Sunday Scripture Readings Discussion: 12/4/05

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The Gospel reading for this Sunday is as follows:
Gospel
Mk 1:1-8
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The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God.
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As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;
he will prepare your way.
A voice of one crying out in the desert:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.”
John the Baptist appeared in the desert
proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
People of the whole Judean countryside
and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem
were going out to him
and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River
as they acknowledged their sins.
John was clothed in camel’s hair,
with a leather belt around his waist.
He fed on locusts and wild honey.
And this is what he proclaimed:
“One mightier than I is coming after me.
I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.
I have baptized you with water;
he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
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A voice cries out:
In the desert prepare the way of the LORD!
Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!
Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill shall be made low;
the rugged land shall be made a plain,
the rough country, a broad valley.(Is 40)
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I was recently reflecting on my attraction to a certain group of Cistercians. For the longest time I have wondered what it was that attracted me to the men…their stubbly short haircuts, skin and bones thin appearance? The uniform brown and white fabric that hangs on their bodies? no, no and no. It was only recently that retreated back to my Rule of St. Benedict to reread Chapter 7: On Humility . It was there that I discovered that it is the common thread of humility that I see in these Cistercian men that attracts my eye and heart. And it was for the first time that I ever considered humilty as a form of great refinement…something smooth…something rich…that is humility.
When I read these words from Isaiah I think of humility…I think of smoothening or a leveling like sanded smooth wood or a polished stone…I think of refinement…Holy Refinement.
When I see these prayful Cistercians I recognize Holy Refinement…humility.
 
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Fidelis:
Not to steal Quaere Verum’s thunder, but here’s the readings for this coming Sunday’s Scripture readings:

usccb.org/nab/index.htm
members.cox.net/fidelis927/
dailygospel.org/

Let’s discuss!
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Steal away Fidelis. I looked up & before I knew it it was Thursday. Thanks for getting this thread started.

This Gospel always makes me wonder of the relationship between St. John the Baptist and Jesus. I know they were cousins, but how much time did they spend together? At what point did each realize Jesus was the Messiah? What were their discussions like?
 
In your Scripture study (members.cox.net/fidelis927/)
Fidelis you say “John the Baptist prepared ‘the way of the Lord’ (Matthew 3:3; Isaiah 40:3),” and ask “Who prepared the way of the Lord in your life?” I would like to answer that.

I’m a cradle Catholic with a very strong Catholic Mother. The Lord was always a part of my life. When my fundamentalist friends ask me if I know the Lord Jesus Christ, I like to say, “There was a time when I got older where I developed a better relationship with Christ, but I never knew a time without Him.” That is the beauty of being baptized as an infant and being raised in the faith. I suppose John the Baptist could say the same of his relationship with Jesus, “I never knew a time without Him.”

I hope that makes sense.
 
Quaere Verum:
In your Scripture study (members.cox.net/fidelis927/)
Fidelis you say “John the Baptist prepared ‘the way of the Lord’ (Matthew 3:3; Isaiah 40:3),” and ask “Who prepared the way of the Lord in your life?” I would like to answer that.

I’m a cradle Catholic with a very strong Catholic Mother. The Lord was always a part of my life. When my fundamentalist friends ask me if I know the Lord Jesus Christ, I like to say, “There was a time when I got older where I developed a better relationship with Christ, but I never knew a time without Him.” That is the beauty of being baptized as an infant and being raised in the faith. I suppose John the Baptist could say the same of his relationship with Jesus, “I never knew a time without Him.”

I hope that makes sense.
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Another cradle Catholic here.
Yes I can say the same. “I never knew a time without Him.” Certainly there have been distractions along the way but it was Him that I always sense … near to me. Along with this sense of Jesus being near there is always a sense of moving forward…always a push towards something greater.
 
Here is a thread full of Sunday readings for those who are interested.

They are these:

Ezekiel 13:6-13
Romans 13:6-14
Matthew 6-14

Genesis 3:1-15
Isaiah 40:1-5,9
Ezekiel 23:3-8
Isaiah 52:1-9
Luke 1:26-33
Luke 3:23-38

The Scriptures, along with some prayers, have been posted here:
Advent Scriptures and Prayers
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=1134109#post1134109

I can see now that I originally posted them on the wrong forum.

I invite you to read and comment on them.

Meanwhile, I’ll look at posting some readings from the First Week of Advent.

If anyone has any comments, or any scriptures to post from the new Lectionary, please do so.

In Christ, Michael
 
Brothers and Sisters - From the Reading for Sunday in the First Week in Advent:

Almighty God, Give us grace that we cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in that time of this mortal life, in which Thy Son, JESUS Christ came to visit us in great humility, that in the last day, when He shall come again in glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to life immortal; through Him Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen

The Prophetic Lesson is taken from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah:

*For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch.

The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name which the mouth of the LORD will give.

You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called My delight is in her, and your land Married; for the LORD delights in you, and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a virgin, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.

Upon your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the LORD in remembrance, take no rest, and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth.

The LORD has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm: “I will not again give your grain to be food for your enemies, and foreigners shall not drink your wine for which you have labored; but those who garner it shall eat it and praise the LORD, and those who gather it shall drink it in the courts of my sanctuary.”

Go through, go through the gates, prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway, clear it of stones, lift up an ensign over the peoples.

Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your salvation comes; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.”

And they shall be called The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD; and you shall be called Sought out, a city not forsaken. Isaiah 62:1-12 RSV*

As found in the New American Bible - on the Vatican Website:

*For Zion’s sake I will not be silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, Until her vindication shines forth like the dawn and her victory like a burning torch.

Nations shall behold your vindication, and all kings your glory; You shall be called by a new name pronounced by the mouth of the LORD. You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD, a royal diadem held by your God.

No more shall men call you “Forsaken,” or your land “Desolate,” But you shall be called “My Delight,” and your land “Espoused.” For the LORD delights in you, and makes your land his spouse. As a young man marries a virgin, your Builder shall marry you; And as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride so shall your God rejoice in you.

Upon your walls, O Jerusalem, I have stationed watchmen; Never, by day or by night, shall they be silent. O you who are to remind the LORD, take no rest and give no rest to him, until he re-establishes Jerusalem and makes of it the pride of the earth.

The LORD has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm: No more will I give your grain as food to your enemies; Nor shall foreigners drink your wine, for which you toiled. But you who harvest the grain shall eat it, and you shall praise the LORD; You who gather the grapes shall drink the wine in the courts of my sanctuary.

Pass through, pass through the gates, prepare the way for the people; Build up, build up the highway, clear it of stones, raise up a standard over the nations.

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, And you shall be called “Frequented,” a city that is not forsaken. Isaiah 62:1-12 NAB*

The Blessing

Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good; render to no man evil for evil; strengthen the faint-hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honor all men; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. and the blessing of God Almighty, :blessyou: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you and remain with you now and forever. Amen

In Christ, Michael
 
Brothers and Sisters - From the Reading for Monday in the First Week in Advent:

Almighty God, Give us grace that we cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in that time of this mortal life, in which Thy Son, JESUS Christ came to visit us in great humility, that in the last day, when He shall come again in glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to life immortal; through Him Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen

The Prophetic Lesson is taken from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah:

Monday - Isaiah 1:1-20: *The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzzi’ah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezeki’ah, kings of Judah: Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the LORD has spoken: “Sons have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the *** its master’s crib; but Israel does not know, my people does not understand.”

Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, sons who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged.

Why will you still be smitten, that you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but bruises and sores and bleeding wounds; they are not pressed out, or bound up, or softened with oil.

Your country lies desolate, your cities are burned with fire; in your very presence aliens devour your land; it is desolate, as overthrown by aliens. And the daughter of Zion is left like a booth in a vineyard, like a lodge in a cucumber field, like a besieged city. If the LORD of hosts had not left us a few survivors, we should have been like Sodom, and become like Gomor’rah.

Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom! Give ear to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomor’rah! "What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the LORD; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of he-goats.

"When you come to appear before me, who requires of you this trampling of my courts? Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and sabbath and the calling of assemblies – I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread forth your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.

“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” [BIsaiah 1:1-20 RSV***

The Blessing

Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good; render to no man evil for evil; strengthen the faint-hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honor all men; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. and the blessing of God Almighty, :blessyou: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you and remain with you now and forever. :amen:

In Christ, Michael
 
Brothers and Sisters - The Reading for Tuesday in the First Week of Advent:

Almighty God, Give us grace that we cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in that time of this mortal life, in which Thy Son, JESUS Christ came to visit us in great humility, that in the last day, when He shall come again in glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to life immortal; through Him Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. :amen:

The Prophetic Lesson is taken from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah:

Tuesday - Isaiah 1:21-2:5: *How the faithful city has become a harlot, she that was full of justice! Righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers. Your silver has become dross, your wine mixed with water. Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Every one loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not defend the fatherless, and the widow’s cause does not come to them.

Therefore the Lord says, the LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: “Ah, I will vent my wrath on my enemies, and avenge myself on my foes. I will turn my hand against you and will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy. And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.”

Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and those in her who repent, by righteousness. But rebels and sinners shall be destroyed together, and those who forsake the LORD shall be consumed. For you shall be ashamed of the oaks in which you delighted; and you shall blush for the gardens which you have chosen. For you shall be like an oak whose leaf withers, and like a garden without water. And the strong shall become tow, and his work a spark, and both of them shall burn together, with none to quench them.*

*The word which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD. Isaiah 1:21-2:5 RSV*

The Blessing

Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good; render to no man evil for evil; strengthen the faint-hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honor all men; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. and the blessing of God Almighty, :blessyou: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you and remain with you now and forever. :amen:

In Christ, Michael
 
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contemplative:
Another cradle Catholic here.
Yes I can say the same. “I never knew a time without Him.” Certainly there have been distractions along the way but it was Him that I always sense … near to me. Along with this sense of Jesus being near there is always a sense of moving forward…always a push towards something greater.
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My story is different–but the same. I was baptized as a baby, but rearely attended Mass all the time I was growing up (I would guess maybe 5 or 6 times all together). I never recieved First Communion or Confirmation, or was given even the rudiments of Catholic instruction. Somehow, however, my baptism “stuck.” I always felt Catholic and that Christ had his eye on me, but as from a distance.

When I finally found my Faith at age 28, it was like Christ couldn’t wait to make up for lost time, so happy he was that I was finally home.

So to answer my own question, I have to say my parents, no matter how lax they were at raising me in the Faith, at least got me baptized and “prepared the way” for me. When I met my wife, one of our first dates fell on Palm Sunday so she asked me to Mass. That occasion of “preparing the way” was the clincher: the scales fell off and the floodgates of grace opened after that.
 
Brothers and Sisters - The Reading for Wednesday in the First Week of Advent:

(Comment - Sometime before Christmas, I’ll catch up!)

Almighty God, Give us grace that we cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in that time of this mortal life, in which Thy Son, JESUS Christ came to visit us in great humility, that in the last day, when He shall come again in glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to life immortal; through Him Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. :amen:

The Prophetic Lesson is taken from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah:

(Isaiah 2:5 - 3:5) *For thou hast rejected thy people, the house of Jacob, because they are full of diviners from the east and of soothsayers like the Philistines, and they strike hands with foreigners. Their land is filled with silver and gold, and there is no end to their treasures; their land is filled with horses, and there is no end to their chariots. Their land is filled with idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their own fingers have made. So man is humbled, and men are brought low – forgive them not!

Enter into the rock, and hide in the dust from before the terror of the LORD, and from the glory of his majesty. The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the pride of men shall be humbled; and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.

For the LORD of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up and high; against all the cedars of Lebanon, lofty and lifted up; and against all the oaks of Bashan; against all the high mountains, and against all the lofty hills; against every high tower, and against every fortified wall; against all the ships of Tarshish, and against all the beautiful craft.

And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the pride of men shall be brought low; and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. And the idols shall utterly pass away.

And men shall enter the caves of the rocks and the holes of the ground, from before the terror of the LORD, and from the glory of his majesty, when he rises to terrify the earth.

In that day men will cast forth their idols of silver and their idols of gold, which they made for themselves to worship, to the moles and to the bats, to enter the caverns of the rocks and the clefts of the cliffs, from before the terror of the LORD, and from the glory of his majesty, when he rises to terrify the earth.

Turn away from man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?

For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, is taking away from Jerusalem and from Judah stay and staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water; the mighty man and the soldier, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder, the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor and the skilful magician and the expert in charms.

And I will make boys their princes, and babes shall rule over them. And the people will oppress one another, every man his fellow and every man his neighbor; the youth will be insolent to the elder, and the base fellow to the honorable. Isaiah 2:5 - 3:5 NAB*

The Blessing:

Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good; render to no man evil for evil; strengthen the faint-hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honor all men; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. And the blessing of God Almighty, :blessyou: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you and remain with you now and forever. :amen:
 
Brothers and Sisters - The Reading for Wednesday in the First Week of Advent:

(Comment - Sometime before Christmas, I’ll catch up!)

Almighty God, Give us grace that we cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in that time of this mortal life, in which Thy Son, JESUS Christ came to visit us in great humility, that in the last day, when He shall come again in glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to life immortal; through Him Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. :amen:

The Prophetic Lesson is taken from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah:

(Isaiah 2:5 - 3:5) *For thou hast rejected thy people, the house of Jacob, because they are full of diviners from the east and of soothsayers like the Philistines, and they strike hands with foreigners. Their land is filled with silver and gold, and there is no end to their treasures; their land is filled with horses, and there is no end to their chariots. Their land is filled with idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their own fingers have made. So man is humbled, and men are brought low – forgive them not!

Enter into the rock, and hide in the dust from before the terror of the LORD, and from the glory of his majesty. The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the pride of men shall be humbled; and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.

For the LORD of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up and high; against all the cedars of Lebanon, lofty and lifted up; and against all the oaks of Bashan; against all the high mountains, and against all the lofty hills; against every high tower, and against every fortified wall; against all the ships of Tarshish, and against all the beautiful craft.

And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the pride of men shall be brought low; and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. And the idols shall utterly pass away.

And men shall enter the caves of the rocks and the holes of the ground, from before the terror of the LORD, and from the glory of his majesty, when he rises to terrify the earth.

In that day men will cast forth their idols of silver and their idols of gold, which they made for themselves to worship, to the moles and to the bats, to enter the caverns of the rocks and the clefts of the cliffs, from before the terror of the LORD, and from the glory of his majesty, when he rises to terrify the earth.

Turn away from man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?

For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, is taking away from Jerusalem and from Judah stay and staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water; the mighty man and the soldier, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder, the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor and the skilful magician and the expert in charms.

And I will make boys their princes, and babes shall rule over them. And the people will oppress one another, every man his fellow and every man his neighbor; the youth will be insolent to the elder, and the base fellow to the honorable. Isaiah 2:5 - 3:5 RSV*

The Blessing:

Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good; render to no man evil for evil; strengthen the faint-hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honor all men; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. And the blessing of God Almighty, :blessyou: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you and remain with you now and forever. :amen:

In Christ, Michael
 
Brothers and Sisters - The Reading for Thursday in the First Week of Advent:

(Comment - Sometime before Christmas, I’ll catch up!)

Almighty God, Give us grace that we cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in that time of this mortal life, in which Thy Son, JESUS Christ came to visit us in great humility, that in the last day, when He shall come again in glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to life immortal; through Him Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. :amen:

The Prophetic Lesson is taken from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah:

(Isaiah 4:2 - 5:7) *In that day the branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and glory of the survivors of Israel. And he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, every one who has been recorded for life in Jerusalem, when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from its midst by a spirit of judgment and by a spirit of burning.

Then the LORD will create over the whole site of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory there will be a canopy and a pavilion. It will be for a shade by day from the heat, and for a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain.

Let me sing for my beloved a love song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. He digged it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes.

And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, between me and my vineyard. What more was there to do for my vineyard, that I have not done in it? When I looked for it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes?

And now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will remove its hedge, and it shall be devoured; I will break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down. I will make it a waste; it shall not be pruned or hoed, and briers and thorns shall grow up; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.

For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are his pleasant planting; and he looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; for righteousness, but behold, a cry! Isaiah 4:2 - 5:7 RSV*

The Blessing:

Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good; render to no man evil for evil; strengthen the faint-hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honor all men; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. And the blessing of God Almighty, :blessyou: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you and remain with you now and forever. :amen:

In Christ, Michael
 
Brothers and Sisters - The Reading for Friday in the First Week of Advent:

(Comment - Sometime before Christmas, I’ll catch up!)

Almighty God, Give us grace that we cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in that time of this mortal life, in which Thy Son, JESUS Christ came to visit us in great humility, that in the last day, when He shall come again in glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to life immortal; through Him Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. :amen:

The Prophetic Lesson is taken from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah:

(Isaiah 5: 11-14, 20-24; 6:1-11) *Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may run after strong drink, who tarry late into the evening till wine inflames them! They have lyre and harp, timbrel and flute and wine at their feasts; but they do not regard the deeds of the LORD, or see the work of his hands.

Therefore my people go into exile for want of knowledge; their honored men are dying of hunger, and their multitude is parched with thirst. Therefore Sheol has enlarged its appetite and opened its mouth beyond measure, and the nobility of Jerusalem and her multitude go down, her throng and he who exults in her.

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!

Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine, and valiant men in mixing strong drink, who acquit the guilty for a bribe, and deprive the innocent of his right!

Therefore, as the tongue of fire devours the stubble, and as dry grass sinks down in the flame, so their root will be as rottenness, and their blossom go up like dust; for they have rejected the law of the LORD of hosts, and have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

In the year that King Uzzi’ah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple.

Above him stood the seraphim; each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.

And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”

Then flew one of the seraphim to me, having in his hand a burning coal which he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin forgiven.”

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” And he said, “Go, and say to this people: `Hear and hear, but do not understand; see and see, but do not perceive.’ Make the heart of this people fat, and their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

Then I said, “How long, O Lord?” And he said: "Until cities lie waste without inhabitants, and houses without men, and the land is utterly desolate,… Isaiah 5: 11-14, 20-24; 6:1-11 RSV*

The Blessing:

Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good; render to no man evil for evil; strengthen the faint-hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honor all men; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. And the blessing of God Almighty, :blessyou: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you and remain with you now and forever. :amen:

In Christ, Michael
 
Brothers and Sisters - The Reading for Saturday in the First Week of Advent:

Almighty God, Give us grace that we cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in that time of this mortal life, in which Thy Son, JESUS Christ came to visit us in great humility, that in the last day, when He shall come again in glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to life immortal; through Him Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. :amen:

The Prophetic Lesson is taken from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah:

(Isaiah 7:1-16) *In the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, son of Uzzi’ah, king of Judah, Rezin the king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remali’ah the king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to wage war against it, but they could not conquer it.

When the house of David was told, “Syria is in league with E’phraim,” his heart and the heart of his people shook as the trees of the forest shake before the wind.

And the LORD said to Isaiah, "Go forth to meet Ahaz, you and She’ar-jash’ub your son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Fuller’s Field, and say to him, `Take heed, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint because of these two smoldering stumps of firebrands, at the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria and the son of Remali’ah.

Because Syria, with E’phraim and the son of Remali’ah, has devised evil against you, saying, “Let us go up against Judah and terrify it, and let us conquer it for ourselves, and set up the son of Ta’be-el as king in the midst of it,” thus says the Lord GOD: It shall not stand, and it shall not come to pass. For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin. (Within sixty-five years E’phraim will be broken to pieces so that it will no longer be a people.) And the head of E’phraim is Sama’ria, and the head of Sama’ria is the son of Remali’ah. If you will not believe, surely you shall not be established.’"

Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, “Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test.”

And he said, "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Imman’u-el.

He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. Isaiah 7:1-16 RSV*

The Blessing:

Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good; render to no man evil for evil; strengthen the faint-hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honor all men; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. And the blessing of God Almighty, :blessyou: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you and remain with you now and forever. :amen:

In Christ, Michael
 
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Fidelis:
My story is different–but the same. I was baptized as a baby, but rearely attended Mass all the time I was growing up (I would guess maybe 5 or 6 times all together). I never recieved First Communion or Confirmation, or was given even the rudiments of Catholic instruction. Somehow, however, my baptism “stuck.” I always felt Catholic and that Christ had his eye on me, but as from a distance.

When I finally found my Faith at age 28, it was like Christ couldn’t wait to make up for lost time, so happy he was that I was finally home.

So to answer my own question, I have to say my parents, no matter how lax they were at raising me in the Faith, at least got me baptized and “prepared the way” for me. When I met my wife, one of our first dates fell on Palm Sunday so she asked me to Mass. That occasion of “preparing the way” was the clincher: the scales fell off and the floodgates of grace opened after that.
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I am glad I discovered your response tonight. There was a family of 5 at Mass this morning…Father, Mother and 3 children. The two older ones looked like they should have received Holy Communion but didn’t ( they looked about 10 or 12)… kept turning around all of Mass. They all seemed so ‘unchurched’ …chewing gum like cows…chattering and poking fun all of Mass. I asked God “What will become of these poor young children? At this rate so many things could go wrong in their lives. What will happen?” God has answered me in your response and I am thankful. :gopray:
 
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Fidelis:
My story is different–but the same. I was baptized as a baby, but rearely attended Mass all the time I was growing up (I would guess maybe 5 or 6 times all together). I never recieved First Communion or Confirmation, or was given even the rudiments of Catholic instruction. Somehow, however, my baptism “stuck.” I always felt Catholic and that Christ had his eye on me, but as from a distance.

When I finally found my Faith at age 28, it was like Christ couldn’t wait to make up for lost time, so happy he was that I was finally home.

So to answer my own question, I have to say my parents, no matter how lax they were at raising me in the Faith, at least got me baptized and “prepared the way” for me. When I met my wife, one of our first dates fell on Palm Sunday so she asked me to Mass. That occasion of “preparing the way” was the clincher: the scales fell off and the floodgates of grace opened after that.
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Fidelis:

Sorry I didn’t reply earlier, but I had promised someone on another thre3ad who was looking for scriptures to read that I would post some so he could get started.

Jesus talked repeatedly about the “great rejoicing in heaven over the one lost sinner who is found”. We can be sure that there was a lot of rejoicing when you committed yourself to the Lord and His Church.

I came back about 2 years ago after an absence of over 20 years. It took a LOT to get me back, and I’ll just say that it’s evidence that God doesn’t give up, that He doesn’t quit.

Like you, I’m glad to be back.

In Christ, Michael
 
Brothers and Sisters - From the Reading for Sunday in the Second Week in Advent:

Collect for the Second Sunday in Lent:

Beloved Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of Thy holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which Thou hast given us in our savior JESUS Christ, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. :amen:

The Prophetic Lesson is taken from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah:

(Isaiah: 11:1-10) *There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.

And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Righteousness shall be the girdle of his waist, and faithfulness the girdle of his loins.

The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall feed; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The sucking child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den.

They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. In that day the root of Jesse shall stand as an ensign to the peoples; him shall the nations seek, and his dwellings shall be glorious. In that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant which is left of his people, from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Ethiopia, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea. Isaiah: 11:1-10 RSV*

The Epistle is taken from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans:

(Romans 15:4-13) *For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.

May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise thee among the Gentiles, and sing to thy name”; and again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people”; and again, “Praise the Lord, all Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him”; and further Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse shall come, he who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles hope.”

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:4-13 RSV*

The Continuation of the Holy Gospel According to St. Luke:

(Luke 21:25-33) *“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

And he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees; as soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Luke 21:25-33 RSV*

In Christ, Michael
 
Brothers and Sisters - Another Reading for Sunday in the Second Week in Advent:

Almighty God, Give us grace that we cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in that time of this mortal life, in which Thy Son, JESUS Christ came to visit us in great humility, that in the last day, when He shall come again in glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to life immortal; through Him Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. :amen:

The Prophetic Lesson is taken from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah:

(Isaiah: 52:1-9) *Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean. Shake yourself from the dust, arise, O captive Jerusalem; loose the bonds from your neck, O captive daughter of Zion.

For thus says the LORD: “You were sold for nothing, and you shall be redeemed without money. For thus says the Lord GOD: My people went down at the first into Egypt to sojourn there, and the Assyrian oppressed them for nothing. Now therefore what have I here, says the LORD, seeing that my people are taken away for nothing? Their rulers wail, says the LORD, and continually all the day my name is despised. Therefore my people shall know my name; therefore in that day they shall know that it is I who speak; here am I.”

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good tidings, who publishes peace, who brings good tidings of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

Hark, your watchmen lift up their voice, together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they see the return of the LORD to Zion. Break forth together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem; for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. Isaiah: 52:1-9 RSV*

The Blessing

Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good; render to no man evil for evil; strengthen the faint-hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honor all men; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. And the blessing of God Almighty, :blessyou: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you and remain with you now and forever. :amen:

In Christ, Michael
 
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