-36 St. John the Baptizer “was the lamp, set aflame and burning bright, and for a while you exulted willingly in his light” (Jn 5:35). Those who have accepted John’s call to repentance are ready to meet Jesus this Christmas. Yet many still refuse God’s grace of repentance. These people will be given a “testimony greater than John’s, namely, the works the Father has given...

LOOKING FOR LOVE

“What did you go out to see?” –Luke 7:24 Mass Readings: December 15 First: Isaiah 54:1-10; Resp: Psalm 30:2,4-6,11-13; Gospel: Luke 7:24-30 Jesus asks the crowds and us: “What, really, did you go out to see – someone dressed luxuriously? Remember, those who dress in luxury and eat in splendor are to be found in” shopping malls, sleighs, and endless TV Christmas specials (see Lk 7:24-25). The crowds flock to see Santa, searching for glad tidings, good cheer, and perhaps, somehow, a measure of love. Today, the Church proclaims to the searching crowds that good news and love are available...

JESUS, THE BLIND, AND CHRISTMAS

“He also restored sight to many who were blind.” –Luke 7:21 Mass Readings: December 14 First: Isaiah 45:6-8,18,21-25; Resp: Psalm 85:9-14;Gospel: Luke 7:18-23 Jesus said His mission was to proclaim “recovery of sight to the blind” (Lk 4:18). He healed the blind man at Bethsaida (Mk 8:25), blind Bartimaeus (Mk 10:52), and the man born blind (Jn 9:7). After raising the daughter of Jairus from the dead, Jesus restored sight to two blind men (Mt 9:30). On some other occasions, Jesus healed several blind people at one time (e.g. Lk 7:21). When Jesus listed His healings and miracles, He put...

WILL I HAVE CHRISTMAS?

I will “remove from your midst the proud braggarts.” –Zephaniah 3:11 “I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly.” –Zephaniah 3:12 Mass Readings: December 13 First: Zephaniah 3:1-2,9-13; Resp: Psalm 34:2-3,6-7,17-19,23; Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32 To deprive yourself of Christmas: be rebellious (Zep 3:1), accept “no correction” (Zep 3:2), be a proud braggart (see Zep 3:11), “exalt yourself” (Zep 3:11), have “a deceitful tongue” (Zep 3:13), and refuse to repent. To meet Christ in a new way this Christmas: trust in the Lord (Zep 3:2), draw near to God (Zep 3:2), “change and purify” your...

THE MOST AMAZING WOMAN

“Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried out in a loud voice: ‘Blest are you among women and blest is the Fruit of your womb. But who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me?’ ” –Luke 1:41-43 Mass Readings: December 12 First: Zechariah 2:14-17; Resp: Judith 13:18-19; Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 One of the principal patrons of Our Lady of Presentation Ministries is Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our retreat center has a chapel named after Our Lady of Guadalupe. We are a network of over thirty small Christian communities. One of our communities is...