23 Dec
Sat
3rd Week of Advent
Mal. 3:1-4,23-24
Ps. 25(24):4-5,8-9,10,14;
Lk. 1:57-66
(Ps III)
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"Suddenly there will come to the Temple the Lord whom you seek." God comes in his own time and place. He comes "suddenly" unexpectedly. During his public life Jesus taught us that we do not know the time of the coming of the Son of Man, whether at our own death or in judgement at the end of the world. The word "suddenly" implies an element of surprise. For several centuries before John the Baptist and Jesus were born, there had been no true prophet or leader in Israel. So people were excited when John appeared preaching a baptism of repentance. They wondered if he could be the Messiah. In their different ways, the Gospels affirm that John was not the Messiah, but only a witness to the coming of the Messiah, the true light of the world. The Messiah came at God's chosen time and in God's chosen place. There is an implicit call for us to keep an open mind and heart in the growth of our spiritual lives, for God continually gives us the graces that we need and then, when we least expect it or even understand what is happening, he may give us special graces, consoling us with a growth in our faith, our hope and our love.



Lord, keep our hearts prepared to accept whatever grace You give us.


DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That the elderly, sustained by families and Christian communities, may apply their wisdom and experience to spreading the faith and forming the new generations.
Elaboration

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