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PDF icon 8th December 2024

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Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Genesis 3:9-15, 20; Parts of Psalm 98(97); Ephesians 1:3-6,11-12; Luke 1:26-38
Today, despite being Advent, we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, transferred from yesterday as the Sunday’s in Advent are always for the Lord. In the Diocese of Portsmouth, Mary is co-patron of the Diocese. The Feast refers to the conception of Mary, creating her immaculate, without original sin, to make her a perfect, spotless host for the Lord.
In today’s Gospel, the angel Gabriel appears to Mary, and she receives her life’s work, to be Theotokos, Mother of God. Mary declares herself willing and calls herself the servant of the Lord. Is that a title that you would or could apply to yourself? We are all here on this earth to come to know, love and serve the Lord. What do you need to do to make that come true?

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First week of Advent – Saturday
Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26; Parts of Psalm 146 (145); Matt 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8
In today’s Gospel, Jesus talks about the harvest being plentiful but the labourers being few. We need more priests to provide the Sacraments – should you consider being one, or encourage someone you know to do so? But we are all called to share the Gospel with our unique circle of family, friends, work colleagues, and even the total strangers we meet in the street or on the bus. You might be the only Bible they ever meet in their lives. Do you have ready what you will say about Jesus if the opportunity arises? Jesus lived, suffered, died on a cross and rose again to save us and bring us to eternal life is the best starting point! How will you put your faith across? Do you have your testimony ready for that one person who needs to hear it from you?

First Week of Advent – Friday
Isaiah 29:17-24; Parts of Ps 27 (26); Matthew 9:27-31
In today’s Gospel, two blind men asked Jesus to have mercy on them that they might have back their sight. He asked them if they believed and offered them healing based on whether they had enough faith, and both were healed. Do we have enough faith to still believe in miracles in this modern age? I know of people who have been healed, who have been told by doctors that their recovery is not possible, that it is unexplainable, that it is a miracle. Do you believe that you can be healed? Pray for you own miracle and ask others to pray for it too!

First Week of Advent – Thursday
Isaiah 26:1-6; Parts of Psalm 118 (117); Matthew 7:21, 24-27
Today’s Gospel is about whether you build your house on rock or on sand, the house in question being our eternal accommodation in the afterlife. Just saying, “Lord, Lord” to God is not enough; Jesus tells us that we have to do the will of the Father. I know how hard that can be for some, especially those facing persecution and death. Standing up for the truth is not easy, but to follow Christ, that is what we are called to do. How do you show the truth of God in your life?

There will be an Altar Server training session on Saturday 14th December from 11 am to 1 pm at St Bede’s Church. If you are due to receive a medal please can you try to attend. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

First Week of Advent – Wednesday
Isaiah 25:6-10a; Parts of Psalm 23(22); Matthew 15:29-37
People came to hear Jesus and to be healed. We are all in need of healing, but it will only happen in God’s time. Have you prayed about the concern and asked for healing for it? People came because they were attracted to Jesus and, after three days, He did not want to see them go hungry. He worked the second miracle with seven loaves and a few fish to feed four thousand men – ‘to say nothing of the women and children’! (Matt 15:38) Would that He would work such a miracle in our days! Hunger is so hard, yet millions suffer. How many food luxuries do you have in your life while others starve to death? When did you last make a donation to a charity feeding those in need? Now is the time – as is all year round.

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First Week of Advent – Tuesday – Feria Readings
Isaiah 11:1-10; Parts of Psalm 72 (71); Luke 10:21-24
In today’s Gospel, ‘Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit,’ giving thanks to God the Father. The Father is a bit of a mysterious figure in some ways, despite us praying to Him in every Mass in the Our Father. Yet Jesus reason for living is to do the Father’s will, and that should be our goal in life too. What is that? We all have different gifts and the Father’s will for each one of us is unique, depending on our gifts, even if there are overlaps. Pray to the Lord and ask Him what He wants you to do – and be prepared to subsume your will into His.

First Week of Advent – Monday
Isaiah 2:1-5; Verses from Psalm 122; Matt 8:5-11
Today’s Gospel has Jesus healing the Centurion’s servant. I don’t know about you, but I struggle with my faith from time to time. However, the Centurion has no doubt that Jesus can heal his servant. How strong is your faith? Do you believe that Jesus can heal, even today? Jesus did not touch the servant, or even go to visit him, but he was healed when Jesus spoke the word. Today, we are called to acknowledge the power of Jesus in our lives by trusting in Him. That includes trusting that, even from a distance, Jesus can heal us, whatever our affliction. That trust comes about by putting our faith totally in God.

Starting tomorrow, journey through this wonderful season of Advent with our daily Gospel reflections, helping us to prepare for the Coming of Christ.