Immaculata University Advent Reflection Booklet

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December 24Fourth Saturday of <strong>Advent</strong>When King David was settled in his palace, and the LORD had given him rest from hisenemies 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 youhave in mind, for the LORD is with you. “But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan andsaid: “Go, tell my servant David, "Thus says the LORD: Should you build me a house todwell in? “'It was I who took you from the pasture and from the care of the flock to be commanderof my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you went, and I have destroyedall your enemies before you. And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth. Iwill fix a place for my people Israel; I will plant them so that they may dwell in their placewithout further disturbance. Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did ofold, since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel. I will give you rest fromall your enemies. The LORD also reveals to you that He will establish a house for you. Andwhen 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 heshall be a son to me. Your house and your Kingdom shall endure forever before me; yourthrone shall stand firm forever.” 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16God scolds David for trying to build Him a house of gold, when, for years, Godsays He has been perfectly satisfied to live in a tent. This tent (called the Ark ofthe Covenant) had poles attached so that it could be easily carried from place toplace. When the Israelites went into battle, the Ark of the Covenant was carriedby Levites, students for the Jewish priesthood. In later times, it rested in theHoly of Holies in the Temple that David's son, Solomon, built. But that waslater. In today's readings, God says, "Not yet!" Through the prophet, Nathan,God tells the King that He'll let Solomon do the building of the temple.This reading was chosen for Christmas Eve to show that tomorrow, God isgoing to do something truly awesome. He is going to send His Son, Jesus, andJesus will choose for His Temple a human person called Mary. We may ask how,then, is it possible for Jesus to be set on the throne of David as the Father hadpromised. The answer lies in the fact that Jesus' mother, Mary, and His fosterfather,Joseph, are both descendants of David. In this way, the promise will befulfilledHeavenly Father, You can only build on life. All else is sand. You cannot build on fear,guilt, coercion, or even idealism. You cannot build on death, un-forgiveness, repressed hurts,denied feelings, or unconscious anger for they will eventually show themselves as unfit foundationsfor community. They might appear to be energy in the short run, but they will in timeshow themselves to be negative energy, incapable of sustaining real life. Wisdom has builtherself a house, says Proverbs 9:1. And Wisdom knows that you can only build on the foundationof life. Thank you for helping me to journey into an ever deeper life this <strong>Advent</strong> whichis the essence of faith community.Sister Agnes Marie Cummings, IHMNursing Faculty
December 25The Nativity of the LordToday is born our Savior, Christ the Lord. Psalm 96…Responsorial Psalm for Midnight Mass.On this Christmas Day, let us sing with joy to the Father for sending usHis Son, Jesus. With Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds and kings, let uskeep watch over Jesus, Emmanuel, now present and living among us.Praise to the holiest in the height,And in the depth be praise,In all his words most wonderful,Most sure in all his ways.O loving wisdom of our God!When all was sin and shameA second Adam to the fightAnd to the rescue came.O wisest love! That flesh and bloodWhich did in Adam fail,Should strive afresh against their foe,Should strive and should prevail.And that a higher gift than graceShould flesh and blood refine,God’s presence and his very selfAnd essence all divine..O generous love! That he who smoteIn man for man the foe,The double agony in manFor man should undergo;And in the garden secretly,And on the cross on high,Should teach his brethren, and inspireTo suffer and to die.Praise to the holiest in the height,And in the depth be praise,In all his words most wonderful,Most sure in all his ways.
Page 6: November 30, 2011First Wednesday of
Page 10 and 11: December 4, 2011Second Sunday of Ad
Page 12 and 13: Jesus said to his disciples: "What
Page 14 and 15: And Mary said, “Behold, I am the
Page 16 and 17: December 10, 2011Second Saturday of
Page 18 and 19: December 12, 2011Feast of Our lady
Page 20 and 21: “I am the Lord, there is no other
Page 22 and 23: December 16, 2011Third Friday of Ad
Page 24 and 25: December 18, 2011Fourth Sunday of A
Page 26: December 20, 2011Fourth Tuesday of
Page 32: Office of Mission and Ministry&Depa

Immaculata University Advent Reflection Booklet

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