GOSPEL REFLECTIONS OF POPE FRANCIS: 12/31/23 (Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph)

From the Gospel according to LukeLK 2:22-40 When the days were completed for their purificationaccording to the law of Moses,They took him up to Jerusalemto present him to the Lord,just as it is written in the law of the Lord,Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,and to offer the sacrifice

GOSPEL REFLECTIONS OF POPE FRANCIS: 12/30/23 (The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas)

From the Gospel according to LukeLk 2:36-40 There was a prophetess, Anna,the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.She was advanced in years,having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.She never left the temple,but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.And coming forward

GOSPEL REFLECTIONS OF POPE FRANCIS: 12/29/23 (The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas)

From the Gospel according to LukeLk 2:22-35 When the days were completed for their purificationaccording to the law of Moses,the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalemto present him to the Lord,just as it is written in the law of the Lord,Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,and to

INNOCENT MARTYRS | About the Feast (December 28)

INNOCENT MARTYRS | About the Feast On December 28, we celebrate the Feast of Holy Innocents. We experience the joyous celebration of Christ’s birth and adore His image as a baby lying peacefully in a manger. After this, we immediately face the terrible and evil action of King Herod—the killing of babies two years old

GOSPEL REFLECTIONS OF POPE FRANCIS: 12/28/23 (Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs)

From the Gospel according to MatthewMt 2:13-18 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.”Joseph rose and took the child

GOSPEL REFLECTIONS OF POPE FRANCIS: 12/26/23 (Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr)

From the Gospel according to MatthewMt 10:17-22 Jesus said to his disciples:“Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courtsand scourge you in their synagogues,and you will be led before governors and kings for my sakeas a witness before them and the pagans.When they hand you over,do not worry about how you are

GOSPEL REFLECTIONS OF POPE FRANCIS: 12/25/23 (The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas))

From the Gospel according to JohnJn 1:1-18 In 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.What came to be through him was life,and this life was the light of the human

FAITH OF MARY – 12/24/23 (Fourth Sunday of Advent)

GospelLk 1:26-38The angel Gabriel was sent from Godto a town of Galilee called Nazareth,to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,of the house of David,and the virgin’s name was Mary.And coming to her, he said,“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”But she was greatly troubled at what was saidand pondered what sort

GOSPEL REFLECTIONS OF POPE FRANCIS: 12/23/23 (Saturday of the Third Week of Advent)

From the Gospel according to LukeLk 1:57-66 When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her childshe gave birth to a son.Her neighbors and relatives heardthat the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her,and they rejoiced with her.When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child,they were going to call him Zechariah

GOSPEL REFLECTIONS OF POPE FRANCIS: 12/21/23 (Thursday of the Third Week of Advent)

From the Gospel according to LukeLk 1:39-45 Mary set out in those daysand traveled to the hill country in hasteto a town of Judah,where she entered the house of Zechariahand greeted Elizabeth.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