Third Sunday of Advent December 10, 2007

I OPENING PRAYER“The Word Was Made Flesh” Various voices read the statements; pause for silent reflection after each statement. The Leader then offers the invitation, “Let us pray” and all give the response. In conclusion, all pray the closing prayer.

I paused on a winter cold night and felt the beauty of soft snowflakes upon my cheeks. I marveled at a presence more than mine in that moment of wonder. Leader: Let Us Pray

ALL: The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14).

I visited a dying woman in the hospital. I sensed her courage and her strength in the midst of great frailty. Leader: Let Us Pray

ALL: The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14).

I looked into the eyes of the clerk in the department store. They were the eyes of one who was tired and discouraged. Leader: Let Us Pray ALL: The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14).

I walked past a homeless man on the street. He held out an ungloved hand and asked me for coffee money to warm him in the cold. Leader: Let Us Pray ALL: The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14).

L opened the newspaper and saw a photo of children killed in a bombing. Parents wept over them and soldiers stood nearby with their guns... Leader: Let Us Pray ALL: The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14).

I went to a Christmas party and saw friends of long ago. We laughed and reminisced and enjoyed the moments we had known in years gone by... Leader: Let Us Pray ALL: The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14).

I spent the early morning hour in prayer, asking God to tell me the meaning of incarnation in my life.

I read a letter from a single parent who still has no work. She grieves over the little she can give her children and worries about their health.. Leader: Let Us Pray ALL: The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14).

I opened up the package that came in the mail. When I saw the little sprigs of fresh holly, hope sprang up in my heart. Leader: Let Us Pray ALL: The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14).

I went to church today and sang the songs of Advent yearning. I turned my heart to the God who is always in need of a better dwelling place and I begged for my transformation. . Leader: Let Us Pray ALL: The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14).

All: O Word made flesh, you came to dwell among us long ago. No matter how dull and lifeless, or how happy and fulfilling our lives may be, there is always need for a deeper awareness of your hopeful presence. There are signs of your coming, signs of your continued presence, everywhere in our lives. Freshen up our vision so that we can recognize your dwelling within us and among us as we move hurriedly in this busy season of the year. May our lives be filled with love for all those who come our way. Amen.

II REVIEW OF LIFE: Rosemarie & Ann, Theresa & Noranne, Fran & Jane, Judy & Pam.

1. Have I been able to find time each day for some prayer and reflection? If not, what are the barriers?

2. Name an experience of the Lord- or of his absence- in these last two weeks. What did I hear?

3.What do I need most to persevere?

4. What challenges am I experiencing in carrying my prayer/reflection into my family, work, society?

5. How is my attitude changing toward the most forgotten people in our society? What am I doing about them?

6. In what ways am I growing closer to church, the Body of Christ?

7. For the next 2wks, what will be my clear-cut, simple plan or resolve? Who will I ask to pray for me in this regard?

8. How have you seen God in your life since we last met?

III Readings: Reading 1: Is 35:1-6a, 10, Reading II: Jas 5:7-10, Gospel: Mt 11:2-11

VI TIME FOR QUIET REFLECTION ON READINGS, COMMENTARY & QUESTIONS

VII COMMENTARY: “SEEING THE BEST” by Michael Kent

One of the more endearing aspects of this time of year is its magic; the season tends to bring out the best in people. We might notice people are a little more cheerful, friendly, and polite. We may act a bit different toward one another than at other times, a little more understanding, compassionate, and generous. Perhaps we even feel better about ourselves. Would that this gentler mood could continue all year long. But is there a way it might?

Our reading today, which urges our patience and peace with one another, suggests that it should. The heart of the Christian message is tied into how we relate to one another and James addresses an important issue concerning our relationships. Most of our problems are people problems; most of our heartaches and disappointments revolve around our relationships. Happiness hinges almost exclusively on how well we get along with others. But how do we find this patience and peace on any consistent basis when we are surrounded by people who irritate and upset us, sometimes even people we love?

The answer lies in a fundamental attitude. Are we comfortable with our own species? In general, do we accept people as "human," as they are? Do we have sympathy and tolerance for imperfections, frailties, faults, and foibles, especially in those who are close to us? Furthermore, when we observe others, what do we look for? Do we see the good as much as we see the bad? Are we willing to notice the best in people as much as we do the worst?

It is what we look at, then, that determines our patience. It is what we focus on that determines our peacefulness.

When marriage counselors, for example, conduct therapy for troubled marriages they observe how readily spouses can come up with negative points about each other. And yet, when they manage to get them to talk about each other's good points, such wonderful and healing stories are revealed. When parents complain about how poorly some of their children turned out, their disappointment quickly dissipates as they begin talking about some of the good experiences they have had with them. Our friends may let us down on occasion, but our feelings improve when we consider all the good times we have had together. What we look at can dramatically affect our moods.

Advent prepares us for Christmas by getting us to see things differently. One of the best ways to do this is to develop an attitude of seeing the best in everyone. It's often just a matter of focus.

If seeing the bad points in people upsets and irritates you, why put up with it? If people get on your nerves, what are you looking at? Why not shift focus? If some good is there, why not concentrate on it? To achieve the patience and peace James encourages, you need to ask yourself, How willing am I to alter my focus and look for the best?

VIII REFLECTION QUESTIONS-

  1. How does the word, phrase or image that struck you from this week's scriptures speak to your life or the life of the community, your family or your world these days?
  2. Reflect on the ways you decorate your living space during Advent. What do these decorations signify to you?
  3. God’s wisdom is often found in these least expected places. Where lately have you discovered God’s wisdom or truth and been surprised?
  4. Relate an experience when it was easy for you to recognize God in a person, situation or event, and another when it was difficult.

IX LG GROUP INSIGHTS on Sm Group Sharing:(What have I discovered that I can bring back to my life?)

X RESPONSE IN ACTION

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$The feast of Christmas was determined by the position of the sun and our longing for light. Get to bed early to get up earlier some day this week. Spend some time in the dark waiting for sunrise and reflecting on Jesus, the radiant light of our lives. Some people are physically affected by the lack of sunlight during the winter months.

$All of us are affected emotionally by deeds of hope. Bring sunshine into the life of another. Take time this week to speak words of encouragement to someone who is experiencing difficulties in life.

$Assess your social activities during this week of Advent,. Enter into the spirit of the season ;by participating in an Advent activity, putting off a Christmas party to celebrate during the Twelve Days of Christmas.

$The O antiphons are proclaimed in the hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” Pray one verse of this hymn each day to gain deeper insight into the person of Jesus.

O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, great Lord of might, Who to thy tribes on Sinai's height In ancient times once gave the law In cloud and majesty and awe. Refrain

O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free. Thine own from Satan's tyranny; From depths of hell thy people save, And give them victory over the grave. Refrain

O come, thou Dayspring, from on high Our spirits by thy drawing nigh; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death's dark shadows put to flight. Refrain

O come, thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heavenly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery. Refrain

XI SHARED PRAYER :Spiritual Zest December 2007 by Joyce Rupp

In her Advent book, Night Visions, Jan Richardson refers to a story Kathleen Norris narrates in Dakota. An old monk, who was trained to welcome every guest as another Christ, tells a younger monk: “I have finally learned to accept people as they are. Whatever they are in the world, a prostitute, a prime minister, it is all the same to me. But sometimes I see a stranger coming up the road and I say, “Oh, Jesus Christ, is it you again?”

Richardson goes on to write, “Those who welcomed Jesus – the angels, the shepherds, the Magi – readily recognized him and knew the import of his arrival. They greeted him joyfully with their songs, their presence, their gifts. The rest of us sometimes have a more difficult time welcoming Christ into our midst, particularly when he arrives in the guise of one who seems radically different from us or who gets under our skin or who angers us or who confronts us with parts of ourselves we don’t want to see.”

This major theme of Advent, hospitality, is my focus for this December. Spiritual hospitality is about welcoming with kindness, allowing gracious openness for another to enter the room of one’s heart. I think of the welcome of Mary’s womb where she nourished Love into human form. I remember how Advent today is not about preparing for the coming of the infant Jesus. This human Child came long ago. Rather, Advent extends an invitation to reawaken to the mystical Christ (the Spirit of the Risen One) living on in us.

What this means for me is a daily renewal and intention to be a welcoming presence. This resolve challenges my judgments of others, loosens my grip on my grudges, and requires me to soften my hardened heart toward certain individuals and groups. Because of this intention of mine, I have placed one word on my prayer altar this Advent: ACCEPT. It’s a small word with big potential. If I truly live this word formed of six simple letters, it could change significantly how I experience both Advent and Christmas this year.

To close these ponderings, I share with you a part of Naomi Shihab Nye’s poem from 19 Varieties of Gazelle.

The Arabs used to say, When a stranger appears at your door, feed him for three days before asking who he is,

where he’s come from, where he’s headed. That way, he’ll have strength enough to answer. Or, by then you’ll be such good friends you don’t care

This Advent, I hope we will all “feed some strangers” until they become “good friends!” © Joyce Rupp

XII BUSINESS: Meetings: 12/17 Pam’s 1/7Our Christmas Celebration Mass & Breakfast

* Birthdays: Frances Feb 17 Theresa Feb 18 Jane April 1 Ann June 1 Eileen July 25 MASSES FOR EILEEN Rosemarie Nov 30 Pam Dec 28. Noranne April 17 Judy 7/15 Theresa: Rosemarie: Pam: Ann: Noranne: Judy: Ann’s cell: 275-7587

XIII CLOSING :WE PRAY FOR THE FOLLOWING: Church Good Shepherd Eileen Chang All of Our Small Church Pam Joyce(MS) Jeanine & Darren Jodi (prison) Mike Latore (backpain, cancer) All those on our internet prayer request list Dolores Madigan Debbie (thyroid) Pat (thyroid) Nancy C(esophegus cancer), Marcy W Louis C Antoinette P Mary G Margie, Janes daughter Frankie (drugs) , Dee (cancer) Donna (schizophrenia) Bernie (cancer) Aidan (3yr old autism), Jordon (ADD), Leah (uncontrolled Lupus), Jess (brain cancer), Carol Gamba (cancer) , Liz Brown (lungs), Suzanne (recovery) Theresa (lymes disease) Annemarie (uterine cancer), Virginia (mini strokes), Joe Stallone, Joe(lung disease), Keith (4th Stage lymes), Linda (T’s aunt), Brenda (preg), Phyllis (breast cancer), Dan (cancer), Louis (cancer), John Powers

SENDING FORTHAND CLOSING PRAYER:The Gift of Hope

O God of all those who yearn for a glimmer of assurance on the long journey home to you, come! Come with a vast storehouse of renewed dreams, hopes, and peacefulness.

God of hope, come! Enter into my memory and remind me often of the yearning of the people of history. Stir up stories of how the ancestors hung on to your promises, how they stole hope from tiny glimmers about you, passed on from age to age. Help me to hear the loud, crying voices of the prophets who proclaimed that a new age would dawn.

God of hope, come! Enter into this heart of mine which often loses itself in self, missing the message of your encouragement because I am so entangled in the web of my own whirl of life. Enable me to not lose sight of the power of your presence or the truth of your consolation.

God of hope, come! Enter into the lives of all those I hold dear, the ones whose lives are marked with pain, struggle, arid deep anxiety, those whose lives bear ongoing heartaches, those whose difficulties threaten to overwhelm them with helplessness and despair. Come and gift them with a deep belief about you and your never-ending faithfulness and companionship.

God of hope. come! Enter into every human heart that cries out for a glimpse of your love, for a sign of your welcoming presence, for a taste of your happiness. Be the one who calms the restless and gentles the ache of the human journey.

God of hope, come! Enter into this Advent season with the grace of joy and laughter. Fill faces with smiles of delight and voices with sounds of pleasure. Let this gift come from deep within. Replenish all with the joyful blessings that only your peace can bring.

God of hope, come! Be the Morning Star in our midst, the Light that can never go out, the Beacon of Hope guiding our way to you. Come into our midst and make of our lives a home, where your everlasting goodness resonates with assuring love and vigorous hope. Joyce Rupp

Third Sunday of Advent

Reading 1 Is 35:1-6a, 10

The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom. They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song. The glory of Lebanon will be given to them, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;

they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing.

Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; they will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee.

Reading II Jas 5:7-10

Be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You too must be patient.

Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another, that you may not be judged. Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates. Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Gospel Mt 11:2-11

When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question,

“Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised,