Merry Christmas!

Read It: In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustusthat the whole world should be enrolled.This was the first enrollment,when Quirinius was governor of Syria.So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazarethto Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem,because he was of the house and family of David,to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.While they were there,the time came for her to have her child,and she gave birth to her firstborn son.She...

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December 24, 2011

Read It: Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:"Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;for he has come to his people and set them free.He has raised up for us a mighty Savior,born of the house of his servant David.Through his prophets he promised of oldthat he would save us from our enemies,from the hands of all who hate us.He promised to show mercy to our fathersand to remember his holy covenant.This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:to set us free from the hand of our enemies,free to worship him without...

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December 23, 2011

Read It: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 after his father,but his mother said in reply,"No. He will be called John." But they answered her,"There is no one among your relatives who has this name." So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote,...

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December 22, 2011

Read It:Mary said:"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;my spirit rejoices in God my savior.for he has looked upon his lowly servant.From this day all generations will call me blessed:the Almighty has done great things for me,and holy is his Name.He has mercy on those who fear himin every generation.He has shown the strength of his arm,and has scattered the proud in their conceit.He has cast down the mighty from their thronesand has lifted up the lowly.He has filled the hungry with good things,and the rich he has sent away empty.He has come...

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December 21, 2011

Read It: 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 are you among women,and blessed is the fruit of your womb.And how does this happen to me,that the mother of my Lord should come to me?For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,the infant in my womb leaped for joy.Blessed...

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December 20, 2011

Read It:In the sixth month,the 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 of greeting this might be.Then the angel said to her,"Do not be afraid, Mary,for you have found favor with God.Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,and you shall name him Jesus.He will be great and...

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December 19, 2011

Read It: In the days of Herod, King of Judea,there was a priest named Zechariahof the priestly division of Abijah;his wife was from the daughters of Aaron,and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in the eyes of God,observing all the commandmentsand ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barrenand both were advanced in years. Once when he was serving as priestin his division's turn before God,according to the practice of the priestly service,he was chosen by lotto enter the sanctuary of the Lord to...

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December 18, 2011: Fourth Sunday of Advent

Read It: The angel Gabriel was sent from God to 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 said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. "Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will...

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December 17, 2011

Read It:The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ,the son of David, the son of Abraham.Abraham became the father of Isaac,Isaac the father of Jacob,Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah,whose mother was Tamar.Perez became the father of Hezron,Hezron the father of Ram,Ram the father of Amminadab.Amminadab became the father of Nahshon,Nahshon the father of Salmon,Salmon the father of Boaz,whose mother was Rahab.Boaz became the father of Obed,whose mother was Ruth.Obed became the father of Jesse,Jesse...

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December 19, 2011

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December 16, 2011

Read It: Jesus said to the Jews: "You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth. I do not accept testimony from a human being, but I say this so that you may be saved. John was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. But I have testimony greater than John's. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me." Reflect on It: John testified to the truth. The Truth is Jesus Christ. He has testimony greater than...

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December 15, 2011

Read It:When the messengers of John the Baptist had left,Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John. "What did you go out to the desert to see--a reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine garments? Those who dress luxuriously and live sumptuouslyare found in royal palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom Scripture says:Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,he will prepare your way before you.I tell you,among those...

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December 14, 2011

Read It: At that time,John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask,"Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" When the men came to the Lord, they said,"John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask,'Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?'"At that time Jesus cured many of their diseases, sufferings, and evil spirits;he also granted sight to many who were blind. And Jesus said to them in reply,"Go and tell John what you have seen and heard:the blind regain their sight,the lame walk,lepers...

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December 13, 2011

Sorry it's a bit late today! Ack! Here's the reflection. Thanks for staying with me. Read It: Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:"What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said,'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' The son said in reply, 'I will not,'but afterwards he changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, 'Yes, sir,' but did not go. Which of the two did his father's will?" They answered, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Amen,...

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December 11, 2011: Expectant Joy!

Read It: A man named John was sent from God.He came for testimony, to testify to the light,so that all might believe through him.He was not the light,but came to testify to the light.And this is the testimony of John.When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priestsand Levites to himto ask him, "Who are you?"He admitted and did not deny it,but admitted, "I am not the Christ."So they asked him,"What are you then? Are you Elijah?"And he said, "I am not.""Are you the Prophet?"He answered, "No."So they said to him,"Who are you, so we can give an answer to...

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December 10, 2011

Read It: The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ,the son of David, the son of Abraham.Abraham became the father of Isaac,Isaac the father of Jacob,Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah,whose mother was Tamar.Perez became the father of Hezron,Hezron the father of Ram,Ram the father of Amminadab.Amminadab became the father of Nahshon,Nahshon the father of Salmon,Salmon the father of Boaz,whose mother was Rahab.Boaz became the father of Obed,whose mother was Ruth.Obed became the father of Jesse,Jesse...

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December 9, 2011

Read It: Jesus said to the crowds:"To what shall I compare this generation?It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another,"We played the flute for you, but you did not dance,we sang a dirge but you did not mourn."For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said,"He is possessed by a demon."The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said,"Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard,a friend of tax collectors and sinners.'But wisdom is vindicated by her works." Reflect on It: Today, we see a gospel, where people keep...

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December 8: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception!!

Read It: The angel Gabriel was sent from God to 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 said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold,...

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December 7: Feast of St. Ambrose

Read It: Jesus said to the crowds: "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." Reflect on It: It is in Sweet Jesus that we find our rest. He helps us to carry our crosses daily. His yoke is easy and his burden light. Recently, our bishop, Bishop Paul S. Loverde,...

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December 6, 2011: Lost Sheep

Read It: Jesus said to his disciples: "What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost." Reflect on It: Jesus wants us to be close to Him always. In today's Gospel, we see that he will leave the 99 sheep to find the one lost...

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December 5, 2011:

Read It: One day as Jesus was teaching,Pharisees and teachers of the law,who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem,were sitting there,and the power of the Lord was with him for healing.And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed;they were trying to bring him in and set him in his presence.But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd,they went up on the roofand lowered him on the stretcher through the tilesinto the middle in front of Jesus.When Jesus saw their faith, he said,"As for you, your...

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Sunday, December 4, 2011: Second Sunday of Advent! PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD!

Read It: The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God.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 desertproclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.People of the whole Judean countrysideand all the inhabitants of Jerusalemwere going out to himand were being baptized by him in the Jordan Riveras they acknowledged their sins.John...

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December 3, 2011: Give without Cost

Read It: Jesus went around to all the towns and villages,teaching in their synagogues,proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,and curing every disease and illness.At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for thembecause they were troubled and abandoned,like sheep without a shepherd.Then he said to his disciples,"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;so ask the master of the harvestto send out laborers for his harvest."Then he summoned his Twelve disciplesand gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them outand...

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December 2, 2011: Do You Believe?!

Read It: As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, "Son of David, have pity on us!" When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I can do this?" "Yes, Lord," they said to him. Then he touched their eyes and said, "Let it be done for you according to your faith." And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, "See that no one knows about this." But they went out and spread word of him through all that land. Reflect on It: In today's gospel, we see that Jesus...

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December 1, 2011: The Rain WILL Fall

Read It: Jesus said to his disciples: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. "Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand....

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