Bulletin Shorts for Year B – 2018
Sunday Prayer Shaping Life and Belief
Eliot Kapitan
Springfield, Illinois
Advent – December 2017
Two years ago, this series of bulletin shorts set out to help the faithful and catechumens delve into the Sunday Scriptures and wrestle with mercy works. That Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy 2016 set us on a journey to see-think-act in more merciful ways. This work continues. Use these shorts with your parish, community, and ministry. Put in the mail, post on the website, print in bulletin or newsletter, share in other ways that are helpful. They are a gift. Link: http://www.dio.org/worship/liturgical-year.html
Corporal Works of Mercy ● Feed the hungry ● Give drink to the thirsty ● Shelter the homeless ● Clothe the naked ● Visit the sick ● Visit the prisoners ● Bury the dead ● Give alms to the poor ● Care of our Common Home ● Spiritual Works of Mercy ● Counseling the doubtful ● Instructing the ignorant ● Admonishing the sinner ● Comforting the sorrowful ● Forgiving injuries ● Bearing wrongs patiently ● Praying for the living and the dead ● Caring for our Common Home
Bulletin Shorts for Advent in Year BFirst Sunday of Advent – 03 December 2017
Standing watch. Always ready. We are challenged not to slide easily into this new liturgical year. We must be on guard. We must be ready to act in the ways Saint Matthew laid out last Sunday (Matthew 25:1-13). Simply stated, Christ the King says these acts are works of mercy. These spiritual and corporal works offer needed guidance for weekly behavior.
· What work of mercy needs doing?
· What will I do this week to work on it?
· How can I engage others to help?
Corporal Works of Mercy ● Feed the hungry ● Give drink to the thirsty ● Shelter the homeless ● Clothe the naked ● Visit the sick ● Visit the prisoners ● Bury the dead ● Give alms to the poor ● Care of our Common Home ● Spiritual Works of Mercy ● Counseling the doubtful ● Instructing the ignorant ● Admonishing the sinner ● Comforting the sorrowful ● Forgiving injuries ● Bearing wrongs patiently ● Praying for the living and the dead ● Caring for our Common Home
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Friday, 08 December 2017
Blessed in Christ. Just like Mary, each of us is chosen in Christ, is adopted as daughter or son for a life filled with grace. Let us strive to be sinless in the works we do.
Second Sunday of Advent – 10 December 2017
Until Christ returns. Who shall we be and what shall we do while awaiting this Second Coming? Surely not standing around being idle. No – at work! The Bible readings early in Advent urge us to be at these works: giving comfort, straightening out pathways (both figurative and real), repenting, living without spot or blemish.
· Saint Paul asks, What sort of person ought I be?
· How does my life point to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?
· What one act of mercy will I do this week?
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patronal Feastday of the Americas – Tuesday, 12 December 2017
May we seek with ever more lively faith the progress of peoples in the ways of justice and peace.
Third Sunday of Advent – 17 December 2017
How will I answer? Questions are put to John the Baptist today. Who are you? What do you have to say for yourself? Worthy questions for each of us.
· What truth, what goodness will I voice this week?
· What will I do to back up these words?
· How can I lead this person, ______, to Jesus, the Light of the World?
Fourth Sunday of Advent – 24 December 2017
Secret no more. What may have seemed a big secret, is made known over time by spending time with God (prayer and quiet) and faithful activity (mercy works). As with Blessed Mary long ago, the Holy Spirit is doing something in me, calling me to something important. Can I name it? Will I say “yes” to it after prayer as Mary did?
· What does God want me to say or do?
· How will the Holy Spirit help?
· Will I do it?
Nativity of the Lord [Christmas] – Monday, 25 December 2017
Today. Jesus the Christ was born in history. He is both man and God. What does that mean today for those who bear the name Christian? How can we, how can I remain faithful?