Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm: 72
Reading II: Romans 15:4-9
Gospel:
Matthew 3: 1-12
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated each year on December 8. It commemorates the special privilege of being conceived without original sin. It was fitting that the future Mother of Jesus would be sinless from conception. William Wordsworth in his poem: “The Virgin,” hails her as “Our tainted nature’s solitary boast.”
Last week, we focused on the Father’s love shown by his sending his only begotten son to redeem us. Then we focused on the love and sacrifices made by Jesus, Mary and Joseph during the birth, life and death of our Savior.
This week we are looking to the Second Coming of Jesus as Judge. It is often referred to as the Parousia, a Greek word meaning an arrival or coming. It was usually used in reference to a King or Emperor. Since Jesus Christ is our King we use it to describe his coming as our Judge at the end of time.
The Second Coming will be a public judgment. We do not know exactly how this will all happen since our minds are limited. However, if we trust in Jesus, we will not be fearful. We know that he is just, but he is also merciful, as seen in his interaction with people in his human lifetime.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church has an excellent explanation of the Last Judgment
# 678-9
Following in the steps of the prophets and John the Baptist, Jesus
announced the judgment of the Last Day in his preaching. Then will
the conduct of each one and the secrets of hearts be brought to
light. Then will the culpable unbelief that counted the offer of God’s
grace as nothing be condemned. Our attitude about our neighbor
will disclose acceptance or refusal of grace and divine love. On the
last day Jesus will say: “Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the
least of these my brethren, you did it to me.”
Christ is Lord of eternal life. Full right to pass definitive judgment
on the works and hearts of men belongs to him as redeemer of the
world. He “acquired” this right by his cross. The Father has given
“all judgement to the Son. Yet the Son did not come to judge, but to
save and to give the life that he has in himself. By rejecting grace in this life, one already judges oneself, receives according to one’s
works, and can even condemn oneself for all eternity by rejecting
the Spirit of love.”
It is important to ask daily for perseverance in God's grace. By saying the “Hail Mary,” we ask our heavenly mother’s help:
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed are you among women, and blessed is
the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Reflection Question: In the midst of the busyness and demands our daily lives, how can we remember to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus?
Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...
La fiesta de la Inmaculada Concepción
La fiesta de la Inmaculada Concepción
La fiesta de la Inmaculada Concepción se celebra cada año el 8 de diciembre. Conmemora el privilegio especial de ser concebida sin pecado original. Era apropiado que la futura Madre de Jesús no tuviera pecado desde la concepción. William Wordsworth en su poema: “La Virgen,” la aclama como “El alarde solitario de nuestra naturaleza contaminada”.
La semana pasada, nos enfocamos en el amor del Padre demostrado al enviar a su hijo unigénito para redimirnos. Luego nos enfocamos en el amor y los sacrificios hechos por Jesús, María y José durante el nacimiento, la vida y la muerte de nuestro Salvador.
Esta semana estamos viendo la Segunda Venida de Jesús como Juez. A menudo se le conoce como la parusía, una palabra griega que significa llegada o venida. Por lo general, se usaba en referencia a un Rey o Emperador. Como Jesucristo es nuestro Rey, lo usamos para describir su venida como nuestro Juez al final de los tiempos.
La segunda venida será un juicio público. No sabemos exactamente cómo sucederá todo esto ya que nuestras mentes son limitadas. Sin embargo, si confiamos en Jesús, no tendremos miedo. Sabemos que es justo, pero también es misericordioso, como se ve en su interacción con las personas en su vida humana.
El Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica tiene una excelente explicación del Juicio Final. # 678-9
Siguiendo los pasos de los profetas y Juan el Bautista, Jesús
anunció el juicio del último día en su predicación. Luego será
la conducta de cada uno y los secretos de los corazones serán llevados
a ligero. Entonces será la incredulidad culpable que contó la oferta de
Dios gracia como nada sea condenado. Nuestra actitud hacia nuestro
prójimo revelará la aceptación o rechazo de la gracia y el amor divino.
Sobre el último día Jesús dirá: “De cierto te digo, como lo hiciste a
uno de los menos de estos mis hermanos, me lo hiciste a mí”.
Cristo es el Señor de la vida eterna. Derecho completo a emitir un
juicio definitivo en las obras y los corazones de los hombres le
pertenece como redentor de la mundo. Él "adquirió" este derecho
por su cruz. El padre ha dado “Todo juicio al Hijo. Sin embargo,
el Hijo no vino a juzgar, sino a salvar y dar la vida que tiene en sí
mismo. Al rechazar la gracia en esta vida, uno ya se juzga a sí
mismo, recibe de acuerdo con funciona, e incluso puede
condenarse por toda la eternidad al rechazar el espíritu de amor ”.
Es importante pedir diariamente perseverancia en la gracia de Dios. Al decir “Ave María,” le pedimos ayuda a nuestra madre celestial:
Dios te salve María, llena eres de gracia, el Señor está contigo.
Bendita eres entre las mujeres, y bendita es
El fruto de tu vientre, Jesús.
Santa María, madre de Dios, ruega por nosotros pecadores.
ahora y en la hora de nuestra muerte. Amén.
Pregunta de Reflexíon: En medio del ajetreo y las demandas de nuestra vida cotidiana, ¿cómo podemos recordar prepararnos para la segunda venida de Jesús?
Comments:
Stephanie Morris, Ph. D, Historian, Certified Archivist, emerita
We can prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus by preparing for Jesus’ Coming to us every time we received Communion. By being mindful of the present moment, and by being the best Christian we can be every day, we are preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus. St. Katharine often advised the Sisters to live in the present moment and not to dwell on past missteps. We can do this by living in the present moment with its opportunities to hear the call of Jesus.
Pat Chiaffa, ASBS
What comes to mind in answer to your question is to develop the habit of praying the Morning Offering daily upon rising. This beautiful prayer is offered through Mary Immaculate who will clear it of any weakness or messiness and deliver it to Jesus. Our entire day – prayers, works, joys and sorrows – is offered as a prayer. Whatever our schedule, this is one way to always be connected to Jesus. We are always in a state of preparedness.
Author Gary Zimak reminds readers that when we take this offering (of our daily thoughts, words and actions) to Jesus and ask Him to use it for His intentions (think Salvation of all mankind), our offering “will bear great fruit not only in our own lives, but in the lives of countless others. By making this presentation to Christ, we are essentially joining our lives to His mission. When the sacrifice of Jesus to His Father is made present in each of the Holy Masses around the world, we are now hanging on the cross with Him. Everything that we do and experience becomes part of the offering of Christ. There can be no more powerful sacrifice and, by virtue of this simple prayer, we are a part of it.”
Soon, without even thinking about it, our actions will mirror those of Jesus. We will become keenly aware of when we step outside of His loving boundaries and quickly return to living His precepts and experiencing His grace. Our priorities become clearer and there is a “knowing” of what things really need to be done. We grow more compassionate and tolerant toward others. We go about our busy days aware that the Presence of God is within us and around us. When we are in such communion with God, His Presence also expresses through us to others. Life acquires a rhythm that is more balanced and peaceful.
When the chaos and frenzy feels unrelenting, pause, take a single intentional breath, and remember that God is with you because you dedicated your all to Him this day.
I am including a version of the Morning Offering shared by Gary Zimak:
O Jesus,
through the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I offer You my prayers, works,
joys and sufferings
of this day for all the intentions
of Your Sacred Heart,
in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
throughout the world,
in thanksgiving for your favors,
in reparation for my sins,
for the intentions of all my relatives and friends,
and in particular
for the intentions of the Holy Father. Amen.
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