Key:
What these verses tell us about God
What these verses tell us to do
Commentary
Citations to other scriptures are hyperlinks to those scriptures.
Reading 1 IS 62:11-12
See, the LORD proclaims to the ends of the earth: say to daughter Zion, your savior comes!
Here is his reward with him, his recompense before him. They shall be called the holy people, the redeemed of the LORD, andyou shall be called "Frequented," a city that is not forsaken.
Here is his reward with him, his recompense before him. They shall be called the holy people, the redeemed of the LORD, andyou shall be called "Frequented," a city that is not forsaken.
God reaches out to all to deliver graces/results that exceed our understanding and expectations. The peace delivered through the shepherds’ faithful response to the angel’s message (described in today’s gospel), is an extreme example of that, but is only one example. It probably happens thousands/millions of times a day in more subtle ways as God comforts hurting folks in myriad ways. It can happen to you today. See Matthew 11:28, Philippians 4:6-7, James 1:5; 1 Peter 5:6-7, 1 John 1:9.
Responsorial Psalm PS 97:1, 6, 11-12.
R. A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many isles be glad. The heavens proclaim his justice, and all peoples see his glory.
R. A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.
Light dawns for the just; and gladness, for the upright of heart. Be glad in the LORD, you just, and give thanks to his holy name.
R. A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many isles be glad. The heavens proclaim his justice, and all peoples see his glory.
R. A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.
Light dawns for the just; and gladness, for the upright of heart. Be glad in the LORD, you just, and give thanks to his holy name.
R. A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.
Reading 2 TI 3:4-7
Beloved: When the kindness and generous love of God our saviorappeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy,He saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his graceand become heirs in hope of eternal life.
Alleluia LK 2:14
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel LK 2:15-20
When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went in hasteand found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazedby what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.
This must have been very reassuring to Mary. And it came at a time when she was probably exhausted and confused about how things were unfolding. This is an example of the sort of rest her Son would later tell us about in Matthew 11:28.
God sometimes uses us mortals as a means to deliver the peace He wants others to receive. Here He used the shepherds. They modeled the precept laid out in James 1:25. In this case not only were they blessed, but so were the Holy Family and all who heard what they communicated. Is God asking you to deliver His peace to someone? Don’t miss that blessing.
No comments:
Post a Comment