Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious

Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah,” which is translated Christ. Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas,” which is translated Peter.

In today’s Gospel, as Jesus walks by John the Baptist says to two of his disciples, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” The two disciples immediately follow Jesus, who asks them what they are looking for. They ask Jesus where he is staying and he tells them, “Come, and you will see. Andrew tells his brother Simon Peter that they have found the Messiah, and he brings him to Jesus. In calling Simon Peter Cephas, Jesus gives Peter a new identity as the rock on which Jesus will build his church. Just as I received a new name at Confirmation, Jesus invites us to come and stay with him and through his grace gives us a new identity to put on. Or, as Saint Paul says, “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” This gift beyond measure through Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection—how willingly today will I wear that, will I put on Christ?

God, help me understand the work of your Son in your choosing from among the most humble people the first apostles. The Gospel acclamation reveals how you magnified your mercy by coming to us in the person of Christ: “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets: in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.” Jesus, you are the Word of God made flesh; you are the Incarnate Word. Whatever you say, then, is spoken into existence. You speak through your Son; your Son speaks, and Simon becomes Peter, the rock on which you build your Church. Lord, create in me today a new identity so that I can recognize and do your will. From Psalm 51, I pray: “A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit.”

Lord, let me be clothed with Christ today. Help me through natural gifts you give me to make good decisions; through supernatural grace, guide me when I lose my way, and restore me in your presence. Lamb of God, have mercy!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Christmas Weekday: January 3

 

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

John testified further, saying, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”

In Jesus, John recognizes the Son of God. John says that the “one who sent me to baptize with water” told him that he would recognize the Messiah by the Spirit coming down and remaining in him. John recognizes the divine presence of Christ by seeing and testifying that Jesus is the Son of God, as Simeon did when Mary and Joseph presented Jesus in the temple. “For my eyes have seen your salvation,” Simeon said. In my own recent experiences, words, and actions, how have I seen and testified that Jesus is the Son of God? What will I see today with my eyes that will confirm in me God’s presence through his Son?

God, help me understand that, like John, I am the one sent by you. John’s confidence in the Word of God, your Son, gave him a firm grasp of the reality of your presence; it spoke to him of his role in preparing the way for Jesus. John, freed of worldly distractions, heard your voice and followed your will. Thank you, Lord, for his example. What can I disconnect from today that will help me be more attentive to your voice so that I can grasp that you are truly present?

Lord, you seek me out and send me forth. Let me live today so that at its end, I can rest in your presence in the same way that your Spirit came down and remained with your Son. Throughout the day, grant me the grace to take courage as I listen for your voice and seek your guidance.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs

When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”

In today’s Gospel reading, Matthew says that Herod became enraged when the magi had deceived him. He then ordered that all of the boys two years old and younger in Bethlehem and the area to be murdered. Herod sought to destroy a truth he could not bear to come to the throne: Jesus, incarnate Truth. In Herod’s massacre of the Holy Innocents, great suffering and inconsolable grief came among the people of Bethlehem. As a baptism by blood, this martyrdom brought them into God’s perpetual light and mercy. Herod in his fury, would acknowledge no wrongdoing in this and deceived himself of the truth and redemption revealed in the infant Jesus. As Saint John says in the first reading: “If we say, ‘We are without sin,’ we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.” What do I do to speak for the Holy Innocents, the unborn, who have no voice to defend or protect them? 

God, help me understand that the massacre of the Holy Innocents continues today. Turn my heart in prayer to you alone who can free the Holy Innocents from slaughter. As the psalmist says, “Broken was the snare, and we were freed. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” Father almighty, Truth and Mercy itself, take my hands and my voice to make me an instrument of your will. Help me know and do your will.

Jesus, dying on the cross you destroyed death; rising, you restored life. Massacred at the command of Herod, the Holy Innocents received a baptism by blood; born into heaven, they praise you forever. Grant me the grace, Lord, to acknowledge my sins so that you can cleanse me from every wrongdoing. Lord, have mercy! Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Readings

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

Today’s Gospel reading from Luke describes the Visitation, Mary’s journey to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Luke says that on hearing Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth cried out in a loud voice and was filled with the Holy Spirit. “How does this happen to me,” she says, “that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Elizabeth’s response echoes that of the second reading: “Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!” The joy of God’s presence is palpable, as Elizabeth feels John leaping in her womb. Where is that right response in me today and as the Nativity approaches?

God, bring to my soul that same Visitation that Elizabeth experienced. I know you are present, and I want to know how to disperse the shadows with your Divine light. In Song of Songs, your presence thaws the wintertime of the heart and brings warmth and ecstatic joy upon your springing steps: “For see, the winter is past, the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of pruning the vines has come, and the song of the dove is heard in our land.” Look kindly on me, Lord, and grant me the grace to receive you with joy. What is that stirring that Elizabeth felt, even as she faced the day’s ordinary routines and anxieties. Teach me that love!

Jesus, let me make a place for you today as Mary did, the one who first knew that Emmanuel, the Messiah, had at last come. But, Lord, because I will fall short of that, guide my actions today; show me, through Jesus Christ your Son, the way to go.

From the O Antiphon for today: O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Readings