These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her. (Lk 1:26-38)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122023.cfm
My spiritual director, Fr Joe McCloskey, used to say about the Incarnation, that the whole universe held its breath to hear the response of Mary to the Angel. May we also say YES to God so that Christ can be born in us. O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness!
Then Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years." And the angel said to him in reply, "I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time." (Lk 1:5-25)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121923.cfm
The contrast between the two annunciation stories in Luke’s Gospel is profound. The striking contrast between the priest Zechariah who refuses to believe, and Mary the young woman of Nazareth who trusts “that the Lord’s words to her would be fulfilled” captures the heart. O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay!
The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means "God is with us." (Mt 1:1-25)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121823.cfm
“Do not be afraid.” In the encounter with God we need to hear these words, because like Moses, we are standing on Holy Ground. O Mighty Lord, and leader of the house of Israël, who appeared to Moses in the burning bush, and on Sinai gave him the law, come to redeem us with outstretched arm.
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. (1 Thes 5:16-24)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121723.cfm
Today the Liturgy calls us to rejoice . . . for the Lord is near: the One whose coming we await fills the hungry with good things, and sends the rich away empty. This week we went shopping for gifts for the poor children. Now we are ready. O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge!
As they were coming down from the mountain, the disciples asked Jesus, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" He said in reply, "Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands." Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist. (Mt 17:9a, 10-13)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121623.cfm
Each gospel writer handles the relationship between Jesus and John the Baptist in a different way. Today’s gospel points out that the sufferings of John the Baptist foreshadow the sufferings of Jesus. As we enter into the final week of Advent, Colombia tonight begins the Christmas Novena, la Novena de Aguinaldos, which culminates on Christmas Eve.
