Second Sunday of Advent - Year B

Visit www.usccb.org/nab for readings.

READING I
Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11

The weary people have faltered in faith, but Isaiah brings a message of exciting hope. Near the end of the Babylonian Exile (538 BCE), God waits to welcome the Israelites back to the Holy Land. Isaiah’s message trumpets good news filled with comfort and joy for God’s people.

READING II
2 Peter 3:8-15a

Early Christians thought for sure that Christ would return soon. The writer of this letter finds a way to explain that we don’t really understand God’s time. He advises his readers to spend this extra time living holy and obedient lives in preparation for the day Jesus will return.

GOSPEL
Mark 1:1-8

John the Baptist reminds his listeners of Isaiah’s words foretelling the Messiah. Just as the Jewish exiles were filled with hope and led home, John fills his followers with hope. The people will have a share in this Good News if only they repent and turn away from their sinful actions and words.

The readings today remind us that we, like the Israelites, sometimes wander away from God. But the readings are filled with hope and Good News. What changes will you make in your life during this Advent season to turn back to God?

Isaiah, Peter, and John the Baptist are only three people in the Bible who point to the Good News of Jesus. There are also people in our own day who show us how to prepare for Jesus’ return. Who are some of the people who help you get ready for the day Jesus comes back, and how do these people help you prepare?

This Week’s Feasts

December 8 – Immaculate Conception
This liturgy celebrates that Mary was full of grace from the very beginning of her existence. This special grace prepared her to be the Mother of God. Because of the saving work of her Son, Mary was totally preserved from the stain of original sin and all personal sin. Neither did Mary commit any sin throughout her entire life. Pope Pius IX proclaimed this infallible dogma in 1854. Mary is the patron saint of the United States. The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate is located in Washington, D.C.

December 12 – Our Lady of Guadalupe
Today celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe. In 1531, Mary appeared to Juan Diego, an Aztec peasant, as the “dark virgin” because her skin tone matched that of Juan Diego. The millions who visit her shrine today honor the Mother of God who, like Jesus, identifies with us, whoever we are.

December 7 – St. Ambrose
St. Ambrose, the bishop of Milan, Italy in the fourth century, was a great teacher of the Church. The people wanted him to be their bishop because of his fairness and courage. St. Ambrose is the patron saint of learning and a Doctor of the Church.

December 8 – St. Romaric
Romaric was a Merovingian nobleman during the first century. A convert and married layman, he founded a convent and monastery. Romaric served as prior and later abbot. His two daughters and two grandchildren became members of these congregations.

December 9 – St. Juan Diego
St. Juan Diego was an Aztec who lived near Mexico City. On this day in the year 1531, Our Lady of Guadalupe, dressed as an Aztec maiden, appeared to him and asked that a shrine be built to honor the Mother of God. During his fifth visit to Mexico in 2002, Pope John Paul II canonized Juan Diego.

December 10 – Blessed John Mason
A layman, Blessed John Mason was arrested in England during the 16th century. At this time, it was unlawful to practice Catholicism. When authorities came to the house where John worked, they attempted to arrest Father Gennings saying mass. John struggled with them on the stairs and fell. The authorities assumed he was helping hide the priest and arrested him. In 1929, Pope Pius XI beatified him.

December 11 – St. Damasus I
St. Damasus I (304-384), a pope of the early Church, was the son of a priest. One of his most important contributions was his encouragement of St. Jerome in his biblical studies and work. He also restored the catacombs and cared for martyrs’ burial places. Damasus is the patron saint of archaeologists.

December 12 – St. Finnian of Clonard
Born in the late fifth century, St. Finnian of Clonard helped establish the Church in Ireland. He founded three monasteries and was a gifted and renowned teacher of Scripture. It is said that he taught his 3,000 students in green fields under the blue skies of heaven.

December 13 – St. Lucy
This is the memorial of St. Lucy, a young woman from Sicily who was martyred around 304. Her name means “light.” People suffering from diseases of the eyes sometimes pray to St. Lucy for help and healing.

Pearl Harbor Day
In 1941, the Japanese Air Force bombed a United States naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in a surprise attack. The U.S. Navy was severely crippled by this attack and many lives were lost. The Japanese lost none of their ships and only a few aircraft. The attack led to the United States' participation in World War II.

Afghanistan President
In 2004, Hamid Karzai was inaugerated as Afghanistan's first popularly elected president. He had led the interim government since December 5, 2001.

Third Sunday of Advent - Year A

Visit www.usccb.org/nab for readings.

READING I
Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11

The words from Isaiah are familiar to us because we associate them with Jesus proclaiming that the words of the prophet have been fulfilled by his presence. When Isaiah spoke them, however, the Israelites had just returned from exile and were overwhelmed by the task of rebuilding the temple. The prophet’s words encouraged and rallied the people for the work that lay before them.

READING II
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Paul gives practical advice to the Thessalonians that can also help us live as Christians. He encourages them to pray, give thanks and be joyful, because God strengthens us with grace. By holding on to what is good and rejecting what is bad we will find the peace God intends for us.

GOSPEL
John 1:6-8, 19-28

The Jewish leaders questioned John the Baptist asking who he was. They even took a few guesses themselves suggesting that he was the Messiah, Elijah, or a prophet. John had his own following who would have been glad to acknowledge him in any of the three categories, but John made it clear that he was simply announcing one to come who would be much greater than himself.

When people want to know who we are, we give ourselves titles like mother, husband, son, teacher, carpenter. Like John the Baptist, we may even define ourselves by who we are not; but also like John, we are called to herald the Good News. How do our prayers, worship, and actions announce Jesus among us?

John the Baptist knows who he is and who he is not. He makes it clear that he is not the Messiah, but tells the people that the Messiah is already among them. What do you see in your own life that makes clear that Jesus is with us?

December 14 – St. John of the Cross
St. John of the Cross lived in Spain during the late 1500's. After becoming a Carmelite priest, he worked hard to reform the Church. Many people did not like his ideas and he was even punished for them. Today, his writings and prayers live on, and many people read them.

December 15 – Blessed Mary Frances Schervier
In 1844, Mary Frances Schervier became a Secular Franciscan. Soon after, she and four companions formed the Sisters of the Poor of St. Francis. This religious community cares for those in poverty. Today, the community also operates hospitals and homes for the aged. Pope Paul VI beatified Blessed Mary Frances Schervier in 1974.

December 16 – St. Adelaide
Today we remember St. Adelaide (931-999), Empress of Germany. She dedicated herself to founding and restoring monasteries as well as working for the conversion of the Slavic people.

December 17 – St. Lazarus of Bethany
Lazarus of Bethany was a friend of Jesus and the brother of Martha and Mary. When Jesus heard of Lazarus’ illness, he waited to go to Judea until after Lazarus died. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, an act that symbolizes the life Jesus gives to all who believe in him.

December 18 – St. Flannan
In the seventh century, Flannan was educated in Ireland by monks. A holy and wise man, he made a pilgrimage to Rome. While there, Pope John IV made him a bishop. After his return, Bishop Flannan dedicated his life to serve God and God’s people.

December 19 – St. Anastasius
St. Anastasius is honored today, the date on which he died. He was elected pope in 399. Both St. Jerome and St. Augustine noticed his holiness and simple lifestyle.

December 20 – St. Philogonius
St. Philogonius was a layman in Antioch during the early fourth century. Because of his learning, his skill as a lawyer, and his reputation as an honest and generous person, he was named bishop of Antioch, the second oldest diocese (after Jerusalem) in the Christian world.

New UN Secretary General
On this day in 2006 Ban Ki-moon was sworn in for a five-year term as the eighth United Nations' Secretary General. He also serves as South Korea's foreign minister. He replaced Kofi Annan of Ghana who served two five-year terms.

Roald Amundsen
On this day in 1911, a Norwegian explorer, Roald Amundsen, was the first person to reach the South Pole. He lost the 1909 race to the North Pole to the American team, led by Robert Peary, but he didn't let that discourage him from mounting another expedition just two years later.

Fourth Sunday of Advent - Year B

Visit www.usccb.org/nab for readings.

READING I
2 Samuel 7:1-12, 14a, 16

God promises that the royal line of Israel will last forever and reminds the people that he has saved them in the past. God questions David’s intentions to build a grand and permanent house for God. Instead God promises a permanent house for David’s descendants, one of whom will be Jesus.

READING II
Romans 16:25-27

In concluding his letter to the Romans, Paul points out that the mystery of the Messiah has been kept secret. It is now time for the “secret” to appear in the human form of Jesus. Jesus begins the story of the Good News; he depends on his followers and us to continue telling the story.

GOSPEL
Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel foretold Jesus’ birth when he explained to Mary that she carried within her the king that Israel has long awaited. Mary didn’t understand why God would favor her, a poor, simple Jewish girl; nor did she understand how she could carry a baby since she was a virgin. Still, she accepted God’s will for her.

Mary accepted the gift of Jesus with a willing and thankful heart. She is a good model for us as we approach this busy and hectic season. Rather than focus on the material preparations for the holiday, consider what gifts you are most thankful for in your life.

Like Mary, we don’t always understand God’s plan for us. But also like Mary, we can avoid thinking about ourselves as we try to obey God. What do you think God is asking of you in these days before Christmas?

December 21 – St. Peter Canisius
St. Peter Canisius was a Jesuit priest who lived and worked tirelessly in Italy and Germany during the 16th century. A Doctor of the Church, he taught, handled Church problems, wrote constantly, and still found time to visit the sick during the Great Plague.

December 22 – St. Chaeremon
Today is the memorial of St. Chaeremon, who was a bishop in Egypt during the third century. He is said to have taken refuge in the mountains of Arabia to escape persecution, and was never heard from again.

December 23 – St. John of Kanty
At the age of 41, John Kanty was sent to serve as a pastor in a town in Bohemia. It took eight years for the people there to accept him even though he had served them with genuine interest and concern. In 1431 he was sent back to Cracow. For the rest of his life he taught sacred Scripture at the University of Cracow. He once said, “Fight all error, but do it with good humor, patience, kindness and love.” He is patron of Lithuania and Poland.

December 24 – St. Adela
St. Adela was a student of St. Boniface during the eighth century. She was born a princess in Germany. She became a nun after the death of her husband and made provisions for the care of her son. She served as Abbess of a convent she founded and ruled it with holiness and compassion.

December 25 – St. Alburga of Wilton
Princess Alburga was married to Earl Wulston who founded Wilton Abbey in 773. After his death, she changed the abbey into a convent for women. St. Alburga opened this convent with 12 Benedictine nuns. She later retired there.

December 26 – St. Stephen
Today is the memorial of St. Stephen, one of the first deacons of the Church and the man honored as the first Christian martyr. As a deacon, he brought food and clothes to the poor, to widows, and orphans. He spoke bravely and openly about salvation through Jesus Christ, and for this he was stoned to death.

December 27 – St. John the Evangelist
John’s Gospel is unique for its poetic depth and thought. It speaks of the divine sonship of God. Saint John the Evangelist may have been one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus, but it is also possible that he was a disciple within the apostolic community.

Plymouth
On this day in 1620, a scouting party from the Mayflower went ashore and explored the area of eastern Massachusetts where the second English colony would be set up. The first colony was Jamestown, set up by adventurers seeking new areas to conquer. But people seeking religious freedom, in contrast, set up Plymouth.

Hanukkah
The Jewish feast of Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew month Kislev. It recalls the legend of lights. The Israelites worked to repair their Temple after it had been recaptured from the Syrians. There was only enough oil to provide light for the menorah for one day. But, the oil burned for eight whole days! That is why Hanukkah lasts for eight days and a candle is lit for each day of celebration. Hanukkah begins at sunset today.

Winter Solstice
Today is the winter solstice, the day with the shortest period of daylight, and the official beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. The winter solstice has been celebrated by many cultures with a festival of lights, because each day following the solstice brings more daylight.