6 December Second Sunday of Advent
“He went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: ‘A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths’” (Lk 3:3-4).
Communion Connection –
Each of us is called to prepare the way of the Lord who wants to enter into our life; and we must make the paths of our life straight so that He can come in. We have to prepare the way for Him, removing every obstacle one by one, such as those arising from our limited way of seeing things, from our weak will. Moment by moment, let us try to remove those obstacles so that it will be no longer be our will living in us, but His. –Word of Life
Additional Catholic Resources:
Word of Life http://www.focolare.org/en/news/2011/12/01/dicembre-2011/
Audio Homily by Fr. Robert Barron http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/be-ready/864/
13 December Third Sunday of Advent
“’And the crowds asked him, ‘What then should we do?’ He said to them in reply, ‘Whoever has two tunics should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise’” (Lk 3:10-11).
Communion Connection –
Why should I give what is mine to another? Since we were both created by God, the other person is my brother, my sister; therefore, he or she is part of me. We were created as a gift for one another, in the image of God who is Love. We have the divine law of love in our blood. It is the ‘law of heaven’, the life of the Holy Trinity brought down on earth, the heart of the Gospel. We on earth are truly ourselves to the extent that we live the reciprocity of love. Our love reaches fulfilment when we share with one another not only spiritual goods, but also material goods. - Word of Life
Additional Catholic Resources:
Word of Life http://www.focolare.org/en/news/2014/11/28/dicembre-2014/
Audio Homily by Fr. Robert Barron http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/what-should-we-do/743/
20 December Fourth Sunday of Advent
“’And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled’” (Lk 1:43-45).
Communion Connection –
Mary's role as the mother of God is lofty and magnificent. But the Virgin is not the only one God calls to generate Christ. Every Christian has a similar task, even though in a different way. We are each called to approach the Word of God as Mary did, that is, by being totally open to it. Therefore, to believe that all the promises contained in the Word of Jesus will be fulfilled, and if necessary, to risk the consequences that His Word can sometimes imply. Wonderful things always happen to those who believe in the Word – big things, little things. -Word of Life
Additional Catholic Resources:
Word of Life http://www.focolare.org/en/news/2010/08/01/agosto-2010/
Audio Homily by Fr. Robert Barron http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/a-new-ark-for-a-new-covenant/986/
27 December The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
“He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man” (Lk 2:50-52).
Communion Connection –
Even ordinary day to day life is filled with the work of God and the holiness of family love and interaction. Obedience, prayerful pondering, and gaining wisdom and grace are all part of sacred Christian living that each of us can choose if we make up our minds to follow the path of Jesus Christ. Let’s commit ourselves on the brink of the new year ahead to dedicate even our everyday routines to the glory of God, and choose right living that incorporates obedience to the will of God each moment of the day.
Additional Catholic Resources:
Audio Homily by Fr. Robert Barron http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/keeping-your-family-holy/4594/
Order of Carmelites Lectio http://ocarm.org/en/calendar-date/2015-12-27