1ST READING
Today
we anticipate the happiness and joy of the birth of the Messiah.
Zephaniah encourages the people to rejoice because God is in their
midst. If this is enough reason for their rejoicing, how much more for
us if our Redeemer is with us through faith? And more than that, He is
present to us in the Holy Spirit as well. There is good reason for us to
always have joy in our hearts, if not a smile on our faces at all
times.
Zephaniah 3:14-18
14 Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! 15 The
Lord has removed the judgment against you, he has turned away your
enemies; the King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst, you have no
further misfortune to fear. 16 On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! 17
The
Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; he will rejoice over
you with gladness, and renew you in his love, he will sing joyfully
because of you, 18 as one sings at festivals.
P S A L M
Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
R: Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
2 God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior. 3 With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation. (R) 4 Give thanks to the Lord, acclaim his name; among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name. (R) 5 Sing praise to the Lord for his glorious achievement; let this be known throughout all the earth. 6 Shout with exultation, O city of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel! (R)
2ND READING
St.
Paul wants the Philippians, and indeed all Christians, to be happy at
all times. Why? Well, simply because we have been saved from our sins
and placed on the path to eternal life. Is that not enough to bring joy
to your heart? Let us pray for the grace to present a joyful witness to
the Gospel, even when it is difficult and we do not feel so disposed.
Joy and happiness are great tools of evangelization.
Philippians 4:4-7
4 Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! 5 Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. 6 Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. 7 Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will
guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
GOSPEL
Joy
and happiness are great motivators for good works and generosity. This
is another good reason to be always joyful. Generosity of heart is one
of the important signs of the Gospel. A person who remains stingy and
mean about sharing has not truly received the fullness of the Good News;
he or she is not yet ready to share it. One of the signs of conversion
is not just a willingness to share the Gospel but a desire and
conviction that it is necessary to do it.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring tidings to the poor.
Luke 3:10-18
10 The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?” 11 He
said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the
person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” 14 Soldiers
also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do
not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied
with your wages.” 15 Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. 16 John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is
coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His
winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather
the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable
fire.” 18 Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.
1st READING 2nd READING
GOSPEL PSALM
TODAY’S
BLESSING
LIST
think: One
of the signs of conversion is not just a willingness to share the
Gospel but a desire and conviction that it is necessary to do it.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ___________________________
____________________________________________
God’s special verse/thought for me today_________
____________________________________________
READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Joel 1-4
SABBATH PAUSE
My weekly time with God
THANK YOU LIST
Things to be grateful for from the past week
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
SPECIAL NEEDS
Things to ask God for in the coming week
________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
HIDDEN TREASURE
Most important word God told me this week
________________________________________________________________
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