1ST READING
We
all need the light of the truth of the Gospel to shine into the farther
reaches of our hearts that we have not yet submitted to the Cross of
Jesus. The Feast of the Sto. Niño that we celebrate today reminds us to
become like the Christ Child, vulnerable and little, so that we may
reach the full potential of our ministry. Christ’s ministry gains its
relevance for us in that He is one of us and knows our experience. As
ministers of the Gospel, we, too, must be one with all whom we minister.
Isaiah 9:1-6
1 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. 2 You
have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice
before you as at the harvest, as men make merry when dividing spoils. 3 For
the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of
their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. 4 For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames. 5 For
a child is born to us, a Son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion
rests. They name him: Wonder-counselor, God-hero, Father-forever, Prince
of Peace. 6 His
dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over
his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice,
both now and forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this!
P S A L M
Psalm 98: 1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6
R: All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. (R) 2 The Lord has made his salvation known in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. 3 He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. (R) All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. 4 Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. (R) 5 Sing praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. 6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully before the King, the Lord. (R)
2nd READING
All
too often, the immediacy of the world can blind us to the ways and
truths of God, rather than opening us up to their fullness. It is
critical that we reflect upon the fullness of revelation that comes in
the person of Christ. The bumper sticker is true: “No Christ, No Life;
Know Christ, Know Life.” I would like to substitute the word
“experience” for “know” in the second part of the equation but that
would destroy the play on words. However, this is what it ultimately
means.
Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18
3 Blessed
be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in
Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, 4 as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love 5 he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, 6 for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. 15 Therefore, I, too, hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and of your love for all the holy ones, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that
the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a
spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him 18
May
the eyes of [your] hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the
hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his
inheritance among the holy ones.
GOSPEL
We
can all learn something from little children when it comes to living
our lives. Children usually approach all problems with a simple faith
that there is a simple solution to even the most difficult problems.
This is what it means to place our trust in God. Let us realize that
finding the solutions to the problems of the world is God’s department.
Yes, we may contribute to His answer, but let us pray that we will not
become part of the problem.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
Luke 2:41-52
41 Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, 42 and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. 43 After
they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus
remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 44 Thinking that he was in the
caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After
three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the
teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, 47 and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. 48 When
his
parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son,
why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for
you with great anxiety.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he said to them. 51 He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus advanced [in] wisdom and age and favor before God and man.
think: As ministers of the Gospel, we must be one with all whom we minister.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ___________________________
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God’s special verse/thought for me today_________
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Mark 13-16
SABBATH PAUSE
My weekly time with God
THANK YOU LIST
Things to be grateful for from the past week
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SPECIAL NEEDS
Things to ask God for in the coming week
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HIDDEN TREASURE
Most important word God told me this week
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