Book Reviews and More: Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary & The Second Sunday of Advent 2018

Sunday, 9 December 2018

Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary & The Second Sunday of Advent 2018

Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary & The Second Sunday of Advent 2018

The readings for the Immaculate Conception Saturday December 8th:

First Reading Genesis 3:9-15, 20

Responsorial Psalm 98: 1-4 Response 1a

Second Reading Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12

Gospel Luke 1:26-38

The readings for the Second Sunday of Advent:

First Reading Burach 5:1-9

Responsorial Psalm 126:1-6 Response 3

Second Reading Philippians 1:3-6, 8-11

Gospel Luke 3:1-6

What really spoke to me from the readings from both masses this weekend are the responses for the responsorial psalms.

“Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things.”

and

“The lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.”

I have written several times in these reflections on the mass reading about my desire to live more joy. Seeking to live joy and striving for a saintly life have been the quest. And each year that passes I feel the need for both more keenly. Each day I pray a “Consecration To Merciful Love” from the study 33 Days to Merciful Love by Father Michael E. Gaitley. Part of that prayer is:

“Finally, I believe, my God, that you can and will make me into a saint, even if I won’t see it, even if I have to struggle all my life against vice and sin, even if I have to wait until the very end. This blind hope in your mercy, O Lord, is my only treasure.”

I also pray that my actions live up to my theology. The last two decades have been a process of learning to be and learning to be better at being. Part of the growth over that period, is due to honest self examination, and daily examination of conscience. I am no where near where I would like to be as a husband, as a father, as a friend, as a man. But I am working on it. And the progress may be slow, and there may be back steps. But I pray, I seek, I hope, and I trust in God.

And how does that tie to our readings this week? The Lord has done marvelous things, and great things for us, and in us. I am not where I want to be, but I have seen growth. And true growth not just change. I am not the man I was last year, or 10 years ago, or 25 years ago. Heck there are times I am not the man I was last week, or even yesterday. But I do sing to and for God. I do celebrate the joy coming into the world. And for the last few weeks I have been listening to Matt Maher’s new album ‘The Advent of Christmas’ I usually struggle during the holiday season. More a season of blues and looking back with regret. But this year is different. It is more purple and hope, then blues and despair.

Ans so I pray: Lord fill us with your joy, help us to recognize all you do for us, and have done for us, and help us to sing a new song unto you. Forever more.