Daily Reflection for December 16, 2014 December 16, 2014 ------------------------------------------------------- First Day of the Misa de Gallo (Early dawns Mass) (9-Day Novena devotion to God in anticipation of Christs birth) Simbang Gabi (literally translated in English to Night Masses) while others prefer Misa de Gallo (Mass of the Early-Morning Rooster) was introduced to teach the people the meaning of Christmas and how to prepare as a people waiting for the coming for the Messiah. At the same time, it was also used to catechize the people on the meaning of the Mass. Simbang Gabi, from the onset, was a catechizing and evangelizing moment, when rich and poor, men and women, children and elderly, came together as a community waiting for the coming of the Lord and rejoicing in the promise of the Messiah. ----------------------------------- Dear Brothers and Sisters, Let us offer this novena (9 days dawn mass) for the readiness of our hearts to relive the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Let the true meaning of the season of giving be - our humble surrender of our inmost thoughts, desires and actions for the well-being of all, our brothers and sisters. Let us continuously offer a moment of silence to talk to God as we offer our prayers of thanksgiving to the bountiful blessings we have received. Let us also lift up our supplications for those in need - spiritually, materially and emotionally. Let us offer one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be for the reign of God to dwell in our midst. Amen. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us. God bless us always ... ----------------------------------- Burning the candle at both ends for Gods sake may be foolishness to the world, but it is a profitable Christian exercise-for so much better the light. Only one thing in life matters. Being found worthy of the Light of the World in the hour of His visitation. We need have no undue fear for our health if we work hard for the kingdom of God; God will take care of our health if we take care of His cause. In any case is better to burn out than to rust out. -- Bishop Fulton Sheen A SAINT A DAY ------------------------------ ST. HAGGAI THE PROPHET Prophet Information: Feast Day: December 16 Commemoration of the Prophet Haggai, one of the twelve minor prophets, who prophesied during the time of King Darius of Persia and Zerubbabel, Governor of Judah (c. 520 BC). The Book of Haggai preserves his oracles to the returnees from the Babylonian Exile, in which he exhorts them to finish the rebuilding of the Temple, whose glory foretells the glory of the messianic temple to come. N.B. The Martyrologium Romanum (Vatican Press, 2004), the Churchs official list of holy men and women, lists the saints of the Old Law alongside those of the New. FAVOURITE QUOTES FOR DADS ------------------------------ The only thing worth stealing is a kiss from a sleeping child. -- Joe Houldsworth FAVOURITE QUOTES FOR MOMS ------------------------------ Motherly love is not much use if it expresses itself only as a warm gush of emotion, delicately tinged with pink. It must also be strong, guiding and unselfish. The sweetly sung lullaby; the cool hand on the fevered brow, the Mothers Day smiles and flowers are only a small part of the picture. True mothers have to be made of steel to withstand the difficulties that are sure to beset their children. -- Rachel Billington (The Great Umbilical) 1ST READING (Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13) ------------------------------ Zephaniah tells us the importance of humility in our relationship with God. Humility is essential if we want to learn anything from God. If we are not humble enough to accept correction or listen like a novice sitting at the feet of his master, then we will never grow as a Christian. A disciple of Jesus must be willing to learn from the example of Jesus’ life and from any authority the Lord decides to send to us. Humility is a virtue that will ensure that we remain obedient to God’s will and open to His guidance and direction, whether we fully understand God’s reasoning or not. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION ------------------------------ Come, O Lord, do not delay; forgive the sins of your people. GOSPEL (Matthew 21:28-32) ------------------------------ Are we on the path to eternal life or not? Jesus seems to imply that it is possible that we may not, unless we are truly obedient to His will. We live in a world where the focus on the self is a chronic problem. It seems to lead to increasing levels of selfishness and, thus, destruction in the strength of our understanding of the common good. Let us obey God’s will in our lives even when it is others who will benefit more than ourselves from our obedience. -------------------------------------------------------- Lectionary for Mass, Copyright ¬© 1970, 1986, 1992, 1998, 2001 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain ¬®¬© 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. -------------------------------------------------------- REFLECTION ------------------------------ Tuesday (December 16): Which son did the fathers will? Meditation: What kind of future are you preparing for? Jesus encourages us to think - to think about the consequences of our choices, especially the choices and decisions that will count not just for now but for eternity as well. The choices we make now will affect and shape our future, both our future on earth as well as in the life of the age to come. Repaying a debt of gratitude and showing respect where it is due Jesus tells a simple story of two imperfect sons to illustrate the way of Gods kingdom. The father amply provided for his sons food, lodging, and everything they needed. Everything the father had belonged to them as well. The father also rewarded his sons with excellent work in his own vineyard. He expected them to show him gratitude, loyalty, and honor by doing their fair share of the daily work. Converting both heart and will to do what is good and pleasing to God The rebellious son told his father to his face that he would not work for him. But afterwards he changed his mind and did what his father commanded him. The good son said he would work for his father, but didnt follow through. He sought his own pleasure, contrary to his fathers will. Now who was really the good son? Both sons disobeyed their father - but one repented and then did what the father told him. Jesus makes his point clear - Good intentions are not enough. And promises dont count unless they are performed. A transformed heart filled with gratitude and respect God wants to change our hearts so that we will show by our speech and by our actions that we respect his will and do it. God offers each one of us the greatest treasure possible - indestructible peace, joy, and friendship with him in his everlasting kingdom. We can lose that treasure if we refuse the grace - the free gift of Gods blessing and strength - which the Lord Jesus has won for us through his victory on the cross. The Lord Jesus fills us with the gift of the Holy Spirit who works in and through us for the glory of God. Do you seek to please God and respect his will and loving plan for your life? Allow the Holy Spirit to to fill your heart with the peace, joy, and righteousness of Gods kingdom (Romans 14:17). PRAYER ------------------------------ Lord Jesus, change my heart that I may only desire that which is pleasing to you. Help me to respect your will and give me the strength, joy and perseverance to carry it out wholeheartedly. -------------------------------------------------------- Lectionary for Mass is from the USCCB website located at: usccb.org/bible/readings/ -------------------------------------------------------- This reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager, whose website is located at: rc.net/wcc/readings/ -------------------------------------------------------- You can also visit mobilegabriel/ for the complete readings and reflections for the whole month. -------------------------------------------------------- A Saint A Day courtesy of EWTN Global Catholic Network at: ewtn/saintsHoly/ -------------------------------------------------------- Inspirational message courtesy of EWTN Global Catholic Network at: ewtn/Devotionals/
Posted on: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 08:01:48 +0000
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