LITURGY SCHEDULE

St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church Martinez, California

SATURDAY: 8:00 AM - LIVESTREAMED ONLY SUNDAY: 8:30 AM - OUTDOOR - Please register for Car and Individual Seating 11:00 AM - OUTDOOR - LIVESTREAMED (Drive-thru communion after Mass) NO ADORATION DAIILY ROSARY: Monday - Saturday 7:30 AM RECONCILIATION: 30 Minutes before every Mass DAILY MASS: 8:00 AM - Livestreamed Only Please call the office or email for an appointment. DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET: 8:30 AM SPIRITUAL DIRECTION: Please call the office.

PARISH OFFICE: (925) 228 - 2230 FAX: (925) 228 - 1318

Fr. Anthony Huong Le,

Parochial Administrator - Ext 6 franthonyl@stcmtz.org

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CHURCH LOCATION: 606 Mellus Street, Martinez, CA

PARISH OFFICE/CENTER & MAILING ADDRESS: 1125 Ferry Street Martinez, CA 94553-1720 PARISH WEBSITE: www.stcmtz.org OFFICE HOURS: PLEASE CALL FOR APPOINTMENT ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -

Sylvia Lloren Ext. 1 Office Administrator/Sacramental Coordinator/Bulletin sylvial@stcmtz.org Troy Killorn Ext. 3 Director of Music Ministry / Maintenance Manager troyk@stcmtz.org Karen Glen Ext. 4 Bookkeeper / Safe Environment Coordinator / RCIA kareng@stcmtz.org Andrea Watkins Ext. 5 Director Religious Education (K-8) Family Sunday Faith Formation Ministry andreaw@stcmtz.org Deacon Albert Dizon Ext. 7 dcnalbertd@stcmtz.org Deacon David Holland Ext. 7 dcndaveh@stcmtz.org Paul & Jennifer Holland Ext. 8 Co-coordinators, Confirmation Ministry paulh@stcmtz.org & jennyh@stcmtz.org ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ST. CATHERINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jessica Griswold, Principal jgriswold@csdo.org

SCHOOL K-8: 604 Mellus Street, Martinez, CA 94553 TELEPHONE: 925-228-4140 FAX: 925-228-0697 OFFICE HOURS: TBD SCHOOL WEBSITE: http://school.stcatherinemartinez.com ST. CATHERINE PRE-SCHOOL 925-229-

2255 Mea Auld, Pre-School Director mauld@csdo.org scpreschool@comcast.net PRE-SCHOOL LOCATION:1125 Ferry Street, Martinez, CA TELEPHONE / FAX: 925-229-2255 / 925-229-2474

PARISH & SCHOOL STAFF

SAFE ENVIRONMENT: Before serving or continuing in your ministry or organization, please complete the Diocesan required Safe Environment for Children Project Training @ www.virtusonline.org

“Let’s stay connected” via one of our many social media platforms:

Parish Website: www.stcmtz.org Bulletin Submission email: stcathmtz@yahoo.com Submissions are due no later than 12 PM every Friday for the following Sunday.

Exception: Early Holiday Deadlines Facebook: https://OfficialStCatherineofSienaChurch Myparishapp: Please download: myparishapp to your phones.

Step 1. Text App to number 88202. Step 2. Download the app via the link. Step 3. Search for St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Martinez. Step 4. Now stay connected! Step 5. Share with others, you know. Go to the menu, click share, and choose

PARISH REGISTRATION Are you Registered with our Parish? Has your family status changed? If you would like to register or update your current family information with the Parish, you may do so with our new on-line form located on our website, www.stcmtz.org or call the office, and we can help you with any update.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Due to a marked increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, Contra Costa County has

modified orders, effective November 6th. We are back to indoor services allowed at 25%

occupancy or 100 people, whichever is fewer.

We love for you to join us. Please remember to register on-line for

Sunday, Holy Mass. We are asking for your help in order to be prepared

and ready for everyone inside the church. All masses are now inside the church.

Please continue to sign up by going online to Eventbrite or on our Parish Website.

The link is also available through MyparishApp message and/or our Facebook page. Thank you all for your continued

support and understanding.

IMPORTANT NOTICE Effective 12/8/2020

8:00 AM Daily Mass (Mon-Sat. Livestreamed Only) Communion provided for 15 minutes after the Mass.

8:30 AM Sunday, Mass (Outdoor - Bilingual) Please register online through the Parish website or Event-brite. Both Pedestrian and Vehicle registration availa-ble. You may sit outside of your cars if you choose. 11:00 AM Sunday, Mass (Outdoor – Livestreamed) Communion provided for 15 minutes after the Mass. Both Pedestrian and Vehicle registration available. You may sit outside of your cars if you choose.

Please continue to sign up via: Eventbrite or on our Parish Website.

The link is also available through MyparishApp message and/or our Facebook page.

The Rosary is prayed before all masses. Reconciliation is available in the church

30 minutes before all masses

All Souls Masses - November 2nd, 2020

Gathering Hymn: Ready the Way Bob Hurd 1. "Ready the way of the Lord! Ready the way of the Lord!" A voice cries out in the wilderness: "Ready the way of the Lord!" 2. "Let ev'ry valley be filled. Let ev'ry valley be filled. Let ev'ry mountain be humbled; let ev'ry val-ley be filled." Refrain: Here is your God, coming with your vindication. Look and behold the saving power of God. Text based on Isaiah 35:1-6; 40:1-5, 9-11; Ezekiel 11:19-20. Text and music © 1986, Bob Hurd. Published by OCP. All rights reserved. Penitential Act: First Reading: IS 61:1-2a, 10-11 The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the LORD and a day of vindi-cation by our God. I rejoice heartily in the LORD, in my God is the joy of my soul; for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation and wrapped me in a mantle of justice, like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, like a bride bedecked with her jewels. As the earth brings forth its plants, and a garden makes its growth spring up, so will the Lord GOD make justice and praise spring up before all the nations..

Responsorial Psalm Luke 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54 R. (Is 61:10b) My soul rejoices in my God. Mi espíritu se alegra en Dios, mi salvador.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked upon his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: R:

He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, R.

Segunda Lectura 1 Ts 5, 16-24 Hermanos: Vivan siempre alegres, oren sin cesar, den gracias en toda ocasión, pues esto es lo que Dios quiere de ustedes en Cristo Jesús. No impidan la ac-ción del Espíritu Santo, ni desprecien el don de profecía; pero sométanlo todo a prueba y quédense con lo bueno. Absténganse de toda clase de mal. Que el Dios de la paz los santifique a ustedes en todo y que todo su ser, espíritu, alma y cuerpo, se conserve irreprochable hasta la llegada de nuestro Señor Jesu-cristo. El que los ha llamado es fiel y cumplirá su promesa.

Alleluia: PS: 85:8 R. Alleluia, ,alleluia, alleluia. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. R. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia . Gospel JN 1:6-8, 19-28 A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.” So

Desde ahora me llamarán dichosa todas las genera-ciones, porque ha hecho en mí grandes cosas el que todo lo puede. Santo es su nombre y su misericordia llega, de generación en generación, a los que lo te-men. R:

they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Eli-jah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” He said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘make straight the way of the Lord,’” as Isaiah the prophet said.” Some Phari-sees were also sent. They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. Profession of Faith I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, (At the words that follow, up to and including ”and became man,” all bow) and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glori-fied, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen. Presentation of the Gifts: Christ, Circle Round Us Dan Schutte 1. Come, O Radiant Dawn, splendor of the morning light. Come, Sun of Justice, turn away the pow'r of night.

Refrain: Christ, circle round us. Christ, may your light surround us. Shine in our living. Fill our hearts with great thanksgiving. 2. Come, O Flow'r of Love, holy branch of Jesse's tree. Come, Bough of Blessing, bloom for all the world to see. 3. Come, O Word of Truth, font of knowledge from on high. Come, Holy Wisdom, be our faithful friend and guide. 4. Come, O Gate of Hope, holy door of heaven's throne. Come, Key of David, open wide the pathway home. 5. Come, O Mighty Lord, master of the stars of night. Come, Strength of Pilgrims, keep us in your loving sight. 6. Come, Emmanuel, cherished hope of Israel. Come, live among us, ever in our hearts to dwell. 7. Come, Lord Jesus Christ, long awaited Prince of Peace. Come, Hope of Nations, ever make our love increase. Text based on Advent "O" Antiphons. Music based on Salve Regina (Chant, Mode V). Text and music © 1995, Daniel L. Schutte. Pub-lished by OCP. All rights reserved. Communion: A Voice Cries Out Michael Joncas 1. Console my people, the ones dear to me; speak to the heart of Jerusalem: the time of your mourning is ended now, the Lord of life will come. Refrain A voice cries out in the wilderness: "Prepare a way for the Lord!" A voice cries out in the wilder-ness: "Make straight a highway for God!" 2. Ev'ry valley is made a plain, ev'ry mountain is leveled; the glory of God shall then be revealed, and the nations will sing in praise. 3. A voice shouts: "Cry!" O what shall I cry? All flesh is like grass and its flowers: the grass may wither, the flow-ers may fade, but the Word of the Lord is forever. 4. Zion, shout from the mountain top, lift up your voice, O Jerusalem, and say to the people of God's own land, "Behold, behold your God!" 5. The Lord will appear as a shepherd, holding his lambs in his arms, keeping his flock so close to his heart, leading them all, old and young. Text: Based on Isaiah 40:1–11. Text and music © 1981, 1982, The Jan Michael Joncas Trust. Published by OCP. All rights reserved. love in-

Sending Forth: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus STUTTGART 1. Come, thou long-expected Jesus, Born to set thy people free! From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in thee. 2. Israel's strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth thou art; Dear desire of ev'ry nation, Joy of ev'ry longing heart.

Text: 87 87; Charles Wesley, 1707–1788. Music: Christian F. Witt's Harmonia Sacra, 1715; adapt. by Henry J. Gauntlett, 1805–1876.

CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE Please register for the Masses

6:00 PM Simbang Gabi / Las Posadas (outdoor school parking yard) December 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23

DECEMBER 24 - Christmas Eve Masses - Nativity of the Lord 1:00 PM Vigil Holy Mass (Upper Parking Lot) 3:00 PM Vigil Holy Mass - Includes Children’s Nativity Program (Upper Parking Lot and Livestreamed) 7:30 PM Lessons and Carols (Livestreamed only) 8:00 PM Holy Mass (Bilingual) “Midnight Mass” Livestreamed DECEMBER 25 - Christmas Day - Nativity of the Lord 8:30 AM Holy Mass (Upper Parking Lot) 11:00 AM Holy Mass (Upper Parking Lot & Livestreamed) DECEMBER 27 – Fr. Anthony’s Farewell Mass (Sendoff following 8:30AM and 11AM Mass) JANUARY 1st - New Year’s Day Mass - Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God 11:00 AM Holy Mass (Upper parking Lot and Livestreamed)

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WORSHIP

To facilitate a transforming encounter with God as we come together

in worship.

Today, openness to the unexpected is drastically resisted: summer vacations are planned in January, the chil-dren’s school is chosen long ahead of time, and babies are weighed and measured before they’re even born. Vaccinated, oriented, geolocated, networked, connected—nothing and no one escapes our will to control. The achievements of technology have augmented these abilities in us, and when the unexpected occurs, we feel disappointed. If a child is born with a disability not detected in the ultrasound scans, the parents see their trust in the medical profession crumble. Let us be wary of this “will for omnipotence” that places the weight of our lives on our own shoulders. What pride to imagine even for a moment that we are at the control panel of our own existence! On the spiritu-al plane, it implies that we have relegated God to a minimal expression. We would gain so much peace, how-ever, by returning Divine Providence to its rightful place, as the origin and goal of all life. Make an act of faith in God by accepting that you will not understand everything God needs us to make room for Him, to desire Him, in order to respond. In his Lenten message of 2014, Pope Francis invited us to accept our poverty as a place of God’s power: “If we feel that we do not need God, who reaches out to us through Christ, because we think we are self-sufficient, we are setting ourselves up for fail-ure.” We need to get out of our comfort zone and take the risk of letting Christ sustain us. And show our children that we accept the unexpected with confidence, in the strength of our certainty that “all is grace.” In a commentary on the Gospel, Father Raniero Cantalamessa compared our lives to those of the apostles caught in the storm: if we have not brought Christ into our boat, we are lost. Just as James and John chal-lenged God, saying, “Master, don’t you care that we are drowning?” we often receive the mishaps of our lives as injustices. To the terrified apostles, the Lord responded, “Why are you afraid? Don’t you have faith?” Let us make an act of faith in God by accepting that we do not immediately understand everything. Let us have confidence in “this One, that even the wind and the sea obey.” Like the disciples in the Gospel of Mark, let us take Jesus in with us in the boat of our lives. To count on Christ is to keep faith in Him who can do everything. His strength will allow us to face all storms, to fight all the hurricanes and, with Him, to reach shore. And let us not forget the words that Pope Francis pronounced in January 2014: “Trust in the Lord: this is the key to success in life (…), and you will never be disappointed. Never, ever!”

Why trusting in God is key to a successful life

How can we handle situations that we haven't decided on or that upset us?

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

DISCIPLESHIP To empower a community of Christian people walking

together as disciples of Jesus in order to share His good news.

St. Catherine Parish offers deepest sympathy and prayers for the families and, the repose of the soul of all

who entered into eternal life. Dorothy Wright Teresa Welch

Victims of the Coronavirus

STEWARDSHIP To create a culture in the parish rooted

in gratitude and generosity.

SAT 12/12 8:00 Guadalupe Gonzalez† 4:30 Balestrieri & Camarda Families† SUN 12/13 7:00 Int. Nelson Family 8:30 Agapito & Erlinda Bonifacio† 11:00 Mario Rose† 1:00 Int. People of the Parish MON 12/14 8:00 Alberto Costa† TUE 12/15 8:00 Kirk & Brydie Kuykendall † WED 12/16 8:00 Int. St. Catherine School Families THUR 12/17 8:00 Jennie Balestrieri† FRI 12/18 8:00 Int. Madeline Bender - Birthday SAT 12/19 8:00 Int. John and Ellen Concepcion 4:30 William Patrick Foley III† SUN 12/20 7:00 Peter Samuel Pierucci† 8:30 Lauro Conmigo† 11:00 Int. Nick & Paula Bocanegra - Anniversary 1:00 Int. People of the Parish

WEEKLY CONTRIBUTIONS

Thank you for your continued support,

both spiritual and financial.

Activity Center/Gymnasium: PACE I, II, FTP Repurposed Donations: Week Ending 12/04/2020 # Households/Individuals: Amount: $.00 Reclaimed Donations: # Households/Individuals: 0 Amount: $.00

YEAR TO DATE Week Ending 12/04/2020

Household/Individuals Repurposed: $791,064.75 254 Reclaimed: $335,153.90 78

**As of 12/04/20 $292,338.06 has been paid to back to Donor’s.

For Emergency Anointing of the Sick (Only for those who are experiencing an imminent death)

Call (925) 228-2230 Ext 6 Please leave your name, phone # and address.

Week of December 6th ONLINE Weekly Offering: $3,199.00 $2,880.00 Christmas: $1,000.00 $ 500.00 Christmas Flowers: $ 273.00 $ 50.00 CCHD: $ 60.00 $ 340.00 School Scholarship $ 100.00 St. Vincent de Paul $ 200.00 $ 190.00 Maintenance: $ 35.00

Fr. Anthony will be available for confession 30 minutes prior to every mass inside the church. If you choose to make an appointment please contact the office or Fr. Anthony at (925) 228-2230 Ext 6. or email franthonyl@stcmtz.org

Make a difference. Every dollar makes a difference in covering our expenses,” says a Trappist abbot. Hundreds of US religious communities struggle to provide for aging members because most senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests served for little pay. Your gift to the Retirement Fund for Religious helps these communities bridge the gap, offering support of medications, nursing care, and other necessities. Please be generous.

ADVENT / CHRISTMAS GIFT GIVING OUTREACH

Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, our Advent outreach will look a bit different. This season you are invited to donate gift cards to our neigh-bors through St. Vincent de Paul and the resident families at Mountain View Shelter. Although it will appear different, our giving will still be with heartfelt sentiments for individuals and families in need this Christmas. We ask that each of the cards you donate is in $10 incre-ments from Target, Walmart, etc. You are not limited to the number of cards you give. Please write the dollar amount of the gift on the card. You are welcome to place it inside a holiday greeting card, in an unsealed envelope. St. Vincent will distribute gift cards with consideration of the number of family members in each household. Drop off at the parish office dur-ing normal working hours or in the mail slot by December 17th. For an ONLINE Christmas gift for SVdP or Mtn View, use the parish website's www.stcmtz.org gift button. Distribution to our neighbors: individuals and families take place on Saturday, December 19. Thank you for your continued generosity and participating in this out-reach and bringing Christmas to our neighbors in need. Any questions, please contact SVdP President Anne Crisp at

The Hispanic/Latino Community and the San Lorenzo Ruiz Community of the Parish send with joy an invitation to everyone in the joint celebration of Las Posadas and Simbang Gabi. Las Posadas: This tradition was brought to Mexico from Spain by Catholic missionaries in the 1500s. It commemorates the journey that Mary and Joseph made to Bethlehem in search of a safe place where Mary could give birth to the baby Jesus. Posada means inn or dwelling in Spanish. Traditional Las Posadas cele-bration has several components: prayer (rosary), caminata (walking/ procession), food, and the 7-point piñata (which represents the seven deadly sins). The piñata is broken to symbolize destroying the sins. Las Posadas celebrations start 9 days before Christmas. Simbang Gabi: A devotional nine-day series of dawn masses on the days leading up to Christmas. The tra-dition starts on December 16th through December 24th. This tradition was introduced in the Philippines by the Spanish friars in the 1600s. It allows farmers to celebrate Mass before going to work. Masses can start as early as 4:00 o’clock in the morning. Simbang Gabi is also known by its Spanish name Misa de Gallo or "Rooster’s Mass.'' Over the years, Filipino communities have made adjustments to when it is celebrated. Some parishes now celebrate Simbang Gabi around 6:00 or 7:00 o’clock in the evening, to accommodate different schedules of community members. Las Posadas and Simbang Gabi are not just traditions but are spiritual preparations for Christmas, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Come one, come all! As one family at St. Catherine’s Parish, let us all

join in this 9-day celebration. December 15th through December 23rd at 6PM

OUTDOOR School Parking Lot (exact location to be announced)

For more information, please contact Dcn. Albert at (925) 228-2230 Ext 7 or Joy Belleza (925) 286-0799

WE ARE STILL IN NEED OF GIFT CARDS. If you would still like to contribute, please drop off your gift by December 17th.

FEAST OF FAITH The Shape of the Mass In the renewal of the liturgy that followed the Second Vatican Council, the full, conscious, and ac-tive participation of the assembly was the primary consideration. By participation, the Council Fathers did not mean just joining in the singing and the spo-ken responses, but active engagement and prayerful understanding of the rites. They envisioned a trans-parent liturgy, a worship that spoke so directly to the hearts and minds of the faithful that it would require no explanation at all. The liturgy itself is the best possible catechesis on the liturgy. What does the liturgy teach us? It shows us the ministry of Jesus continuing in the pre-sent. He gathers a community. He calls us to prayer and repentance and praise. He teaches us with the very word of God. He does not send us away empty, but sets before us a marvelous banquet, feeding us with his very body and blood. Then he sends us forth to do what he has done—to give ourselves for others, not just in words, but in deeds. The Mass is the pat-tern of our Christian lives.

READINGS & REFLECTIONS

Sunday, Dec 13, 2020 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Discern the spirit O en we get an intui on, a burning in the heart that feels mo va ng. It may tell us to speak up or shut up; to reach out or keep our hands off a situa on; to admit we need help or to stop leaning on others. Do we obey the prompt, or ignore it? The problem with following what may be a divine nudge is that we can’t always discern the Holy Spirit from a lesser kind. Discernment involves prayer, familiarity with scripture, consul-ta on with faithful others, and some mes spiritual direc on. Above all, it needs to be prac ced. Befriend the Spirit! TODAY'S READINGS: Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28 (8). “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophe c u erances.” Monday, Dec 14, 2020 MEMORIAL OF JOHN OF THE CROSS, PRIEST, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH

Be a light in the darkness We have so many op ons in our modern world that it’s easy to walk away from any organiza on or community that we strug-gle with and simply join ones that are more agreeable to us. But what if we stayed and worked to make them be er in-stead? Saint John of the Cross did exactly that and reformed his Carmelite order, despite imprisonment for his efforts. When you feel disillusioned with ins tu ons you love, be guid-ed by John’s wri ng—considered among the greatest in all of Spanish literature—about darkness leading to the light. TODAY'S READINGS: Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17a; Ma hew 21:23-27 (187). “By what authority are you doing these things?” Tuesday, Dec 15, 2020 ADVENT WEEKDAY

The darkness before dawn Two days ago we celebrated Gaudete Sunday with refrains of rejoicing. Two days from now, we’ll begin to pray the O An -phons—seven days to laud the fast-approaching Messiah. What to make of this in-between me, when scripture shows Jesus chiding religious leaders and Old Testament prophets preach fire and brimstone? “The day in which we now find ourselves is s ll night,” wrote Saint Augus ne. But the promise of salva on is sure. “Keep your a en on closely fixed on it, as you would on a lamp shining in a dark place un l the first streaks of dawn appear.” TODAY'S READINGS: Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13; Ma hew 21:28-32 (188). "Tax collectors and pros tutes are entering the kingdom of God." Wednesday, Dec 16, 2020 ADVENT WEEKDAY

Usher in a renewed Advent This Advent season is so different from any other in our life-

mes, and the holidays may not allow for worship in person with our faith communi es or celebra ons with beloved fami-lies. For many of us, this brings sadness to these Advent days as we mourn the loss of familiar rituals. The poe c words of theologian, educator, and civil rights leader Howard Thurman remind us that the work of Christmas is to “find the lost, heal the broken, feed the hungry . . . rebuild the na ons and bring

peace among others.” Let us pray for the grace to overcome any disappointment we feel and focus on feeding the hungry, having compassion for the broken, and rebuilding the rela on-ships around us. In such prac ces, we will find Advent hope and peace. TODAY'S READINGS: Isaiah 45:6b-8, 18, 21c-25; Luke 7:18b-23 (189). “The poor have the good news proclaimed to them.” Thursday, Dec 17, 2020 ADVENT WEEKDAY (O WISDOM)

Heavenly sounds Today is the first of the O An phons, an Advent tradi on from the seventh century whereby for a week the church’s evening prayer salutes the coming Messiah by different names each evening. Tonight monasteries, parishes, and ordinary Chris-

ans will sing or recite “O Sapien a” (Wisdom). Reading about the loveliness of this prayer is no subs tute for hearing it. Let the ethereal sound of this ancient tradi on upli your prayer today. Here is “O Sapien a” sung by Dominican friars in Ox-ford, England. TODAY'S READINGS: Genesis 49:2, 8-10; Ma hew 1:1-17 (193). “Thus the total number of genera ons from Abraham to David is fourteen gen-era ons.” Friday, Dec 18, 2020 ADVENT WEEKDAY (O SACRED LORD)

A call to rescue and restore The calami es that piled up in 2020 point surely to the longing of today’s O An phon. A wave of global pandemic, quaran ne, massive unemployment, fires, floods, and protest for racial jus ce crests, resona ng with the yearning for freedom. More than ever, we yearn for the Leader who will restore jus ce and rescue us with mighty power. And at a me when more people are exiled from their homes than ever before in human history, we commemorate Migrants Day with a plain ve call: Come, Lord Jesus to our human mess. We need you as we have throughout the centuries. TODAY'S READINGS: Jeremiah 23:5-8; Ma hew 1:18-25 (194). “ O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.” Saturday, Dec 19, 2020 ADVENT WEEKDAY (O FLOWER OF JESSE’S STEM)

Crea on is full of surprises The image of “Jesse’s Stem” in today’s O An phon comes from the Book of Isaiah. Using the image of a tree much like we use a family tree to trace our lineage, Isaiah traces the lineage of the kings of Judah forward from Jesse, the father of King David, to the hoped-for Christ, the new king who might restore the monarchy to its former greatness. But like the birth of John the Bap st, the actual coming of the Christ would be a surprise, a new revela on of a heavenly Kingdom. Reflect on the various ways God has surprised you in your life. TODAY'S READINGS: Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a; Luke 1:5-25 (195). “O Flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples.”

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