This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, December 24th is from Luke 1:26-38.
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you”. . .Then the angel said to her. . .“Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”. . .Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
Reflection
“It is Mary’s faith and trust in the Lord that makes the incarnation possible. It is our faith and trust in God that continues to make Jesus’ incarnation possible in today’s world.” SOURCE: Pastoral Patterns, Winter 2023-2024
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Sunday Vigil—Isaiah 62:1-5;Acts 13:16-17,22-25;Matthew 1:1-25; Midnight—Isaiah 9:1-6; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14
Monday Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18
Tuesday Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Matthew 10:17-22
Saint Stephen, The First Martyr (Feast) – Stephen is the first-named among the seven deacons chosen by the twelve apostles to minister to Greek-speaking Christians in Jerusalem. He is the first recorded martyr of the New Testament and patron saint of deacons.
Wednesday 1 John 1:1-4; John 20:1a & 2-8
Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist (Feast) – Like Peter, John and his brother James (the sons of Zebedee) were called from their fishing business to follow Jesus. John has been traditionally identified as the author of the fourth gospel, the Book of Revelation, the three letters that bear his name, and as the “Beloved Disciple.”
Thursday 1 John 1:5—2:2; Matthew 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.
Friday 1 John 2:3-11; Luke 2:22-35
Saturday 1 John 2:12-17; Luke 2:36-40