Sunday, December 17, 2023
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Sunday Sermon 12/10/23
Friends, great writers, from Aristotle to Shakespeare to Melville, put a lot into their opening line, which often sets the tone for the whole work. This week we have the privilege of hearing the very opening of the Gospel of Mark, which, by scholarly consensus, is the first of the Gospels written: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God.” In the manner of those great writers, this line matters a lot; in fact, every bit of it matters. And what sounds to us like familiar spiritual language was, in the first century, an edgy proclamation of the true Emperor to the powers that be.
Mass Readings
- Reading 1 — Is 40:1-5, 9-11
- Psalm — Ps 85:9-10-11-12, 13-14
- Reading 2 — 2 Pt 3:8-14
- Gospel — Mk 1:1-8
Monday, December 4, 2023
Advent Monday
Resolution
We will strive to prepare our hearts for the reception of grace by the zealous practice of mortification.
Sunday, December 3, 2023
Sunday Sermon
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| O Come O Come Emmanuel |
Friends, we come to the First Sunday of Advent—the liturgical new year. I’ve said this before, but Advent is a time to get back to basics. Can I suggest we start with that familiar Advent hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”? Until we get into the spiritual space opened up by that hymn, we are not understanding Advent—and more to it, we are not understanding Christianity. We are beggars asking Emmanuel—“God with us”—to come and “ransom captive Israel.” You’re in chains; you’re held captive. What can you do to save yourself? Nothing—except to cry out, “Come, come, someone, save me!”
Mass Readings
- Reading 1 — IS 63:16B-17, 19B; 64:2-7
- Psalm — PS 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
- Reading 2 — 1 COR 1:3-9
- Gospel — MK 13:33-37
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