Sunday, Holy Family
Ecclesiastes 3:2-14
Psalms 105:1-9
John 3:1-2,21-24
Luke 2:41-52
The theme of seeking and finding occurs frequently in Luke’s Gospel. Luke wrote his account as prayerful pilgrimages for those seeking Jesus, which involves surprises and the eventual findings in unexpected places. This is the bane of discipleship, the constant struggle with understanding the manner of presence to which God invites us. The feast of the Holy Family becomes a kaleidoscope for us to explore the profound riches and lessons, with God identifying with the family of Nazareth and indeed all families. (Meditation by Fr Clement Obiorah, OCD)
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Christmas Day
Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalms 98(97):1-6
Hebrews 1:1-6
John 1:1-5,9-14
For knowing so well the story of Christmas, it may take a bit longer for our hearts to discover the startle and joy that God has gifted to us with the birth of Jesus. Estrangement has ended. Despair has been shattered. The unfathomable distance between creator and creature has been breached. In a shock to reason and a scandal to others, God has taken flesh, our human form in body and blood, and dwells among us. Hallelujah! (Written by John Dalla Costa)
Fourth Sunday of advent
Micah 5:2-5
Psalms 80:2-3, 15-16,18-19
Hebrews 10:5-10
Luke 1:39-45
So we begin to meditate on the fourth Sunday of Advent with the Gospel of Luke Chapter 1. Mary set out and went as quickly as she could because now Mary is filled with the Holy Spirit. She has said yes to the word of the angel in the Annunciation and is filled with the Holy Spirit and the power of God. She now goes as quickly as she can, to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who has been suffering from barrenness and is now in her sixth month and with a child.
Third Sunday of Advent
Zephaniah 3:14-18
Isaiah 12:2-6
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:10-18
We come to the Third Meditation for the Season of Advent with the words of the prophet Zephaniah writing at the end of the seventh century B.C. and ringing down to our time: ‘Shout for joy, Daughter of Zion, Exult with all your heart.’ The more we meditate on the mystery of the Incarnation and enter into the great expectation of the Church at prayer, our hearts are led to attune themselves to the deepest longings of humanity for a time of peace, of love and respect for every human being. …. (Written by Fr Liam Finnerty, OCD)
The Solemnity of St John of the Cross
1 Corinthians 2:1-10a
Psalm 37(36):3-4, 5-6, 30-31
Romans 8:14-18, 28-30
Luke 14:25-33
The saints of Carmel express one underlying conviction, that our desire for God is first of all awakened by God’s desire for us. And each time we turn our eyes to God in faith, it is on the basis that His loving gaze is constantly upon us with the whole affection and power of his person as Father. Fostering freedom to reciprocate this loving intimacy sums up John of the Cross’s life and legacy…. (Written by Fr Clement Obiorah, OCD)
Second Sunday of Advent
Baruch 5:1–9
Psalm 126:1–6
Philippians 1:4–6, 8–11
Luke 3:1–6
The Gospel for the second Sunday of Advent, (Luke,.3,1-6) presents the historical context into which Jesus begins his public life and introduces the person of John the Baptist as the Precursor of the Messiah. So, from the outset Luke is impressing upon his listeners and us that the life and mission of Jesus are within history and transform history.…. (Written by Fr Liam Finnerty, OCD)
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
Genesis 3:9-15, 20
Psalm 97 (97):1-4
Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12
Luke 1:26-38
The teachings on the Immaculate conception hold that the Blessed Virgin Mary “in the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, given the merits of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the human race, was preserved, exempt from all stain of original sin…. (Written by Fr Clement Obiorah, OCD)
First Sunday of Advent
Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm 25:4-5,8-10,14
1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2
Luke 21:25-28, 34-36
Every Advent starts with the message of hope. This Sunday’s readings urge us to be united in prayer, so that the substantial hope of Christ living in us becomes a leaven in humanity to bring the longed-for peace and harmony…. (Written by Fr Liam Finnerty, OCD)