Our Gospel for Dec 30. Perseverance is the Key to a Good Prayer Life.

Luke 2:36-40

There was a prophetess, Anna,
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was advanced in years,
having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the temple,
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
And coming forward at that very time,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee,
to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.

Matiyagang Pananalangin.

Lucas 2:36-40
 
 Naroroon din si Ana, isang babaeng propeta na anak ni Fanuel, mula sa lipi ni Aser. Siya ay lubhang matanda na. Mula sa kaniyang kadalagahan, pitong taon siyang namuhay na may asawa. Siya ay mga walumpu't-apat na taon na at siya ay isang balo. At hindi na siya umalis sa templo. Araw at gabi siya ay naglilingkod na may mga pag-aayuno at mga pagdalangin. Sa oras ding iyon, pumasok siya sa kinaroroonan nila at nagpuri sa Panginoon. Nagsalita siya patungkol kay Jesus sa kanilang lahat na nasa Jerusalem na naghihintay ng katubusan.
 
Naganap na nila ang lahat ng mga bagay ayon sa kautusan ng Panginoon. Sila ay bumalik sa Galilea, sa Nazaret na kanilang lungsod. Ang bata ay lumaki at lumakas sa espiritu. Napuspos siya ng karunungan at ang biyaya ng Diyos ay sumakaniya.

Our Gospel for Dec 29. The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple.

Luke 2: 22 -35

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,  in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.  This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.  

He came in the Spirit into the temple;and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
“Lord, now let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you prepared in the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.”  The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about  him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Our Gospel for Dec 28. The Flight to Egypt and The Massacre of the Infants.

Matthew 2:13-18
When the magi had departed, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,
“Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,
and stay there until I tell you.
Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by nightand departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son. When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:

A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more.



Tumakas Sila Papuntang Egipto at Ang Pagpatay sa Lahat ng Batang Lalaki sa Bethlehem.

Mateo 2:13-18
 
Nang sila ay nakauwi na, nangyari na ang isang anghel ng Panginoon ay nagpakita kay Jose sa isang panaginip. Sinabi ng anghel: Bumangon ka, dalhin mo ang bata at ang kaniyang ina. Tumakas kayo papuntang Egipto sapagkat ipahahanap na ni Herodes ang bata upang patayin. Manatili kayo roon hanggang sa sabihin ko sa iyo.
 
Bumangon siya at sa kinagabihan, dinala niya ang bata at ang ina nito papuntang Egipto. Nanatili sila roon hanggang sa pagkamatay ni Herodes. Ito ay upang matupad ang sinabi ng Panginoon sa pamamagitan ng propeta, na nagsasabi: Tinawag ko ang aking anak mula sa Egipto.
 
Nang magkagayon, nakita ni Herodes na nalinlang siya ng mga lalaking pantas. Labis siyang nagalit at nag-utos siya na patayin ang lahat ng mga batang lalaki sa Bethlehem at sa buong palibot nito. Ang mga batang ipinapatay ay mula sa gulang na dalawang taon pababa, batay sa panahon na maingat niyang tinanong sa mga lalaking pantas. Nang magkagayon, natupad ang sinabi ng propetang Jeremias, na sinasabi:
    Isang tinig ang narinig sa Rama. 
Panaghoy, pananangis at pagdadalamhati.
    Tinatangisan ni Rachel ang kaniyang mga anak. 
Hindi niya ibig na maaliw sapagkat sila ay wala na.

Our Gospel for December 27. The Empty Tomb.

 

Jn 20:1a and 2-8

On the first day of the week,
Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
“They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we do not know where they put him.”
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first;
he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
When Simon Peter arrived after him,
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,
and the cloth that had covered his head,
not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in,
the one who had arrived at the tomb first,
and he saw and believed.

A Guide to a Simple Method of Bible Sharing.

The expression "Bible Sharing" may defy a clear definition, however, it always refers to a group of people gathered together to listen in common and in prayer to God´s Word addressed to them today and trying to live this Word accordingly.
For effective Bible sharing, "methods" have been developed corresponding to the individual needs and interests of the Bible groups. Depending on the participants, their situations and countries, these methods are garbed in different colors.
Experiencing other methods and models may lead to the modification and improvement of one´s own practice. In any case, Bible sharing methods will almost never be exported in their entirety since they are normally molded to the requirements of the group where they originated.
The method described below was developed at the John Paul I Biblical Center (JPIBC) in Vigan, Philippines and promoted through its Basic Bible Seminar. It has found wide acceptance in the ecumenical movement.

Even though it is presented here in short form only, experience has shown that this Basic Bible Seminar mentioned above or a similar detailed introduction to Bible sharing, is highly recommendable for responsible and fruitful Bible sharing.

Bible Sharing at Peace Church

I. INTRODUCTION
1. The Group
Four to six persons (or more) who in trust, openness and mutual respect listen in common to the Word of God, and try to find answers to it; persons who, on the basis of the Word of God, through mutual self-communication, try to find their way towards a deeper Christian community.
2. The Atmosphere
For Bible sharing, a quiet atmosphere is absolutely necessary, i.e.

• Freedom from noise, thus a meeting-place where the group will not be disturbed.
• Freedom from time pressure, thus sufficient time should be available, (according to experience, a group of five people needs about 45 - 60 minutes for this method).
• The participants sit in an open circle (not around a table), so that each one can not only hear the others but also see them.
• A burning candle in the midst reminds the participants that Christ, the Word of God, is the Light of the World (Jn 1,1.9; 8,12; 12,46) and that He is present in the midst of those gathered in His name (Mt 8,20).

All of these factors contribute towards creating the right atmosphere.

3. The Group Facilitator
He/she need not be an expert, because it is not his/her task to convey actual knowledge. The task rather is to lead the group in the Bible sharing by announcing the individual steps of the method. He/she may also lead the opening and closing prayer, or may ask for a volunteer. He/she may invite someone in the group only to read, but not to share.
4. The Bible and the Scripture Text
It is advisable, but not absolutely necessary, that all members have a copy of the Bible in the same translation. It is recommended to choose a reading that the facilitator feels comfortable with.

1. Model A: "Prayer - Response"
Opening Prayer or Song
The participants are endeavored to become aware of God´s presence. Jesus said "Where there are two or three gathered in my name, there I am in their midst." (Mt 18 ,20). Also a prayer of petition would be appropriate according to the words of Scripture, "Speak Lord, your servant is listening" (1 Sm 3,10) or "You have words of eternal life" (Jn 6,68) or a petition to the Holy Spirit, who can open our ears and free us from everything that would hinder us from hearing God´s Word, or a hymn to the Holy Spirit, "Come Holy Spirit", etc.
First Step
First contact with the TEXT, with the "dead letter".

• Reading of the text: One member of the group reads it aloud, the others participate by listening and/or reading it silently.
• Silence: After the reading, all observe silence for about three minutes, during which time they may go over the text once more in their minds. Each chooses a word(words), a phrase (phrases), a verse(verses) which strikes them.
• Sharing: After about three minutes, the facilitator invites the group members to share the word, phrase or verse which struck them. They are not to give any explanation, only the word, phrase or verse with the corresponding verse number, e.g. "I was struck by the word ´light´ in verse 5" (in 1 Jn 1). No explanation is given, nor any reason why this particular word, phrase or verse was found striking for the respective individual.

Second Step
The "dead letter" of Scripture becomes the "LIVING WORD" for each individual (and perhaps, through the individual, for others as well).

• Reading of the same text: After all have shared upon the invitation of the facilitator, another member reads the same text aloud. The others participate silently again.
• Silence: After the reading all observe deep silence for about five minutes, during which time each member listens intently to God´s personal message to him/her. Prompted by the text and/or the sharing of the other group members, something will emerge as most meaningful to each group member, and true to their own experience or applicable to their own lives. While listening, the participants ask themselves, "What do you, God, want to tell me personally for my very own life?"
• Sharing of the Word for me with the others: After about five minutes the facilitator invites the group members to share what they have heard in the depths of their hearts. In order to keep the sharing on a personal level and to refrain from moralizing, they will try to use only the first person singular (I, me, my, mine). It is a matter of simple sharing, not of discussion or of preaching in the sense of moralizing. The word of Pope Paul VI may be recorded here "Is there any other way of handing on the Gospel, than by transmitting to another person one´s personal experience of faith?"

Third Step
The WORD demands a RESPONSE.

• Reading of the same text: After all have shared, another member of the group reads the text aloud for a third time, while the others listen and/or read silently.
• Silence and personal answer to the WORD: After the reading the group observes deep silence once again, during which time each individual tries to find an answer to what has been perceived as the personal Word of God. There ought to be a real correspondence between the Word and the answer, for instance, expressing one´s trust if the Word was a promise; one´s obedience if it was a command. The prayer could also be praise and thanks, repentance, petition, intercession, depending on the message received.
• Sharing of the personal prayer response: Each person expresses aloud the personal answer of his/her heart to the Word received, so that it may be confirmed through the "Amen" (expressed aloud or in silence) of the other participants.

Concluding Prayer or Song
A prayer of praise or thanks, a song, or the Lord´s Prayer recited in common by the group, are a very fitting conclusion to this Bible Sharing.

Our Gospel for Dec 26. The Flight to Egypt.

Mt 2:13-15, 19-23


When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,
“Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,
and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son. When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream
to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.”
He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel.
But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee.
He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, He shall be called a Nazorean.

Our Gospel for Dec 25. The Word became Flesh.

John1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own,
but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision
but of God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son,
full of grace and truth. John testified to him and cried out, saying,
“This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’”
From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace,
because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.
 
Nagkatawang Tao ang Salita

Juan 1:1-18

Sa pasimula pa ay naroroon na ang Salita. Ang Salita ay sumasa Diyos at ang Salita ay Diyos. Siya ay sumasa Diyos nang pasimula pa.


Ang lahat ng mga bagay ay nilikha sa pamamagitan niya. Kung wala siya ay walang anumang nilikhang bagay na nalikha. Ang buhay ay nasa kaniya at ang buhay ay ang ilaw ng mga tao. Ang ilaw ay nagliwanag sa kadiliman at hindi ito naunawaan ng kadiliman.


May isang lalaking isinugong mula sa Diyos. Ang kaniyang pangalan ay Juan. Siya ay naparitong isang saksi na magpatotoo patungkol sa ilaw upang ang lahat ay sumampalataya sa pamamagitan niya. Hindi siya ang ilaw ngunit siya ay sinugo upang magpatotoo patungkol sa ilaw. Ang tunay na ilaw ay iyong tumatanglaw sa bawat taong pumarito sa sanlibutan.


Siya ay nasa sanlibutan. Ang sanlibutan ay nilikha sa pamamagitan niya at hindi siya nakilala ng sangkatauhan. Siya ay pumunta sa kaniyang sariling mga tao ngunit hindi siya tinanggap ng kaniyang sariling mga tao. Datapuwat ang lahat ng tumanggap sa kaniya ay binigyan niya ng kapamahalaan maging mga anak ng Diyos. Sila ay ang mga sumampalataya sa kaniyang pangalan. Ipinanganak sila hindi sa dugo, ni sa kalooban ng laman, ni sa kalooban ng tao. Sila ay ipinanganak mula sa Diyos.


Nagkatawang-tao ang Salita at nanahang kasama natin. Namasdan namin ang kaniyang kaluwalhatian, ang kaluwalhatian ng bugtong na Anak ng Ama. Ang Salitang ito ay puspos ng biyaya at katotohanan.


Si Juan ay nagpapatotoo patungkol sa kaniya. Siya ay sumigaw at nagsabi: Siya ang aking sinasabi na ang paparitong kasunod ko ay mas higit sa akin sapagkat siya ay una sa akin. Mula sa kaniyang kapuspusan ay tumanggap tayong lahat ng abut-abot na biyaya. Ito ay sapagkat ang kautusan ay ibinigay sa pamamagitan ni Moises. Ang biyaya at ang katotohanan ay dumating sa pamamagitan ni Jesucristo. Walang taong nakakita kailanman sa Diyos. Ang bugtong na Anak na nasa piling ng Ama ang naghayag sa kaniya.

Our Gospel for Dec 24. The Song of Zechariah.

The Canticle of Zechariah.

Luke 1:67-79

Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
for he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty Savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hand of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Our Gospel for Dec 23. The Birth of John.

Luke 1:57-66

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child
she gave birth to a son.
Her neighbors and relatives heard
that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her,
and they rejoiced with her.
When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child,
they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,
but his mother said in reply,
“No. He will be called John.”
But they answered her,
“There is no one among your relatives who has this name.”
So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called.
He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,”
and all were amazed.
Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed,
and he spoke blessing God.
Then fear came upon all their neighbors,
and all these matters were discussed
throughout the hill country of Judea.
All who heard these things took them to heart, saying,
“What, then, will this child be?
For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.”

Our Gospel for Dec 22. The Canticle of Mary.

The Song of  Mary

Luke 1:46-56

Mary said:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
for he has looked upon his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
and has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.”

Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months
and then returned to her home.


Ang Awit ni Maria Lucas 1: 46-56

  Sinabi ni Maria: Dinadakila ng aking kaluluwa ang Panginoon. Ang aking espiritu ay lubos na nagagalak sa Diyos na aking Tagapagligtas. Ito ay sapagkat nilingap niya ang pagpapakumbaba ng kaniyang aliping babae at mula ngayon ay ituturing akong mapalad ng lahat ng salin ng lahi. Ito ay sapagkat ang Makapangyarihan ay gumawa sa akin ng mga dakilang bagay at Banal ang kaniyang pangalan. Ang kaniyang kahabagan ay sa lahat ng saling lahi, sa kanila na may pagkatakot sa kaniya. Nagpakita siya ng lakas sa pamamagitan ng kaniyang mga bisig. Ikinalat niya ang mapagmataas sa haka ng kanilang mga puso. Ibinaba niya ang mga makapangyarihan mula sa kanilang mga trono at itinaas niya ang mga mabababang-loob. Binusog niya ng mabubuting bagay ang mga nagugutom. Ang mga mayaman ay pinaalis niyang walang dala. Tinulungan niya si Israel na kaniyang lingkod bilang ala-ala ng kaniyang kahabagan. Ginawa niya ito ayon sa sinabi niya sa ating mga ninuno, kay Abraham at sa kaniyang lahi magpakailanman.

 
 Si Maria ay nanatiling kasama ni Elisabet ng halos tatlong buwan at pagkatapos nito, umuwi siya sa sarili niyang bahay.

Our Gospel for Dec 21. Mary visits Elizabeth.

Luke 1:39-45 

 

Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said,
“Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

Dumalaw si Maria kay Elisabet

Lucas 1:39-45

  Sa mga araw na iyon, si Maria ay tumindig at nagmamadaling pumunta sa lupaing maburol sa lungsod ng Juda. Pumasok siya sa bahay ni Zacarias at bumati kay Elisabet. At nangyari, nang marinig ni Elisabet ang pagbati ni Maria, ang sanggol sa kaniyang sinapupunan ay napalundag. At si Elisabet ay napuspos ng Banal na Espiritu. 
Sa isang malakas na tinig, siya ay sumigaw na sinasabi: Kapuri-puri ka sa mga kababaihan. Kapuri-puri ang bunga ng iyong sinapupunan. Papaano nangyari ito sa akin na ang ina ng aking Panginoon ay pumunta sa akin? 
Narito, sa pagdinig ko ng iyong tinig ng pagbati, ang sanggol sa aking sinapupunan ay napalundag sa kagalakan. Ikaw na sumampalataya ay lubos na pinagpala sapagkat magkakaroon ng kaganapan ang mga bagay na sinabi sa iyo ng Panginoon.

Our Gospel for Dec 20. Announcement of the Birth of Jesus.

Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month,
the angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”

But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.


Ang Kapanganakan ni Jesus

Lucas 1:26-38

 Sa ika-anim na buwan, ang anghel na si Gabriel ay sinugo ng Diyos sa Nazaret, isang lungsod ng Galilea. Isinugo siya sa isang dalagang birhen na ipinagkasundong mapangasawa ng isang lalaking nagngangalang Jose. Si Jose ay mula sa angkan ni David, at ang pangalan ng dalagang birhen ay Maria. Paglapit ng anghel ay sinabi sa kaniya: Binabati kita, ikaw na kinalugdan. Ang Panginoon ay kasama mo. Kapuri-puri ka sa mga kababaihan.

 
 Nang makita ni Maria ang anghel, siya ay naguluhan sa kaniyang salita at pinag-isipan niya kung ano kayang uri ng bati ito. Sinabi ng anghel sa kaniya: Huwag kang matakot, Maria, sapagkat nakasumpong ka ng biyaya sa Diyos. Narito, ikaw ay magdadalang-tao at manganganak ng isang lalaki. At ang ipapangalan mo sa kaniya ay Jesus. Siya ay magiging dakila at tatawagin siyang Anak ng Kataas-taasan. Ibibigay sa kaniya ng Panginoong Diyos ang trono ni David na kaniyang ninuno. Siya ay maghahari sa tahanan ni Jacob magpakailanman at ang kaniyang paghahari ay hindi magwawakas.

 
 Sinabi ni Maria sa anghel: Paano ito mangyayari yamang ako ay hindi nakakakilala ng isang lalaki?

 
 Sumagot ang anghel at sinabi sa kaniya: Darating sa iyo ang Banal na Espiritu, at ang kapangyarihan ng Kataas-taasan ang lililim sa iyo. Dahil dito, ang banal na ito na iyong ipapanganak ay tatawaging Anak ng Diyos. Narito, ang pinsan mong si Elisabet ay nagdadalang-tao rin ng isang anak na lalaki sa kaniyang katandaan. Ito ngayon ang ika-anim na buwan ng kaniyang pagdadalang-tao, siya na tinatawag na baog. Ito ay sapagkat sa Diyos ay walang anumang bagay na hindi mangyayari.

 
 Sinabi ni Maria: Narito ang aliping babae ng Panginoon. Mangyari sa akin ang ayon sa iyong salita. At iniwan siya ng anghel.

Our Gospel for Dec 19. The Birth of Jesus.

Jesus nativity

Mt 1:18-24


This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

Our Gospel for Dec 18. The Birth of Jesus.

Mt 1:18-25

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means “God is with us.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
He had no relations with her until she bore a son,
and he named him Jesus.

Ipinanganak si Jesus

Mateo 1:18-25

Ganito ang naging kapanganakan ni Jesucristo. Ang kaniyang inang si Maria ay nakatakdang mapangasawa ni Jose. Ngunit bago pa sila nagsama, si Maria ay natagpuang nagdadalang-tao na sa pamamagitan ng Banal na Espiritu.

Si Jose na kaniyang asawa ay lalaking matuwid at hindi niya ginusto na mapahiya sa madla si Maria, kaya nagpasiya siyang paalisin nang lihim si Maria.

 
Samantalang iniisip niya ang mga bagay na ito, narito, isang anghel ng Panginoon ang nagpakita sa kaniya sa isang panaginip. Sinabi ng anghel: Jose, ikaw na nagmula sa angkan ni David, huwag kang mangambang tanggapin si Maria na iyong asawa. Ito ay dahil ang dinadala niya sa kaniyang sinapupunan ay sa Banal na Espiritu.

Siya ay manganganak ng isang lalaki. Ang ipangangalan mo sa kaniya ay Jesus sapagkat ililigtas niya ang kaniyang mga tao sa kanilang kasalanan.

 
Ang lahat ng ito ay naganap upang matupad ang sinabi ng Panginoon sa pamamagitan ng mga propeta. Sinabi nila: Narito, isang dalagang birhen ang magdadalang-tao at manganganak ng isang lalaki. Tatawagin nila siyang Emmanuel na ang ibig sabihin ay: Ang Diyos ay sumasaatin.

 
Sa pagbangon ni Jose mula sa pagkakatulog, ginawa niya ang ayon sa ipinag-utos sa kaniya ng anghel ng Panginoon. Tinanggap niya si Maria upang maging asawa. Hindi niya sinipingan ang kaniyang asawa hanggang sa maipanganak niya ang kaniyang panganay na anak na lalaki. Pinangalanan siya ni Jose na Jesus.

Our Gospel for Dec 17. The Family Tree of Jesus.

The Genealogy of Jesus

Mt 1:1-17


The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ,
the son of David, the son of Abraham.


Abraham became the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.
Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah,
whose mother was Tamar.
Perez became the father of Hezron,
Hezron the father of Ram,
Ram the father of Amminadab.
Amminadab became the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
Salmon the father of Boaz,
whose mother was Rahab.
Boaz became the father of Obed,
whose mother was Ruth.
Obed became the father of Jesse,
Jesse the father of David the king.


David became the father of Solomon,
whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.
Solomon became the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
Abijah the father of Asaph.
Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,
Joram the father of Uzziah.
Uzziah became the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.
Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amos,
Amos the father of Josiah.
Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers
at the time of the Babylonian exile.


After the Babylonian exile,
Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel,
Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
Zerubbabel the father of Abiud.
Abiud became the father of Eliakim,
Eliakim the father of Azor,
Azor the father of Zadok.
Zadok became the father of Achim,
Achim the father of Eliud,
Eliud the father of Eleazar.
Eleazar became the father of Matthan,
Matthan the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.


Thus the total number of generations
from Abraham to David
is fourteen generations;
from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations;
from the Babylonian exile to the Christ,
fourteen generations.




Ang Talaan ng mga Ninuno ni Jesucristo
 
Mateo 1:1-17


 1Ang aklat ng talaan ng angkan ni Jesucristo, na anak ni David, na anak ni Abraham.


  
 2Naging anak ni Abraham si Isaac at naging anak ni Isaac si Jacob. Naging anak naman ni Jacob si Juda at ang kaniyang mga kapatid. 3Naging anak ni Juda kay Tamar sina Fares at Zara. Naging anak naman ni Fares si Esrom at naging anak ni Esrom si Aram. 4Naging anak ni Aram si Abinadab at naging anak ni Abinadab si Naason. Naging anak naman ni Naason si Salmon. 5Naging anak ni Salmon kay Rahab si Booz at naging anak ni Booz kay Ruth si Obed. Naging anak naman ni Obed si Jesse.


  
 6Naging anak ni Jesse si haring David at naging anak ni haring David si Solomon sa naging asawa ni Urias. 7Naging anak ni Solomon si Rehoboam at naging anak ni Rehoboam si Abias. Naging anak naman ni Abias si Asa. 8Naging anak ni Asa si Jehosafat at naging anak naman ni Jehosafat si Joram. Naging anak naman ni Joram si Uzia. 9Naging anak ni Uzia si Jotam at naging anak ni Jotam si Acas. Naging anak naman ni Acas si Hezekia. 10Naging anak ni Hezekia si Manase at naging anak naman ni Manase si Amon. Naging anak naman ni Amon si Josia. 11Naging anak naman ni Josia si Jeconia at ang kaniyang mga kapatid. Ito ay noong ang mga taga-Israel ay dinalang bihag sa Babilonia.


  
 12Nang sila ay dinala sa Babilonia, naging anak ni Jeconia si Shealtiel. Naging anak ni Shealtiel si Zerubabel. 13Naging anak ni Zerubabel si Abiud at naging anak ni Abiud si Eliaquim. Naging anak naman ni Eliaquim si Azor. 14Naging anak ni Azor si Sadoc at naging anak ni Sadoc si Aquim. Naging anak naman ni Aquim si Eliud. 15Naging anak ni Eliud si Eleazar at naging anak ni Eleazar si Matan. Naging anak naman ni Matan si Jacob. 16Naging anak naman ni Jacob si Jose na asawa ni Maria. Si Maria ang nanganak kay Jesus na tinatawag na Cristo.


  
 17Samakatuwid, ang lahat ng sali't saling lahi mula kay Abraham hanggang kay David ay labing-apat na lahi. Mula naman kay David hanggang sa panahon ng pagkabihag sa Babilonia ay labing-apat na sali't saling lahi. Mula naman sa panahon ng pagkabihag sa Babilonia hanggang kay Cristo ay labing-apat na sali't saling lahi. 

Our Gospel for Dec 16. Becoming Prophetic Witnesses.

John 5:33-36   

Jesus said to the Jews:
"You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth.

I do not accept testimony from a human being, but I say this so that you may be saved.
  
He was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light.
  
But I have testimony greater than John's. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me."

 
Mga Patotoo Patungkol kay Jesus.

Juan 5:33-36

Winika ni Jesus sa mga Judio:
"May sinugo kayong mga Judio kay Juan at siya ay nagpatotoo sa katotohanan.

Hindi ako tumatanggap ng patotoo mula sa tao datapuwat sinasabi ko ang mga bagay na ito upang kayo ay maligtas.

Siya ang nagniningas at nagliliwanag na ilawan. Kayo ay pumayag na magalak ng maikling panahon sa kaniyang liwanag.

Ako ay may patotoong mas higit kaysa sa patotoo ni Juan. Ang mga gawain na ipinagkaloob sa akin ng Ama upang tapusin ay nagpapatotoo patungkol sa akin. Ang mga gawaing ginagawa ko ay nagpapatotoong ang Ama ang nagsugo sa akin."

Our Gospel for Dec 15. Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?

Luke 7:18b-23

At that time,
John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask,
“Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”
When the men came to the Lord, they said,
“John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask,
‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?’”
At that time Jesus cured many of their diseases, sufferings, and evil spirits;
he also granted sight to many who were blind.
And Jesus said to them in reply,
“Go and tell John what you have seen and heard:
the blind regain their sight,
the lame walk,
lepers are cleansed,
the deaf hear, the dead are raised,
the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.
And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”

Our Gospel for Dec 14. The Parable of the Two Sons.

Mt 21:28-32

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:
“What is your opinion?
A man had two sons.
He came to the first and said,
‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’
The son said in reply, ‘I will not,’
but afterwards he changed his mind and went.
The man came to the other son and gave the same order.
He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go.
Which of the two did his father’s will?”
They answered, “The first.”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you,
tax collectors and prostitutes
are entering the Kingdom of God before you.
When John came to you in the way of righteousness,
you did not believe him;
but tax collectors and prostitutes did.
Yet even when you saw that,
you did not later change your minds and believe him.”

 

Ang Talinghaga Patungkol sa Dalawang Anak

Mateo 21:28-32

Ngunit ano sa palagay ninyo? May isang tao na may dalawang anak na lalaki. Lumapit siya sa una at sinabi: Anak, pumunta ka ngayon sa ubasan at gumawa ka roon.

 
Sumagot siya: Ayaw ko. Ngunit nagsisi siya at pumunta rin pagkatapos.

 
Lumapit siya sa pangalawang anak at gayundin ang sinabi. Sumagot siya: Pupunta ako. Ngunit hindi siya pumunta.

 
Sino sa kanilang dalawa ang gumanap ng kalooban ng ama?
   Sinabi nila sa kaniya: Ang una.
   Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila: Katotohanang sinasabi ko sa inyo: Ang mga maniningil ng buwis at mga patutot ay mauuna sa inyo sa pagpasok sa paghahari ng Diyos. Ito ay sapagkat dumating sa inyo si Juan sa daan ng katuwiran at hindi ninyo siya pinaniwalaan. Ngunit pinaniwalaan siya ng mga maniningil ng buwis at ng mga patutot. Samantalang kayo, nakita ninyo ito ngunit hindi pa rin kayo nagsisi at naniwala sa kaniya.

Our Gospel for Dec 13. The Authority of Jesus Questioned.

Mt 21:23-27
When Jesus had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said,
“By what authority are you doing these things?
And who gave you this authority?”
Jesus said to them in reply,
“I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things. 

Where was John’s baptism from? 

Was it of heavenly or of human origin?”
They discussed this among themselves and said,
“If we say ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say to us,
‘Then why did you not believe him?’
But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet.”
So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.”
He himself said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”


Tinanong si Jesus Patungkol sa Kaniyang Kapangyarihan

Mateo 21:23-27

Pagpasok niya sa templo, nilapitan siya ng mga pinunong-saserdote at ng mga matanda ng bayan habang siya ay nagtuturo. Sinabi nila sa kaniya: 

Sa anong kapamahalaan ginagawa mo ang mga bagay na ito? Sino ang nagbigay sa iyo ng kapamahalaang ito?
 

Sumagot si Jesus sa kanila: Isang bagay lang ang itatanong ko sa inyo. Kung masasagot ninyo ako ay sasabihin ko rin sa inyo kung sa anong kapamahalaan mayroon ako upang gawin ang mga bagay na ito. Saan nanggaling ang bawtismo ni Juan, ito ba ay mula sa langit o mula sa mga tao?

Sila ay nangatwiranan sa isa't isa na sinasabi: Kapag sabihin nating mula sa langit, sasabihin niya sa atin: Kung gayon bakit hindi ninyo siya pinaniwalaan? Ngunit kung sabihin nating mula sa mga tao, dapat tayong matakot sa mga tao sapagkat kinikilala ng lahat na si Juan ay isang propeta.

Sinagot nila si Jesus: Hindi namin alam. Sinabi niya sa kanila: Kung gayon, hindi ko rin sasabihin sa inyo kung sa anong kapamahalaan ko ginagawa ang mga bagay na ito.

Our Gospel for Dec 12. The Messengers from John the Baptist.

Mt 11:2-11

When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ,
he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question,
“Are you the one who is to come,
or should we look for another?”
Jesus said to them in reply,
“Go and tell John what you hear and see:
the blind regain their sight,
the lame walk,
lepers are cleansed,
the deaf hear,
the dead are raised,
and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.
And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”
As they were going off,
Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John,
“What did you go out to the desert to see?
A reed swayed by the wind?
Then what did you go out to see?
Someone dressed in fine clothing?
Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces.
Then why did you go out? To see a prophet?
Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
This is the one about whom it is written:
Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;
he will prepare your way before you.
Amen, I say to you,
among those born of women
there has been none greater than John the Baptist;
yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

Ang mga Mensahero ni Juan na Tagapagbawtismo.

Mateo 11:2-11

Nang marinig nga ni Juan sa bilangguan ang mga gawa ni Cristo, nagsugo siya ng dalawa sa kaniyang mga alagad. At sinabi nila sa kaniya: Ikaw ba yaong paparito, o maghihintay pa kami ng iba?

 
Sumagot si Jesus sa kanila: Pumaroon kayo kay Juan at ibalita ninyo ang mga bagay na inyong narinig at nakita. Nakakakita na ang mga bulag at nakakalakad na ang mga lumpo. Luminis na ang mga ketongin at nakakarinig na ang mga bingi. Nabuhay ang mga patay at ang ebanghelyo ay ipinangaral na sa mga dukha. Pinagpala ang taong hindi natitisod sa akin.

 
Pagkaalis nila, nagsimulang magsalita si Jesus sa napakaraming tao patungkol kay Juan. Ano ang nais ninyong makita at lumabas kayo sa ilang? Isa bang tambo na inuuga ng hangin? Sa inyong paglabas, ano ba ang nais ninyong makita? Isang taong nagdadamit ng malambot na kasuotan? Narito, ang mga nagdadamit ng malambot na kasuotan ay nasa mga bahay ng mga hari. Ngunit ano ang nais ninyong makita at lumabas kayo? Isa bang propeta? Oo, at sinasabi ko sa inyo: Higit pa sa isang propeta. Ito ay sapagkat siya ang tinutukoy sa isinulat sa mga kasulatan: Narito, isinusugo ko ang aking sugo na mauuna sa iyo. Siya ang maghahanda ng iyong daraanan.

Katotohanang sinasabi ko sa inyo: Sa lahat nang ipinanganak ng mga babae, walang lumitaw nang higit na dakila kaysa kay Juan na tagapagbawtismo. Gayunman, ang pinakamaliit sa paghahari ng langit ay higit na dakila kaysa sa kaniya.

Our Gospel for Dec 11. The Coming of Elijah.

Mt 17:9-13
As they were coming down from the mountain,Jesus charged them, "Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."
Then the disciples asked Jesus,
“Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things;
but I tell you that Elijah has already come,
and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased.
So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.”
Then the disciples understood
that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.


Ang Pagdating ni Elias.

Mateo 17:9-13

Habang bumababa sila sa bundok, iniutos sa kanila ni Jesus na sinabi: Huwag ninyong sabihin kaninuman ang pangitaing ito hanggang sa muling mabuhay mula sa mga patay ang Anak ng Tao.

 
Tinanong siya ng kaniyang mga alagad na sinasabi: Bakit sinasabi ng mga guro ng kautusan na dapat munang dumating si Elias?

 
Sumagot si Jesus: Darating muna si Elias upang ipanumbalik ang lahat ng bagay. Ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo: Dumating na si Elias at hindi nila siya nakilala. Ginawa nila sa kaniya ang anumang kanilang naibigan. Gayundin naman ang Anak ng Tao ay pahihirapan na nila. Nang magkagayon, naunawaan ng mga alagad na si Juan na tagapagbawtismo ang tinutukoy niya.

Our Gospel for Dec 10. Excuses excuses, excuses!

Mt 11:16-19

Jesus said to the crowds:
“To what shall I compare this generation?
It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another,
‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance,
we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said,
‘He is possessed by a demon.’
The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said,
‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard,
a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’
But wisdom is vindicated by her works.”


Mateo 11:16-19

Ngunit saan ko itutulad ang lahing ito? Ito ay katulad ng mga batang nakaupo sa mga pamilihang dako at tinatawag ang kanilang mga kasama. Sinasabi nila:
   Tinugtugan namin kayo ng plawta, ngunit hindi kayo
   sumayaw. Nagluksa kami ngunit hindi kayo tumangis.

Ito ay sapagkat dumating si Juan. Hindi siya kumakain ni umiinom, at sinabi nilang siya ay may demonyo. Dumating ang Anak ng Tao na kumakain at umiinom. Sinabi nila: Narito ang isang taong matakaw at manginginom ng alak. Isang taong kaibigan ng mga maniningil ng buwis at ng mga makasalanan. Ngunit ang karunungan ay pinapaging-matuwid ng kaniyang mga anak.

Our Gospel for Dec 9. Jesus Testimony to John.

Mt 11:11-15

Jesus said to the crowds:
“Amen, I say to you, among those born of women
there has been none greater than John the Baptist;
yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force. All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John.  And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is to come. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

Ang Patotoo ni Hesus kay Juan.

Mateo 11:11-15

Katotohanang sinasabi ko sa inyo: Sa lahat nang ipinanganak ng mga babae, walang lumitaw nang higit na dakila kaysa kay Juan na tagapagbawtismo. Gayunman, ang pinakamaliit sa paghahari ng langit ay higit na dakila kaysa sa kaniya. 

Ngunit mula sa mga araw
ni Juan na tagapagbawtismo 
hanggang ngayon, ang paghahari ng langit ay nagbabata ng karahasan. Ito ay inaagaw ng mararahas na tao sa pamamagitan ng dahas. Ito ay sapagkat hanggang kay Juan, ang lahat ng Propeta at ang Kautusan ay naghahayag ng mga bagay na darating. Kung tatanggapin ninyo ito, siya ang Elias na inaasahang paparating na. Ang may pandinig ay makinig.

Our Gospel for Dec 8. The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.

Our Gospel for Dec 7. The Parable of the Lost Sheep.

Mt 18:12-14

Jesus said to his disciples:
“What is your opinion?
If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray,
will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills
and go in search of the stray?
And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.
In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.”


 

 

 Ang Talinghaga ng Tupang Nawawala.

Mateo 18:12-14

Ano sa palagay ninyo? Kung ang isang tao ay may isangdaang tupa at ang isa sa mga ito ay naligaw, hindi ba niya iiwanan ang siyamnapu't siyam at aakyat sa mga bundok at hahanapin ang naligaw? Kapag natagpuan niya ito, sinasabi ko sa inyo ang totoo: Higit niyang ikagagalak ang patungkol sa natagpuang tupang naligaw kaysa sa siyamnapu't siyam na hindi naligaw. Gayundin naman, hindi kalooban ng inyong Ama na nasa langit na mapahamak ang isa sa maliliit na ito. 

Our Gospel for Dec 6. The Healing of a Paralytic.

The Healing of a Paralytic.

Luke 5:17-26

One day as Jesus was teaching,
Pharisees and teachers of the law,
who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem,
were sitting there,
and the power of the Lord was with him for healing.
And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed;
they were trying to bring him in and set him in his presence.
But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd,
they went up on the roof
and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles
into the middle in front of Jesus.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said,
“As for you, your sins are forgiven.”

Then the scribes and Pharisees began to ask themselves,
“Who is this who speaks blasphemies?
Who but God alone can forgive sins?”
Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply,
“What are you thinking in your hearts?
Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’
or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?
But that you may know
that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”–
he said to the one who was paralyzed,
“I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”

He stood up immediately before them,
picked up what he had been lying on,
and went home, glorifying God.
Then astonishment seized them all and they glorified God,
and, struck with awe, they said,
“We have seen incredible things today.”


Pinagaling ni Jesus ang Paralitiko

Lucas 5:17-26

Nangyari, isang araw sa kaniyang pagtuturo mayroon doong nakaupong mga Fariseo at mga guro ng kautusan. Sila ay galing sa bawat nayon ng Galilea, Judea at Jerusalem. Naroroon ang kapangyarihan ng Panginoon upang pagalingin sila. Narito, may mga lalaking nagdala ng isang paralitiko na nasa isang higaan. Naghahanap sila ng paraan kung papaano siya maipapasok sa loob ng bahay at mailagay sa harapan ni Jesus. Dahil sa napakaraming tao, hindi sila makahanap ng paraan kung papaano siya maipapasok. Dahil dito, umakyat sila sa bubungan at doon nila siya ibinaba na nasa kaniyang maliit na higaan, sa gitna, sa harapan ni Jesus.

  
 Nakita ni Jesus ang kanilang pananampalataya. Sinabi niya sa kaniya: Lalaki, pinatawad ka na sa iyong mga kasalanan.

  
 Nagsimulang mangatwiran ang mga guro ng kautusan at mga Fariseo. Kanilang sinabi: Sino ito na nagsasalita ng pamumusong? Sino ang makakapagpatawad ng mga kasalanan? Hindi ba ang Diyos lamang?

  
 Nalaman ni Jesus ang kanilang pangangatwiran. Sumagot siya sa kanila at sinabi: Bakit kayo nangangatwiran sa inyong mga puso? Ano ang higit na madali, ang magsabing: Pinatawad ka sa iyong mga kasalanan, o ang magsabing: Bumangon ka at lumakad. Ito ang gagawin ko upang malaman ninyo na ang Anak ng Tao ay may kapamahalaan sa lupa na magpatawad ng mga kasalanan. Sinabi niya sa paralitiko: Sinasabi ko sa iyo, bumangon ka. Buhatin mo ang iyong higaan at umuwi ka sa iyong bahay. Pagdaka, tumayo siya sa harapan nila. Pagkabuhat niya ng kaniyang higaan, umuwi siya sa kaniyang bahay na niluluwalhati ang Diyos. Ang lahat ay namangha at nagbigay kaluwalhatian sa Diyos. Napuspos sila ng takot. Sinabi nila: Sa araw na ito ay nakakita kami ng kamangha-manghang bagay.

Our Gospel for Dec 5. Prepare the Way of the Lord.

The Preaching of John the Baptist.

Mt 3:1-12

John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said:
A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.
John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
At that time Jerusalem, all Judea,
and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him
and were being baptized by him in  the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.

When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees
coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers!
Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.
And do not presume to say to yourselves,
‘We have Abraham as our father.’
For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn,
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”


Si Juan na Tagapagbawtismo ay Nangaral at Nagbawtismo

Mateo 3:1-12
Nang panahong iyon, dumating si Juan na tagapagbawtismo. Siya ay nangangaral sa ilang ng Judea. Sinabi niya: Magsisi kayo sapagkat malapit na ang paghahari ng langit. Ito ay sapagkat siya ang tinutukoy ni propeta Isaias nang kaniyang sabihin:
      Ang tinig ng isang lalaking sumisigaw sa ilang.
      Sinabi niya: Ihanda ninyo ang daan para sa Panginoon.
      Tuwirin ninyo ang kaniyang mga landas.

 
 Ang damit ni Juan ay yari sa balahibo ng kamelyo at may isang pamigkis na katad sa kaniyang baywang. Ang kaniyang pagkain ay mga balang at pulot-pukyutan. Pumunta sa kaniya ang mga tao mula sa Jerusalem, mula sa buong Judea at sa lahat ng mga dako sa palibot ng Jordan. Pinagsisihan nila ang kanilang mga kasalanan at binabawtismuhan niya sila sa ilog ng Jordan.

 
 Maraming Fariseo at Saduseo ang lumalapit sa kaniyang pagbabawtismo. Nang makita niya sila, sinabi niya: Kayong lahi ng mga ulupong! Sino ang nagbabala sa inyo upang takasan ang malapit nang dumating na galit ng Diyos? Magbunga nga kayo nang karapat-dapat sa pagsisisi. Huwag ninyong ipalagay sa inyong sarili: Si Abraham ang aming ama. Sinasabi ko sa inyo na ang Diyos ay makakalikha ng mga anak ni Abraham mula sa batong ito. Ngayon din ay nakalapat na ang palakol sa ugat ng mga punong-kahoy. Kaya nga, ang bawat punong-kahoy na hindi nagbubunga ng mabuti ay puputulin at ihahagis sa apoy.

 
 Binabawtismuhan ko nga kayo ng tubig sa pagsisisi, ngunit siya na dumarating na kasunod ko ay higit na dakila kaysa sa akin. Hindi ako karapat-dapat magdala ng kaniyang panyapak. Siya ang magbabawtismo sa inyo sa Banal na Espiritu at sa apoy. Hawak na niya ang kaniyang pantahip upang linisin niya nang lubos ang kaniyang giikan. Titipunin niya ang kaniyang trigo sa bangan. Ngunit ang dayami ay susunugin niya sa apoy na hindi namamatay.

Our Gospel for Dec 4. The Compassion of Jesus and the Mission of the Twelve.

Mt 9:35-10:1,5a,6-8

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages,
teaching in their synagogues,
proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness.
At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them
because they were troubled and abandoned,
like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples,
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.”

Then he summoned his Twelve disciples
and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out
and to cure every disease and every illness.

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus,
“Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
Cure the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse lepers, drive out demons.
Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”

Our Gospel for Dec 3. Be it done to you according to your faith.

The Healing of the Blind.

Mt 9:27-31

As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out,
“Son of David, have pity on us!”
When he entered the house,
the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them,
“Do you believe that I can do this?”
“Yes, Lord,” they said to him.
Then he touched their eyes and said,
“Let it be done for you according to your faith.”
And their eyes were opened.
Jesus warned them sternly,
“See that no one knows about this.”
But they went out and spread word of him through all that land.

Pinagaling ni Jesus ang Bulag

Mateo 9:27-31
 Nang lisanin ni Jesus ang dakong iyon, sinundan siya ng dalawang lalaking bulag. Sila ay sumisigaw na sinasabi: Ikaw na Anak ni David, mahabag ka sa amin.

 
 Pagpasok niya sa bahay, lumapit ang dalawang lalaki sa kaniya. Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila: Sumasampalataya ba kayong magagawa ko ito?
   Sinabi nila sa kaniya: Oo, Panginoon.

 
 Nang magkagayon, hinipo niya ang kanilang mga mata at sinabi: Mangyari sa inyo ang ayon sa inyong pananampalataya. Namulat ang kanilang mga mata. Mahigpit na ipinagbilin sa kanila ni Jesus na sinasabi: Huwag ninyong sabihin ito kahit na kanino. Ngunit nang makaalis na sila, ikinalat nila ang nangyari sa buong lupaing iyon.

Our Gospel for Dec 2. The Two Foundations.

Mt 7:21,24-27

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them
will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”

Ang Matalino at Mangmang na Tagapagpatayo

Mateo 7:21,24-27

Hindi ang bawat isa na nagsasabi sa akin: Panginoon, Panginoon, ay makakapasok sa paghahari ng langit, kundi ang gumagawa ng kalooban ng aking Ama na nasa langit.

Kaya nga, ang sinumang dumirinig sa mga pananalita kong ito at isinasagawa ang mga ito, ay maihahalintulad ko sa isang lalaking matalino na nagtayo ng kaniyang bahay sa ibabaw ng bato. Bumuhos ang ulan at bumaha. Umihip ang malakas na hangin at hinampas ang bahay na iyon, ngunit hindi bumagsak. Ito ay sapagkat itinayo niya iyon sa ibabaw ng bato. Ang bawat isa na dumirinig ng mga pananalita kong ito at hindi isinasagawa ay maihahalintulad ko sa isang lalaking mangmang na nagtayo ng kaniyang bahay sa ibabaw ng buhanginan. Bumuhos ang ulan at bumaha. Umihip ang malakas na hangin at hinampas ang bahay na iyon. Bumagsak ito at lubusang nawasak.

Your boss is not really your boss; your boss is Jesus.

Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the Master you are serving is Christ. Colossians 3:23-24 (NLT)

"If you want your work to be blessed by God, the first thing you must do is Start working enthusiastically." -Rick Warren

Your boss is not really your boss; your boss is Jesus.

There are two things I want you to see in our verses today.

    * First, it says, "Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people" (Colossians 3:23 NLT). It's easier to be enthusiastic about your job when you turn the focus of your work from "I'm doing this for my boss" or "I'm doing this for a paycheck" to "I'm doing this for the Lord," With that in mind you can do anything - scrape paint, wash dishes, repair a car - and turn it into worship.

    * Second, when you turn your work into worship, you start storing up credits in heaven. Colossians 3:24 says, "Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the Master you are serving is Christ" (Colossians 3:24 NLT). As you work for God, you are making eternal deposits in heaven.

"So whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV). It doesn't matter if you're rearranging papers or signing bills, any job can become an act of worship if you do it enthusiastically for God.

Our Gospel for Dec 1. The Feeding of the Four Thousand

Mt 15:29-37

At that time:
Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee,
went up on the mountain, and sat down there. Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel.

Jesus summoned his disciples and said,
“My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.” The disciples said to him, “Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?” Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?”
“Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full. Those who ate were four thousand men, not counting women and children.


Pinakain ni Jesus ang Apat na Libo

Mateo 15:29-37
Pagkaalis ni Jesus doon, nagtungo siya sa tabi ng lawa ng Galilea. Umahon siya sa isang bundok at doon naupo. Lumapit sa kaniya ang napakaraming tao. Dinala nila ang mga pilay, ang mga bulag, ang mga pipi at ang mga may kapansanan, at marami pang iba. Inilagay nila sila sa kaniyang paanan at pinagaling niya sila. Namangha ang napakaraming tao nang makita nilang nakapagsalita na ang mga pipi, gumaling na ang mga may kapansanan, nakalakad na ang mga lumpo at nakakita na ang mga bulag. At niluwalhati nila ang Diyos ng Israel.

Kaya tinawag ni Jesus ang kaniyang mga alagad at pinalapit sa kaniya. Sinabi niya: Nahahabag ako sa napakaraming taong ito sapagkat tatlong araw na silang sumusunod sa akin at wala man lang silang makain. Hindi ko ibig na pauwiin silang gutom at baka manlupaypay sila sa daan.

Sinabi ng kaniyang mga alagad sa kaniya: Saan tayo kukuha sa ilang na ito ng sapat na tinapay upang mabusog ang napakaraming taong ito?

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila: Ilang tinapay mayroon kayo? Sinabi nila: Pito at ilang maliliit na isda.

Inutusan niya ang mga tao na umupo sa lupa. Kinuha niya ang pitong tinapay at ang mga isda. Nagpasalamat siya at pinagputul-putol ang mga ito. Ibinigay niya ang mga ito sa kaniyang mga alagad at ibinigay naman ng mga alagad sa napakaraming tao. Kumain silang lahat at nabusog. Pinulot nila ang mga lumabis sa mga pinagputul-putol at nakapuno sila ng pitong kaing. Ang kumain ay apat na libong lalaki, bukod pa sa mga babae at mga bata.