This Week’s Gospel Message

Thursday, December 24th, 2020

This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, December 27th is from Luke 2:22-40

“When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, [Mary and Joseph] took [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord . . . Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon . . . It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord . . . and when the parents brought in the child Jesus . . . he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: ‘Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace’ . . . There was also a prophetess, Anna . . . she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.”

“The lives of Anna and Simeon symbolize the Advent season. Both had been waiting for the moment in which they would see the face of salvation. Both must have been filled with incredible faith to recognize the Messiah in this infant boy. Each immediately gives thanks to God for granting them the fulfillment of their final desire before they die. They then proclaim Jesus’ power, Simeon to Mary, Anna to the others in the temple, initiating another period of expectant hope.” Source: Pastoral Patterns, Winter 2020-2021

DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday 1 John 1:5—2:2; Matt 2:13-18

The Holy Innocents, Martyrs (Feast) – “Today’s feast commemorates the male children slain instead of Jesus by King Herod in his desire to eliminate the newborn king.”

Tuesday 1 John 2:3-11; Luke 2:22-35

Wednesday 1 John 2:12-17: Luke 2:36-40

Thursday 1 John 2:18-21; John 1:1-18

Friday 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.”

Saturday 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.” Source: Living With Christ, December 2020 and January 2021

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