Thanks-giving at Christmas        

Reflections on the readings for the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) – Mass during the Day (December 25, 2020): 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. 

Surely none of the long generations anticipating the coming of a Messiah could have imagined this scene. Here was no strong warrior or royal prince or anyone who wielded power in the way our human minds expect.  

Rejoicing in the very first meeting with Jesus Christ, the Son of God         

Reflections on the readings for the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) – at the Vigil Mass (December 24, 2020): 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. 

Jesus came to save us from sin and death – to save us for Himself for all eternity. And, in the prophetic title Emmanuel, we learn that Jesus, the Messiah, will be with usforever. We will never be without the presence of our Savior and Lord.  

The true temple of God lies within all who follow the Lord 

Reflections on the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent (December 20, 2020): 2 SM 7:1-5,8-12,14,16; PS 89:2-3,4-5,27,29; ROM 16:25-27; 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. 

God prepared the world for the coming of His Son from before all the ages of the world, as we know them.

Rejoicing in the light of Jesus our Redeemer on this Gaudete Sunday

Reflections on the readings for the Third Sunday of Advent (December 13, 2020): IS 61:1-2,10-11; LK 1:46-48,49-50,53-54; 1 THES 5:16-24; JN 1:6-8,19-28

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

John the Baptist who is mentioned in each of the Gospels is an intrinsic part of Advent liturgy. Because this season both draws us back to the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God made man, we need to appreciate the careful plans the Father laid to let the Jewish people know the Messiah was among them.

We honor Mary under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe – patron of the Americas         

Reflections on the readings for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12, 2020): ZEC 2:14-17; JDT 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. 

The Blessed Mother expressed through her appearance to St. Juan Diego and the unique gift that she left behind, God’s deep love for the people of the Americas, especially those who were poor and powerless.  

“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28)         

Reflections on the readings for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (December 8, 2020): GN 3:9-15,20; PS 98:1,2-3,4; 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. 

The Blessed Virgin is actually closer to us and loves us more than any being besides the Holy Trinity.  

Be ready for Him...   

Reflections on the readings for the Second Sunday of Advent (December 6, 2020): IS 40:1-5,9-11; PS 35:9-12,13-14; 2 PT 3:8-14; MK 1:1-8

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

Instead of taking our Lord for granted, we have to be the faithful followers He calls us to be...

St. Francis Xavier journeyed far from home to share the Gospel          

Reflections on the readings for the Memorial of St. Francis Xavier (December 3, 2020): IS 26:1-6; Psalm 118:1,8-9,19-21,25-27; MT 7:21,24-27

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

St. Francis Xavier was known for his long hours of hard work. He loved the poor and sick and showed great joy in their service. He had given his life to bringing the Good News to people who had never known Christ.  

St. Andrew was a seeker of truth and a loyal child of God          

Reflections on the readings for the Feast of St. Andrew (November 30, 2020): ROM 10:9-18; PS 19:8,910,11; 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. 

St. Andrew is the patron of Greece, Russia, Romania, and Scotland, among others.   

Watch! Christ is coming. Watch! He is already here.     

Reflections on the readings for the First Sunday of Advent (November 29, 2020): IS 63:16-17,19;64:2-7; PS 80:2-3,15-16,18-19; 1 COR 1:3-9; MK 13:33-37 

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

We know that we are mortal and that each day God gives us is precious – if we use it in His service,for the good of His people, and for our own eternal welfare. We need not be filled with dread at the thought of death.