REFLECTION ON THE DAILY GOSPEL 19 DECEMBER 2012

Archangel gabriel strikes Zachariah 

Gospel Lk 1:5-25

The wondrous gift of creation from a marriage is often hidden unless it is withheld for some reason. This passage links Zechariah and Elizabeth between Old Testament baron couples especially Sarah and Abraham, in readiness for the good news of Jesus’s salvation.

The appearance and revelation from Gabriel is obvious to all around him as he exits the temple. How many times in our own lives has something happened that is just an amazing gift that we can savor for a moment?

I was talking to a car salesman this morning, whose daughter has been seriously ill with a heart defect at birth, who just emerged successfully from surgery. I could see in his eyes he had a gift, and thought he might lose her too quickly, now she is returned and he is doubly grateful. Imagine how Zechariah and Elizabeth must have felt at the end of their lives getting this wondrous gift of a child.

Let us bask in the gift of our children today, for however long we may enjoy that time, particularly after the awful events in Newtown, CT last week. We will all be called back to Him someday; none are more ready than those innocent children.

REFLECTION ON THE DAILY GOSPEL 4 DECEMBER 2012

Gospel Lk 10:21-24

The purity of a child’s heart and the love of their parents are borne out this scripture reading. The revelation of God the Father and the relationship between Jesus and His Father is wondrous in this passage, and that the revelation continues through the Holy Spirit each day of our lives. Perhaps we should ponder for a moment on the beauty of The Trinity revealed through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

THE DAILY GOSPEL AND READINGS 20 OCTOBER 2012

Saturday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 472

Reading 1 Eph 1:15-23

Brothers and sisters:
Hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus
and of your love for all the holy ones,
I do not cease giving thanks for you,
remembering you in my prayers,
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation
resulting in knowledge of him.
May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened,
that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call,
what are the riches of glory
in his inheritance among the holy ones,
and what is the surpassing greatness of his power
for us who believe,
in accord with the exercise of his great might,
which he worked in Christ,
raising him from the dead
and seating him at his right hand in the heavens,
far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion,
and every name that is named
not only in this age but also in the one to come.
And he put all things beneath his feet
and gave him as head over all things to the Church,
which is his Body,
the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 8:2-3ab, 4-5, 6-7

R. (7) You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.
O LORD, our LORD,
how glorious is your name over all the earth!
You have exalted your majesty above the heavens.
Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings
you have fashioned praise because of your foes.
R. You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.
When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars which you set in place?
What is man that you should be mindful of him,
or the son of man that you should care for him?
R. You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.
You have made him little less than the angels,
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him rule over the works of your hands,
putting all things under his feet.
R. You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.

Gospel Lk 12:8-12

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I tell you,
everyone who acknowledges me before others
the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God.
But whoever denies me before others
will be denied before the angels of God.
“Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven,
but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit
will not be forgiven.
When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities,
do not worry about how or what your defense will be
or about what you are to say.
For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.”

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.