Let's talk about today's readings 12/25/08--midnight mass

[cheeto1]

Isaiah 9:1-6
Psalm 95
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14

The reading in Titus says that what we have to do is give up everything that does not lead to God, and to have no ambition except to do good. Are these things possible?

In the gospel, the angels praised God singing, “Glory to God in the Highest…”. Did anyone pass that tune along that the angels sang? How did it go? The music part.

What struck you about today’s readings?:bible1:

 

[Nita]

Psalm 95 is a favorite and the only one I have memorized (because it is the invitiatory psalm recited daily with the Liturgy of Hours).

I always find the 4th and 5th verses reassuring during these insecure times:

“He holds in His hands the depths of the earth;
and the highest mountains as well,
He made the sea, it belongs to Him;
the dry land too, for it was formed by His hands.”(Translation used in the LOH)

Besides the literal meaning for land and sea, I also understand those two terms in a symbolic spiritual sense where “land” can mean the people of God (in OT, the Jews; NT, followers of Christ) and “sea” can mean unbelievers/heathens.

Absolutely everything is held in the hands of our God. What could be more reassuring?

Nita

 

[Light_Seeker]

The reading in Titus says that what we have to do is give up everything that does not lead to God, and to have no ambition except to do good. Are these things possible?

Hmmmm. I didn’t get that out of Titus. I did see renouncing irreligion & worldly passions.

And what does this mean? A perfect passage for Midnight Mass. I *loved *the gifts I received Christmas morning. Is this love greater than my love of God? Of course not.

In the secular world, and unfortunately we see this with the commercialization of Christmas, we often witness the love & desire of objects. In our economy, the love of money is trumping faith for some.

*This *is what we need to renounce. God is first.

 

[GemmaRose]

Just a few random thoughts…

There’s a line in the Isaiah reading (Isaiah 9:5) that sends chills (the good kind) all through me everytime I hear it or read it:

For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.

It’s just *sooooo * beautiful. A Child is not just born, but born *to us. * Despite His innocence, humility, infancy and total dependence upon others, dominion rests upon his shoulders, upon His tiny newborn shoulders.

:bible1:

I agree with Nita. I love Psalm 95 because I know it by heart, and I know it in song (John Michael Talbot’s version). I especially like verses 3-5.

For the Lord is a great God, the great King over all gods. In His hands are the depths of the earth and the tops of the mountains as well. His is the sea, for He has made it; the dry land too, for it was formed by His hands.

:bible1:

At first, the Titus reading didn’t “do anything” for me. Then, as I thought about it, I saw the wisdom of HMC in choosing it at this time because even though we celebrate His birth in this Season, we are still looking forward to the time when He comes again in glory.

:bible1:

The Gospel reading contains what I think is one of the most pathos-filled line in the Bible:

She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

How very sad! No room for Him at His birth, and still today there are so many who have no room for Him in their hearts. The King of all creation gives up everything for us, and here it is, the time we celebrate His birth, and so very many people don’t even care.

May you have a very blessed Christmas Season.

http://bestsmileys.com/christmas1/10.gif