This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, December 17th is from John 1:6-8, 19-28.
A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ. . .I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.”
Reflection
“May we be as bold as John the Baptist, who testified to the light but declared that he himself was not the light. May we bear witness to the light by directing it upon the darknesses in our world, producing glimmers of goodness.” SOURCE: Pastoral Patterns, Winter 2023-2024
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday Jeremiah 23:5-8; Matthew 1:18-25
Tuesday Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a; Luke 1:5-25
Wednesday Isaiah 7:10-14; Luke 1:26-38
Thursday Song of Songs 2:8-14; Luke 1:39-45
Friday 1 Samuel 1:24-28; Luke 1:46-56
Saturday Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24; Luke 1:57-66
“The Advent mystery is the beginning of the end of all in us that is not yet Christ.” –Thomas Merton