Tag: Christmas

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Christmas

modern artwork of the nativity

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Nativity of the Lord Mass Readings

Christmas Vigil Mass
Christmas Mass During the Night
Christmas Mass at Dawn
Christmas Mass During the Day

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122520.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Merry Christmas! There are different sets of readings for each of the different masses any of us might attend at Christmas. I’ve included links to the USCCB website which will give you the specific readings for the specific mass you select. In the notes to this podcast where I normally provide a bibliography, I’ve included all the New Testament scripture commentaries which cover all the options for the Christmas readings. Of course, you will always find a link to the catechism and topics from the catechism which give some insight into the Mass readings. I do not always incorporate information from the commentaries or the catechism in my homily, but I want to make these resources available in case you would like to dig a little deeper into the readings.

The year 2020 has been a most interesting year – definitely one we’ll be talking about for years to come! Whether you can get to Mass or watch it online, we join our brother and sister Christians around the world who pause to gaze on the nativity today. The question is, what do you see when you gaze upon the nativity?

Do we only see the presents and the food and family and friends, either in-person or via some face-to-face communication technology? Unfortunately, some of our families and friends can’t see past the niceties. It’s important for us to be aware of our families and friends who are not true believers. A recent Pew report suggests that the “nones” or unaffiliated may be the fastest-growing denomination in the United States. <1>

Indeed, Sherry Weddell, the co-founder of the Catherine of Siena Institute, offers a disturbing observation based on informal surveys of pastors at Making Disciples seminars. Parish leaders told Weddell that they believe as few as five percent of all parishioners are intentional disciples. <2>

For some of these people, the darkness of isolation and the uncertainty around employment are a huge concern. Christmas for them represents a brief respite from their hectic lives. These people like so many of us confront the big existential questions like “why am I here?” or “what’s my purpose?”.

We also know from past experience that this time of year presents serious mental health challenges for some people even before COVID. Perhaps this year compounds the stress some people feel. How can we help them?

You see, Christians know that our faith provides us answers to the “big questions.” We know that God’s greatest gift to us, Jesus Christ, redeemed the whole world! The Holy Spirit continues to make everything new in Christ. <3>

When we gaze on the nativity, we strive to see how the shepherds saw – awe and wonder. Or maybe we gaze on the image of the baby Jesus and try to feel what Mary and Joseph felt – pure love. My brothers and sisters, when we gaze on the nativity, I encourage you to see hope instead of despair; peace instead of conflict; light instead of darkness.

The pandemic provided so many of us a disturbing silence from self-isolation to the lockdown. But we Christians know that we can enter into that silence like we would a swimming pool and pray and meditate with the Church – especially during the Mass either in-person or online. <4> Jesus offers us the strength of God’s grace through the Sacraments so that we can go into the darkness of night and bring the light of Christmas to our families and friends and to all those who may be struggling, especially during this time of year. We can invite people to see the hope foretold by Isaiah and so beautifully described by our Gospel today.

Homework! I just have one simple thing to ask. At some point today, please sit down with family or friends, either in-person or online, and just be present to them. Don’t worry about the ham or the mess the children left when they unwrapped their gifts. Just be with family or friends. That’s one of the best ways we can share the love of Christ – the light of Christmas with the people we encounter.

Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Image Credit: Nativity. Dr. He Q. JPG file. License: Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial ShareAlike 3.0 License. Source: http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=46095.

Notes:
<1> “Decline of Christianity Continues at Rapid Pace: An update on America’s changing religious landscape,” Religion & Public Life, Pew Research Center, October 17, 2019, https://www.pewforum.org/2019/10/17/in-u-s-decline-of-christianity-continues-at-rapid-pace/.
<2> Sherry A. Weddell, Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus (Huntington, Indiana: Our Sunday Visitor, 2012), 28.
<3> See Merton, Thomas and Hạnh Nhất. Contemplative Prayer. 1969. Reprint, New York: Image, 2014. chap. Introduction, Kindle: From death, life. From the abyss there comes, unaccountably, the mysterious gift of the Spirit sent by God to make all things new, to transform the created and redeemed world, and to re-establish all things in Christ.
<4> Ibid.

Bibliography/Further Reading:
1. Gadenz, Pablo T. The Gospel of Luke. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2018. Kindle.
2. Healy, Mary. Hebrews. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2016. Kindle.
3. Kurz, William S. SJ. Acts of the Apostles. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2013. Kindle.
4. Martin, Francis and William M. Wright IV. The Gospel of John. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015. Kindle.
5. Merton, Thomas, and Hạnh Nhất. Contemplative Prayer. 1969. Reprint, New York: Image, 2014. Kindle.
6. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010. Kindle.
7. Montague, George T. SM. First and Second Timothy, Titus. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2008. Kindle.
8. Pew Research Center. “Decline of Christianity Continues at Rapid Pace: An update on America’s changing religious landscape.” Religion & Public Life. October 17, 2019. https://www.pewforum.org/2019/10/17/in-u-s-decline-of-christianity-continues-at-rapid-pace/.
9. Weddell, Sherry A. Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus. Huntington, Indiana: Our Sunday Visitor, 2012.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. God has said everything in his Word: 65, 102
2. The incarnate Christ worshipped by the angels: 333
3. The Christmas mystery: 437, 525-26
4. Jesus is the Son of David: 439, 496, 559, 2616
5. “Why did the Word become flesh?” 456-60, 566
6. The Incarnation: 461-63, 470-78
7. The Incarnation and images of Christ: 1159-62, 2131, 2502

The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122520.cfm
Lectionary: 13,14,15,16

The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) – At the Vigil Mass
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) – Mass During the Night
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) – Mass at Dawn
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) – Mass During the Day

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Fourth Sunday of Advent

Picture of Advent wreath with all 5 candles lit and the words advent hope love joy peace above wreath

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Mass Readings

Reading1: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16
Responsorial: Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29
Reading 2: Romans 16:25-27
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122020.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Oh, my goodness! This Fourth Sunday of Advent means that Christmas is just five days away! I’m excited! How about you! It’s always such a joy to see the children and our families and friends with big smiles and a twinkle in their eyes as they tear open their gifts. On this last Sunday before Christmas, we pause to remember that what we celebrate is the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. And given this very odd year 2020, I think we are in great need of Jesus Christ!

You know, these days, we hear about all sorts of things like fake news, election fraud, suspicion about pandemic lockdowns, and the vaccine. It’s so confusing and frankly so disappointing that we can’t trust any one news source for the news. Instead, many of us need to consume a variety of news sources just to see a glimmer of the truth.

There’s also been so much division this year. I think we all yearn for peace, for justice, for security. It doesn’t matter whose right or wrong. We all yearn for the truth, whatever that looks like! My brothers and sisters, Jesus is the fulfillment of our yearnings! <1> And it all begins with Mary’s yes.

You see, in today’s Gospel, Mary isn’t told that she will give birth, but rather, the angel waits for her consent. Why? God never forces himself on anyone. Mary consents, and in doing so, she lets go of her all her plans. She sets aside any fear of becoming pregnant before her marriage. None of these are deal-breakers for her because her love for God is so deep. Her fiat – her yes – is an example for us all.

Sometimes we cling to the things we accumulate or the ideas we develop that we can’t see past the edge of our noses. Like our first reading says, we have a fixed place in this land of ours. How blessed we are! But sometimes, our blessings – the stuff of our lives can get in our way.

As the elections point out, sometimes it seems impossible to agree. Maybe it’s our pride or our hubris, but we can’t seem to reconcile with one another. Oh sure – going to confession is easy. But forgiving someone who has a different opinion than us – forget about it!

But Mary gives us a clue. Mary’s yes acknowledges the truth that “Jesus offers reconciliation and the chance to live once more in peace with God and our neighbor.” <2>

Jesus saves the day! He is our salvation! And so, we hear from Paul’s letter to the Romans a statement of praise to God! Right? It’s the response to our psalm today: Forever will I sing the goodness of the Lord! We can’t save ourselves, and nothing we build can save us. No! Only the Word made flesh whose birthday we celebrate on Christmas can save us, and Jesus is worthy of our praise!

Believing in Jesus means believing in something beyond us and much, much bigger than us! Are we willing to put our trust in Jesus and find common ground with our neighbors? That’s an important question for us to consider. You see, following Mary’s example, our job as disciples is to bring other people to Jesus Christ. It’s not enough for us to be reconciled with God. We need to be reconciled with our neighbors and lead them to Jesus.

As we consider Mary’s example in these days before Christmas, we consider a great challenge. That leads us to homework! Nourished by the Word and the Sacraments, I ask you to reflect on the following questions.

First, what attachments or stuff or ideas get in our way of embracing Jesus?
Second, what are some ways I can help bring people to Jesus?

Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Image Credit: Artist unknown. JPG file.

Notes: <1> “Mass Reading & Meditation for December 20, 2020,” Word Among Us (Advent 2020) https://wau.org/meditations/2020/12/20/177608/ (accessed 7 December 2020). <2> Ibid.

Bibliography:
1. Gadenz, Pablo T. The Gospel of Luke. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2018. Kindle.
2. Hahn, Scott W. and Curtis Mitch. Romans. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2017. Kindle.
3. “Mass Reading & Meditation for December 20, 2020.” Word Among Us. https://wau.org/meditations/2020/12/20/177608/ (accessed 7 December 2020).

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Mary and Old Testament women: 64, 489
2. Obedience of faith: 143-49, 494, 2087
3. Mary’s faith and fiat: 148, 494, 973, 2617, 2622, 2674
4. Nothing impossible with God: 269, 273
5. The name “Jesus:” 430, 2812
6. Jesus is the Son of David: 439, 496, 559, 2616
7. Ecumenical councils on the incarnation: 456, 464-67
8. Virginal conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit: 484-94, 496-97, 505, 510, 695, 697, 723
9. Immaculate Conception: 490-91, 722
10. Prayer of praise: 2639, 2649
11. Doxology: 2641
12. Hail Mary: 2676-77

Fourth Sunday of Advent https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122020.cfm
Lectionary: 11

Reading 1
2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16
When King David was settled in his palace,
and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every side,
he said to Nathan the prophet,
“Here I am living in a house of cedar,
while the ark of God dwells in a tent!”
Nathan answered the king,
“Go, do whatever you have in mind,
for the LORD is with you.”
But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said:
“Go, tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD:
Should you build me a house to dwell in?’“

“‘It was I who took you from the pasture
and from the care of the flock
to be commander of my people Israel.
I have been with you wherever you went,
and I have destroyed all your enemies before you.
And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth.
I will fix a place for my people Israel;
I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place
without further disturbance.
Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old,
since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel.
I will give you rest from all your enemies.
The LORD also reveals to you
that he will establish a house for you.
And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors,
I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins,
and I will make his kingdom firm.
I will be a father to him,
and he shall be a son to me.
Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me;
your throne shall stand firm forever.’”

Responsorial
Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29
R. (2a) For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
The promises of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”;
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
“I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant:
Forever will I confirm your posterity
and establish your throne for all generations.”
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
“He shall say of me, ‘You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.’
Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,
and my covenant with him stands firm.”
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

Reading 2
Romans 16:25-27
Brothers and sisters:
To him who can strengthen you,
according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ,
according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages
but now manifested through the prophetic writings and,
according to the command of the eternal God,
made known to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith,
to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ
be glory forever and ever.
Amen.

Alleluia
Luke 1:38
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
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.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.

“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.”
But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.

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We Are an Advent People

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First Sunday of Advent Mass Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5
Responsorial: Psalm 122:1-9
Second Reading: Romans 13:11-14
Gospel: Matthew 24:37-44

Mass Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/120119.cfm
Our website: https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Welcome to SEASON TWO of deacon rudy’s notes! I am so excited that you are allowing me to spend a few minutes walking with you on your journey. If you are just joining me, welcome! I try to post these reflections on the Sunday readings every week on Sunday or Monday at the latest. Now, these reflections are designed to supplement what hear preached during the mass. These reflections are not meant to substitute for the homily or the mass – so please don’t put that on me!

A few housekeeping details. In every episode I will include the links to the readings in the notes section of this podcast and on the website, www.deaconrudysnotes.org.

Something to look forward to: every episode includes homework – something practical to help us try to incorporate the lessons we receive from Scripture into our everyday lives.

I also include the script for each podcast in the notes. The recording might deviate a little from the script because sometimes I get a little carried away, but for the most part, it’s all there. Just after the script, I try to include references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, in case you’d like to go a little deeper into the Church’s teachings. From time to time I will include references to materials that I use to prepare and any notes that I think might be helpful.

New this season, if you scroll all the way to the bottom to the bottom of the notes, you will find all three readings and the responsorial just in case you can’t get the links to work.

One more thing, please help me bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to more people by sharing a link to the website or the podcast with your family and friends. You can also help me reach more people by leaving a review on whichever podcast platform you are using. Many thanks in advance for helping me out.

This podcast is recorded in my home, so every now and then you might hear some random noise, like our dog barking or noise from the street. I hope it’s not too much of a distraction. We’re just keeping it real.

Now on to this week’s readings.

My brothers and sisters, today we begin Advent. This is a time of preparation. Not only do we look forward to the memorial of Jesus’ birth on Christmas, but we are reminded that our entire being should be oriented toward the Second Coming of Christ. Like the early disciples, we are called to “stay awake” for the Lord is near.

First, we should remember that there is nothing we can do as disciples to force God to come an earlier than he planned. Staying awake means that we should not get caught up in political or so-called religious activities that seek to set the stage for the Second Coming. As Jesus said, He will return, “at an hour you do not expect.”

Second, being prepared means that we should be prepared everyday of our lives, because the end will come – the Second Coming will come at the end of time, yes, but this world will come to an end for each of us when we face our own death. We don’t know when that will happen, so if we don’t have everything in order, then Advent is a good time to start. We should start now trying to deepen our relationship with Jesus. We should set the affairs of our lives in order now and stop delaying for some time in the future that might never come.

That means now is the time to address any unresolved pain or anguish in our lives. Now is the time to forgive ourselves for something we might have done in our past. Now is the time to forgive others who might have really ticked us off. But the key to forgiving ourselves and forgiving others is let it go. We can’t say we’ve forgiven and keep beating ourselves up about it or holding a grudge against other people.

Now is the time to examine how we live as Christians and ask ourselves if we allow our Christian beliefs to influence how we live our everyday lives, how we run our businesses, how we work at our jobs, how we treat other people, how we vote and the sorts of issues we advocate for. Now is the time to walk the walk and not just talk the talk.

So, when is Advent exactly? Every day of the year is Advent, not just these days running up to Christmas. As Christians, we must be an Advent people – a people who stay awake – a people ready and prepared for the coming of our Lord.

Homework! After hearing the Word of God proclaimed, I encourage you to reflect on the following questions.

  1. What conversion of mind, heart and life is the Lord asking of me?
  2. If Jesus were coming today, what would I do? What can I do today to walk more closely with God?

I think doing our homework will help us be an Advent people as we look forward to celebrate the memorial of Christmas, and as we wait for the coming of our Lord.

Do you got it? Do you get it? Then go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

References

  1. Mitch, Curtis, and Edward Sri. The Gospel Of Matthew. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2014.
  2. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.

Catechism Links:

  1. The human knowledge of Jesus, 471-74 http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p122a3p1.htm#471
  2. The Coming of Christ 668-677 http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p1s2c2a7.htm#668

Mass Readings

First Reading
Isaiah 2:1-5
This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz,
saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
In days to come,
the mountain of the LORD’s house
shall be established as the highest mountain
and raised above the hills.
All nations shall stream toward it;
many peoples shall come and say:
“Come, let us climb the LORD’s mountain,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may instruct us in his ways,
and we may walk in his paths.”
For from Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
and impose terms on many peoples.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks;
one nation shall not raise the sword against another,
nor shall they train for war again.
O house of Jacob, come,
let us walk in the light of the Lord!

Responsorial
Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May those who love you prosper!
May peace be within your walls,
prosperity in your buildings.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Because of my brothers and friends
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
Because of the house of the LORD, our God,
I will pray for your good.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Second Reading
Romans 13:11-14
Brothers and sisters:
You know the time;
it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep.
For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed;
the night is advanced, the day is at hand.
Let us then throw off the works of darkness
and put on the armor of light;
let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day,
not in orgies and drunkenness,
not in promiscuity and lust,
not in rivalry and jealousy.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.

Gospel
Matthew 24:37-44
Jesus said to his disciples:
“As it was in the days of Noah,
so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
In those days before the flood,
they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage,
up to the day that Noah entered the ark.
They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away.
So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man.
Two men will be out in the field;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Two women will be grinding at the mill;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Therefore, stay awake!
For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.
Be sure of this: if the master of the house
had known the hour of night when the thief was coming,
he would have stayed awake
and not let his house be broken into.
So too, you also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”