Today we meet the Word among us and the Light within us…

Reflections on the readings for 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 “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days. 

This splendid holy day of Christmas shows us the light that came to shine in the earth’s darkness and to illuminate the lives of people in every generation.

Jesus will save His people from their sins

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 “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days. 

The Gospel for the Vigil Mass on this Christmas Eve recounts the genealogy of Jesus starting with Abraham and going through all the generations down to Joseph who is legally recognized as His father.  

The Holy Infant is our Savior and Shepherd – and our peace

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 “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days. 

On this last Sunday of Advent, we hear the prophet Micah offer the Jewish people hope for their future and the future of the world.

Rejoice on this Gaudete Sunday and know that Jesus will soon be born to us! 

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 “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days. 

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God” (Philippians 4:4-6).

Mary continues to serve God in her appearances to His people – and draws us to Him

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 “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days. 

Just a few days ago we honored the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and recognized her dedication and special relationship with God from the first instant of her life.

What we need to remember as we follow Christ

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 “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days. 

The mission of St. John the Baptist in preparing the Jewish people for the coming of the Messiah is a key part of this season of Advent. 

Mary, conceived without sin, is our own dear mother as well as the mother of Christ

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 “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days. 

Belief in the Immaculate Conception of Mary was embraced by many of the faithful a thousand or more years before it was declared a dogma of the Church.

St. Francis Xavier introduced many in India, Japan and other nations in the east to faith in Jesus Christ

Reflections on the readings for the 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 “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days. 

Today we salute a patron of Catholic missions: St. Francis Xavier.

Let us thank our Lord for coming among us as our loving Redeemer and as our just Judge

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 “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days. 

On this first Sunday of Advent, we note that the word adventus is Latin for coming. 

The first-called of the Twelve walked in the footsteps of the Lord – even to his own cross

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 “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days. 

On this day as we honor St. Andrew, we recall the Apostle that the Eastern Church has long known as the “first-called.”