The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, December 21, 2000
The Third Week of Advent
St. Peter Canisius
Details: www.christdesert.org/public_texts/martyrology/
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Zephaniah 3:14-18
Psalm 33:2-3,11-12,20-21
Luke 1:39-45
Full text: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/index.htm
A Reflection on Today's Scripture:
During the final days of Advent, as we are still waiting, what is
moving within your heart and soul? Elizabeth experienced the feeling
of joy as her baby leapt inside her. What are your feelings? Joy,
happiness, love, loneliness, tired, out of touch, sad?
As we approach the birthday of our Lord, do we anticipate as does the
psalmist, our souls yearning, beyond all description, the Lord, our
King of Kings? Zephaniah seems to be speaking of Elizabeth when he
states that the Lord has removed the judgment against her (her
barrenness). He goes on telling us that the Lord is in our midst,
which refers to the Virgin Mary, pregnant with the Savior of the
world.
Our God is coming again this year with a new gift for each of us, for
He is the giver of all good gifts. He wants to take away our dryness;
He wants to heal us lovingly, gently. He wants to impregnate our very
selves with the fullness of Himself, thereby empowering us to be His
hands, His heart, His eyes and His ears.
Just as John the Baptist leapt in Elizabeth's womb, we too can
experience joy, by trusting in the Jesus, the Christ -- the Messiah.
That is why we joyfully sing the words: "O Come O Come Emmanuel."
Our gift to our God can be the surrender of our very lives: our body,
our mind and our spirit! Happy Birthday, Sweet Jesus!
-Deacon Bill Powers ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
(Diocese of Rockville Centre)
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