Saturday, December 18, 2010

4th Sunday of Advent

Date: December 19, 2010

First Reading (Isaiah 7: 10–14)
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
Once again the Lord addressed Ahaz, "Ask for a sign from the Lord your God, let it come either from the deepest depths of from the heights of heaven." But Ahaz answered, "I will not ask, I will not put the Lord to the test." Then Isaiah stated, "Now listen, descendants of David. Have you not been satisfied trying the patience of people, that you also try the patience of my God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The Virgin is with child and bears a son and calls his name Immanuel."

Second Reading (Romans: 1: 1–7)

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.
From Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, and apostle called and set apart for God's Good News, the very promises he foretold through his prophets in the sacred Scriptures, regarding his Son, who was born in flesh a descendant of David, and has been recognized as the Son of God endowed with Power, upon rising from the dead through the Holy Spirit. Through him, Jesus Christ, our Lord, and for the sake of his Name, we received grace and mission through all the nations, for them to accept the faith. All of you, the elected of Christ, are part of them, you, the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy. May God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, give you grace and peace.

Gospel (Matthew 1: 18–24)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
This is how Jesus Christ was born. Mary his mother had been given to Joseph in marriage but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph, her husband, made plans to divorce her in all secrecy. He was an upright man, and in no way did he want to discredit her. While he was pondering over this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and stated, "Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She has conceived by the Holy Spirit, and now she will bear a son. You shall call him 'Jesus' for he will save his people from their sins." All this happened in order to fulfill what the Lord had stated through the prophet: The virgin will conceive and bear a son, and he will be called Emmanuel which means: God-with-us. When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do and he took his wife to his home.

4 comments:

  1. Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 24) (Verse 1-6)
    The response is: Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.

    The earth and its fullness belong to the Lord, the world and all that dwell in it. He has founded it upon the ocean and set it firmly upon the waters.

    Who will ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who will stand in his holy place? Those with clean hands and a pure heart, who desire not what is vain, and never swear to a lie.

    They will receive blessings from the Lord, a reward from God, their savior. Such are the people who seek him, who seek the face of Jacob's God.

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  2. The theme for the last Sunday of Advent, the 4th Sunday of Advent is Man's acceptance of God's coming.

    Matthew states in Chapter 2: Verses 1 to 2: "When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in Judea, during the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem. They asked, 'Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw the rising of his star in the east and have come to honor him.'"

    Priest: Father, as our Advent pilgrimage draws to a close, we relight the candles of hope, peace, and joy. Then, we light a candle of love. Grant us the courage to share your love: love for life and all creation, love for sinners and saints, love for the poor and the little ones. We thank you for the hope your Son gives us, for the peace he bestows, for the joy your Spirit pours into our hearts, and for your love that redeems us and shows us the way. (Amen)

    After that the father of the chosen family lights all four candles of the Advent Wreath. During that time, the choir will sing "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel".

    This is a prayer that is led by the father or a male member of the family:
    Blessed us, dear Father, and make us channels of Your peace. Help us to spread the spirit of brotherhood in a world where there is so much distrust and hatred. Let Your light shine from our hearts, and from our homes. (Amen)

    This is a prayer led by the mother or a female member of the family:
    Mother Mary, you stated, "Yes" when God inquired you to give Jesus to us. Help us to say, "Yes" to God now that He is asking us to give Jesus to those around us. Help us to do little acts of thoughtfulness and generosity to everyone we meet. (Amen)

    This is a prayer led by one of the children:
    You delight us, Lord, with Your many surprises. You bless us and take care of us. Thank you, Jesus, for being here with us. Thank you, loving Father, for making us Your children. (Amen)

    Priest: We have come a long way from the very first Sunday of Advent. At that time, we lit the very first candle. The next week, there were two lighted candles, then three, and finally four candles today shining very brightly, just like our love for Jesus is shining. Father, show us that if we keep believing in Jesus and loving Him everyday, Christmas too will come everyday. Help us to give to others gifts of love, patience, kindness, and understanding not only this Christmas, but throughout the new year. (Amen)

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  3. Primera Lectura (Isaías 7: 10–14)
    Una lectura del libro del profeta Isaías.
    Yahvé se dirigió otra vez a Ajaz, por medio de Isaías, que le dijo: “Pide a Yahvé, tu Dios, una señal, aunque sea en las profundidades del lugar oscuro o en las alturas del cielo.” Respondió Ajaz: “No la pediré, porque no quiero poner a prueba a Yahvé.” Entonces Isaías dijo: “¡Oigan, herederos de David! ¿No les basta molestar a todos, que también quieran cansar a mi Dios? El Señor, pues, les dará esta señal: La joven está embarazada y da a luz un varón a quien le pone el nombre de Emmanuel, es decir: Dios-con-nosotros.

    Salmo responsorial (Salmo 24) (Versículos 1–6)
    La respuesta es: Deja que el Señor entre; él es el rey de la gloria.
    • El Señor es la tierra y todo lo que hay en ella, el mundo y todos sus habitantes porque él la fundó sobre los mares, él la afirmó sobre las corrientes del océano.
    • ¿Quién podrá subir a la Montaña del Señor y permanecer en su recinto sagrado? El que tiene las manos limpias y puro el corazón; el que no rinde culto a los ídolos ni jura falsamente.
    • Ellos recibirán la bendición del Señor, la recompensa de Dios, su Salvador. Así son los que buscan al Señor, los que buscan tu rostro, Dios de Jacob.

    Segunda Lectura (Romanos 1: 1–7)
    Una lectura de la carta de San Pablo a los romanos.
    Carta de Pablo, servidor de Jesucristo, llamado el Apóstol, y elegido para anunciar la Buena Noticia de Dios, que él había prometido por medio de sus Profetas en las Sagradas Escrituras, acerca de su Hijo, Jesucristo, nuestro Señor, nacido de la estirpe de David según la carne, y constituido Hijo de Dios con poder según el Espíritu santificador por su resurrección de entre los muertos. Por él hemos recibido la gracia y la misión apostólica, a fin de conducir a la obediencia de la fe, para la gloria de su Nombre, a todos los pueblos paganos, entre los cuales se encuentran también ustedes, que han sido llamados por Jesucristo. A todos los que están en Roma, amados de Dios, llamados a ser santos, llegue la gracia y la paz, que proceden de Dios, nuestro Padre, y el Señor Jesucristo.

    Evangelio Santo (Mateo 1: 18–24)
    Una lectura del Evangelio Santo según San Mateo.
    Este fue el principio de Jesucristo: María, su madre, estaba comprometida con José; pero antes de que vivieran juntos, quedó embarazada por obra del Espíritu Santo. Su esposo, José, pensó despedirla, pero como era un hombre bueno, quiso actuar discretamente para no difamarla. Mientras lo estaba pensando, el Ángel del Señor se le apareció en sueños y le dijo: «José, descendiente de David, no tengas miedo de llevarte a María, tu esposa, a tu casa; si bien está esperando por obra del Espíritu Santo, tú eres el que pondrás el nombre al hijo que dará a luz. Y lo llamarás Jesús, porque él salvará a su pueblo de sus pecados. Todo esto sucedió para que se cumpliera lo que había dicho el Señor por boca del profeta: La virgen concebirá y dará a luz un hijo, y le pondrán por nombre Emmanuel, que significa: Dios-con-nosotros. Cuando José se despertó, hizo lo que el Ángel del Señor le había ordenado y tomó consigo a su esposa.

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