This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, December 3rd Mark 13:33-37
Jesus said to his disciples: “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. Watch, therefore; you do not know when the lord of the house is coming. . .May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”
Reflection
“Today’s Gospel reading calls us to participate actively, remaining alert for Jesus’ coming. Jesus explains that we are not just waiting passively for his coming; rather, we have been entrusted with God’s work, each according to his or her ability. We are responsible for fulfilling our set tasks with the implication that we will need to give an account of ourselves when Jesus returns. This reading is appropriate as we prepare to commemorate Jesus’ coming into this world on Christmas day.” SOURCE: Workbook for Lectors, Gospel Readers, and Proclaimers of the Word, 2024.
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday Isaiah 2:1-5; Matthew 8:5-11
Tuesday Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 10:21-24
Wednesday Isaiah 25:6-10a; Matthew 15:29-37
Thursday Isaiah 26;1-6; Matthew 7:21, 24-27
Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Memorial) – He excelled as a preacher, teacher and pastor and influenced the conversion of Saint Augustine.
Friday Genesis 3:9-15,20; Ephesians 1:3-6,11-12; Luke 1:26-38
The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Solemnity) – A feast dedicated to Mary’s conception first appeared in the seventh century and by the twelfth century it was firmly established in England. St. Bernard and St. Thomas Aquinas debated whether Mary could have been born without original sin. In 1854 Pius IX defined the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception as a dogma of faith.
Saturday Isaiah 30:19-21,23-26; Matthew 9:35—10:1,5a,6-8
SOURCE: Living With Christ, December 2023