L I V I N G LITURGY™

Spirituality, Celebration, and Catechesis for Sundays and Solemnities

Year C • 2019

Brian SchmisekKaty Beedle RiceDiana Macalintal

LITURGICAL PRESSCollegeville, Minnesota

www.litpress.org

Spirituality, Celebration, and Catechesis for Sundays and Solemnities

L I V I N G L I T U R G Y™

Cover design by Monica Bokinskie. Art by Deborah Luke (pages 1–16, 105–14, 151, 194–232), Tanja Butler (cover and pages 21–38, 73–100, 152–90), and Ned Bustard (pages 43–68, 117–46, 236–60).

Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for use in the Dioceses of the United States Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997 and 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, D.C. Used with permis-sion. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced without permission in writing from the copyright holder.

Other Scripture excerpts used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC and are used by per-mission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

The English translation of the Introduction, Psalm Responses, Alleluia Verses, Gospel Verses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corpora-tion (ICEL); excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, ICEL; the English translation of General Instruction of the Roman Missal © 2007, ICEL; the English translation of Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults © 1985, ICEL; the English translation of Order of Christian Funer­als © 1989, 1985, ICEL; the English translation of Book of Blessings © 1987, ICEL; the English trans-lation of Ceremonial of Bishops © 1989, ICEL; the English translation of Order of Dedication of a Church and an Altar © 2014, ICEL. All rights reserved.

The poetic English translations of the sequences of the Roman Missal are taken from the Roman Missal approved by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops of the United States © 1964 by the National Catholic Welfare Conference, Inc. All rights reserved.

Excerpts from the English translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church for use in the United States of America copyright © 1994, United States Catholic Conference, Inc.—Libreria Editrice Vaticana. English translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Modifications from the Editio Typica copyright © 1997, United States Catholic Conference, Inc.—Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with Permission.

Excerpts from documents of the Second Vatican Council are from Vatican Council II: Constitutions, Decrees, Declarations; The Basic Sixteen Documents and Vatican Council II: The Conciliar and Post­conciliar Documents, edited by Austin Flannery, OP, © 1996. Used with permission of Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota.

© 2018 by Order of Saint Benedict, Collegeville, Minnesota. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by print, microfilm, microfiche, mechanical recording, photocopying, translation, or by any other means, known or yet unknown, for any purpose except brief quotations in reviews, without the previous written permission of Liturgical Press, Saint John’s Abbey, PO Box 7500, Collegeville, Minnesota 56321-7500. Printed in the United States of America.

ISSN 1547-089X

ISBN 978-0-8146-4522-2 ISBN 978-0-8146-4546-8 (ebook)

Contributors vi

Preface vii

Season of Advent 1

Season of Christmas 21

Ordinary Time I 43

Season of Lent 73

Easter Triduum 105

Season of Easter 117

Ordinary Time II 151

Appendix A: Readings (continued) 263

Appendix B: Lectionary Pronunciation Guide 316

æ…¬C O N T E N T S

Brian Schmisek is professor and dean of the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University Chicago. Prior to coming to Chicago in 2012, he was the founding dean of the School of Ministry at the University of Dallas. His published works include The Rome of Peter and Paul: A Pilgrim’s Handbook to New Testament Sites in the Eternal City (Pickwick), Ancient Faith for the Modern World: A Brief Guide to the Apostles’ Creed (ACTA), Resurrection of the Flesh or Resurrection from the Dead: Implications for Theology (Liturgical Press), many other books coauthored for biblical study, and articles.

Katy Beedle Rice is a catechist and writer who lives with her husband and three children in Boise, Idaho. She is a formation leader for the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, training catechists who work with children ages three through six. Rice is also a contributing preacher for the Dominican Podcast theWord (https://word.op.org), writes for Celebration Publications, a division of the National Catholic Reporter Publishing Company, and blogs about motherhood, ministry, and the Eucharist at blessedbrokenshared.blogspot.com.

Diana Macalintal has served as a liturgist, musician, author, speaker, and composer for the last twenty-five years, and her work can be found in Give Us This Day and many other publications. She is the author of The Work of Your Hands: Prayers for Ordinary and Extraordinary Moments of Grace, Joined by the Church, Sealed by a Blessing: Couples and Communities Called to Conversion Together, and Your Parish Is the Curriculum: RCIA in the Midst of the Community (Liturgical Press). Macalintal is a cofounder of TeamRCIA.com with her husband, Nick Wagner.

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æ…¬C O N T R I B U TO R S

RenewalLast year Liturgical Press gave a new look and feel to this popular resource. We spoke of it with the metaphor of a new house, or even a renovation. So we have been in this renovated house for a year now, and so begins year two. With the renewed look and feel of Living Liturgy™ last year, we heard many good things includ-ing some constructive feedback. We remain indebted to the work that Sr. Joyce Ann Zimmerman, CPPS, director of the Institute for Liturgical Ministry (now closed, unfortunately), and Sr. Kathleen Harmon, SNDdeN, did by launching this resource nearly twenty years ago. Much of the structure they gave the work has remained the same. In fact, in this 2019 edition we largely return to the for-mat they were using, especially concerning “Focusing the Gospel, Connecting the Gospel, and Connecting the Responsorial Psalm.” We tried a slightly different model in 2018 but now return to the tried-and-true earlier format for those sections. It’s worth another look at this new home as it were.

ArtworkWe like the artwork in this new edition and received positive reviews. So it stays! Liturgical Press brought back the three art-ists from the 2018 edition: Deborah Luke, Tanja Butler, and Ned Bustard. The artwork, like that for 2018, is new and original, com-missioned especially for this 2019 edition. We hope you enjoy this as much as you did the artwork in last year’s edition.

Reflecting on the Gospel and Living the Paschal MysteryBased on surveys and feedback, we know that the most frequented part of the book is “Reflecting on the Gospel,” followed by “Liv-ing the Paschal Mystery,” true to Sr. Joyce Ann’s insight. Brian Schmisek wrote these pieces again, as he did last year, with that in mind. Especially because we are in the year of Luke, many of the themes tend to reflect the social tradition of the church, as well as Pope Francis’s focus on mercy.

Focusing the Gospel, Connecting the Gospel, Connecting the Responsorial Psalm, Prompts for Faith Sharing, and Homily PointsPages 2–3 of the material each week remain widely used. Katy Beedle Rice, an author new to this project, wrote these sections, drawing on the former structure including “Key words and phrases” and “To the point,” as well as model prayers. Her insights as a mother, wife, and catechist shine through these sections.

LiturgyLiturgy remains a primary focus of the book, and it is our good fortune to have Diana Macalintal’s experience and knowledge forming the gist of this section. She continues to share her insight and practical advice honed by years of parish and diocesan min-istry. From musical selections to commentary on the General In-struction of the Roman Missal, her words are filled with wisdom.

PurposeThe three authors for this book, Brian, Katy, and Diana, continue to retain its original and primary purpose: “to help people prepare for liturgy and live a liturgical spirituality (that is, a way of living that is rooted in liturgy), opening their vision to their baptismal identity as the Body of Christ and shaping their living according to the rhythm of paschal mystery dying and rising. The paschal mys-tery is the central focus of liturgy, of the gospels, and of this vol-ume.” We are humbled and privileged to be carrying on this task. We hope this work with its artful imagery assists many in living a liturgical spirituality. We are open to feedback and look forward to hearing from you about this renovated home for Living Liturgy™.

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æ…¬P R E F AC E

S E A S O N O F A D V E N T

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æ…¬S P I R I T UA L I T Y

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Reflecting on the GospelMost of us look for meaning in the signs and events of daily life. We wonder how God might be acting in our lives. Was this a chance meeting with an old friend, or part of something greater? Was it a coincidence that I was think-ing of this person when I received a call from him or her? Did the inclement

weather keep me at home so I was able to spend time with my family? Not only we, but generations of those who have gone

before us, discerned meaning in the events of daily life. The ancient pagan Romans looked at the sky for omens,

and read the entrails of slaughtered chickens to discern how the gods were acting in their world.

The gospel reading for today gives the reader signs that will accompany the end times, the coming of the

Son of Man. But we would be mistaken if we took these passages literally. And it’s certainly true that hundreds if not thousands of people have done just that—looked for these signs to be fulfilled literally.

The message of this passage sought to give hope to a beleaguered people, the Christians, who anticipated their redemption. Many of them desperately wanted to see the coming of the Son of Man who would establish justice and peace. Many of the early Christians were

on the bottom of the social ladder, experiencing trib-ulations and trials. Jesus himself had faced a violent end at the hands of the state. The Christians needed

to be reminded that their salvation would come, and that they also needed to be vigilant, watching for that

same salvation. And at the time this gospel was written there were many other Christians who may have lost hope or grown weary of waiting. This message was for them; and the message is also for us.

For us, the watching for the coming of the Son of Man has been not merely decades, as it was for the early Christians, but two millennia! Do we really believe that the end is near? that Jesus might return any day? It might be more worthwhile for me to imagine my own personal end (death) rather than the end of the world. In that way, it might be easier to see that my own personal end could catch me “by surprise like a trap.” And when I live with the expectation that my end is near, or at least unknown, it can be easier for daily anxieties to dissipate. This is not to say we have no cares for the world, but rather, we have our eyes set on something greater as we live by a different set of values. Ideally, we serve more than we are served; we give more than we receive. And in that way we imitate Christ, whose disciples we are.

Living the Paschal MysteryHow would I live today if I knew it was my last day on the earth? What priori-ties would guide my choices and decisions? The church gives us the reading from Luke to start this Advent season in part so that we might call to mind the “end times” and the concurrent coming of the Son of Man. When our minds are drowning in lists, shopping, groceries, and gifts, we might pause, raise our head above these pressing concerns, and reflect from another point of view. In the end, what does it all mean? What is driving my actions and behaviors? Am I watchful,

GOSPEL ACCLAMATIONPs 85:8

r. Alleluia, alleluia.Show us, Lord, your love;and grant us your salvation.r. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Luke 21:25-28, 34-36; L3C

Jesus said to his disciples:“There will be signs in the sun, the

moon, and the stars,and on earth nations will be in

dismay,perplexed by the roaring of the

sea and the waves.People will die of fright

in anticipation of what is com­ing upon the world,

for the powers of the heav­ens will be shaken.

And then they will see the Son of Man

coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

But when these signs begin to happen,stand erect and raise your headsbecause your redemption is at hand.

“Beware that your hearts do not be­come drowsy

from carousing and drunkennessand the anxieties of daily life,and that day catch you by surprise

like a trap.For that day will assault everyone

who lives on the face of the earth.Be vigilant at all times

and pray that you have the strengthto escape the tribulations that are

imminentand to stand before the Son of Man.”

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PROMPTS FOR FAITH-SHARING

What is an action or practice of preparation you can embrace this Advent? It could be an action of preparing for Christmas, prepar-ing for Jesus’ second coming, or preparing our world to become more like the kingdom of God.

As Christians living in the year 2018 we realize that our own personal end will likely come before the second coming of Jesus. Thinking about your own mortality, how would you live this coming year if you knew it was your last on earth?

Advent is a time of preparation and a time of waiting. What spiritual practices make waiting fruitful for you?

Though today’s gospel can seem disturbing, we are called to be people of hope and joy. As a Christian, how do you preach safety, peace, and hope when you encounter panic, chaos, and despair?

vigilant for the Lord’s coming? And what would such watchfulness look like? The dying and rising of Christ gives meaning to my own personal death and resurrec-tion each season, when I set aside my own desires and aims and focus on some-thing eternal, something lasting. It is then that we recall the relationships forged and celebrated on this earth endure forever. The coming of the Son of Man means death to an old way of life, and resurrection of hope and life everlasting.

Focusing the GospelKey words and phrases: But when these signs begin to happen, / stand erect and raise your heads / because your redemption is at hand.

To the point: We begin a new church year with a gospel that seems intent upon shocking and startling us out of complacency. Jesus speaks of signs that will accompany the coming of the Son of Man. These signs are so terrifying that “[p]eople will die of fright,” and yet, in the midst of it, we hear a word of hope: though these calamities may occur, “stand erect and raise your heads / because your redemption is at hand.” To prepare for this redemption, Jesus counsels us to be vigilant in waiting and in prayer.

Connecting the Gospelto the first reading: The prophet Jeremiah also preaches a word of hope, this time to the people of Israel in exile in Babylon. Even though they have seen their homeland taken over by foreign armies and their temple destroyed, Jeremiah reminds the people that their God has not forgotten them. Indeed, “[t]he days are coming . . . when I will fulfill the promise / I made to the house of Israel and Judah.”

to experience: Jeremiah proclaims that God has a plan for Judah to be saved and for Jerusalem to dwell in safety. When we hear these words of comfort, taken together with today’s gospel that speaks of calamities and dismay, we can know that the God of Jeremiah and Jesus, our God, is one who desires peace and for all people to dwell in safety. How might we preach peace, safety, and hope when we encounter panic, chaos, and despair?

Connecting the Responsorial Psalmto the readings: The theme of hope and trust is evident in today’s psalm. The psalmist prays, “[G]uide me in your truth and teach me, / for you are God my savior, / and for you I wait all the day.” Like the prophet Jeremiah, the psalmist proclaims the constancy of God who is eager to guide the humble along the path of life. And how might we characterize this path of life in its essence? In the second reading, Paul, writing to the community in Thessalonica, gives us a clue. He concludes a prayer for their community by stating, “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love / for one another and for all.” This abounding love will strengthen the hearts of the community and shape them in holiness. It is abounding love that will allow them (and us) to stand erect to greet the Son of Man when he comes.

to psalmist preparation: This psalm is one of deep longing to know the ways of the Lord and to live in God’s covenant. We are called to a practice of waiting within Advent—to live in the here and now, and also to yearn and work for the coming of the kingdom of God in its fullness. How do you practice a spirituality of waiting? How do you come to know the Lord?

D E C E M B E R 2 , 2 0 1 8

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Model Penitential ActPresider: In today’s gospel Jesus speaks of the coming of the Son of Man. As we begin a new church year, let us ask for God’s mercy and forgiveness, so as to be ready to greet Jesus when he comes again . . . [pause]

Lord Jesus, you are Son of God and Son of Man: Lord, have mercy.Christ Jesus, you are the fulfillment of God’s promise: Christ, have mercy.Lord Jesus, you show us the path of holiness: Lord, have mercy.

Homily Points• Advent is a season of preparation. We prepare our hearts and homes to celebrate the feast of Christmas. We prepare spiritually to greet Christ when he comes again. And we also look to how we can prepare our world to become more and more like the kingdom of God where love and justice rule. Advent is a time when we live this preparation in an in-tentional manner, but waiting and preparing are constant hallmarks of the Christian life.

• In the second reading, the apostle Paul reminds us that we have never arrived in this life. Our preparation is never complete. He exhorts the community in Thessalonica that even as they are conducting themselves in a way pleasing to God, that they “do so even more” (4:1). The conduct that Paul calls the community to is one that has “abound[ing] . . . love” as its foundation and guide. As Christians, we never have a reason to be bored or complacent. Our work is never finished as we collaborate with Jesus in building a kingdom of love and peace.

• Despite the foreboding nature of our gospel reading today, as Christians we believe in a radical promise—that light is stronger than darkness, love is stronger than hate, and life is stronger than death. We are called to be signs of hope in a world at times overcome with fear. As we begin the physical preparations for Christmas by lighting our Advent wreaths, buying gifts, planning our feasts and parties for the Christmas season, let us also consider, how might we prepare ourselves to be light, love, and life to those around us?

Model Universal Prayer (Prayer of the Faithful)Presider: Let us present our needs to the Lord, confident in his love and mercy.

Response: Lord, hear our prayer.

That the church be a beacon of hope in troubled times . . .

That all people throughout the world dwell in safety and work for justice . . .

That those who suffer from depression, anxiety, and mental illness might know the love and tender care of the God of hope . . .

That each of us here might give up our daily anxieties so as to live more fully into God’s promise of peace . . .

Presider: God of abounding love, you call us to live with you in holiness and peace. Grant our prayers that we might grow closer to you each day. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

COLLECTLet us pray.

Pause for silent prayer

Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God,

the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ

with righteous deeds at his coming,so that, gathered at his right hand,they may be worthy to possess the

heavenly Kingdom.Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you in the unity

of the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

FIRST READINGJer 33:14-16

The days are coming, says the Lord,when I will fulfill the promiseI made to the house of Israel and Judah.

In those days, in that time,I will raise up for David a just shoot;he shall do what is right and just in the

land.In those days Judah shall be safe

and Jerusalem shall dwell secure;this is what they shall call her:“The Lord our justice.”

C E L E B R AT I O N

æ…¬CAT E C H E S I S

About LiturgyBe vigilant: We may be able to control our own personal practices and even our par-ish culture, but we will never be able to control how other people observe the weeks leading up to Christmas. We can ensure that we omit the Gloria at Mass during Advent (except for solemnities, weddings, and confirmation), but people will still sing and play Christmas songs in their homes and social gatherings. No matter how long you refrain from putting up your own Christmas tree, many others will have theirs fully decorated by Thanksgiving! And no amount of preaching will convince the majority of your pa-rishioners that they should be spending more time in quiet prayer than in shopping for gifts and going to Christmas parties.

As much as we want all Christians to keep prayerful, sober watch in anticipation of the coming of the Lord, we cannot become “Advent police,” because the exhortation to vigilance goes both ways. We, too, must be vigilant that our behavior and attitudes help us “increase and abound in love / for one another and for all” (1 Thess 3:12). One way you can do this is to learn and participate in some of the Advent practices of cul-tures that are different from yours. For many Hispanic and Asian communities, Advent is a time of prayer and parties, of joyful music and quiet contemplation. There is a beautiful grace, too, in this kind of waiting for the day of the Lord.

As those who help shape the unique spirit of Advent in our communities, let us help one another be attentive to God’s presence all around us so that our hearts may not be-come drowsy from our anxieties.

About InitiationToday is not a beginning: Although today is the beginning of the new liturgical year, it is not the beginning of RCIA. There is no formal “beginning” to the first period of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, which is the period of evangelization and precatechumenate. We should be evangelizing all year long and be ready to meet seek-ers every day of the year! To help your community understand that evangelization is year-round and to avoid any misconception that catechumens are formed on a school-year calendar, do not schedule a Rite of Acceptance for this Sunday. Instead, plan to celebrate it a few times during Ordinary Time throughout the year.

About Liturgical MusicMeter and melody: Because the Advent season is so short, it is a good time to incorporate seasonal songs that are used every Sunday of Advent. This helps your assembly become more familiar with the music over the weeks, especially if you may have more visitors and newcomers this time of year. It also sets a musical “environ-ment” that is both constant and developing. One way to strike this balance is to use a seasonal hymn tune for the entrance song, such as CONDITOR ALME SIDERUM, and each week pair it with different texts. To do this, find texts that match the tune’s meter, which is 88 88, meaning there are four phrases of eight syllables each. Some text ex-amples from Sacred Song might be “Creator of the Stars of Night,” which is the most common for this tune; “O Lord of Light” by Melvin Farrell; “Lift Up Your Heads, You Mighty Gates,” translated by Catherine Winkworth; “On Jordan’s Bank,” translated by John Chandler. As you explore your own music resources, be sure that the stressed syllables of the text match the natural stresses of the tune.

RESPONSORIAL PSALMPs 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14

r. (1b) To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

Your ways, O Lord, make known to me;teach me your paths,

guide me in your truth and teach me,for you are God my savior,and for you I wait all the day.

r. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

Good and upright is the Lord;thus he shows sinners the way.

He guides the humble to justice,and teaches the humble his way.

r. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

All the paths of the Lord are kindness and constancy

toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

The friendship of the Lord is with those who fear him,

and his covenant, for their instruction.

r. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

SECOND READING1 Thess 3:12–4:2

Brothers and sisters:May the Lord make you increase and

abound in lovefor one another and for all,just as we have for you,so as to strengthen your hearts,to be blameless in holiness before our

God and Fatherat the coming of our Lord Jesus with all

his holy ones. Amen.

Finally, brothers and sisters,we earnestly ask and exhort you in the

Lord Jesus that,as you received from ushow you should conduct yourselves to

please God—and as you are conducting

yourselves—you do so even more.

For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

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FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

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Reflecting on the GospelThe immaculate conception is a difficult concept for adults to grasp, much less children. Though it is a basic element of faith, it is the source of never-ending confusion and much explanatory catechesis. Frankly, the issue is not made easier when the reading for this solemnity narrates the conception of Jesus (also known as the annunciation) and not the immaculate conception (the conception of Mary). But as we know, there is no scriptural passage that narrates the con-ception of Mary, so the church gives us the story about the conception of Jesus! No wonder confusion abounds.

We recall that every Marian title ultimately says more about Jesus than it does about Mary. And that is certainly true with the immaculate conception, which claims that the salvific effects of what God has done in Christ preserved Mary from sin from the moment of her conception. Thus, the salvific power of the Christ-event transcends time, reaches back as it were, and has an effect on Mary herself as she is conceived.

For most of the history of the church this doctrine remained in the realm of theological inquiry and/or speculation. Not until the mid-nineteenth century was this formally proclaimed as doctrine by Pope Pius IX.

Upon reading the gospel for the day we may turn our attention to Mary’s faith in God and her openness to the Lord’s will. Mary is known and celebrated throughout the world for this characteristic, among many others. Her yes (in Latin, fiat, or “let it be done [to me]”) shows her willingness to cooperate with God for the salvation of humanity. Her attitude and character were called “im-maculate” by many early church fathers even if they were not referring to her conception. She was so open, pure, and devoted to God that she was willing to become an unwed mother in an age when that meant punishment and death under the law. Her character was understood to be immaculate from the moment of her conception by a singularly unique gift.

We can understand and appreciate some confusion regarding the meaning of this feast, which celebrates Mary’s immaculate character from the moment of conception, by reading from the gospel about the conception of Jesus by Mary’s own word of fiat.

Living the Paschal MysteryOurs is an adult faith with fairly sophisticated concepts and theological insights. Not only do we have sacred texts, but we have a tradition of faith with a capital “T” carried through the ages by saints, martyrs, popes, and the people of God. For some it becomes something of a theological parlor game to know and recite Catholic trivia with names, dates, historical underpinnings, and whimsical theo-ries consigned to the dustbin of theological inquiry. But our faith is much more than an intellectual head-trip. Faith in Christ is about doing much more than knowing, though both have their rightful place. Never once in the gospels does Jesus say people will be judged by what they know. Instead, he often admonishes his audiences about what they do, or rather, do not do. On this feast day of the Immaculate Conception we certainly nod to the theological history and develop-ment of doctrine that gives us today’s celebration. But we might also remind ourselves that we are to be doers of the word, and not mere hearers.

Focusing the GospelKey words and phrases: [F]or nothing will be impossible for God.

To the point: In the second reading we hear God’s plan of salvation, which is

GOSPEL ACCLAMATIONcf. Luke 1:28

r. Alleluia, alleluia.Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you;blessed are you among women.r. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Luke 1:26-38; L689

The angel Gabriel was sent from Godto a town of Galilee called Nazareth,to a virgin betrothed to a man named

Joseph,of the house of David,and the virgin’s name was Mary.

And coming to her, he said,“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with

you.”But she was greatly troubled at what was

saidand pondered what sort of greeting

this might be.Then the angel said to her,

“Do not be afraid, Mary,for you have found favor with God.

Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,

and you shall name him Jesus.

Continued in Appendix A, p. 263.

See Appendix A, p. 263, for the other readings.

THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

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that we were chosen “before the foundation of the world, / to be holy and with-out blemish before him.” In Mary we see this plan perfected. She is sustained by Gabriel’s promise that “nothing will be impossible for God.” We, too, believe in a God of infinite possibilities and can trust in this plan of salvation.

Model Penitential ActPresider: In today’s second reading we hear that we have been chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blemish before God. Let us pause to ask for God’s mercy and pardon for the times we have not lived up to this call . . . [pause]

Lord Jesus, you are Son of God and son of Mary: Lord, have mercy.Christ Jesus, you have blessed us with every spiritual blessing: Christ, have

mercy.Lord Jesus, you call us to holiness: Lord, have mercy.

Model Universal Prayer (Prayer of the Faithful)Presider: Let us bring our intentions before the Lord, believing as Mary did that nothing is impossible for God.

Response: Lord, hear our prayer.

That the church be a spiritual mother for all who seek comfort and shelter within her arms . . .

That all people might know of the love and mercy of God . . .

That those in need, especially pregnant women, might find support and security. . .

That all those gathered here might renew their commitment to let it “be done to me according to your word”. . .

Presider: God of infinite love, for whom all things are possible, you call us to be holy and without blemish in your sight. Hear the prayers we bring to you today for ourselves and for our world, through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

About LiturgyHoly Days of Obligation: In the United States when January 1, August 15, or November 1 fall on a Saturday or Monday the obligation to attend Mass is removed. But because December 8 is the patronal feast day for the United States it is always observed, except when it falls on a Sunday. When that happens, the observance is transferred to the following Monday, but the obligation is re-moved. This year December 8 falls on a Saturday and the obligation remains.

This Saturday evening Mass may be celebrated using the readings and prayers for December 8. However, most people attending your parish’s Saturday night Mass will expect to hear the readings and prayers for Sunday.

Therefore you will likely be asked: Can a person fulfill both obligations (December 8 and Sunday) by attending a Saturday evening Mass? The short an-swer is “no” because only one obligation is fulfilled by participating at a Mass, regardless of the readings and prayers used at that Mass. Thus, this weekend we are called to participate in two Masses. This may be a hardship for most people; however, it can also be an opportunity to invite people to make an ad-ditional effort for Advent.

D E C E M B E R 8 , 2 0 1 8

COLLECTLet us pray.

Pause for silent prayer

O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin

prepared a worthy dwelling for your Son,grant, we pray,that, as you preserved her from every stainby virtue of the Death of your Son, which you

foresaw,so, through her intercession,we, too, may be cleansed and admitted to your

presence.Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you in the unity of

the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

FOR REFLECTION

• In Mary we find a model of discipleship. Just as Mary was invited to bear Christ to the world, we are also called to be Christ-bearers. How do you bear Christ to the world?

• The angel Gabriel proclaims to Mary, “[N]othing will be impossible for God.” Where do you need to hear this proclamation in your own life?

• As God protected Mary from sin from the moment of her conception, he also desires to wash all sin from us. What spiritual practices reveal God’s forgiveness to you?

Homily Points• The church fathers have taught us that in her immaculate conception the Blessed Vir-gin Mary was protected from Original Sin from the very moment of her creation in the womb of her mother Anne. In the first read-ing today we witness Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden making choices that sepa-rate them from the ideal relationship they enjoyed with God up to that point. Now, instead of walking with God in the garden, Adam hides as God calls, “Where are you?”

• In our lives as Christians we, too, are invited to walk with God. In what areas in our lives does God call to us, “Where are you?”