TAU House Ministry: Friday, 1st week of Advent "Do you believe?" St. Nicholas Day

Preparing for St. Nicholas

Gospel Reading: Matthew 9:27-31 - And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, "See that no one knows it." But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 29:17-24: Is it not yet a very little while until Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be regarded as a forest? In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall exult in the Holy One of Israel. For the ruthless shall come to naught and the scoffer cease, and all who watch to do evil shall be cut off, who by a word make a man out to be an offender, and lay a snare for him who reproves in the gate, and with an empty plea turn aside him who is in the right. Therefore thus says the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning

the house of Jacob: "Jacob shall no more be ashamed, no more shall his face grow pale. For when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in his midst, they will sanctify my name; they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel. And those who err in spirit will come to understanding, and those who murmur will accept instruction."

Meditation

Are there any blind-spots in your life that keep you from recognizing God's power and mercy? When two blind men heard that Jesus was passing their way, they followed him and begged for his mercy. The word mercy literally means "sorrowful at heart". But mercy is something more than compassion, or heartfelt sorrow at another's misfortune. Compassion empathizes with the sufferer. But mercy goes further; it removes suffering. A merciful person shares in another's misfortune and suffering as if it were their own. When two blind men approached Jesus, he questioned their earnestness. "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" Jesus put them to the test, not to rebuff them, but to strengthen their faith and trust in God's mercy. He touched their eyes, both to identify with their affliction and to awaken faith in them. Their faith grew as they responded to his word with confident hope. Jesus restored their sight – both physically and spiritually to the reality of God's kingdom. Faith opens the way for us to see the power of God’s kingdom and to experience his healing presence in our lives.

In Jesus we see the fullness of God's mercy and the power of his kingdom – power to save from death and destruction, to forgive sins and lift the burden of guilt, and to heal infirmities and release the oppressed. Jesus never refused to bring God's mercy to those who earnestly sought it. How can we seek and obtain God's mercy? God gives mercy to the lowly in heart – to those who recognize their need for God and for his forgiveness and healing power.

God wants to change and transform our lives to set us free to live as his sons and daughters and citizens of his kingdom. Faith is key to this transformation. How can we grow in faith? Faith is a gift freely given by God to help us know God personally, to understand his truth, and to live in the power of his love. For faith to be effective it must be linked with trust and obedience – an active submission to God and a willingness to do whatever he commands. The Lord Jesus wants us to live in the confident expectation that he will fulfill his promises to us and bring us into the fullness of his kingdom – a kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). Do you know the peace and joy of God's kingdom?

Prayer: "Lord Jesus, help me to draw near to you with faith and trust in your saving power and mercy. Free me from doubt and unbelief that I may approach you confidently and pray boldly with expectant faith. Let your kingdom come and may your will be done in me." Amen.

_______________________________________________________________________
Notes:

What Star Did the Magi See?Dr. Ray Pritchard

Matthew 2:2 adds a detail that has baffled and intrigued Bible scholars and astronomers for 2,000 years: "We have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship him." What was "his star in the east"?

Over the years there have been four main theories:

Halley's Comet: Unfortunately, the nearest appearance was in 11 B.C., which is simply too early for the birth of Christ.
Supernova: This is an exploding star that suddenly fills the sky with light in a brilliant, blinding flash of light. These are unpredictable and very rare, and there is no record in any astronomical records of a supernova in the years surrounding the birth of Christ.
Conjunction of Planets: This is probably the most popular theory. One version suggests that in 7 B.C. Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn came together in a very rare conjunction that only occurs once every 125 years. Another possibility is a conjunction of Jupiter and Venus in 2 B.C. (This last possibility is the one suggested by the "Star of Wonder" presentation at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago.) The conjunction theory has this to favor it: It would explain why the Magi saw it and the people of Israel didn't. Conjunctions don't attract the attention of people who don't normally watch the skies. They aren't highly-visible phenomena like comets or supernovas or meteor showers. But to anyone who watched the stars regularly, a "triangular" conjunction like the one in 7 B.C. would certainly attract extraordinary attention.
A Supernatural Light: This theory suggests that the "star" was not a natural phenomena at all, but rather was a light placed by God in the atmosphere especially for the Magi to see. Those who hold this view (which I myself lean to) point to the shekinah glory of God in the Old Testament. At certain points in history God revealed himself as a bright light in order to guide his people. In this context, we might think of the pillar of fire with which God led Israel in the wilderness.

"Prepare the way of the Lord."

We began the Advent Season last Sunday with a reading from Matthew's Gospel about the announcement of “the coming of the Son of Man”, also known as the Second Coming. The gospel reading summoned us to “stay awake”. This Sunday, again from Matthew (Matthew 3:1-12), we will hear John the Baptist proclaiming: “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This is the high point of Advent - the kingdom that Jesus prayed for when He first came will be fully realized when He comes again. Maranatha!

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Second Sunday of Advent, Dec. 5, 2010 (2AdvAC)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Mass Readings
Podcast of the Readings
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: Did John the Baptist go straight to heaven upon his death?

--------------------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.--------------------------------------------

First Reading
Book of the Prophet Isaiah, Chapter 11, Verses 1-10

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Second Sunday of Advent, Dec. 8, 2013 (2AdvAC)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Mass Readings
Podcast of the Readings
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: Did John the Baptist go straight to heaven upon his death?

--------------------------------------------
Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer. --------------------------------------------

First Reading
Book of the Prophet Isaiah, Chapter 11, Verses 1-10

1. “The earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord.” Von Balthasaar says this is a “drenching of the entire being with the inner understanding of what God is.” Discuss this idea. How does this relate to peace in the reading?

2. You received the gifts of the Holy Spirit in baptism: wisdom, understanding, right judgment, courage, knowledge, reverence and wonder and awe in the presence of God. How do these relate to the peace in your heart?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 72: 1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17

1. This Sunday's Psalm speaks of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is to be endowed by God as a just King. Describe how you will make room for the Lord in your life so that He may govern how you conduct yourself this Advent season.

2. Our psalmist writes about the profound peace that will flourish when the Messiah arrives. Tell of how you will receive the Lord's peace during Advent and how this will affect your life.

Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Romans, Chapter 15, Verses 4-9

1. Would Paul be giving the same advice to the Church today that we read in this letter? For instance, do you welcome or accept others with whom you differ? According to Paul, how does God extend mercy to those who know nothing of the covenant?

2. There are people with whom you disagree. How easy is it to “think in harmony” with them? Why think in harmony with them instead of just going along with them, or being nice, or acting like you agree with them?

Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 3, Verses 1-12

1. Compare John’s baptism of repentance with Jesus’ baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire. What is that fire? What does it do?

2. Is the fire within you a conflagration or does it look more like a pilot light? What can you do during Advent to gather some kindling for your fire?

______________________________________________________________________________
News

http://whodatcoffeecafe.com/

Cards for a Cause