Christmas Eve Sermon December 24, 2021

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Sunday Reflection (December 26, 2021)

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Jesus Christ was formed within the womb of Mary and Jesus grew and developed
in the home of a pious Jewish carpenter and mother (Luke 2:29-40, 52). Because
Christ is formed within us and among us, we represent Christ to the world. As Christ
is more perfectly formed within us and among us, we are clothed in a new nature
(Colossians 3:10-17).

Prayer for the Week (December 26 2021-January 1, 2022)

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Let us pray that the Lord Jesus grow
    within us and among us:
God our Father, we give you all thanks and praise
    that you chose for your Son a human family.
Through the example of Mary and Joseph,
    may we learn to make room for Jesus in our life,
    so that he grow within us and among us
    and make us more like him.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.
                                                             (Claretian Publications)

Prayer for the Week (December 19-December 25, 2021)

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Let us pray to God our Father
    so that we welcome his Son:
Our God and Father, we eagerly await
    the coming of your Son among us.
Prepare us to recognize and receive him
    when he comes.
May we recall that he came to us
    in poverty and humility.
Guide us through the Holy Spirit
    to discover Christ in the simplicity
    of everyday life and everyday people.
Accustom us to your Son and his ways
    so that he change our lives to conform to his,
    for he is our Lord and Savior.
Amen.
                                                             (Claretian Publications)

Sunday Reflection (December 19, 2021)

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By being perfectly obedient Jesus sanctifies not only himself
but also us (Hebrews 10:5-10). God’s grace embraces us.
No more sacrifice is needed yet think of the scapegoating
sacrifices we continue to make to cover our own sins and failures.
The scapegoating sacrifices we make so we do not have to extend grace
to the one scapegoated or to those scapegoated.

We may have trouble accepting God’s forgiveness of our sins,

or we may take it for granted. We may become so bogged down
with our own faults and failures that we have a tough time offering
our best gifts to God’s glory. Nevertheless, we joyfully celebrate
God’s grace and find ways to share God’s grace and love
 with others. Why was Christ Born? To make up for our unfaithfulness!
To show us God’s will! To encourage us to do God’s will!
To teach us to stop scapegoating others and to lead us to be merciful
as God has been with us.

Thursday Devotion December 16, 2021

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Tuesday Devotion December 14, 2021

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Sunday Reflection (December 12, 2021)

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For John the Baptist, repentance was more than a warm feeling

while weeping at the altar. Rather, it was a change in the way we

live among others and how we treat others. Such repentance brings

hope for those who repent and the world around them. John is

concerned about greed and the accumulation of possessions while

others go without (Luke 3:7-14).

John’s message is especially sharp to those who have more than their

fair share because repentance required that they share their excess,

but for that reason, it gives hope to those who have little. Through

repentance, we make amends and bring about a better way of life,

and not just for ourselves and those like us and those related to us,

but for the whole world. It is difficult to heed John’s warning if we are

comfortable and smug, but if we are willing to respond, there is hope

for us and others, especially those on the “short end of the stick.”

Prayer for the Week (December 12-December 18, 2021)

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Let us pray for the courage to do well

what we have to do in life:

Our faithful God, give us the courage

to welcome your Son by sharing

what we have, doing what is right

and just and spreading peace.

May your Son Jesus baptize us

with the Holy Spirit and fire,

so that he renew us by his love

and our hearts overflow with joy

because Jesus is alive among us.
Amen.

                                                             (Claretian Publications)

Prayer for the Week (December 5-December 11, 2021)

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Let us pray that we prepare the road
    for the Lord’s coming:
God our Father, we know how
    to pierce mountains
    and level hills to build highways,
    but we have lost the way
    to each other and to you.
May your Son lead us to build roads
    of justice and love.
We ask you this in the name of him
    whom we expect
    and who is waiting for us,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
                                                             (Claretian Publications)