December 27 - The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Cycle C

 First Reading  1 Samuel 1:20-22,24-Hannah dedicates her
son, Samuel, to the Lord. Responsorial Psalm  Psalm 84:2-3,5-6,9-10
Those who dwell in the Lord's house are happy. Second Reading  1 John 3:1-2,21-24
We are God's children now. Gospel Reading
Luke 2:41-52 Today we celebrate the feast of
the Holy Family. This feast is part of the Christmas season, and we should
place today's Gospel in the context of what Luke's Gospel tells us about the
birth of Jesus. Luke has been answering the question “Who is Jesus?” through
his stories of the births of John the Baptist and Jesus. Today's Gospel reading
continues this theme. It has no parallel in the other Gospels and is the
conclusion of Luke's Infancy Narrative. Mary,
Joseph, and Jesus are presented in this Gospel as a faithful Jewish family.
They are participating in the annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the feast of
Passover, an event shared each year with family and friends. When Jesus is
found, Luke describes him as seated in the Temple in the midst of the Jewish
teachers. Although he is young, Jesus seems not to need teaching about his
Jewish tradition. In his dialogue with these learned teachers, Jesus astounds
them with his insight and understanding. Jesus is a child of Israel. His Father
is God.

December 25 - The Nativity of the Lord

First Reading 
Isaiah 9:1-6
To those in darkness, a child will be born who will have dominion over the
earthResponsorial Psalm  Psalm 96:1-2,2-3,11-12,13
Sing a new song to the Lord.Second Reading 
Titus 2:11-14
God has appeared, bringing salvation to all.Gospel ReadingLuke 2:1-14
On this day, the Feast of Christmas, we are given the details of
Christ's birth as found in the Gospel of Luke. Here we learn about the census
that brings Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem, where Jesus is born. We
also hear about the angel's announcement of this good news to the shepherds. In
these details, we find two of Luke's particular concerns: (1) to locate the coming
of Christ in the wider framework of salvation history as good news for all
people, Gentiles and Jews, and (2) to show the Lord's favor upon the poor and
lowly.
In Luke's Gospel, Jesus is
born as one of the poor. Laid in a manger in a stable, because there was no
room at the inn, he comes into the world through obscure and surprising means.
Yet, as the angel proclaims this good news to the shepherds, this infant is
announced as the Messiah and Lord. In the song of the angels, all are invited
to give glory to God for this miraculous birth, in which God comes to share our
humanity

December 20 - Fourth Sunday of Advent, Cycle C

First Reading 
Micah 5:1-4
The ruler of Israel is promised to come from Bethlehem.Responsorial Psalm 
Psalm 80:2-3,15-16,18-19
A prayer for God's salvation
Second Reading 
Hebrews 10:5-10
Through his obedience to God's will, Christ consecrated all.
Gospel ReadingLuke 1:39-45
Our
Gospel reading recalls Mary's actions after the announcement of Jesus' birth by
the angel Gabriel. Mary goes to visit Elizabeth, her cousin, who is also with
child. Elizabeth greets Mary with full recognition of the roles that they and
their unborn children will play in God's plan for salvation. If we were to
continue to read the verses that follow in Luke's Gospel, we would hear Mary
respond to Elizabeth's greeting with her song of praise, the Magnificat. Both
women recall and echo God's history of showing favor upon the people of Israel.

December 13, 2015 - Third Sunday of Advent, Cycle C

First Reading  Zephaniah 3:14-18a
A savior is promised to Israel.Responsorial Psalm  Isaiah 12:2-3,4,5-6
A song of praise to God our savior
Second Reading  Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice always because the Lord is near.
Gospel ReadingLuke 3:10-18
This Sunday's Gospel continues last week's focus on John the
Baptist and his role in preparing the way for Christ. Recall that last week's
reading described John's appearance in the desert and established his
connection with the prophetic tradition of Israel. If we were to read Luke's
Gospel continuously, we would learn about John the Baptist challenging the
crowds who came to him and calling upon them to show evidence of their
repentance. John tells his listeners that they cannot rely on their lineage as
Israelites because children of Abraham can be raised up from stones.
Repentance, rather, must be observable in one's actions. Here, Luke is
continuing to set up two important themes of his Gospel message: the Christian
faith is expressed in one's actions, and the call to salvation is extended to
everyone, Jews and Gentiles.

December 6, 2015 - Second Sunday of Advent, Cycle C

First Reading 
Baruch 5:1-9
Jerusalem shall see the splendor of God's glory.Responsorial Psalm  Psalm 126:1-2,2-3,4-5,6
A song of praise for God's great deeds
Second Reading 
Philippians 1:4-6,8-11
Paul prays for the Philippians.
Gospel ReadingLuke 3:1-6
This
week and next, our Gospel readings invite us to consider John the Baptist and
his relationship to Jesus. John the Baptist appears in the tradition of the
great prophets, preaching repentance and reform to the people of Israel. To
affirm this, Luke quotes at length from the prophet Isaiah. John baptizes for
repentance and for forgiveness of sins, preparing the way for God's salvation.