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TRÁI TIM
MẸ: NƠI CON NƯƠNG NÁU - ĐƯỜNG ĐẾN VỚI CHÚA |
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"Chúa Giêsu muốn dùng con để làm
cho Mẹ được nhận biết và yêu mến" |
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December 6/2009 - 2nd
Sunday of Advent
LITURGICAL/THEME MEDITATION:
"The word of God came to John in the
wilderness"
UNIVERSAL CHURCH/WORLD EVENT(S):
Australian Bishops Ready for
Canonization of Mary MacKillop
SAINT OF THE DAY
St. Nicholas
GENERAL
MARIOLOGY
Nativity of the
Virgin Mary
The History of Joseph Carpenter
DIVINE MERCY
Divine Mercy: The Miracles
Nino
TEACHING/TESTIMONY/CONVICTION:
Prayer for
the Autumn Months
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DAILY LITURGICAL MEDITATION |
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Sunday (12/6): "The word of God came to John
in the wilderness"
Gospel Reading: Luke 3:1-6
1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiber'i-us Caesar, Pontius
Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and
his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Iturae'a and Trachoni'tis,
and Lysa'ni-as tetrarch of Abile'ne, 2 in the high-priesthood of Annas
and Ca'iaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechari'ah in the
wilderness; 3 and he went into all the region about the Jordan,
preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it
is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "The voice of
one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his
paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and
hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and
the rough ways shall be made smooth; 6 and all flesh shall see the
salvation of God."
Old Testament Reading: Baruch 5:1-9 (Deutero-canonical)
1 Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction, O Jerusalem,
and put on forever the beauty of the glory from God. 2 Put on the robe
of the righteousness that comes from God; put on your head the diadem of
the glory of the Everlasting; 3 for God will show your splendor
everywhere under heaven. 4 For God will give you evermore the name,
"Righteous Peace, Godly Glory." 5 Arise, O Jerusalem, stand upon the
height; look toward the east, and see your children gathered from west
and east at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that God has remembered
them. 6 For they went out from you on foot, led away by their enemies;
but God will bring them back to you, carried in glory, as on a royal
throne. 7 For God has ordered that every high mountain and the
everlasting hills be made low and the valleys filled up, to make level
ground, so that Israel may walk safely in the glory of God. 8 The woods
and every fragrant tree have shaded Israel at God's command. 9 For God
will lead Israel with joy, in the light of his glory, with the mercy and
righteousness that come from him.
Meditation: Who is John the Baptist and what is the
significance of his message for our lives? In dramatic fashion Luke
tells us when John came on the world scene. The world's rulers paled in
reference to this son of a priest whose task was to make the way for the
King who is above all other kings. John stood at a pivotal juncture in
the history of God's dealing with his people. He bridged the Old and New
Testaments. John was a prophet, a spokesman for God. "The word of God
came to John in the wilderness." John was pre-eminently the servant of
the Word, the Word of God who became flesh for our sake and for our
salvation. Why was he in the wilderness? John was called from an early
age to devote himself to prayer and to the word of God. God taught him
in the solitude of the desert and prepared him for a prophetic ministry
to turn the hearts of his people to receive their long-awaited Messiah.
He is the last of the Old Testament prophets who point the way to the
coming of the Messiah. He is the first of the new Testament witnesses
and martyrs who suffered on account of of his witness to Christ.
When a king toured his kingdom, he sent his courier ahead to prepare
the way. John is the courier of the Messianic King who comes to usher in
the kingdom or reign of God. Isaiah had long ago prophesied the role of
the Forerunner of the Messiah. John undoubtedly took this word to heart
as he searched the scriptures and reflected on the word of the Lord in
the wilderness. How does one prepare for the coming of the King and his
heavenly kingdom? By conversion – turning our heart and mind from sin
and rebellion, indifference and skepticism, to trust and obedience to
God's word. Luke's gospel emphasizes the universal call of the gospel to
all peoples without distinction. He quotes from the prophet Isaiah that
"all flesh shall see the salvation of God." John stood at the door of a
new era of grace and salvation. He saw from a distance what Jesus the
Messiah would accomplish through his death and resurrection – pardon for
our sins and eternal life for all who would believe in his name. Are you
hungry for the Word of God and do you allow God's word to shape and form
the way you think and live?
"Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit and inflame my heart with
love for your word. May I radiate the joy of the gospel in word and deed
to those around me."
Psalms 126:1-6
1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who
dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of
joy; then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things
for them."
3 The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.
4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the watercourses in the Negeb!
5 May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy!
6 He that goes forth weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come
home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
www.dailyscripture.net
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UNIVERSAL CHURCH/WORLD EVENTS |
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Australian Bishops Ready for Canonization of Mary MacKillop
Discuss Marriage, Youth Day, Eastern Rites in Plenary Meeting
SYDNEY, Australia, DEC. 4, 2009 ( Zenit.org).- Bishops of Australia gathered for their five-day plenary session which saw them discussing issues ranging from the protection of marriage to the hoped-for canonization of the first Australian saint.
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) met Nov. 23-27 in Sydney.
They were visited by the president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, Cardinal Paul Cordes, to reflect with them on the charitable mission of the Church.
And anticipating an event that will have many repercussions in the local Church, the bishops discussed the hoped-for canonization of Blessed Mary MacKillop for some time next year.
According to a statement from the conference, "the bishops pledged to work [...] to ensure that the canonization of Australia’s first saint would be a time of grace for the Church in Australia, noting that it would present a wonderful opportunity to engage with the community about what it means to live a holy life."
The ACBC also had to consider the Church within the Australian society, as issues of conscience rights, abortion, and the definition of marriage have been on political agendas.
Their discussion "touched on a number of important areas, including the defense of marriage as being a special kind of relationship which is defined as the commitment of a man and a woman to live as husband and wife to the exclusion of all others and for life," the statement said. "Their discussion also affirmed that the Church deplores unjust discrimination against homosexual people, while confirming that in society the making of certain distinctions is essential.
"The bishops concluded their discussion by saying that the Church must speak up for crucial institutions such as marriage while supporting people in all walks of life. Basic human rights can and should be afforded to all people without sacrificing the bedrock of society that is marriage and the family."
Educational issues
The Australian bishops also took up various education-related themes.
One was the need to teach the faithful about the Eastern rites and particularly, to meet the needs of Eastern rite students in Catholic schools.
And for the Latin rite, the need to prepare for a new translation of the Roman Missal was discussed.
As well, the bishops approved two pastoral letters: One is a letter to priests to mark the Year for Priests; the other is a letter to Catholic women, to mark the 10th anniversary of the release of the Bishops’ Social Justice Statement, which followed the "Woman and Man: One in Christ Jesus" research project.
Madrid '11
The prelates also considered preparations for the next international World Youth Day, to be held in Spain in 2011.
Drawing from their experience as hosts for the most recent Youth Day -- in Sydney last July -- the prelates have initiated a WYD 2011 project.
The statement affirmed that there "is expected to be a large pilgrimage to the event in Madrid."
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DAILY LITURGICAL SAINT |
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http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintofDay
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GENERAL
MARIOLOGY |
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The History of Joseph Carpenter
8. But Satan
went and told this to Herod the Great, the
father of
Archelaus. And it was this same Herod[5] who
ordered my friend and relative
John to be beheaded. Accordingly he searched for
me diligently, thinking
that my kingdom was to be of this world.[6] But
Joseph, that pious old man,
was warned of this by a dream. Therefore he rose
and took Mary my mother,
and I lay in her bosom. Salome[7] also was their
fellow-traveller. Having
therefore set out from home, he retired into
Egypt, and remained there the
space of one whole year, until the hatred of
Herod passed away.
9. Now
Herod died by the worst form of death, atoning
for the shedding
of the blood of the children whom he wickedly
cut off, though there was no
sin in them. And that impious tyrant Herod being
dead, they returned into
the land of Israel, and lived in a city of
Galilee which is called
Nazareth. And Joseph, going back to his trade of
a carpenter, earned his
living by the work of his hands; for, as the law
of Moses had commanded, he
never sought to live for nothing by another's
labour.[8]
10. At
length, by increasing years, the old man arrived
at a very
advanced age. He did not, however, labour under
any bodily weakness, nor
had his sight failed, nor had any tooth perished
from his mouth. In mind
also, for the whole time of his life, he never
wandered; but like a boy he
always in his business displayed youthful vigour,
and his limbs remained
unimpaired, and free from all pain. His life,
then, in all, amounted to one
hundred and eleven years, his old age being
prolonged to the utmost limit.
11. Now
Justus and Simeon, the eider sons of Joseph,
were married, and
had families of their own. Both the daughters
were likewise married, and
lived in their own houses. So there remained in
Joseph's house, Judas and
James the Less, and my virgin mother. I moreover
dwelt along with them, not
otherwise than if I had been one of his sons.
But I passed all my life
without fault. Mary I called my mother, and
Joseph father, and I obeyed
them in all that they said; nor did I ever
contend against them, but
complied with their commands, as other men whom
earth produces are wont to
do; nor did I at any time arouse their anger, or
give any word or answer in
opposition to them. On the contrary, I cherished
them with great love, like
the pupil of my eye.
12. It came
to pass, after these things, that the death of
that old
man, the pious Joseph, and his departure from
this world, were approaching,
as happens to other men who owe their origin to
this earth. And as his body
was verging on dissolution, an angel of the Lord
informed him that his
death was now close at hand. Therefore fear and
great perplexity came upon
him. So he rose up and went to Jerusalem; and
going into the temple of the
Lord, he poured out his prayers there before the
sanctuary, and said:
13. O God!
author of all consolation, God of all
compassion, and Lord
of the whole human race; God of my soul, body,
and spirit; with
supplications I reverence thee, O Lord and my
God. If now my days are
ended, and the time draws near when I must leave
this world, send me, I
beseech Thee, the great Michael, the prince of
Thy holy angels: let him
remain with me, that my wretched soul may depart
from this afflicted body
without trouble, without terror and impatience.
For great fear and intense
sadness take hold of all bodies on the day of
their death, whether it be
man or woman, beast wild or tame, or whatever
creeps on the ground or flies
in the air. At the last all creatures under
heaven in whom is the breath of
life are struck with horror, and their souls
depart from their bodies with
strong fear and great depression. Now therefore,
O Lord and my God, let Thy
holy angel be present with his help to my soul
and body, until they shall
be dissevered from each other. And let not the
face of the angel, appointed
my guardian from the day of my birth,[1] be
turned away from me; but may he
be the companion of my journey even until he
bring me to Thee: let his
countenance be pleasant and gladsome to me, and
let him accompany me in
peace. And let not demons of frightful aspect
come near me in the way in
which I am to go, until I come to Thee in bliss.
And let not the
doorkeepers hinder my soul from entering
paradise. And do not uncover my
sins, and expose me to condemnation before Thy
terrible tribunal. Let not
the lions rush in upon me; nor let the waves of
the sea of fire overwhelm
my soul--for this must every soul pass
through[2]--before I have seen the
glory of Thy Godhead. O God, most righteous
Judge, who in justice and
equity wilt judge mankind, and wilt render unto
each one according to his
works, O Lord and my God, I beseech Thee, be
present to me in Thy
compassion, and enlighten my path that I may
come to Thee; for Thou art a
fountain overflowing with all good things, and
with glory for evermore.
Amen. |
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DIVINE MERCY
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Nino
In 1993, Nino, a
two year old boy from Surigao, Minanao in the Philippines was in
hospital. Half of his body on his right side was paralyzed. Despite a
brain scan, the doctors could not diagnose what was wrong with the boy.
No medication helped him. Doctors recommended Nino be transferred to
another hospital, but his parents could not afford to pay more medical
bills. The boy returned home.
The family were Christians and so turned to God. The only hope was a
miracle healing for their son. Friends gathered with them and together
as Nino slept in his father's arms, they prayed the Chaplet of Divine
Mercy.
One of the people praying heard an audible voice above the sound of
prayer. The voice said: "Carry him, put him
down and let him stand". It was hard to
wake the boy, but he was taken from his father's arms and placed on his
feet on the floor. As he was woken and carried from his father's arms,
Nino began to struggle and wriggle using the whole of his body to get
away. When placed on the floor, the boy stood and ran back into his
father's arms. He was no longer paralyzed.
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CATHOLIC TEACHING/CONVICTION/TESTIMONY |
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Prayer for the Autumn Months
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utumn is a special season that enables us to come to terms with life
and death. It is indeed a wonderful time for reflection on what it means
to live and to die, to let go and to transform. Following is a
suggestion on how we can incorporate the seasonal changes into our daily
prayer so that we may be able to enrich our prayer experience.
1) Take a slow reflective walk through the park or some place where
there are apparent signs of leaves changing or other things passing
away. Think about the reality of your own death. How does that truth
affect the way you live your life and relate to others?
2) Spend some time in an area where there are many fallen leaves.
Listen to the leaves under your feet. Choose an autumn leaf and take it
to your room. Let it keep you company; reflect on it sometimes as you
pray during this month of October. Listen to the leaf: what does it tell
you about your own process of growth and transformation?
3) Draw an autumn tree. Let it be a symbol of yourself:
- the roots: who
and what has given you nourishment and vitality in life? What
supports you and holds you up in times of important change?
- the trunk:
what are your strengths? What events have channeled new life into
you?
- the leaves:
what is dying in your life now? What do you feel called to let go
of?
- the bark: who
or what protects you, comforts you?
- the buds: what
is your hope?
4) Reflect on what is ripening/growing
in your life. Make a list of your inner harvest, those parts of your
deeper self that are maturing and becoming more whole.
A Prayer for Autumn Days
God of the seasons, there is a time for
everything; there is a time for dying and a time for rising. We need
courage to enter into the transformation process.
God of autumn, the trees are saying
goodbye to their green, letting go of what has been. We, too, have our
moments of surrender, with all their insecurity and risk. Help us to let
go when we need to do so.
God of fallen leaves lying in colored
patterns on the ground, our lives have their own patterns. As we see the
patterns of our own growth, may we learn from them.
God of misty days and harvest moon
nights, there is always the dimension of mystery and wonder in our
lives. We always need to recognize your power-filled presence. May we
gain strength from this.
God of harvest wagons and fields of
ripened grain, many gifts of growth lie within the season of our
surrender. We must wait for harvest in faith and hope. Grant us patience
when we do not see the blessings.
God of geese going south for another
season, your wisdom enables us to know what needs to be left behind and
what needs to be carried into the future. We yearn for insight and
vision.
God of flowers touched with frost and
windows wearing white designs, may your love keep our hearts from
growing cold in the empty seasons.
God of
life, you believe in us, you enrich us, you entrust us with the freedom
to choose life. For all this, we are grateful.
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