LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS – 12/31/22 (The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas)

John 1:1–5In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light

PROTECTING THE FAMILY – 12/30/22 (Feast of The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph)

Matthew 2:13–15Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took

SIGN OF CONTRADICTION – 12/29/22 (The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas)

Luke 2:33–35The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so

PROTECTING THE LITTLE CHILDREN – 12/28/22 (Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs)

Matthew 2:13When 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.” For the full readings, click here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122822.cfm

THE DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED – 12/27/22 (Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist)

John 20:1–3On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to

ENDURANCE THROUGH SACRIFICE – 12/26/22 (Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr)

Matthew 10:21–22“Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” For the full readings, click here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122622.cfm Blessed Feast

THE MAJESTY OF THE NATIVITY- 12/25/22 (The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)Mass during the Day)

John 1:1-3,14In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory,

THE PROMISE OF FOREVER – 12/24/22 (Saturday of the Fourth Week of Advent Mass in the Morning)

Luke 1:68–71“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies, and

GOD’S GRACIOUSNESS TOWARDS FAMILIES – 12/23/22 (Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent)

Luke 1:57–60Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, and she gave birth to a son. And her neighbors and kinsfolk heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they would have named him Zechariah

PRAISING THE GREATNESS OF GOD – 12/22/22 (Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent)

Luke 1:46–47“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” For the full readings, click here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122222.cfm Blessed Thursday! In today’s gospel reading, we read the “Magnificat.” This is the prayer of praise by the Blessed Virgin Mary to God. As we come closer to Christmas, we prepare for