This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, December 6th is from Mark 1:1-8. “As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’ John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. . . And this is what he proclaimed: ‘One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’”
“In Mark’s Gospel, John the Baptist proclaims forgiveness from God through baptism. As we face difficulties in life, let us remember that we are not alone: our compassionate God is always ready to comfort and forgive.” Source: Pastoral Patterns, Winter 2020-2021
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday Isa 35:1-10; Luke 5:17-26
Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Memorial) – “He excelled as a preacher, teacher, and pastor and influenced the conversion of St. Augustine.”
Tuesday Gen 3:9-15, 20; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; Luke 1:26-38
The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Feast) – “In 1854 Pius IX defined the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception as a dogma of faith that Mary was born without original sin.”
Wednesday Isa 40:25-31; Matt 11:28-30
Thursday Isa 41:13-20; Matt 11:11-15
Friday Isa 48:17-19; Matt 11:16-19
Saturday Rev 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Luke 1:39-47
Our Lady of Guadalupe (Feast) – “Today’s feast commemorates the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin in 1531 at Guadalupe to Juan Diego. She left her image on a cloak that is preserved in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.”
Source: Living With Christ, December 2020