The Lord is Near, Rejoice and Act with Justice!
Join Dina Marie Hale on this weekly broadcast as she reflects upon the readings for the Sunday Mass. On this third Sunday of Advent, we hear from the prophet Zephaniah that the King of Israel is near, in our midst and from Saint Paul we are reminded to rejoice in the Lord always! The cry from John the Baptist in today’s Gospel calls the people to live in kindness, and a right relationship with one another, because the Lord is near! Join us for this reflection with Dina Marie.
Resources used in this recording are:
The Word Among Us: Daily Meditations for Catholics www.wau.org Advent 2021 Edition.
The readings for 3rd Sunday of Advent: Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18.
For the daily liturgical readings visit: www.usccb.org or www.wau.org
The podcast of this program is at www.materdeiradio.com.
Prayer offered at the opening of this episode:
Third Week of Advent:
John’s disciples said to Jesus, “Are you ‘He who is to come’ or do we look for another?” In reply Jesus said: “Tell John what you hear and see: the blind recover their sight, cripples walk, lepers are cured, and the poor have good news preached to them…” LK 3:10 Third Week of Advent
O Jesus, I rejoice at the signs that say you are near. Your power is everywhere if I could see it. Yet my eyes often see only darkness and what has yet to be done. I believe in you, yet when I look around evil seems so strong and goodness so weak. If you have come, why is there still so much suffering and why do the poor still despair? Where are your miracles today?
Your grace, O Lord, is more fruitful in my world than I imagine. I know your power is everywhere around me, if I could only see it. Show me today where the blind see and cripples walk.
Make my vision sharper than it is.
From Christmas Prayers and Customs: Christmas Classics, Edited by Rev. Victor Hoagland, C.P., The Regina Press New York.
Passionist Missionaries 1997
A Prayer Before Reading Sacred Scripture:
Lord, inspire us to read your Sacred Scriptures and to meditate upon them day and night.
We beg you give us real understanding of what we need, that we in turn may put its precepts into practice. Yet we know that understanding and good intentions are worthless, unless rooted in your graceful love.
So we ask that the words of Scripture may also be not just signs on a page, but channels of grace into our hearts.
We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ your son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen
Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon www.archdpdx.org
Learn more at www.DinaMarie.org.
A special thanks to the following people and parishes:
Father Paul Jeyamani, All Saints Catholic Church in Portland, Oregon – https://allsaintsportland.org/
Father Bryan Ochs and Deacon Fred Johnson, Rose de Viterbo in Longview, Washington; Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Kelso, Washington; St. Catherine Mission, Cathlamet, WA and St. Mary Catholic Church in Castle Rock, WA – https://www.stroselongview.com/
Father Emmanuel Ochigbo, Sunday Homily Series www.frochigbo.blogspot.com
Father Mike Schmitz Sunday Mass on Ascension Presents YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVdGX3N-WIJ5nUvklBTNhAw
Archbishop Alexander Sample, St. Mary’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland, Oregon. https://www.maryscathedral.com/
Father Anthony Galati, Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Beaverton, Oregon. https://www.h-t.org/
HIPPONE TV www.youtube.com/c/HIPPONETV in Kenya
Thank you to all who have supported me by their prayers and encouragement in producing this weekly program.
With gratitude to the Holy Spirit for Your gifts and to my guardian angel and all the Holy Angels for their protection and guidance.