Free Republic

11 December 20223rd Sunday of Advent St. Damasus in the apse of the church of San Lorenzo in Damaso Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: Rose or Violet. Year: A(I).First readingIsaiah 35:1-6,10 ©God himself is coming to save youLet the wilderness and the dry-lands exult,let the wasteland rejoice and bloom,let it bring forth flowers like the jonquil,let it rejoice and sing for joy.The glory of Lebanon is bestowed on it,the splendour of Carmel and Sharon;they shall see the glory of the Lord,the splendour of our God.Strengthen all weary hands,steady all trembling kneesand say to all faint hearts,‘Courage! Do not be afraid.‘Look, your...

“He Will Come and Save You” (Isaiah 35:1-10) Do you ever feel weak, like you’re not strong enough to handle what life is throwing at you? Do you ever feel like your faith is feeble, that it’s not firm enough to face the future? Are you ever anxious or worried, afraid that there are forces or people out to get you, and it feels like they’re winning? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then I’ve got a word for you today. Actually, God has a word for you today, and I’m here to deliver it to you....

10 December 2022Saturday of the 2nd week of Advent Saint Eulalia Basilica, Mérida, Spain Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: Violet. Year: A(I).First readingEcclesiasticus 48:1-4,9-12 ©The prophet Elijah will come againThe prophet Elijah arose like a fire, his word flaring like a torch.It was he who brought famine on the people, and who decimated them in his zeal.By the word of the Lord, he shut up the heavens, he also, three times, brought down fire.How glorious you were in your miracles, Elijah! Has anyone reason to boast as you have?Taken up in the whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with fiery horses;designated...

9 December 2022Friday of the 2nd week of Advent Mission San Diego de Alcala, CA Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: Violet. Year: A(I).First readingIsaiah 48:17-19 ©If you had been alert to my commandments, your happiness would have been like a riverThus says the Lord, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is good for you,I lead you in the way that you must go.If only you had been alert to my commandments,your happiness would have been like a river,your integrity like the waves of the sea.Your children would have been numbered like the sand,your...

Thursday 8 December 2022The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Solemnity Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church Mumbai, India. Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: White. Year: A(I).First readingGenesis 3:9-15,20 ©The mother of all those who liveAfter Adam had eaten of the tree the Lord God called to him. ‘Where are you?’ he asked. ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden;’ he replied ‘I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.’ ‘Who told you that you were naked?’ he asked ‘Have you been eating of the tree I forbade you to eat?’ The man replied, ‘It was...

“Three Saints of Advent: St. Ambrose of Milan, Pastor and Hymnwriter” For our midweek Advent services this year, we’re doing a series I’m calling “Three Saints of Advent: Andrew, Ambrose, and John the Baptist.” Now how did I come up with that idea? By looking at the calendar. The first Wednesday in Advent this year was November 30, and that date is set aside in the church calendar as the Feast of St. Andrew, one of the twelve apostles. The second Wednesday in Advent is today, December 7, and this date is listed in the church year as the Commemoration...

7 December 2022Saint Ambrose, Bishop, Doctor on Wednesday of the 2nd week of Advent St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Latham, NY Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: White. Year: A(I).Readings for the feriaReadings for the memorialThese are the readings for the feriaFirst readingIsaiah 40:25-31 ©The Lord strengthens the powerless‘To whom could you liken meand who could be my equal?’ says the Holy One.Lift your eyes and look.Who made these starsif not he who drills them like an army,calling each one by name?So mighty is his power, so great his strength,that not one fails to answer.How can you say, Jacob,how can you insist, Israel,‘My...

6 December 2022Tuesday of the 2nd week of Advent Saint Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church North Dighton, MA Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: Violet. Year: A(I).First readingIsaiah 40:1-11 ©Consolations from the heart of Jerusalem‘Console my people, console them’says your God.‘Speak to the heart of Jerusalemand call to herthat her time of service is ended,that her sin is atoned for,that she has received from the hand of the Lorddouble punishment for all her crimes.’A voice cries, ‘Prepare in the wildernessa way for the Lord.Make a straight highway for our Godacross the desert.Let every valley be filled in,every mountain and hill be laid...

6 December 2022Tuesday of the 2nd week of Advent Saint Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church North Dighton, MA Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: Violet. Year: A(I).First readingIsaiah 40:1-11 ©Consolations from the heart of Jerusalem‘Console my people, console them’says your God.‘Speak to the heart of Jerusalemand call to herthat her time of service is ended,that her sin is atoned for,that she has received from the hand of the Lorddouble punishment for all her crimes.’A voice cries, ‘Prepare in the wildernessa way for the Lord.Make a straight highway for our Godacross the desert.Let every valley be filled in,every mountain and hill be laid...

5 December 20222Monday of the 2nd week of Advent San Saba Church, Rome Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: Violet. Year: A(I).First readingIsaiah 35:1-10 ©The return of the redeemed through the desertLet the wilderness and the dry-lands exult,let the wasteland rejoice and bloom,let it bring forth flowers like the jonquil,let it rejoice and sing for joy.The glory of Lebanon is bestowed on it,the splendour of Carmel and Sharon;they shall see the glory of the Lord,the splendour of our God.Strengthen all weary hands,steady all trembling kneesand say to all faint hearts,‘Courage! Do not be afraid.‘Look, your God is coming,vengeance is coming,the retribution of...

4 December 2022 2nd Sunday of Advent Old Mission Santa Barbara, CA Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: Violet. Year: A(I).First readingIsaiah 11:1-10 ©A shoot springs from the stock of JesseA shoot springs from the stock of Jesse,a scion thrusts from his roots:on him the spirit of the Lord rests,a spirit of wisdom and insight,a spirit of counsel and power,a spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.(The fear of the Lord is his breath.)He does not judge by appearances,he gives no verdict on hearsay,but judges the wretched with integrity,and with equity gives a verdict for the poor of the...

“A Shoot from the Stump of Jesse” (Isaiah 11:1-10) Maybe when you heard today’s Old Testament Reading, from Isaiah, you were thinking: “Shoot? Fruit? Root? What in the world is Isaiah talking about? And who is this Jesse fellow? And what could all this possibly have to do with me?” Well, it has everything to do with you, so let’s listen now as Isaiah tells us about “A Shoot from the Stump of Jesse.” Our text is the reading from Isaiah chapter 11. The prophet begins: “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse.” Who is this...

3 December 2022 Saint Francis Xavier, Priest on Saturday of the 1st week of Advent St Francis Xavier, Rome Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: White. Year: A(I).Readings for the feriaReadings for the memorialThese are the readings for the feriaFirst readingIsaiah 30:19-21,23-26 ©The Lord God will be gracious to you and hear your cryThus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: People of Zion, you will live in Jerusalem and weep no more. He will be gracious to you when he hears your cry; when he hears he will answer. When the Lord has given you the bread of suffering...

2 December 2022Friday of the 1st week of Advent Saint Bibiana Church, Rome Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: Violet. Year: A(I).First readingIsaiah 29:17-24 ©In a very short time, the deaf will hear and the eyes of the blind will seeThe Lord says this:In a short time, a very short time,shall not Lebanon become fertile landand fertile land turn into forest?The deaf, that day,will hear the words of a bookand, after shadow and darkness,the eyes of the blind will see.But the lowly will rejoice in the Lord even moreand the poorest exult in the Holy One of Israel;for tyrants shall be...

1 December 2022Thursday of the 1st week of Advent Church of Saint-Éloi, Dunkirk, France Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: Violet. Year: A(I).First readingIsaiah 26:1-6 ©Open the gates; let the upright nation come inThat day, this song will be sung in the land of Judah:We have a strong city;to guard us he has setwall and rampart about us.Open the gates! Let the upright nation come in,she, the faithful onewhose mind is steadfast, who keeps the peace,because she trusts in you.Trust in the Lord for ever,for the Lord is the everlasting Rock;he has brought low those who lived high upin the steep citadel;he...

“Three Saints of Advent: St. Andrew, Apostle” (John 1:35-42a; Matthew 4:18-20) When churches have midweek Advent or Lenten services, usually the pastor tries to come up with a theme that will tie the services together. This year, in looking at the calendar for Advent, I noticed something about the dates for our midweek services. The first three Wednesdays are November 30, December 7, and December 14. Which got me to thinking: November 30 is the Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle. December 7 is the Commemoration of St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan and one of the great Church Fathers. December 14...

Wednesday 30 November 2022 Saint Andrew, Apostle Feast St Andrew Catholic Church, Waynesboro, Pennsylvania Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: Red. Year: A(I).First readingRomans 10:9-18 ©Faith comes from what is preached, and what is preached comes from the word of ChristIf your lips confess that Jesus is Lord and if you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, then you will be saved. By believing from the heart you are made righteous; by confessing with your lips you are saved. When scripture says: those who believe in him will have no cause for shame, it makes no...

29 November 2022Tuesday of the 1st week of Advent Tomb of Saint Saturnin in Basilique Saint-Sernin in Toulouse: Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: Violet. Year: A(I).First readingIsaiah 11:1-10 ©A shoot springs from the stock of JesseA shoot springs from the stock of Jesse,a scion thrusts from his roots:on him the spirit of the Lord rests,a spirit of wisdom and insight,a spirit of counsel and power,a spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.(The fear of the Lord is his breath.)He does not judge by appearances,he gives no verdict on hearsay,but judges the wretched with integrity,and with equity gives a...

28 November 2022Monday of the 1st week of Advent Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Paris, France. Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: Violet. Year: A(I).First readingIsaiah 4:2-6 ©The fruit of the earth shall be the pride and adornment of Israel's survivorsThat day, the branch of the Lordshall be beauty and glory,and the fruit of the earthshall be the pride and adornmentof Israel’s survivors.Those who are left of Zionand remain of Jerusalemshall be called holyand those left in Jerusalem, noted down for survival.When the Lord has washed awaythe filth of the daughter of Zionand cleansed Jerusalem of the blood shed...

28th November 2022Monday of the 1st week of Advent Chapel of The Miraculous Medal, Paris, FranceReadings at MassLiturgical Colour: Violet First readingIsaiah 4:2-6 ©The fruit of the earth shall be the pride and adornment of Israel's survivorsThat day, the branch of the Lordshall be beauty and glory,and the fruit of the earthshall be the pride and adornmentof Israel’s survivors.Those who are left of Zionand remain of Jerusalemshall be called holyand those left in Jerusalem, noted down for survival.When the Lord has washed awaythe filth of the daughter of Zionand cleansed Jerusalem of the blood shed in herwith the blast of...