Tuesday 7th December

Memorial Of Ambrose, Bishop, Doctor Of The Church

Wage Peace

Advent anticipates the Prince of Peace. But as we recall Pearl Harbor, Catholics also embrace a tradition that includes just war theory—sketched out by the likes of Saint Augustine, fleshed out by the likes of Saint Ambrose. King David “never waged war unless he was driven to it,” Ambrose observed, illustrating that wars should be fought only as a last resort. Further, war should be waged selflessly—to help and protect others. War that “preserves one’s country [or] defends the weak . . . is full of justice.” Pray for those in the armed services who sacrifice and protect, and also pray for peace.

Today's readings: Isaiah 40:1-11; Matthew 18:12-14

"Comfort, give comfort to my people.”

Wednesday 8th December

Solemnity Of The Immaculate Conception Of The Blessed Virgin Mary

A Day Of Pure Celebration

Today we celebrate the Immaculate Conception, the church’s teaching that Mary was preserved from original sin from the moment of her conception. It is one of only two dogmas proclaimed infallibly by a pope. All of today’s readings are related: They trace the tale back to the Fall, followed by a celebration of the “marvelous deeds” of God’s salvation, culminating in the gospel reading of the Annunciation, where Mary learns she will bear a son who will reverse the curse of sin. Today, honor our Blessed Mother and thank God for her preservation from sin so that she might bring Christ into the world.

Today's readings: Genesis 3:9-15, 20; Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12; Luke 1:26-38

“. . . he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him.”

Thursday 9th December

Memorial Of Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin

Be a witness to the miracle of God’s love

We are told that Saint Juan Diego was undistinguished before he became the person to whom the Virgin Mary appeared at Tepeyac, Mexico in 1531. Juan Diego had an opportunity to open himself to God’s grace—Mary’s appearance and miracle. He responded in faith by listening to the Virgin and persistently communicating her message, even though as an indigenous person, his word was at first discounted. His part in the miracle at Tepeyac has had enduring impact by opening other indigenous and mestizo Mexicans to the gospel message, and by opening church leaders—albeit slowly, in fits and starts—to the message indigenous peoples have for the wider church. Are you ready to receive God’s grace, as did Juan Diego?

Today's readings: Isaiah 41:13-20; Matthew 11:11-15

"Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

Friday 10th December

Memorial Of Our Lady Of Loreto

Jesus makes his presence known

Emmanuel, “God is with us,” is our guiding truth. Christians find many ways to remind ourselves of God’s Real Presence. Of course, the primary way is through the Eucharist. But shrines and relics are also a very Catholic way of pointing to the reality of Christ in our lives. Take for example the shrine of Our Lady of Loreto, which resides in Loreto, Italy, a small town on the Adriatic coast. It is there that the original home of Mary is said to have been moved, either by angels or more probably by a wealthy Italian merchant, after the late 13th-century siege of Jerusalem. At this shrine we can presumably touch the same stones that Jesus touched as a boy. What a remarkable reminder that the Word was made flesh and lived among us. Pray to Our Lady of Loreto for continued reminders of God’s abiding presence.

Today's readings: Isaiah 48:17-19; Matthew 11:16-19

"The virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us!’ ”



Saturday 11th December

Memorial Of Damasus I, Pope

By The Book

By the fourth century of the Christian era there were 20 or so gospels floating around the early church communities along with the familiar four. Dozens of epistles existed in addition to the 21 we now recognize. It was today’s saint, Pope Damasus I (c. 305–384), who presided over the Council of Rome in 382 that determined the canon, or official list, of the Bible. He also encouraged Saint Jerome to produce a translation of the existing Greek and Hebrew texts into Latin, the common language of the day. Inexpensive versions of the Catholic New American Bible Revised Edition make great Christmas gifts for friends and family looking to deepen their faith.

Today's readings: Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11; Matthew 17:9a, 10-13 (186).

“Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.”