Father Madden's Sunday Reflection
First Sunday of Advent
St. John's Church
November 27, 2022
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Fr. Madden's
Sunday Reflection
Dear friends in the Lord,
God is good. All the time. Perhaps the best part of Divine Goodness is the opportunity to begin again. All the time. And so, we begin anew both the Liturgical Year and our journey to God with today’s First Sunday of Advent. Last week I mentioned how helpful it is to celebrate the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe on the last Sunday of the year. We conclude one step on the pilgrimage by proclaiming Jesus Christ is our King and we prepare to begin the next step by proclaiming Jesus Christ is King. This Tuesday, as hundreds of Turkeys and baskets were being distributed, it occurred to me that Thanksgiving is also a huge help. The generosity we witness is amazing, as is the gratitude that we are shown, as well. It marks a sort of ending as we give thanks to God for a bountiful harvest of mercy and grace and inspires us to prepare ourselves so that we will more readily recognize the mercy and grace we are called to receive and share in the coming year.
My thanks to Eddie Lally, Director and our music minsters for focusing on the Advent Wreath to assist our preparation this year. Like many beloved Advent traditions, the modern-day tradition of the Advent wreath originates in Germany. The story goes that in 1839, Johann Hinrich Wichern (1808-81), a pastor in Germany, built a wreath out of an old cartwheel to help the children in his mission school count the days until Christmas. He added small candles to be lit every weekday and Saturday during Advent, and on Sundays, a large white candle was lit. A reminder that the Light to come will dispel the darkness of sin and death. German immigrants then brought the tradition with them to America in the 20th century. The first candle represents hope, and the prophets of the Old Testament; the second candle represents faith, and Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem; the third candle signifies joy, and the shepherds; and the fourth represents peace and the angels, with their message of Peace on Earth, and good will to all people.
We will light the candles during the invocations of the Penitential Rite/Kyrie Eleison. Which, by the way, have been composed by Eddie. We would like to have you assist with the lighting of the candle(s) at each Mass. If you would like to volunteer – as an individual, a family, or a member of a small group – please contact the rectory by email or phone. If we recruit you before Mass to assist us, please say yes!
Another request, if I may: as I mentioned last week with the start of a new Liturgical Year, we are initiating the Common Prayer to conclude the Prayers of the Faithful. Our reasoning is that, along with COVID, there are several pandemics, challenges and trials that we face and for which we must cry out to God for mercy and grace. There is a great power in our common prayer. Say it loud and say it strong.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr John Madden
1st Reading: Isaiah 2
This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz,
saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
In days to come,
the mountain of the LORD's house
shall be established as the highest mountain
and raised above the hills.
All nations shall stream toward it;
many peoples shall come and say:
"Come, let us climb the LORD's mountain,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may instruct us in his ways,
and we may walk in his paths."
For from Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
and impose terms on many peoples.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks;
one nation shall not raise the sword against another,
nor shall they train for war again.
O house of Jacob, come,
let us walk in the light of the Lord!
saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
In days to come,
the mountain of the LORD's house
shall be established as the highest mountain
and raised above the hills.
All nations shall stream toward it;
many peoples shall come and say:
"Come, let us climb the LORD's mountain,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may instruct us in his ways,
and we may walk in his paths."
For from Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
and impose terms on many peoples.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks;
one nation shall not raise the sword against another,
nor shall they train for war again.
O house of Jacob, come,
let us walk in the light of the Lord!
Responsorial: Psalm 122
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
"We will go up to the house of the LORD."
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May those who love you prosper!
May peace be within your walls,
prosperity in your buildings.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Because of my brothers and friends
I will say, "Peace be within you!"
Because of the house of the LORD, our God,
I will pray for your good.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
2nd Reading: Romans 13
Brothers and sisters:
You know the time;
it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep.
For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed;
the night is advanced, the day is at hand.
Let us then throw off the works of darkness
and put on the armor of light;
let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day,
not in orgies and drunkenness,
not in promiscuity and lust,
not in rivalry and jealousy.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.
You know the time;
it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep.
For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed;
the night is advanced, the day is at hand.
Let us then throw off the works of darkness
and put on the armor of light;
let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day,
not in orgies and drunkenness,
not in promiscuity and lust,
not in rivalry and jealousy.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.
Alleluia
Show us Lord, your love;
and grant us your salvation.
Show us Lord, your love;
and grant us your salvation.
Gospel: Matthew 24
Jesus said to his disciples:
"As it was in the days of Noah,
so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
In those days before the flood,
they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage,
up to the day that Noah entered the ark.
They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away.
So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man.
Two men will be out in the field;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Two women will be grinding at the mill;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Therefore, stay awake!
For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.
Be sure of this: if the master of the house
had known the hour of night when the thief was coming,
he would have stayed awake
and not let his house be broken into.
So too, you also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come."
"As it was in the days of Noah,
so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
In those days before the flood,
they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage,
up to the day that Noah entered the ark.
They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away.
So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man.
Two men will be out in the field;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Two women will be grinding at the mill;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Therefore, stay awake!
For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.
Be sure of this: if the master of the house
had known the hour of night when the thief was coming,
he would have stayed awake
and not let his house be broken into.
So too, you also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come."
Prayer
St. John's Parish:
Prayer Needs & Intentions
Please remember the following needs and intentions in your prayers:
- For Kristina. (Lynn S)
- Please pray for Toby, Jim and Paul as they battle serious illnesses. (Cynthia D)
- Prayers 🙏 for a teaching job and 🙏 the safe return of Kathleen. Thank you! (TRICIA K)
- Please pray for the health and intentions of Jeff Parson, and my personal intentions. (Steve S)
- For a special intention (George V)
- Please bless my school year and deliver my children from their situation (Kassandra R)
- My family's health and safe travel for my granddaughter, thank you (Anne L)
- Please pray for a return of good health for me. Thank you (Carol L)
- Please pray for my daughter as she is continuing to be bullied at school and it won’t stop it’s effecting her academically, mentally, physically, and emotionally. Please also pray for our family to be able to find a stable, safe, and permanent place to live. I pray for my husband’s personal intentions and my my personal intentions. Thank you. (Kerri N)
- Please pray for Cindy and Rick. They were given bad sad news. Rick may be going home to God. Please pray for them. She recently had another tragic death in her life. (Patricia C)
- For my parents that they accept the help they need. For my children. (Bronwyn T)
- Please hold on prayer PAUL, Sheila and daughter (Martha L)
- Pease pray for my family. Thank you. (Katie D)
- Please pray that my wife Therese's surgery to go well this Monday! (John B)
- Thanks for all your prayers for Henry. We had a great Thanksgiving as he continues to move in the right direction. Please pray for Brooke who has a life-threatening medical situation going on. (Brian M)
- Praying for the repose of the souls of Marsha Ovrut, Nancy Hastings and Donald LeBlanc. May their souls Rest in Peace. (Donna W)
- Praying for improved health for Diane A, Russ D, Kathryn L, Ann Marie L, John D, Kathleen D, Catherine D and MaryAnn and Bob H. (Donna W)
- Healing prayers for Fran! (Kathleen L)
- I pray my mediation goes well this Wens🙏🏻 (Karen S )
To share a prayer request or intention in the Sunday Reflection, please click the REPLY button at the bottom of the Saturday morning Prayer Intentions email and post it in the comments.
Additional Prayers:
Spiritual Communion - Pandemic Prayer - Prayer to St. Michael
Act of Spiritual Communion
by St. Alphonsus de Liguori
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Our Common Prayer
O God, whose Only Begotten Son
bore the weight of human suffering for our salvation,
hear the prayers of your Church for all our brothers and sisters in need
and deliver us from our trials.
Open our ears and our hearts to the voice of your Son:
"Be not afraid, for I am with you always."
Bless all those working for the common good;
give us the wisdom to do what is right
and the faith to endure this hour,
that, trusting in your loving protection,
we might see the end of our struggles
and rejoice in your mercy.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
by Pope Leo XIII
St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against
the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
PRAYER PLEDGE
Join the team of St. John's parishioners pledging to pray daily
for the religious education and spiritual formation of our young people
In this challenging time our commitment to praying for our youth is more necessary than ever. Without prayer we cannot hope to transmit the riches of our Catholic faith to the next generation; join us as we lift our voices to God and ask for His blessing upon our efforts to teach our young people to become disciples of Christ.
We welcome you to pray a daily prayer of your own choosing, or to use the "Prayer for St. John's Religious Education" below. 👇
Prayer for St. John's Religious Education
Most gracious Lord, we ask your blessing upon the Religious Education program of our beloved parish of St. John’s. Please allow Your love and grace to flow freely and permeate the hearts and souls of our students and their families. Holy Spirit allow your gifts of Wisdom, Knowledge, and Piety to flourish in our Catechists as they pass on the teachings of Your Church to our students. Bless our volunteers for their generosity and loyalty which keeps our program operating properly. St. Joseph, intercede for our parents in this time so that they will recognize and accept their role as leaders of the Domestic Church.
We praise and honor you our Triune God, Father, Son and Spirit. Amen
St. Charles Borromeo, patron of catechists, pray for us.
St. Gemma Galgani, patron of students, pray for us.
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