Feast of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton First Reading: 1 John 3:7-10 Children, let no one deceive you. The person who acts in righteousness is righteous, just as he is righteous. Whoever sins belongs to the Devil, because the Devil has sinned from the beginning. Indeed, the Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the Devil. No one who is begotten by God commits sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot sin because he is begotten by God. In this way, the children of God and the children of the Devil are made plain; no one who fails to act in righteousness belongs to God, nor anyone who does not love his brother. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98:1, 7-8, 9 R. (3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. Let the sea and what fills it resound, the world and those who dwell in it; Let the rivers clap their hands, the mountains shout with them for joy before the LORD. R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. The LORD comes; he comes to rule the earth; He will rule the world with justice and the peoples with equity. R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. Gospel: John 1:35-42 John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, "Behold, the Lamb of God." The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come, and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah," which is translated Christ. Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas," which is translated Peter. NAB I remember standing outside the children’s hospital chapel, staring at a beautiful mosaic of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, whose feast day is today, and not caring one damn bit. Our son was undergoing his second of seven surgeries and I was feeling exhausted. My husband squeezed my hand and whispered, “Let’s go in.” We found two chairs in that tiny chapel and sat in silence. I soon heard the rustling of fabric. The Dominican Sisters had arrived to pray the rosary with us, namely Sister Elizabeth Ann. By nature, I’m not much of a hard-core rosary reciter. But this one? This one I will remember all my living days. There was so much beauty surrounding me and I just couldn’t see it, y’all. For the exhaustion, the fear, and the worry were consuming me. It was paralyzing. I had forgotten that Jesus was passing by, and often, in my daily life. He sent us to a phenomenal Catholic school just a month before Luke’s birth. He sent Sisters to pray with us at all the right moments. He put that beautiful mosaic of Saint Elizabeth Ann, patroness against the death of children, right in front of me. Pull your head out, Kathryn, and see Him. “What are you looking for?” Jesus asked those men in today's Gospel. My answer to that question, for better or worse, is a barometer of where I am in my relationship with God. Is my answer selfish—a full night’s sleep, a bank account in the black, a working car, a paid-off student loan, a slimmer waist? Or, is it reliance on a God—am I looking for peace, fulfillment, joy and love? Nothing like dropping the bomb on big and important questions to ask as we kick off 2017, right? But let’s get serious, ladies. Where are we allowing God to stay in our life? On the fringes? Waiting in the wings until it’s convenient to invite Him in? Don’t leave God on the porch of your life. You’re better than that; His love is bigger than you can imagine. And like the disciples who dropped everything to follow Jesus, we too, are called to notice Jesus passing by, drop everything, and follow unwaveringly behind Him. [bctt tweet="Where are we allowing God to stay in our life? On the fringes? // @kwhitaker96"] The disciples in today’s Gospel remind me of this gem from a weekend retreat I attended many years ago: make a friend, be a friend, bring a friend to Christ. Our whole life is discipleship. Every day, we have the opportunity to drop all we have, follow an awesome God and let Him stay forever. Do it again today. Kathryn Whitaker and her husband, Scott, have 6 awesome kids, teen to toddler. She is a former public relations consultant turned freelance graphic designer, party planner, organizer, and preemie advocate who hails from the Lone Star state. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: 1 John 2:29–3:6 If you consider that God is righteous, you also know that everyone who acts in righteousness is begotten by him. See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure. Everyone who commits sin commits lawlessness, for sin is lawlessness. You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who remains in him sins; no one who sins has seen him or known him. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98:1, 3CD-4, 5-6 R. (3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. Sing praise to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully before the King, the LORD. R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. Gospel: John 1:29-34 John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, 'A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.' I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel." John testified further, saying, "I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God." NAB In the silent stillness before dawn, I slowly opened my eyes, reluctant to survey the aftermath of the previous night’s activities. There were empty junk food wrappers strewn about the small room, as well as myriad red cups offering up their remaining contents to the already-stained carpet. The sickly sweet smells of alcohol, incense, and smoke clung to my hoodie and jeans and clouded my memory. As I slowly sat up, I noticed about ten or eleven other teens—male and female—still sleeping in whichever spot they found themselves when they eventually passed out. As I finally came to, my thoughts came clearly and rapidly: What am I doing here? Is this all there is to life? Is this what my future holds? Who have I become? Somehow, in that moment on the floor of an unknown residence, after a long cycle of endless partying, I had what I can only describe as an epiphany: I had forgotten who I was, and it frightened me. Sure, I was a daughter, friend, girlfriend, student—albeit I’d become pretty lousy at all of those things—but in my aching desire to be known and loved, I’d gone searching for acceptance far beyond the bounds of the identity with which I was sealed at my Baptism. I had forgotten that I was a beloved daughter of the Most High God. In today’s First Reading, Saint John tells us that we are called the children of God simply because of the Father’s love for us. In this love, we find our identity, our reason for being, and our future. Indeed, as Saint John writes, we are children now, yet what we will become is to be revealed. The promise is that when these things are revealed, we will be like God, for we shall see Him as He is. What an incomparable identity we possess, sisters! What a glorious promise! How could we ever, ever turn away from or forget these priceless truths? It all goes back to the Garden of Eden, doesn’t it? When our original parents failed to trust that God’s Providence was sufficient, we suffered the aftermath, with our intellects darkened to know the truth and our wills weakened to abide there. And so even if we—thanks be to God—turned from an overtly sinful lifestyle decades or months or days ago, we may still seek affirmation beyond our original identity, with degrees, careers, accolades, social media hits, material possessions, status in the church and communities, etc. The list goes on and on. The good news is that, no matter what we’ve done or how far we’ve strayed, we will always be His daughters. He awaits our return with arms opened wide with love and mercy. [bctt tweet="The Lord awaits our return with arms opened wide with love and mercy. // @realcatholicmom"] Let’s take some time today to remember who we are, and to Whom we belong, sisters. Let’s ask our Heavenly Father to help us acknowledge, accept, and abide in the truth; that we are known, we are wanted, and we are loved. Heather Renshaw is an on-fire revert, writer and speaker on a mission to love and serve God with her husband and five children in the unchurched Pacific NW. You can learn more about her here.

Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and St. Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church First Reading: 1 John 2:22-28 Beloved: Who is the liar? Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Whoever denies the Father and the Son, this is the antichrist. Anyone who denies the Son does not have the Father, but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well. Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made us: eternal life. I write you these things about those who would deceive you. As for you, the anointing that you received from him remains in you, so that you do not need anyone to teach you. But his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not false; just as it taught you, remain in him. And now, children, remain in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame by him at his coming. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4 R. (3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. The LORD has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. Gospel: John 1:19-28 This is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, "Who are you?" He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, "I am not the Christ." So they asked him, "What are you then? Are you Elijah?" And he said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No." So they said to him, "Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?" He said: "I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as Isaiah the prophet said." Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?" John answered them, "I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie." This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. NAB Here we are together, the day after the ball has dropped, after the confetti has finished falling and the buzz of the champagne fades—looking into a bright, fresh expanse of New Year stretching far and wide ahead of us. Did you make a resolution (or ten)? Come up with a word or a focus for 2017? Are you determined to hit the gym? Read more? Spend less? Start a diet? Chances are you have something in mind. I do too. But the harsh words of today's readings implore us to look a little more closely at designs we have for this fresh path ahead of us. It's a good reminder to consider the motivation behind our goals—to reflect on whether they are rooted in giving glory to God's truth, or in catering to the world's "standards," built on Satan's deceptions and lies. Are we headed to the gym because we just want to fit in those skinny jeans and look better? Because we're chasing the prestige of breaking a record or winning a race? Or does our deepest motivation lie in the importance of fully caring for our body to the best of our ability—the one and only body we possess, created to be God's temple, an instrument through which we serve others, a way to use athletic talents to bring Him glory? Are we eating a healthy diet in a way that honors and fully nourishes our body, helping it to function in the best way possible to carry out our vocation? Or are we "dieting," trying to convince ourselves that through it, we can attain the world's distorted, impossible standards of weight and beauty and acceptance and worth? Are we reading more to gain notoriety, or to expose ourselves to creativity and knowledge in a way that orders order our minds and souls toward God? Are we spending less in an attempt to gain a semblance of control and reduce anxiety, or are we approaching it with a heart of stewardship and appreciation for every gift, big or small, that comes from God? This is a wake-up call for me; more often than not, my motives are fed by false humility, and I'm really not the goal-setting purist that I thought I was. As we look ahead, God wants us to remember that it's more than just our soul that communes with Him. He created our whole beings—body, mind, and soul—to be in union with Him and give Him glory. If we leave Him out of any of these areas, we simply can’t be our happiest or most fulfilled self. But if we create each of our goals with space for God in mind, He will bless our intentions so richly. [bctt tweet="Do our goals reflect God's truth and "make straight" the path of our New Year?"] Do our goals reflect God's truth and "make straight" the path of our New Year? Or do we deny the essence of Jesus in our motives by infusing them with the world's standards of importance? Let’s commit to goals rooted in God's truth this New Year! Megan Hjelmstad is a wife, mom, writer and sometimes soldier whose real passion is equal parts faith and chocolate. You can find out more about her here.

Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God First Reading: Numbers 6:22-27 The LORD said to Moses: "Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them: The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace! So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them." Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 R. (2a) May God bless us in his mercy. May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation. R. May God bless us in his mercy. May the nations be glad and exult because you rule the peoples in equity; the nations on the earth you guide. R. May God bless us in his mercy. May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you! May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear him! R. May God bless us in his mercy. Second Reading: Galatians 4:4-7 Brothers and sisters: When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. As proof that you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir, through God. Gospel: Luke 2:16-21 The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. NAB Happy Feast Day, Sisters! The Church gives us a beautiful feast on this Octave day of Christmas, Mary the Holy Mother of God. Even when it does not fall on a Sunday we are obliged to attend Mass on this day. Throughout Advent and now the Christmas season we are given opportunities to reflect on the Blessed Virgin Mary’s role in bringing about our redemption, and again we are given another chance to reflect on her person. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Our Mother shows us both how to be a mother and how to be a daughter in this passage from the Gospel. Here she is, post-partumming like a boss after her virgin birth, surrounded by the shepherds, the Magi, and her attentive husband, Saint Joseph. And she takes it all in to reflect on. Not to opine on or use as the basis for barking orders at those stray sheep dogs or that one errant drummer boy. Not to try to get a game plan going and be ahead of the next crisis (flight to Egypt!). She listens as a daughter who is respectful and available to God's blessings and graces. She listens as a mother who will better understand her child by paying attention to God's revelation about Him to others. During my college years, my mom and I had a complex relationship. I loved her and wanted to hear her insights and simultaneously couldn't get far enough away from her opinions (usually right, and now that I'm a mom, yup, almost completely right). It took years of wrestling with my own response to her strong personality to realize that I simply had to listen and reflect on her guidance. I didn't have to fight it or fight her for sharing it. I could sift through it, seeing which pieces resonated within and which ones didn't. Reflective listening: not a skill set I'd learned in my loud, happy, involved clan of five fiercely loyal kids growing up close in age to one another. To get any words in edgewise (even now!), one must wait and pounce on a nanosecond of silence. And as a mother myself, I find my six year old wants to badly to be the one to show me, to tell me, to share with me. When I sit open to the imaginative play of my four year old, she feels important and loved. My two year old will rub "where you hurt, mama" on my very pregnant belly and show his love, when I slow down and let him. Reflective paying attention, another of Mary's skills. [bctt tweet="Are you listening to the hum and stir around you, where you might find kernels of God's plan for you?"] How are you listening this Christmas season? Are you attune to yourself and your pain and your longings? Are you listening to the hum and stir around you, where you might find kernels of God's plan for you? Are you practicing reflective listening like Our Mother? Nell O'Leary is an attorney turned stay-at-home mom to four lovelies. She and her husband live in the great city of Saint Paul. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: 1 John 2:18-21 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. Thus we know this is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not really of our number; if they had been, they would have remained with us. Their desertion shows that none of them was of our number. But you have the anointing that comes from the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. I write to you not because you do not know the truth but because you do, and because every lie is alien to the truth. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96:1-2, 11-12, 13 R. (11a) Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice! Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all you lands. Sing to the LORD; bless his name; announce his salvation, day after day. R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice! Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound; let the plains be joyful and all that is in them! Then shall all the trees of the forest exult before the LORD. R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice! The LORD comes, he comes to rule the earth. He shall rule the world with justice and the peoples with his constancy. R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice! Gospel: John 1:1-18 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son, full of grace and truth. John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him. NAB Hot tears stream down my face. A handful of scratchy, thin hospital tissues will not begin to dry up the soaking sorrow of this moment. My vision blurs, my breath catches. The pain in my heart for my sister-in-law and brother-in-law is all too familiar after my husband and I miscarried our first child. They have lost one of their beloved twin girls at thirty weeks gestation. Despite the harsh fluorescent lighting in the room, there is a deep darkness among us. Just days later, my long green dress blows gently in the warm June breeze. The warmth in the air is nothing in comparison to that which I feel deep in my heart this day. My beautiful younger sister in her ivory bridal gown is, quite simply, radiant. As she gazes into the eyes of her new husband, I see the joy of the Lord as clear as day. This is light. The emotional juxtaposition of brightest light and blackest darkness was a lot for my tender heart to bear in such a short span of days. Jesus was the only way I made it. Praise God for His grace. The great hope I clung to and celebrated was this blessed truth from Saint John’s Gospel: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Light and darkness, darkness and light. This is what 2016 was made of, and what 2017 will surely be made of, too. Perhaps your year had more darkness than light, or perhaps it was bright, with only moments spent in the dark. However you feel in this moment at the end of the year, I pray you find hope and peace in today’s Gospel. I pray you would always be able to see the flickers of Light amidst any darkness you face. On this seventh day of Christmas, we continue to celebrate the fulfillment of what Saint John foretold: “The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.” It is the newborn King Jesus, true Light, who is with us. Not even the deepest darkness could overtake His brilliance. May the Light of the Lord shine brightly in your hearts as we enter into a new year, and may it illuminate within you Christ’s deepest peace. [bctt tweet="It is Jesus, true Light, who is with us. Nothing could overtake His brilliance."] Take a moment to reflect on the light and darkness you experienced in 2016. Where has the Lord been Light for you? How will your life be a light for Christ in the new year? photo credit Elise Howe is a devoted wife, momma, and musician currently living in NYC, though she will always be a midwestern gal at heart. You can find out more about her here.

Feast of the Holy Family First Reading: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 God sets a father in honor over his children; a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons. Whoever honors his father atones for sins, and preserves himself from them. When he prays, he is heard; he stores up riches who reveres his mother. Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children, and, when he prays, is heard. Whoever reveres his father will live a long life; he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother. My son, take care of your father when he is old; grieve him not as long as he lives. Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him; revile him not all the days of his life; kindness to a father will not be forgotten, firmly planted against the debt of your sins —a house raised in justice to you. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 R. (cf. 1) Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways. Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways! For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; blessed shall you be, and favored. R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the recesses of your home; your children like olive plants around your table. R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways. Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD. The LORD bless you from Zion: may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways. Gospel: Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son. When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee. He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, He shall be called a Nazorean. NAB Did you ever think of what it might be like to be Saint Joseph? At first glance, it seems kind of intimidating: his wife was sinless and his Son was God. God chose him to be foster father to Jesus, gave him the grace to live his vocation, but Saint Joseph is the one who said “Yes” in his own Fiat. Again and again in his life Saint Joseph responded with submissive obedience to God’s plan, and in return, God Incarnate submitted to Saint Joseph as a Son. This is the foundation the Holy Family, which we honor today, is built upon. At the very end of the Nativity narrative, we hear how the Holy Family “went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth.” I like to meditate on those years they lived together in Nazareth while Saint Joseph was alive and before Jesus’ public ministry. My parish church has a sweet painting of the Holy Family above the side altar of Our Lady. Mary is sitting and sewing with Jesus nearby, and Joseph is busy working as a carpenter. I imagine that despite all of their trials, traveling to Bethlehem with a baby almost due, sleeping with a newborn in a stable, fleeing to Egypt, coming back, and still having to toil for their daily bread to nourish the growing Body of Christ, there was a great inner peace and joy in that family. It came from their complete compliance with and reliance on God’s will come what may. The Church has put forth Saint Joseph as guardian of the Church, and as Pope Leo XIII wrote, [T]he Blessed Patriarch looks upon the multitude of Christians who make up the Church as confided specially to his trust - this limitless family spread over the earth, over which, because he is the spouse of Mary and the Father of Jesus Christ he holds, as it were, a paternal authority. So, in fact, we as the children of God are also a part of the Holy Family, with Joseph as our foster-father, Mary as our mother, and Jesus as our brother. As an adopted part of this family, it is only appropriate that we take part in Jesus’ submission to Saint Joseph, and Saint Joseph’s submission to God. Pope Leo XIII wrote about how Saint Joseph is a man all humanity can relate to due to his role as a father, spouse, and protector of a virgin, his royal lineage and his daily toil for bread. Maybe today is the day to renew a devotion to him, who protected the Body of Christ for all humanity. [bctt tweet="The Church has put forth Saint Joseph as guardian of the Church. #HolyFamily"] Take some time to pray to the Holy Family today, read Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical, Quamquam Pluries, on devotion to Saint Joseph (it is quite short, I promise!), and find out why people “of every rank and country should fly to the trust and guard of the blessed Joseph.” Susanna Spencer once studied theology and philosophy, but now happily cares for her three adorable little girls, one little boy, and her dear husband in Saint Paul. She loves beautiful liturgies, cooking delicious meals, baking amazing sweets, reading good books, raising her children, casually following baseball, and talking to her philosopher husband. You can find out more about her here.

Feast of Holy Innocents and Martyrs First Reading: 1 John 1:5–2:2 Beloved: This is the message that we have heard from Jesus Christ and proclaim to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the Blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin. If we say, “We are without sin,” we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing. If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My children, I am writing this to you so that you may not commit sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one. He is expiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 124:2-3, 4-5, 7CD-8 R. (7) Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare. Had not the LORD been with us— When men rose up against us, then would they have swallowed us alive, When their fury was inflamed against us. R. Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare. Then would the waters have overwhelmed us; The torrent would have swept over us; over us then would have swept the raging waters. R. Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare. Broken was the snare, and we were freed. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth. R. Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare. Gospel: Matthew 2:13-18 When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son. When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet: A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more. NAB My first confession was a little over a decade ago. I was in my mid-twenties and sure that the sum of my sins was more than most women would commit in a lifetime. In all honesty, there was probably some truth in that thought. I sat in the office of a priest whom I had come to trust over the course of RCIA, and through tears of shame I read from the lengthy list I had composed. “Father, forgive me for I have sinned.” A part of me was healed that day. My mind was aware, but my heart was slow to truly believe. My heart is still a stubborn creature, rarely in sync with my brain. I can profess truth with my mouth while deep inside I cling to defects I am sure remain. Even after all these years of conversion, I struggle. Can even I be forgiven? Today’s First Reading tells us,“If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.” I understand now that there is sin in my failure to accept forgiveness. There is sin in the lack of faith that my refusal implies. So, I take my stubborn heart to confession, and I confess the sin of disbelief. Because how can I say that I believe in Jesus Christ, His great love, and His sacrifice, yet refuse to believe that I am forgiven? To accept that I am wholly cleansed? Rattling off my list in the confessional isn’t enough. If I truly have faith, I must believe in the certainty of absolution, in the power of the cross. That whisper in my ear, telling me that I still carry these sins, that they will always remain deep within my bones, that is the voice of darkness. The very darkness that Jesus overcame for even me. Today, and always, I want to walk in the light "as He is in the light." [bctt tweet="How can I say that I believe in Christ and His great love, yet refuse to believe that I am forgiven?"] Dear Father, help me to truly believe in the power of Your forgiveness to cleanse me from every iniquity. Ginny Sheller lives in a little old house in Virginia with her husband and eight children. They keep bees, goats, and chickens and rarely have a clean house or a quiet moment yet she knits everyday to maintain sanity. You can find out more about her here.

Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist First Reading: 1 John 1:1-4 Beloved: What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life— for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us— what we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing this so that our joy may be complete. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12 R. (12) Rejoice in the Lord, you just! The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many isles be glad. Clouds and darkness are around him, justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne. R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just! The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the LORD of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his justice, and all peoples see his glory. R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just! Light dawns for the just; and gladness, for the upright of heart. Be glad in the LORD, you just, and give thanks to his holy name. R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just! Gospel: John 20:1A AND 2-8 On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. NAB “So that our joy may be complete.” Today’s first reading from the First Epistle of John, on that Beloved Apostle’s feast day, bears reading again and again. The letter is poetic and beautiful and tugs at my heart. But what is complete joy? I have no idea. I’ve been pretty open over the last few years about having depression. Depression doesn’t hang over me everyday like it has in the past—I have the right tools to deal with it—but I constantly wonder if I can ever really know what complete joy is. Is it something any of us can know in this life? I’ve never joined hands to be bonded to a spouse. I’ve never held my own child for the first time. The kinds of things I imagine that will someday fill my heart with grace and love. But I have fallen in love, seen a student’s face light up in the classroom, and had long conversations with a kindred spirit friend. And those have filled my heart with grace and love. I wonder, then, if the true complete joy can only be found in relationship with the Trinity rather than in any of these moments of this world. Saint John, for one, seems to have known this. His total devotion to Christ and Our Lady overflowed with the kind of love I aspire to in my own life. There’s a Sufjan Stevens lyric in his song “John My Beloved” that I turn to again and again: “I love you more than the world can contain In its lonely and ramshackle head[.]” How can I love more than the world can contain? If I can love that much, I am sure my joy will be complete. [bctt tweet="Together, we can fill the world with more love than it can contain. // @br1gid"] Crowd out the cares of this world with prayer today. Together, we can fill the world with more love than it can contain. Brigid Hogan is a Midwestern graduate student who finds peace in lakes, the Mass, and fiction when she isn’t ensconced in schoolwork. Find out more about her here.

Feast of Saint Stephen, First Martyr First Reading: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59 Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen, but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. When they heard this, they were infuriated, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together. They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen, he called out “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Responsorial Psalm Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 31:3CD-4, 6 AND 8AB, 16BC AND 17 R. (6) Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety. You are my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake you will lead and guide me. R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God. I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy. R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. Rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors. Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your kindness. R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. Gospel: Matthew 10:17-22 Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.” NAB Throughout the Advent season, we have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Christ Child on Christmas Day. Yesterday, the moment we had all been waiting for was realized. He came to us. When I get to this point in the season, I often feel somewhat frozen in a state of, Now what? You’re present, Lord, but where do I go from here? All the hype leading up to Christmas can leave us with a sense of let-down when the day has passed. But we should not allow ourselves to become dispirited. Christ is calling for our response to His extension of love. As we trek the days towards Epiphany, during these Twelve Days of Christmas, our thoughts turn towards man coming to God. Christ has come to us, now, we, in turn, must go to Him. Today is the Feast of Saint Stephen, the first martyr. Saint Stephen lived His life in imitation of Christ, loving God to the point of death. But what we also see in his example in today’s First Reading is a love of neighbor. When his assailants began closing in on him from all sides, irate and ready to strike, St. Stephen does not run away. He does not turn his back on the truth that he has proclaimed, but stands firm, willing to give an example to his enemies. He loves God in that instant, showing he would prefer death over denying Him and singing His praise, but, too, he loves his neighbor/enemy, showing them a more excellent way. He does not hide the truth from them; he gives them an example of it, in charity. For this reason, in England and associated nations, today is known as Boxing Day. It is the day when the poor boxes were traditionally opened and distributed to those in need. It is a great way to live out this love for our neighbor that Saint Stephen so amazingly demonstrates in his martyrdom. We must come to Him as He has come to us. We will always find Him present in the love that we show others. Today, let us go to Him there. [bctt tweet="We will always find Him present in the love that we show others."] Be attentive to moments today when God is calling out to you in the needs of those around you. Love Him through loving them. Laurel Muff is a creator and appreciator of beautiful things. She resides with her husband and daughters in Northern California. You can find more about her here.

Nativity of the Lord, Christmas First Reading: Isaiah 62:11-12 See, the LORD proclaims to the ends of the earth: say to daughter Zion, your savior comes! Here is his reward with him, his recompense before him. They shall be called the holy people, the redeemed of the LORD, and you shall be called “Frequented,” a city that is not forsaken. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 97:1, 6, 11-12 R. A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us. The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many isles be glad. The heavens proclaim his justice, and all peoples see his glory. R. A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us. Light dawns for the just; and gladness, for the upright of heart. Be glad in the LORD, you just, and give thanks to his holy name. R. A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us. Second Reading: Titus 3:4-7 Beloved: When the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, He saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life. Gospel: Luke 2:15-20 When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. NAB The Season of Christmas is a crazy time in our household. We have all the traditional Catholic celebrations, plus two kids' birthdays and a New Year’s Day party. It is easy to get caught up in the excitement and stress . . . the food and the drinks and the gifts and the parties. Today's Gospel provides us with a great reminder to take a step back. Put yourself in the Blessed Virgin Mary’s sandals. You have just given birth to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. You didn't give birth in some grand palace or some private hospital. You are in a stable with livestock, but you still know that this is the King in your arms. You know this because the Angel told you—so you are pretty confident. Then all of a sudden you hear them. They are coming. A ruckus crowd of shepherds, who have themselves just been told by Angels that your baby is King. They come and seek your baby to confirm the Angel’s story and give homage and then spread the word. Here they are “amazed” in your little borrowed stable. And, as the Gospel tells us, rather than getting caught up in the excitement of the moment, our Mother adopts a reflective heart. Breathes. Takes it all in. Smiles and responds lovingly to those around you. She reflected on these things in her heart, not her head. To reflect on something in your heart rather than your head means to think less and listen more. Get out of your own head and let the Holy Spirit settle into your heart. That is where you will hear Him. Don't listen with your ears; listen with your heart. Today is a day of great joy and excitement, so I challenge you to find time to be like Mary today amidst the fuss. Take time for quiet to just watch the beauty around you and breathe it all in. Take time to reflect on the birth of Jesus and what it really means in your life today. Most importantly, connect with Mary or Jesus and the Holy Spirit in prayer, and ask them to help you see intimately what Jesus’s arrival means to you. [bctt tweet="Take time for quiet to just watch the beauty around you and breathe it all in."] Reflect on these things in your heart, not your head. MaryRuth Hackett is a full-time wife and mother doing her best to teach her four children to love God and country. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16 When King David was settled in his palace, and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every side, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God dwells in a tent!” Nathan answered the king, “Go, do whatever you have in mind, for the LORD is with you.” But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said: “Go, tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: Should you build me a house to dwell in? “‘It was I who took you from the pasture and from the care of the flock to be commander of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you went, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth. I will fix a place for my people Israel; I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance. Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old, since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. The LORD also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you. And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his Kingdom firm. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. Your house and your Kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.’” Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 AND 29 R. (2) For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. The favors of the LORD I will sing forever; through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness. For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”; in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness. R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: Forever will I confirm your posterity and establish your throne for all generations.” R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. “He shall say of me, ‘You are my father, my God, the rock, my savior.’ Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him, and my covenant with him stands firm.” R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. Gospel: Luke 1:67-79 Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hand of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.” NAB I'm by no means a Scripture expert. I'm a cradle Catholic who is comfortable within the pages of Scripture, but I don't have many verses memorized by rote memory. Today's Gospel however, is one of the passages that seems to have become imprinted on my soul and I have a dear love for it. I really love praying the Liturgy of the Hours, also called the Divine Office. It is the public prayers of the universal Church that are prayed at specific times of day and incorporate the Scripture, Psalms, hymns, and prayers of the liturgical year. I especially love morning prayer, and within morning prayer today's reading, The Canticle of Zechariah, is said. I love that within this canticle is the promise of a Saviour, the words of father to a son, a prophesy of the greatness of Saint John the Baptist and of Christ, and in turn a prophesy given to each of us—to prepare the way of the Lord, give His people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. But it is the last verse that touches me deeply, calling me to live for God, to trust in Him when my very life is at stake: In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. God's tender love shall break upon us, to shine on us who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. This is what God wants for us. This is what God calls us to experience everyday, which is why the Church calls us to thoughtfully pray this canticle each morning, so that we take stock in our lives, to recognize that God's mercy and compassion breaks upon us anew each day, and that if we walk in His ways He himself will guide us to peace. Peace is the call of Christmas, not a worldly peace, but the peace that comes from Christ and His love. [bctt tweet="God's love shall break upon us, to shine on us who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death."] As we prepare for tomorrow's beautiful feast, let's pause to remind out hearts that peace is what we seek and peace is the reason Christ Incarnate was born of the Virgin Mary. The peace of Christ, the forgiveness of our sins, walking in His grace everyday. Christy Isinger is the mom to five lovely, loud children living in the Canadian wilds. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24 Thus says the Lord GOD: Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; And suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek, And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire, or like the fuller’s lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, Refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD. Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will please the LORD, as in the days of old, as in years gone by. Lo, I will send you Elijah, the prophet, Before the day of the LORD comes, the great and terrible day, To turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the land with doom. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 25:4-5AB, 8-9, 10 AND 14 R. (see Luke 21:28) Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand. Your ways, O LORD, make known to me; teach me your paths, Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior. R. Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand. Good and upright is the LORD; thus he shows sinners the way. He guides the humble to justice, he teaches the humble his way. R. Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand. All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees. The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him, and his covenant, for their instruction. R. Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand. Gospel: Luke 1:57-66 When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be? For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.” NAB "No. He will be called John." In today’s Gospel, Saint Elizabeth has been called by God to do something very counter-cultural. Traditionally, Elizabeth was to name her son Zechariah; to give her son a different name than his father was entirely counter-cultural. She knows she must name her child John, and knows the decision will be confusing for her family. Our call is no different—an authentically Catholic life is extremely counter-cultural in our world, and can be confusing for many. As Catholics, God calls us to live out the teachings of the Church, which stand in opposition to much of what the world trumpets as right, good, and normal. However, it is in defending her decision that Elizabeth exemplifies how to defend our faith. She is kind, yet firm. She is gracious, yet convicted. She does not waver, nor is she apologetic. She makes it clear that it is her choice to be made, not anyone else’s. However, the questions many Catholics face on a daily basis can be difficult and exhausting. Why waste your college years on a theology degree? Why don’t you live with your boyfriend? Ministry is nice . . . when are you going to get a real job? Why keep brainwashing your kids with this Catholicism stuff? Your hands sure are full . . . ever heard of birth control? It is in being challenged to stand by our convictions that we can look to Elizabeth as she names her son. It is likely some of your decisions are confusing to family, friends, or co-workers. Like Elizabeth, we are called to a loving yet unapologetic witness to what we know is good and true. . . we are called to shine like a beacon of steadfast light and love into every facet of our lives, which are filled with people who may not “get it,” but whom God can bring to amazement at our decisions to live out our radical calling to follow Christ. I pray especially for those of you for whom these upcoming days of Christmas are an endless barrage of questions at family gatherings, which can make moments of this season feel more disheartening than celebratory. Stand firm and trust the Holy Spirit to speak through you to family who may not understand or even challenge or persecute you. [bctt tweet="Call out to the Lord. He's waiting for you. // @emwilss"] In the same way He was for Elizabeth, God is on your side. Call out to Him. He's waiting for you. photo credit Emily Wilson planned her whole life to become a sports reporter but turned out to be a Catholic musician and speaker at the hand of God. She lives out of her suitcase and travels across the world speaking to people of all ages. The heart of her ministry is offering encouragement to teen girls in search of their true identity, and she loves every second of it. She is the author of I Choose the Sky. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: 1 Samuel 1:24-28 In those days, Hannah brought Samuel with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and presented him at the temple of the LORD in Shiloh. After the boy’s father had sacrificed the young bull, Hannah, his mother, approached Eli and said: “Pardon, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood near you here, praying to the LORD. I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted my request. Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD.” She left Samuel there. Responsorial Psalm: 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8ABCD R. (see 1a) My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior. “My heart exults in the LORD, my horn is exalted in my God. I have swallowed up my enemies; I rejoice in my victory.” R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior. “The bows of the mighty are broken, while the tottering gird on strength. The well-fed hire themselves out for bread, while the hungry batten on spoil. The barren wife bears seven sons, while the mother of many languishes.” R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior. “The LORD puts to death and gives life; he casts down to the nether world; he raises up again. The LORD makes poor and makes rich, he humbles, he also exalts.” R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior. “He raises the needy from the dust; from the dung heap he lifts up the poor, To seat them with nobles and make a glorious throne their heritage.” R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior. Gospel: Luke 1:46-56 Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. for he has looked upon his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.” Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home. NAB Of course we all want joy. We want to be happy, but joy can often feel frightening. If we really feel and experience our joy, will that good thing go away or be taken away from us? It's almost like we don't always give ourselves permission to be happy for the good things we've received. Even within our culture it can seem more socially acceptable to talk about things that upset and irritate us, rather than to speak about things that actually make us smile. The women of today's readings do not let the vulnerability of joy get in the way of speaking about what makes them happy. They unashamedly speak their praise and gratitude to God. Hannah after years and years of begging God for a child, praises the Lord for granting her request. In the Gospel, the Blessed Virgin Mary encounters Saint Elizabeth and sings her song of praise to God for the great things He has done for both her and her cousin. She boldly proclaims, "My spirit rejoices in God" and "The Lord has done great things for me!" The women of today's readings bravely feel their joy and do not hide their happiness. They have no fear to speak their praise and gratitude to God. Each one of these women mentioned in today's readings was not without great suffering. Hannah and Saint Elizabeth bore the agony (and humiliation among Jewish women at that time) of infertility for years and years, and we know that Mary suffered numerous sorrows in her life culminating in the pain of remaining present to her Son's Passion and Death. But these sufferings do not keep them from experiencing joy or praising God for the goodness of His blessings. And possibly, it is through their sufferings that their joy overflows more abundantly. What about you? What has the Lord done for you? Even if you are currently in a period of suffering, longing, or uncertainty if your prayers will be answered, is there something that is good to thank God for even in the midst of your challenging journey? The women of today's readings bravely feel their happiness and proclaim it in praise and gratitude to God. May we too have the courage to feel joy, for the Lord has truly done great things for us! [bctt tweet="Have the courage to lift an upward glance, a soft smile, or a lighter heart to God in gratitude."] My prayer for you today is that you will have the courage to lift an upward glance, a soft smile, or a lighter heart to God in gratitude for something good you have experienced recently. Together, may our "hearts exult in God!" Mary Catherine Craige is a lover of creativity and learning new things. She enjoys teaching children, creating art and music, and helping others live their lives more fully. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14 The LORD spoke to Ahaz: Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God; let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky! But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!” Then Isaiah said: Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary men, must you also weary my God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4AB, 5-6 R. (see 7c and 10b) Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory. The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it. For he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. R. Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory. Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD? or who may stand in his holy place? He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain. R. Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory. He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, a reward from God his savior. Such is the race that seeks for him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob. R. Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory. Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. NAB “Ask for a sign.” These are the words that lead off the First Reading today. How many times have I asked the Lord for a sign? What college should I go to? Whom do you want me to marry? Should I marry at all? What do You want to me do to with my life? And the answer? Nothing. Silence. Crickets. With blind faith I've had to step out time and again, trusting that the Lord would lead me forward if it was His will, or close the door if it wasn’t. So many times I’ve wished God would just tell me exactly what was going to happen, because then it would be so much easier to trust Him. But after reading the Gospel today I’m not so sure that’s true anymore. The Angel Gabriel appears to the Blessed Virgin Mary and tells her exactly what’s going to happen. She’s going to have a son, that son is going to be called Son of the Most High, and He will rule on David’s throne for ever and ever. And when Mary asks how can this be, Gabriel tells her exactly what is going to happen a second time. The child will be conceived by the Holy Spirit, and He will be the Son of God. Mary got what I had always been praying for, a full disclosure of God's plan. If I could only know God's plan, then I could really trust! But sometimes God's plan doesn't make sense, and knowing it doesn't make trusting Him any easier. I've realized I just don't want God to let me in on His plan for my life. I want Him to use MY plan for my life. But that isn't trust, it’s control. Real trust requires that we give up control, regardless of whether we know what lies ahead or not. Mary shows us what that looks like. Her response to the angel, her fiat, her perfect yes to the Lord, reflects her perfect trust in Him and her complete surrender to His will. “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Mary was the first disciple of Jesus, she spent her life following Him and directing others to do the same. Let us look to her as our Spiritual Mother and a perfect example of how to truly trust the Lord, with total and complete abandonment. [bctt tweet="Real trust requires that we give up control, regardless of whether we know what lies ahead."] Let us use Mary’s fiat as our own personal prayer today, that we may all become handmaids of the Lord, ready to do His will. Anna Coyne is a Saint Paul native, wife, mother, and convert to the Catholic faith. When not chasing after her two young children you can probably find her teaching piano lessons, knitting, tripping over wooden train sets, or writing. Find out more about her here.

First Reading: Judges 13:2-7, 24-25A There was a certain man from Zorah, of the clan of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. His wife was barren and had borne no children. An angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, “Though you are barren and have had no children, yet you will conceive and bear a son. Now, then, be careful to take no wine or strong drink and to eat nothing unclean. As for the son you will conceive and bear, no razor shall touch his head, for this boy is to be consecrated to God from the womb. It is he who will begin the deliverance of Israel from the power of the Philistines.” The woman went and told her husband, “A man of God came to me; he had the appearance of an angel of God, terrible indeed. I did not ask him where he came from, nor did he tell me his name. But he said to me, ‘You will be with child and will bear a son. So take neither wine nor strong drink, and eat nothing unclean. For the boy shall be consecrated to God from the womb, until the day of his death.’” The woman bore a son and named him Samson. The boy grew up and the LORD blessed him; the Spirit of the LORD stirred him. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 71:3-4A, 5-6AB, 16-17 R. (see 8) My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory! Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety, for you are my rock and my fortress. O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked. R. My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory! For you are my hope, O LORD; my trust, O God, from my youth. On you I depend from birth; from my mother’s womb you are my strength. R. My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory! I will treat of the mighty works of the LORD; O God, I will tell of your singular justice. O God, you have taught me from my youth, and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds. R. My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory! Gospel: Luke 1:5-25 In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years. Once when he was serving as priest in his division’s turn before God, according to the practice of the priestly service, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense. Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering, the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb, and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.” Then Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel said to him in reply, “I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.” Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was gesturing to them but remained mute. Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home. After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying, “So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.” NAB As I read today's passages I’m struck by the dovetailing of these two stories. In both, an angel serves as God’s messenger to announce that Our Lord has heard the prayers of His faithful servants and gives them their hearts’ greatest desires. Yet there is one striking difference. Manoah’s wife is unafraid and accepting while Zechariah doubts the Lord and is struck mute. I admit that if the Angel of the Lord appeared to me, I’m not sure if I wouldn’t emulate Zechariah. I can see it now. Mary be like “what the what?” and then goes mute. Yep. Zachariah and I are kindred spirits. So what’s the lesson here? It’s two-fold. First, God hears and answers all of our prayers—if they are in alignment with His will. He knows what’s best for me and for those I hold dear. He stands outside of time and knows His plan. Both sets of parents prayed for years to have a child, and those prayers were answered in God's way and according to His timeline, and not their own. Second, there is nothing to fear with God. Gabriel told Zechariah this and yet he was still overcome with fear. Zechariah does not receive his good news with the same faith as Manoah’s wife and is struck mute as a short-term discipline from God. A holy time-out, if you will. How often do we react with fear when God answers our prayers in an unexpected way? A way we don’t necessarily want? Do we still trust Him? God asks each of us to do impossible things. I know that as a dyslexic who struggled to read, write, and comprehend the written word for so much of my life, the fact that I now write full-time is a miracle. My new career is a testament to allowing God’s plan to unfold in my life with faith and humility. God makes all things possible and answers prayers in His time when they are aligned with His will. It’s our job as believers to accept His will despite the challenges His plan poses. But when we bring those challenges to the foot of the cross, God redeems us and inspires us to greatness in His name and for His glory alone. [bctt tweet="He stands outside of time and knows His plan. // @marylenaburg"] Are there any answers to prayers you’ve received that were different than what you wanted? How did you handle it? Did you proceed with trust and grace? Or did you struggle with accepting God’s answer? Mary Lenaburg married her first (and only) blind date going on 27 years, is a full-time liturgist, and parents one adult son navigating his path on earth and a special needs daughter safely in Heaven. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14 The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying: Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God; let it be deep as the netherworld, or high as the sky! But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!” Then Isaiah said: Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary people, must you also weary my God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 R. (7c and 10b) Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory. The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it. For he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. R. Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory. Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD? or who may stand in his holy place? One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain. R. Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory. He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, a reward from God his savior. Such is the race that seeks for him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob. R. Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory. Second Reading: Romans 1:1-7 Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised previously through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, the gospel about his Son, descended from David according to the flesh, but established as Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness through resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him we have received the grace of apostleship, to bring about the obedience of faith, for the sake of his name, among all the Gentiles, among whom are you also, who are called to belong to Jesus Christ; to all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Gospel: Matthew 1:18-24 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. NAB My kids were still awake past 9pm, dishes piled high in the kitchen (because our dishwasher was broken), a gaping hole had been cut in our dining room wall because water had been leaking from pipes, and the playroom was a mess because bookshelves and papers were moved away from the wet wall and hole. Not to mention sickness and deadlines and—you get the idea. I couldn't (and still don't) see God's almighty plan and will in the mess. It all felt so broken (literally) and messy (24/7) and loud. I sought peace, quiet, stillness, and any sign that the end of the crazy was in sight. I wonder how the Blessed Virgin Mary felt when, after the unexpected and slightly complicated matter of becoming pregnant, she and Joseph had to leave town for the census. I wonder if she asked God, "Why?! Why now, when I'm nearly ready to bear Your Son? Why? How does this work out in the end?" Did she feel like she was always waiting to see how all the moments worked together to fulfill God's promise? I wonder how Saint Joseph felt, as a faithful Jew, to hear the news from his betrothed. And what did he think when the Angel appeared to him as well? Did he ever raise his hands up to God, seeking clarity and peace? Did he wonder how the plan would work? I look at my life, and I ask God "Why?" and I look around at the world and wonder how God is working through these events and people. I want the answers, I want the puzzle pieces fitted together, I want the end-picture—now. Maybe this is your struggle this Advent, wanting to know how your job will unfold, that relationship will end up, or if you will ever feel completely at peace with your path. And then I read one line in today's Gospel, "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said. . . ," and I hear the Holy Spirit telling me to "keep calm and trust." Trust, as the Israelites did in their waiting for so many long years. Trust, as Saint Joseph did even when the plan meant inconvenient and uncertain changes in his life. Trust, as the Blessed Virgin Mary trusted perfectly and completely and saw God's promises brought to life. The Holy Spirit whispers a timeless promise, that the Lord has and will work through all the loud and crazy things (yes, and the beautiful things) to fulfill His promise. He has done so already, He is doing so constantly, and by His grace, I will be able to look back upon my life to see how it worked out. [bctt tweet="The Holy Spirit whispers a timeless promise."] O come, o come, Emmanuel. I trust in you. Gina Fensterer is a wife, daughter, mother, friend, homeschooling mama and Colorado native. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Genesis 49:2, 8-10 Jacob called his sons and said to them: “Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob, listen to Israel, your father. “You, Judah, shall your brothers praise –your hand on the neck of your enemies; the sons of your father shall bow down to you. Judah, like a lion’s whelp, you have grown up on prey, my son. He crouches like a lion recumbent, the king of beasts–who would dare rouse him? The scepter shall never depart from Judah, or the mace from between his legs, While tribute is brought to him, and he receives the people’s homage.” Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 72:1-2, 3-4AB, 7-8, 17 R. (see 7) Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever. O God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice, the king’s son; He shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment. R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever. The mountains shall yield peace for the people, and the hills justice. He shall defend the afflicted among the people, save the children of the poor. R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever. Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more. May he rule from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever. May his name be blessed forever; as long as the sun his name shall remain. In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed; all the nations shall proclaim his happiness. R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever. Gospel: Matthew 1:1-17 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile. After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Christ, fourteen generations. NAB A widow twice over taking matters into her own hands. A known prostitute. A foreigner, new in town and in desperate financial straits. And a woman taken advantage of, whose sorrow is then added to by the death of her husband and then child. How odd that in a time when family lineage was firmly patriarchal, these four women of the Old Testament, outsiders and Gentiles, were included in the family tree of none other than Jesus. Outside the cultural norm, they found themselves marginalized, victimized, their lives marked with their struggles and mistakes written down to be passed down. I may not be as desperate as Tamar or Ruth, but I do struggle with impatience and attempting to steer my own life. I came into the Roman Catholic Church not quite three years ago, and after less than a year, I was ready to relocate to a different state. Becoming Catholic had left me virtually friendless in a city I’d lived for 8 years. Growing up as a military brat, the best course of plans seemed to me to be to pick up, move, and just start all over. My drastic plan to find true community was a fairly obvious distrust in God’s greater plan. Three years later, my life isn’t perfect, but by settling and letting God show me His hand in lightening my burdens, I am finding what is true and good. Our story may not mirror any of these women’s story perfectly, but they do share parts. Hurt, pain, rejection, and suffering make up a piece of each of our stories. There is no mistake that these women’s names were recorded as a part of Jesus’ family. His story was, is, and shall continue to be a story of sin and conversion, dark and light, and crooked paths straightened. The inclusion of the names of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba (Uriah’s wife) reminds us that there is no circumstance that God cannot use in His plan. Our trust in His ability to redeem is the key to begin finding meaning in the pain and suffering in our lives. [bctt tweet="By letting God show me His hand in lightening my burdens, I am finding what is true and good."] How are you suffering this Advent? What would you like to lay at the crib of the Baby Jesus for healing? Sarah Ortiz is a Catholic convert, and when not folding laundry, she can be found reading, experimenting in the kitchen, or writing at her blog. You can find out more about her here.