Showing posts with label Third Sunday of Advent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Third Sunday of Advent. Show all posts
Monday, December 14, 2015
Father Tim's Homily: You are made for joy
Father Tim Sherwood's homily for the Third Sunday of Advent at St. Raphael Catholic Church in St. Petersburg, Florida, delivered on Sunday, December 13, 2015. Video by T. Allan Smith. Additional video by Jane Winstead. Audio recording by Ted Scarpino. Theme music: Deliberate Thoughts by Kevin MacLeod.
Monday, December 22, 2014
Fr. Tim's homily for the Third Sunday of Advent
Father Tim Sherwood's homily for the Third Sunday of Advent given on December 14, 2014 at St. Raphael Catholic Church in St. Petersburg, Florida. Video by T. Allan Smith. Still photography by Jane Winstead. Audio by Jeff Keller. Theme music: Deliberate Thoughts by Kevin MacLeod
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Gaudete Sunday! Rejoice!
By Julie Musselman
This Sunday is known as Gaudete Sunday. The term Gaudete refers to the first word of the Entrance Antiphon, "Rejoice." Rose vestments are worn to emphasize our joy that Christmas is near, and we also light the rose candle on our Advent wreath.
The first reading and gospel reading at Mass fit so beautifully together.
The first reading is from Isaiah Chapter 35. We read in verses 5 and 6: "Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing."
In St. Matthew's gospel from Chapter 11, the disciples of John the Baptist are questioning Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?"
Jesus replies by reference to Isaiah 35:5-6: “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.”
Jesus' answer may seem cryptic to us. Why doesn't He just answer the question yes or no?
We have to remember that Matthew was writing to a primarily Jewish audience who would have been very familiar with Isaiah and the Old Testament scriptures.
By referring them back to Isaiah 35, which is predicting Israel's deliverance from foreigners, Jesus is very specifically answering them.
By referring to the outward healings that Jesus is performing, He is fulfilling the prophecy that the Messiah would restore and heal. And all of these outward physical healings are pointing to the internal deliverance and healing from sin that Jesus can perform any time for everyone of us.
Through the sacrament of Reconciliation, we all are healed from the sins that weigh us down. (Download PDF: How to make a good confession)
We have the opportunity for confession every Saturday from 4:30-5:15 p.m. and also this Tuesday, December 14, at 7 p.m. in the new church. There will be several priests available on this night. Confessions also can be made by appointment. Call the office at (727) 821-7989.
Daily confessions are heard downtown at St. Mary Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church at 8 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. The church is at 515 Fourth Street South in St. Petersburg. Daily confessions also are heard at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle following the 11 a.m. Mass.
Photo: Pope Benedict XVI in rose vestments.
Julie Musselman has been a parishioner at St. Raphael’s since 1994. She and her husband Bob have six children. Julie is the Florida-Georgia Regional Manager for Lighthouse Catholic Media, a not-for-profit organization that distributes inspiring books and talks on CD by dynamic Catholic speakers. She enjoys writing about the Catholic Church, the liturgical year, the saints and the reality of trying to live the Catholic Faith. Visit her blogs Lighthouse Catholic Media and A Catholic Home Journal.
This Sunday is known as Gaudete Sunday. The term Gaudete refers to the first word of the Entrance Antiphon, "Rejoice." Rose vestments are worn to emphasize our joy that Christmas is near, and we also light the rose candle on our Advent wreath.
The first reading and gospel reading at Mass fit so beautifully together.The first reading is from Isaiah Chapter 35. We read in verses 5 and 6: "Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing."
In St. Matthew's gospel from Chapter 11, the disciples of John the Baptist are questioning Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?"
Jesus replies by reference to Isaiah 35:5-6: “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.”
Jesus' answer may seem cryptic to us. Why doesn't He just answer the question yes or no?
We have to remember that Matthew was writing to a primarily Jewish audience who would have been very familiar with Isaiah and the Old Testament scriptures.
By referring them back to Isaiah 35, which is predicting Israel's deliverance from foreigners, Jesus is very specifically answering them.
By referring to the outward healings that Jesus is performing, He is fulfilling the prophecy that the Messiah would restore and heal. And all of these outward physical healings are pointing to the internal deliverance and healing from sin that Jesus can perform any time for everyone of us.Through the sacrament of Reconciliation, we all are healed from the sins that weigh us down. (Download PDF: How to make a good confession)
We have the opportunity for confession every Saturday from 4:30-5:15 p.m. and also this Tuesday, December 14, at 7 p.m. in the new church. There will be several priests available on this night. Confessions also can be made by appointment. Call the office at (727) 821-7989.
Daily confessions are heard downtown at St. Mary Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church at 8 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. The church is at 515 Fourth Street South in St. Petersburg. Daily confessions also are heard at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle following the 11 a.m. Mass.
Photo: Pope Benedict XVI in rose vestments.
Julie Musselman has been a parishioner at St. Raphael’s since 1994. She and her husband Bob have six children. Julie is the Florida-Georgia Regional Manager for Lighthouse Catholic Media, a not-for-profit organization that distributes inspiring books and talks on CD by dynamic Catholic speakers. She enjoys writing about the Catholic Church, the liturgical year, the saints and the reality of trying to live the Catholic Faith. Visit her blogs Lighthouse Catholic Media and A Catholic Home Journal.
The Gospel this Sunday
December 12, 2010
The Third Sunday of Advent
Matthew 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.”
• Read the first and second readings and the Responsorial Psalm
The Third Sunday of Advent
Matthew 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.”
• Read the first and second readings and the Responsorial Psalm
– United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
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