Author name: sanjose

Second Sunday of Advent

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading: Is 11:1-10

On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,
and from his roots a bud shall blossom.
The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him:
a spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
a spirit of counsel and of strength,
a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD,
and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.
Not by appearance shall he judge,
nor by hearsay shall he decide,
but he shall judge the poor with justice,
and decide aright for the land's afflicted.
He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.
Justice shall be the band around his waist,
and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.
Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
the calf and the young lion shall browse together,
with a little child to guide them.
The cow and the bear shall be neighbors,
together their young shall rest;
the lion shall eat hay like the ox.
The baby shall play by the cobra's den,
and the child lay his hand on the adder's lair.
There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD,
as water covers the sea.
On that day, the root of Jesse,
set up as a signal for the nations,
the Gentiles shall seek out,
for his dwelling shall be glorious.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8,12-13,17

Response– Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king's son;
he shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R– Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
R– Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R– Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

May his name be blessed forever;
as long as the sun his name shall remain.
In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;
all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.
R– Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Second Reading: Rom 15:4-9

Brothers and sisters:
Whatever was written previously was written for our instruction,
that by endurance and by the encouragement of the Scriptures
we might have hope.
May the God of endurance and encouragement
grant you to think in harmony with one another,
in keeping with Christ Jesus,
that with one accord you may with one voice
glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you,
for the glory of God.
For I say that Christ became a minister of the circumcised
to show God's truthfulness,
to confirm the promises to the patriarchs,
but so that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.
As it is written:
Therefore, I will praise you among the Gentiles
and sing praises to your name.

Alleluia: Lk 3:4, 6

Alleluia, alleluia. Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths:
all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia, alleluia!

Gospel: Matthew 3: 1-12

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea
and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"
It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said:
A voice of one crying out in the desert,
Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.
John wore clothing made of camel's hair
and had a leather belt around his waist.
His food was locusts and wild honey.
At that time Jerusalem, all Judea,
and the whole region around the Jordan
were going out to him
and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River
as they acknowledged their sins.

When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees
coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers!
Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.
And do not presume to say to yourselves,
'We have Abraham as our father.'
For I tell you,
God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees.
Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit
will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
I am baptizing you with water, for repentance,
but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.
I am not worthy to carry his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in his hand.
He will clear his threshing floor
and gather his wheat into his barn,
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

The Readings and Gospel were sourced from:

Second Sunday of Advent Read More »

1 John 4:11

Verse:

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” - 1 John 4:11

Prayer For Unity to Prevail in the Community

Lord of light, I pray that unity may prevail in my community. Help me to be an instrument of Your peace. Help us in the city to come together to resolve the issues that affect us all. Help us cooperate well in overcoming health issues and prejudice. May we each bring our experiences and our expertise to the table and work out solutions together. Help us to listen well, to empathize, and brainstorm the best path for our city. Amen.

Sources:

1 John 4:11 Read More »

Saint Clement of Alexandria

Saint Clement of Alexandria was born in Athens in year 150, to parents that were pagans. His latin name is Titus Flavius Clemens.

He received his education in various learning centers throughout Italy and the Mediterranean. While studying under his teach Pantaenus, he converted to Christianity. Years later, in year 180, Saint Clement became the head of the Christian catechetical School at Alexandria, succeeding his mentor Pantaenus.

He was a known intellectual leader of the Alexandrian Christian community. He also wrote theological works and commentaries. He had secret works as well that suggests his familiarity with Gnosticism and the pre-Christian Jewish esotericism.

He died between years 211 and 215.

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Matthew 5:9

Verse:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” - Matthew 5:9

Prayer For Peace Making

Jesus, rightful Advocate of peace, Elegant Champion of reconciliation, Your victories echo harmoniously. You taught me the way towards peace, My assurance of congenial oneness. Teach me to carry the torch of peace, That it may reside within my heart And radiate in my surroundings. Through the Grace of Your power, Transform the world into a Heaven. You are the only hope of mankind: You are the most gracious Peace Maker!

Sources:

Original version of the prayer: https://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=1701

Matthew 5:9 Read More »

Saint Francis Xavier

Saint Francis Xavier was born on April 7, 1506 as the third son of the privy counselor and finance minister to the king of Navarre. He grew up at Xavier and even received education there.

Continuing his studies, he went to the University of Paris in 1525. After earning his master’s degree in 1530, he taught philosophy at the same university. In 1534, Saint Francis Xavier made vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, along with his other friends. Three years later, he was ordained and he also started studying theology.

Saint Francis Xavier travelled to multiple places to minister and evangelized people. He travelled to Lisbon, Goa, and even to the southeastern coast of India for his mission.

During his many travels, he fell ill with fever. And on December 3, 1552, he passed away. He was beatified by Pope Paul V in 1619 and canonized in 1622. He is the patron saint of Catholic missions.

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1 Corinthians 13:13

Verse:

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” -1 Corinthians 13:13

Prayer For Faith and Hope

Blessed Jesus, in the comfort of your love, I lay before you the memories that haunt me, the anxieties that perplex me, the despair that frightens me, and my frustration at my inability to think clearly. Help me to discover your forgiveness in my memories and know your peace in my distress. Touch me, O Lord, and fill me with your light and your hope. Amen.

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Blessed Maria Angela Astorch

Blessed Maria Angela Astorch was a Spanish religious figure. She was born on September 1, 1952 in Barcelona. She was the youngest in her family.

At a young age, she already started pursuing her vocation. She entered the Capuchin Poor Clare monastery as an aspirant, in 1603. Five years after, 1608, she began her journey as a novitiate.

Years after, she became a novice master and founded a monastery in Zaragoza. In 1624, she became vicar and later on, an abbess. She founded another monastery, along with other sisters, in Murcia in 1945.

Blessed Maria Angela Astorch remained an abbess until 1661. She died four years after, 1665, at the age of 75.

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Isaiah 26:9

Verse:

My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.” - Isaiah 26:9

Prayer For Pursuing God’s Righteousness

Righteous God, I want to be more like You so help me actively pursue righteousness and love. I choose to seek You because I know that You offer life, prosperity and honor. Your Word says that the righteous will never be shaken and will be remembered forever. I thank You for Your righteousness, Amen.

Sources:

Isaiah 26:9 Read More »

Saint Edmund Campion

Saint Edmund Campion was born on January 25, 1540. He was an English Jesuit priest and was martyred during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

He was the son of a bookseller. He received his early education at Christ’s Hospital school. He was then sponsored by a governor of the school as a scholar at St. John’s College in Oxford. Two years later, he was chosen to lead a public debate with the Queen as an audience. He won the regard of the Queen and the patronage of other important people.

He was initially a deacon in the Anglican church, however, he realized later on that his heart lies with the Roman Catholicism. He then entered the Cathollic Church in Northern France. In 1573, he became a member of the Society of Jesus in Rome.

He was arrested in 1581. They tortured him so that he will renounce his faith. When he refused, they charged him with treason and execution.

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Matthew 19:18b-19

Verse:

“You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.” - Matthew 19:18b-19

Prayer For Loving Your Friends

Lord God, You teach us that there is no greater love than he who lays down his life for a friend. Lord, I want to be this kind of friend. I want to reflect on the type of love that You have for us in my relationships here on Earth. Father, help me to adopt a heart like Yours. Help me to carry my cross and to bear the burdens of those around me. Help me to be a loving friend. Amen.

Sources:

Matthew 19:18b-19 Read More »