A reading from the holy gospel according to Mark 1:21-28

Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching! With authority he commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.
The gospel of the Lord

Focus: Jesus speaks with authority and the people are stunned by his knowledge. Jesus communicated truth in simple but powerful ways.

Questions for reflection and sharing:
1. What words or phrases stand out for you?
2. What is the stewardship message in this gospel?
3. Who is the most effective teacher you have known? What made this person effective?
4. How can we allow Jesus’ teachings to be more authoritative in our lives?

Concluding prayer: O God, the giver of all good gifts, our desire to praise you is itself a blessing you have bestowed upon us. Help us to follow you and listen to your authoritative word in our lives so that we may share it with others. We ask this through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

A reading from the holy gospel according to Mark: Mark 1:14-20

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.
The gospel of the Lord.

Focus: To repent means to change one’s mind, to completely change one’s attitude from self-centeredness to God-centeredness. This is a total change in one’s life.

Questions for reflection and sharing:
1. What words or phrases stand out for you in this reading?
2. Have you had any experiences in your life when you felt compelled to make a significant change?
3. What would compel a person to “follow Jesus” as definitely as did these disciples?

Concluding prayer: All loving and generous God, you have called us to follow you. Help us to respond by living a life of stewardship. Help us to be good stewards of your message, sharing the word of God with everyone we meet. We ask this through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

A reading from the holy gospel according to John:

John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” -. which translated means Teacher .-, “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they went and saw where Jesus was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” -. which is translated Christ -.. Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas” .- which is translated Peter.
The gospel of the Lord

Focus: The role of John the Baptist is to identify Jesus as the Lamb of God, who forgives sins. Give us the ability to accept the word about Jesus and let our hearts be moved.

Questions for reflection and sharing:
1. What words or phrases stand out for you in this reading?
2. With whom might you identify in this reading?
3. If Jesus were to ask you, “What do you seek?” what would you answer?

Concluding Prayer: God of everlasting glory, you have chosen us and loved us from before the creation of the world. Help us to respond to this everlasting love by living a life of stewardship. Help us to commit our time, talent and treasure to you. We ask this through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

A reading from the holy gospel according to Matthew: Matt. 2:1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.” Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way. The gospel of the Lord.

Focus: Today we celebrate the revelation of Christ to the whole world. He came for everyone. God’s love is universal and ours should be the same.

Questions for reflection and sharing:
1. What words or phrases stand out for you in this reading?
2. If you were commissioned to be a modern day Magi, what gift could you or would you bring to Jesus?
3. Who or what event was the star that led you to a better understanding of Jesus?

Concluding prayer: All generous God, we come to you asking for your help as we attempt share our gifts with others. We pray that everyone in our parish will be open to sharing your gifts with others. We ask this through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 2:16-21

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
The gospel of the Lord.

Focus: Mary is the ultimate symbol of the Christian, for what is a Christian if not one who bears Christ within our world and brings him to people.

Questions for reflection and sharing:
1. What words and phrases stand out for you in this gospel?
2. What is the stewardship message in this reading?
3. How can you learn from Mary’s pilgrimage of faith in the midst of the trials and struggles of your life?
4. What is the difference between the peace that God gives and what is valued by the world around us?

Concluding prayer: Lord Jesus, your mother bore you in tender love and gave you to us for our salvation. Let us treasure her example and her intercession as we bear you to a world which lacks your peace. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

A reading of the holy gospel according to Luke: 2:1-14

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
The gospel of the Lord

Focus: Luke records the birth of Jesus with tender simplicity and stresses the theme of poverty.

Questions for reflection and sharing:
1. Christ came as a child. When has a child had an impact on your life?
2. Do you have family customs which make celebrating Christmas more meaningful than just merry-making?

Concluding prayer: All-powerful God, Jesus came into the world through Mary who placed her life at the service of your plan. Help us to hear the voice which announces his glory and open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for his coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

A reading from the holy gospel according to Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,and of his kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
The gospel of our Lord

Focus: Mary says yes to the angel Gabriel, not knowing what this will mean in her life. The stewardship Mary displays here shows that God is first in her life. Her life is radically altered and so is all of history.

Questions for reflection and sharing:
1. Has your life ever been totally altered with a simple “yes?”
2. Elizabeth realized that nothing is impossible with God. When have you experienced how God works in your life?
3. How can we live this gospel in our daily lives?

Concluding prayer: All loving God, make me open to God in my life as Mary was. Help me surrender my need for control and be open to the God who calls me. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

A reading from the holy gospel according to John 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 they asked him, “Who are you then? Are you Elijah?” 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 Pharisees 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.
The gospel of our Lord

Focus: John the Baptist saw himself as the one to prepare the way for Jesus to come. His baptism was a simple water rite unlike Jesus’ baptism in the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist proclaims the Good News of Jesus’ coming and prepares our hearts for this event.

Questions for reflection and sharing:
1. How do you answer the question, “Who are you?”
2. How can you imitate John the Baptist and be a witness to Jesus in your family, at work, and in your neighborhood?
3. Has anyone recently helped you find faith?

Concluding prayer: O God of goodness, you sent John the Baptist to announce the good news of Christ’s coming. Send us to live lives illumined by the Gospel, that we too may be a source of joy in your promise, through the same Christ our Lord, Amen

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ according to Mark 1:1-8

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey. And this is what he proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ

Focus: Mark tells us about John the Baptist, the herald of Good News of the coming of Jesus. We are called to be heralds of this same Good News.

Questions for reflection and sharing:
1. Describe an experience when you prepared for someone special coming into your life.
2. How are you preparing for Christ’s coming?
3. Can you think of a time when someone brought you good news that changed your life?

Concluding prayer: God of power and mercy, open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy. Help us to share in his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

A reading from the holy gospel according to Mark: 13:33-37

Jesus said to his disciples: Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. Watch, therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: (Watch!)
The gospel of the Lord

Focus: Advent literally means “coming.” This parable encourages us not to grow careless. Advent is a time of joyful expectation. Jesus will come again. He will not forget us. Keep looking!

Questions for reflection and sharing:
1. What stands out for you in this gospel?
2. How do you show hope in your daily life?
3. What do you use to bring God into your life every day?
4. Do you or does your family have any Advent customs?
5. How can you live this gospel this week?

Concluding prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, you are always with us, yet you come to us in a special way at Christmas. Help us prepare for the coming of the Christ Child so we can experience your gift of life anew. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen