Jesus is born for us now and in the everlasting life to come 

Reflections on the readings for the Christmas Mass During the Day (December 25, 2018):  IS 52:7-10; PS 98:1, 2-3,3-4,5-6; HEB 1:1-6; JN 1:1-18  

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.

Over the centuries, one of the Christmas traditions that has become common in many countries around the world is that of gift-giving. 

This is the time to thank God for caring about us as tenderly as Mary cared for the Holy Infant

Reflections on the readings for the Vigil Mass at Christmas (December 24, 2018): IS 62:1-5; PS 89:4-5,16-17,27,29; ACTS 13:16-17,22-25; MT 1:1-25 

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.

The purple and pink candles on the Advent wreath are replaced with white ones. We move from expectation to fulfillment with the birth of the Christ Child. 

“Blessed are you who believed ...”

Reflections on the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent (December 23, 2018): MI 5:1-4; PS 80:2-3,15-16,18-19; HEB 10:5-10; LK 1:39-45 

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.

When Mary heard the angel Gabriel announce that she was to be bear the Son of the Most High she must have be startled and confused. 

The price and reward of welcoming the Good News…

Reflections on the readings for the Third Sunday of Advent (December 16, 2018): ZEP 3:14-18; IS 12:2-3,4,5-6; PHIL 4:4-7; LK 3:10-18 

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.

Repentance for our sins and conversion to the will of God is the essence of St. John the Baptist’s message to the people who came to hear him.

Our Lady of Guadalupe brings a message of love and respect

Reflections on the readings for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12, 2018): ZEC 2:14-17; or RV 11:19; 12:1-6; 10; JUDITH 13:18,19; LK 1:26-38 

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.

As we hail Mary as Our Lady of Guadalupe today, we find ourselves using the same Gospel reading we had for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception only four days ago.

We need to persist in our devotion to our Lord and Savior

Reflections on the readings for the Second Sunday of Advent (December 9, 2018): BAR 5:1-9; PS 126:1-2,2-3,4-5,6; PHIL 1:4-6,8-11; LK 3:1-6

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.

In the beautiful prayer that we hear St. Paul offer for the community of Christians at Philippi, we plainly see his love for these people. 

The woman untouched by sin is always willing to assist sinners in turning to her Son

Reflections on the readings for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (December 8, 2018): GN 3:9-15,20; PS 98:1,2-3,3-4; EPH 1:3-6,11-12; LK 1:26-38

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.

On this holy day we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception.

We can ask this patron of missionaries to protect all who serve around the world today

Reflections on the readings for Memorial of St. Francis Xavier (December 3, 2018): IS 2:1-5; PS 122:1-2,3-4,4-5,6-7,8-9; MT 8:5-11 

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.

We celebrate the feast of St. Francis Xavier today. Not only was this 16th-century Spanish Jesuit one of the founders of his order, but he was also the first missionary to reach Japan. 

We can grow closer to God and those around us by opening ourselves to prayer and charitable deeds this Advent

Reflections on the readings for the First Sunday of Advent (December 2, 2018): JER 33:14-16; PS 25:4-5,8-9,10,14; 1 THES 3:12 – 4:2; LK 21:25-28,34-36 

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.

The readings for this first Sunday in the season of Advent invite us to get ready not just for the lovely commemoration of Jesus’ birth at Christmas, but also to look ahead thoughtfully to the very last days of the world.

St. Andrew quietly served Christ, sharing His word with others

Reflections on the readings for the Feast of St. Andrew (November 30, 2018): ROM 10:9-18; PS 19:8,9,10,11; MT 4:18-22   

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.

In the Gospel for this feast of St. Andrew, we hear Christ’s famous invitation to follow Him and, in time, to reach out to others.