Mt 21:23-27
When Jesus entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you a question; and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? From heaven or from men?” Read More
Phil 4:4-7
Always be joyful, then, in the Lord; I repeat, be joyful. Let your good sense be obvious to everybody. The Lord is near. Never worry about anything; but tell God all your desires of every kind in prayer and petition shot through with gratitude, and the peace of God which is beyond our understanding will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Read More
Lk 14:25-33
Reading from the memorial of St. John of the Cross
Great crowds accompanied Jesus on his way and he turned and spoke to them. ‘Anyone who comes to me without hating father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes and his own life too, cannot be my disciple. No one who does not carry his cross and come after me can be my disciple. ‘And indeed, which of you here, intending to build a tower, would not first sit down and work out the cost to see if he had enough to complete it? Otherwise, if he laid the foundation and then found himself unable to finish the work, anyone who saw it would start making fun of him and saying, “Here is someone who started to build and was unable to finish.”
NOTE: Today we will listen to and meditate on the Gospel of Saint Lucy’s memorial following the traditional calendar. For those who wish to learn more about the story of today’s saint, we recommend listening to this meditation:
https://en.elijamission.net/2023/12/13/
Mt 13:44-46
‘The kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off in his joy, sells everything he owns and buys the field. ‘Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it.
Lk 1:39-48
A reading from the memorial of Our Lady of Guadalupe
In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechari′ah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be[e] a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” And Mary said “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed”. Read More
In the midst of the darkness, a light shines… It is the shining light of faith, which guides us through the darkness that surrounds us today. Faith does not allow itself to be disturbed, but continues to praise the Coming of Christ, His Birth in Bethlehem. This same faith makes us vigilant not to overlook the signs of the times and to be prepared for the Return of Christ.
Sacred Scripture teaches us that the Second Coming of Christ will be preceded by the manifestation of the Antichrist (2 Thess 2:3). But, just as we do not know the day and hour of the Lord’s return, we do not know when the Antichrist will appear, the one who will claim to sit on the throne of God (2 Thess 2:4). However, the present darkness with its antichristian character should shake us and awaken us to assume the place that God has assigned us in the spiritual combat. Read More
As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they did not know until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of man. Then two men will be in the field; one is taken and one is left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one is taken and one is left. Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the householder had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Mt 24:37-44) Read More
NOTE: As of yesterday, we have begun in the daily meditations a series entitled “Advent in Apocalyptic Times”. If anyone would prefer to listen to a meditation on the reading or the gospel of the day (Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception), you can find it at the following link: https://en.elijamission.net/2021/12/08/
“Night still covers the earth and darkness the peoples…” (Is 60:2). Read More
NOTE: Over the next few days we will be doing a series of meditations on the theme ‘Advent in Apocalyptic Times’. If anyone would like to listen to a meditation on the readings for the second Sunday of Advent, you can find it at the following link: https://en.elijamission.net/2021/12/05/
“Behold: though night still covers the earth and darkness the peoples, on you the Lord is rising and over you his glory can be seen” (Is 60:2). Read More
Eph 3:8-12
Reading from the Memorial of Saint Ambrose
To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in[a] God who created all things; that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose which he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confidence of access through our faith in him.
