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Fourth Sunday of Advent- December 21, 2014

12/26/2014

1 Comment

 
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Fourth Sunday of Advent

Dear Family,  

On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we hear from Luke the gospel of the annunciation.  The Angel Gabriel surprises Mary with the news of her conceiving a child, that this child is the work and grace of the Holy Spirit and that He will be called the Son of the Most High.  Mary does not understand such an announcement!  Nonetheless, in that very moment of wonder and confusion, her words were, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.  May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).  

Our Mother Mary is the model of discipleship.  There are many virtues which Mary teaches us in order to be better disciples of her Son.  For instance, she teaches us to listen to God.  Mary is always in the disposition of listening to God.  Today’s gospel is an example of her acute disposition of listening to God.  She listens attentively to the message from the Angel Gabriel. 

Sometimes we think that prayer is a monologue, that it is only us who speak to God. In our prayer we give little time for God to speak, not realizing that prayer is a dialogue between God and us.  Our prayer should be a reciprocal communication.  Therefore, in our prayer, we need to have a moment in which we silence the thoughts and desires of our mind and heart so that we allow God to speak to our conscience.  With this type of prayer we will see the fruits of it in our daily life.   

The Blessed Virgin Mary is the model par excellence of this contemplative prayer.  Only with this way of prayer can we say, with Mary, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). 

May the Blessed Virgin Mary inspire us to be every day better disciples of her Son.  


Cuarto Domingo de Adviento

Querida Familia,  

 En este cuarto Domingo de Adviento escuchamos de Lucas el evangelio de la anunciación. El Ángel Gabriel sorprende a María con el anuncio de que va a concebir un hijo, que este hijo es obra y gracia del espíritu santo y será llamado hijo del altísimo. ¡María no entiende semejante anuncio! Sin embargo, en ese momento de sorpresa y confusión sus palabras fueron, “Yo soy la esclava del Señor; cúmplase en mí lo que me has dicho” (Lucas 1: 38). 

Nuestra madre María es el discípulo modelo. Hay muchas cosas que María nos enseña para ser mejores discípulos de Cristo. Ella nos enseña a escuchar a Dios. María siempre está en una actitud de escucha. El evangelio de hoy es un ejemplo de ello. María escucha atentamente el mensaje que trae el Ángel Gabriel. 

Algunas veces nosotros creemos que la oración es un monólogo, pues solo somos nosotros los que hablamos a Dios. En nuestra oración, damos muy poco espacio para que Dios hable. La oración es un dialogo entre Dios y nosotros. Debe haber comunicación tanto de parte de Dios como de nuestra parte. Por ello, en nuestra oración, debe haber un momento en el cual silenciamos nuestra mente y corazón y permitimos que Dios hable a nuestra conciencia. De esta manera podemos ver los frutos de la oración reflejados en nuestro vivir.

María Santísima es el modelo por excelencia de esa oración de escucha a Dios. Solo con este tipo de oración podemos decir con María, “Yo soy la esclava del Señor; cúmplase en mí lo que me has dicho” (Lucas 1: 38). 

Que María Santísima nos anime e inspire para ser cada día mejores discípulos de su hijo.
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1 Comment
Esther Hampton link
12/19/2020 06:18:03 am

Thanks for writing tthis

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Rev. Johnson Lopez

    Father Lopez is Pastor of Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Rochelle, IL.

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  • Home
  • About
    • Mission Statement
    • Contact Us
    • Directions
    • Sacraments >
      • Eucharist
      • Baptism
      • Reconciliation
      • Confirmation
      • Marriage
      • Vocations
      • Anointing of the Sick
    • Staff
    • History
    • Registration
    • Stewardship >
      • Why give?
    • Parish Boundaries
    • Cemetery
  • Calendar
    • Parish Calendar
    • Liturgical Roles
    • Religious Education
    • Liturgical Calendar
    • Holy Days of Obligation
  • Ministries
    • Pregnant? Need Help?
    • Religious Education >
      • First Communion Pictures 2020
      • RE Handbook
      • Religious Education Volunteers
      • Confirmation 2015
      • Confirmation 2016
      • Confirmation 2018
      • Confirmation 2019
      • For Parents
    • Adult Faith Formation
    • Respect Life >
      • Why We March
      • Elizabeth Ministry
    • Youth Ministry
    • Communications
    • RCIA
    • Parish Outreach
    • Music and Liturgy >
      • Choir >
        • 3 J's and the Flock
      • Altar Servers
    • Health Apostolate >
      • Homebound Ministry
    • Knights of Columbus
  • News
    • Diocesan Appeal
    • Bulletin
    • Flocknotes
    • Daily Readings
    • Links
    • Diocese of Rockford
  • Prayer
    • Eucharistic Adoration
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