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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: https://bibleinayearonline.com/december-oyb/?version=63&startmmdd=0101

THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT, 2024  

(Php 4:4-7) Rejoice in the Lord always: again, I say, rejoice. Let your modesty be known to all men. The Lord is nigh. Be nothing solicitous: but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

FATHER KIRBY: Rejoice! Celebrating Gaudete Sunday – Joyful Anticipation for Christmas

ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF SINGAPORE: Advent to Christmas Reflection booklet 2024-2025 (Year C)

ALETEIA: Advent can be a time of intense spiritual warfare

BENEDICT XVI GENERAL AUDIENCE (12/08): Brothers and sisters, it is the season of Advent. In the language of the Church the word Advent has two meanings: presence and anticipation. Presence: the light is present, Christ is the new Adam, he is with us and among us. His light is already shining and we must open the eyes of our hearts to see the light and to enter into the river of light. Above all we must be grateful for the fact that God himself entered history as a new source of good. But Advent also means anticipation. The dark night of evil is still strong. And therefore in Advent we pray with the ancient People of God: "Rorate caeli desuper". And we pray insistently: come Jesus; come, give power to light and to good; come where falsehood, ignorance of God, violence and injustice predominate. Come Lord Jesus, give power to the good in the world and help us to be bearers of your light, peacemakers, witnesses of the truth. Come, Lord Jesus!

HOMILY EXCERPT: The great C.S. Lewis touches on this in his magnificent Mere Christianity: “Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us to take part in a great campaign of sabotage.” Jesus Christ was born on a dark, lonely night in Bethlehem, behind enemy lines, and now is ready to fight the ancient evil.

This deserves a grand celebration. But He has invited me into the fight, into the sabotage against the ancient enemy who had reign over the earth since Adam and Eve. Yes, this season brings rejoicing, leads to us being joyful and triumphant, and grants us comfort and joy. But we still have a role in the fight.

The pink candle and vestment invite me into the great battle, where the Word became flesh and “saved us all from Satan’s power.” Between now and Christmas, what do I need to do to more fully enter the battle? Invite someone to Confession or Mass? Get myself to Confession? Be generous with someone in need? Whatever the case may be, may our celebrations this weekend and this entire season lead us into greater appreciation for the Word Made Flesh and our entry into the battle next to Him.

ADVENT RESOURCES

ICBC: Advent Calendar 2024
DYNAMIC CATHOLIC: Best Advent Ever!
CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY'S ONLINE MINISTRIES: Praying Advent and Celebrating Christmas
USCCB: Advent 2024


The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian Monks: Humility

 48. Syncletica of blessed memory said, 'A ship cannot be built without nails and no one can be saved without humility.'

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"Have ANY Catholic Question? Just ask Ron Smith at: [email protected]

This month's archive can be found at: http://www.catholicprophecy.info/news2.html.