This Week’s Gospel Message for Sunday, December 29th is from Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23.
“. . . the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.’ Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. . .When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.’”
“For those families that are undergoing hardships, the Holy Family is a wonderful example to follow. From the beginning, they had more than their share of difficulties. Yet at every step, God watched over them.” Source: Pastoral Patterns, Winter 2019-2020
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday 1 John 2:12-17; Luke 2:36-40
Tuesday 1 John 2:18-21; John 1:1-18
Wednesday Num 6:22-27, Gal 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21
Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother Of God (Holy Day Of Obligation) – “Of all the Marian celebrations of the Church, this day dedicated to Mary, Mother of God, is the greatest…it celebrates Mary’s role in the incarnation and in redemption. In this role, her special relationship with her son is emphasized, and she is acknowledged as a model of the Church.” (Living With Christ, January 2020)
Thursday 1 John 2:22-28; John 1:19-28
Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church (Memorial) – “Born in Asia Minor, these men are two of the four great doctors of the Eastern Church…because of their preaching, teaching, and defense of the faith against the Arians.” (Living With Christ, January 2020)
Friday 1 John 2:29—3:6; John 1:29-34
Saturday 1 John 3:7-10; John 1:35-42
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious (Memorial) – “She founded the Sisters of Charity, the first community of active women religious begun in America.” (Living With Christ, January 2020)