11.26.24 - 2 Advents and Mary

Opening Prayer: 

The First Thanksgiving

Do we mean the harvest dinner of the Pilgrims? While we can remember that too, the first Thanksgiving actually took place 60 years earlier. A Spanish fleet arrived in Florida in 1565, and its Franciscan chaplain, Fr. Francisco Lopez de Mendoza Grajales, offered a Mass of thanksgiving when they came ashore. The area natives joined the Spanish for Mass and a celebratory meal afterwards. Then there was the first Mass 1535 years prior – the Last Supper – the ultimate Thanksgiving meal. In fact, Eucharist means Thanksgiving. 

Our Father

Who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily Bread;

And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Upcoming major holy days:  Advent Sunday, Dec 1 to Dec 24; The Immaculate Conception of Mary, Dec 8.

Reader for the day… (if needed, Taylor will select)

TODAY: Catholic Topic – Two Advents!

Gospel Reading – Dec 1, First Sunday in Advent, Second Coming of Christ, Watchfulness!

Member Topic:  Class on Mary  

Quote of the Week: 

"Down through the centuries, the Church has carefully preserved, protected, and defended its Marian teachings, because to give them up would be to give up the truth of the gospel. Without this, Mary becomes unreal, and when Mary becomes unreal, so does the incarnation of God, which depended upon Mary's consent; so does the suffering flesh of Christ, which He took from His mother." – Scott Hahn

New Liturgical Year

Advent kicks off a new year for Catholics. Actually, you might say that Christmas – the birthday of Jesus – should start our year; and, in fact it does, since Advent is preparation for the Coming of the Lord. Advent always begins 4 Sundays before Christmas. That makes this Sunday, Dec 1, the first day of Advent. It continues to Christmas Eve.  

Advent begins the New Year

The Church follows a 3 year cycle for its readings at Mass, each beginning in Advent. Year A, we mainly read the first Gospel, Matthew. Year B, we mainly read the second Gospel, Mark (this was the year we just concluded). In Year C, we mainly read the Gospel of Luke, which is what we are beginning. Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the “synoptic Gospels,” since they all parallel each other in writing about the life and teachings of Christ. 

What about the fourth Gospel, John?

John is deeper and more philosophical and written after the other Gospels. It appears John saw no need to repeat everything in the Synoptic Gospels. The Church inserts readings from John throughout each year, especially during the seasons of Easter and Christmas. 

We will discuss who Luke was in greater detail next week but we will cover one detail today because it is connected to our topic. 

Name one unique characteristic we find in the Gospel of Luke.  

The prominence of women, beginning with Mary. This is timely since we are discussing Mary next. Luke writes more about Mary than the other Gospels combined. Some have called his book the Gospel of Mary (Annunciation, Visitation, the Magnificat, the Circumcision and Presentation at the Temple, finding Jesus in the Temple at twelve, and numerous “Mary pondered…” or “Mary kept these things in her heart”. 

The only way Luke could have related any of these events is if Mary shared them with him. Mary is thought to have lived into the 50s and was a constant consolation and encouragement to the Apostles throughout their missionary lives. Once Luke decided to write his Gospel (probably at the urging of Paul), no doubt he made a beeline to Mary to get started. We are indebted to Luke, for without him, we would have none of those stories about the young Jesus.  Luke’s opening line:

“… since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” – Luke 1:3-4. 

The four weeks of ADVENT

What is Advent? 

Advent comes from the Latin adventus meaning “coming” or “arrival,” and it points to TWO events. 

1) The preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas (Christ’s First Coming/First Advent);

2) Our preparation for the Second Coming of Christ (Second Advent) at the end of time. 

The Greek term often used often to describe the Second Coming is Parousia (pair-ooh-see-ah). Say it. 

Which “coming” is more important?

Jesus Second Coming is the end of this world as we know it, Judgment Day, and a new Heaven and new Earth. It is the point of our existence and our destiny, but it could not happen without Jesus’ First Coming. 

Since the Second Coming is all about the arrival of our destiny, it stands to reason that we should know about it and know what we can do to be ready for it. 

First, Advent is about reminding ourselves in joy and gratitude for the First Coming, for God came here unbidden to undo the Fall of Man, reopen the gates of Heaven, and in spite of our worst/ongoing sins, offer us forgiveness-for-the-asking and continued spiritual growth so that we can reach our destiny at the Second Advent.  

Judgement Day will bring forth all humans who have ever lived

What age do we live in now? 

The age we live in – which is between the First and Second (last) Coming – has been called several things, each of them equally valid: the Age of the Church (Jesus’ body), Age of the Holy Spirit, and the Age of Salvation. All of them involve an inner journey where we develop spiritually and an outer journey, where we put our inner journey into our outer journey. It is a trial and error relationship with God where He offers continual help in the form of grace, forgiveness, and wisdom as we move closer and closer to Him. Simply put, we are walking with God and loving our neighbor. Our reading for today is about this Second Coming and about our being ready. Being ready is Jesus’ main point. This inner and outer journey means we will be ready no matter what our challenges or circumstances are. 

We don’t have to wait until the end of time for our Second Advent to begin, since it begins at the moment of our death. Time will not be the same then, and only slows down (so to speak) for Purgatory. Therefore, the entire Church experiences and celebrates Advent once each year to make sure we are aware, awake, and prepared for our own death. 

The reason death was not as feared by the earliest Christians was because they knew it was the end of their trials, difficulties, pain, and sadness. The same ought to be true for us, so be sure to use this Advent to reflect on your readiness, and the things you can do in the weeks and year ahead to walk with God and love those around you, especially the less fortunate.  

If you would like daily reminders/meditations…  https://www.mydailyvisitor.com/advent/.  It is less than five minutes and you can read it or listen to it. 

Another way of keeping your focus during Advent corresponds to the 4 candles of the Advent Wreath:  

Week One: The Prophecy Candle. It recalls the prophecies about the Messiah and the hope he brings to the world. 

Week Two: The Bethlehem Candle. It represents faith and is about Joseph and Mary’s journey to Bethlehem. 

Week Three: The Shepherds Candle (Gaudete=rejoice). It represents joy at the revelation of the Messiah. Almost there!

Week Four: The Angels candle. It represents peace on earth, goodwill towards men (mankind). 

The optional fifth candle is Christ’s Candle. It represents the Arrival of the Lord on Christmas Day. 

Only the 3rd week/candle is rose, representing joy. The others are purple, representing  penitence and overcoming this world. 

You will also notice in church that the vestments and altar cloths used during Advent Masses follow the same themes. 

To put into practice what we believe, for the next four weeks we will talk about some of the ways everyone has reached out to help others. What are some ideas to get started?

• Call a friend you haven’t spoken with

• Visit a neighbor who lives alone

• Bring something special to your local homeless shelter

• Bring Christmas cards to the elderly at a retirement home. 

• Say a prayer for a different person each day

• Have a fundraiser for your favorite charity. 

• Ask your family for ideas, little ones have huge hearts and great ideas!

Gospel Reading for Dec 1, First Sunday in Advent

The Coming of the Son of Man, Watchfulness  Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

Context:  Recall from when we studied the Book of Revelation, there will be a Great Tribulation before Jesus’ Second Coming. This final tribulation will be a time of great apostasy and difficulty for Christians. But Christ will come and put an end to all evil, which will set in motion the Final Judgment and the New Heaven and New Earth. This tribulation is what Jesus is referring to in our reading, but his main message is in the last passage when he talks about being ready. 

Luke 21:25-28, 34-36      

Jesus said to his disciples: There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 

And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, look up and raise your heads because your redemption is drawing near. 

Take heed to yourselves so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Exegesis

The first two verses are referring to the tribulation being experienced on earth, especially by believers. The celestial bodies – sun moon, and stars – are often used in Scripture to represent stability and order. Their disturbance also can indicate some greater, spiritual event about to happen. I have been asked if it could refer to Israel today. Yes, it’s possible, but only God knows the time. 

The second two verses refer to Jesus’ Second Coming. 

The last three verses is Jesus’ warning to us to be ready.  

Dissipation means indulgences of the flesh. 

Drunkenness is considered a serious sin because we knowingly give up control of our rational thinking and put others and ourselves in danger. At the very least, don’t be drunk on the last day. 

Anxieties of life – probably the biggest roadblock to our relationship with God: our jobs, bills, buying things, daily distractions, personal conflicts.  

Jesus is warning us to get our priorities right. God should be before these and with you during all these activities. 

Why does the Church pick this somber reading to kick off Advent? 

1. It discusses the Second Coming it terms that will get our attention.

2. Jesus reminds his audience/readers (us) to be ready by keeping God first in our lives. 

3. This is the reason for Advent!

MARY – Part I

              Mary and Jesus in various cultures around the world. No single culture “owns” them. They belong to us all. 

Christians honor Mary as the mother of Christ. All her dignity, all her greatness, comes from him, and from him alone. All Christians agree on that. To fully understand who she is, therefore, we must first take a closer look at Jesus Christ.  

Jesus is the Son of the Father, “the Son of the Most High”, as the Archangel called him during the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary. She was called to become his mother, an election of dizzying proportions. Therefore, first we must correctly understand how unjust and unworthy it would be to look at Mary as a kind of “surrogate mother,” a woman the Father needed so that his Son could be born, and after that she could just go. That’s even undignified behavior for humans, not to mention for God. 

If we really believe that Jesus Christ is the true Son of God, we must acknowledge that there is a unique relationship between the Triune God and this young woman, a relationship that lasts forever. That’s why Catholics call her: ‘Daughter of the Father, Mother of the Son, Bride of the Holy Spirit.”

"Down through the centuries, the Church has carefully preserved, protected, and defended its Marian teachings, because to give them up would be to give up the truth of the gospel. Without this, Mary becomes unreal, and when Mary becomes unreal, so does the incarnation of God, which depended upon Mary's consent; so does the suffering flesh of Christ, which He took from His mother." – Scott Hahn, former Protestant minister

BIO of Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ

Parents: The elderly Sts. Joachim & Anne (also Hannah); Joachim from the line of David; Ann of the priestly line of Aaron. 

The Immaculate Conception –Mary is born 18-20 BC without Original Sin/full of Sanctifying Grace. 

Why did the Church choose Dec 8 for the Immaculate Conception?

     It seemed good that it be in the beginning of the new Liturgical Year because of her prominent role in Salvation History. Also, it seemed proper to occur before the birth of Jesus (Dec 25) and before the Annunciation on March 25. 

Engagement: 4-5 BC. Betrothed to Joseph, and Jewish carpenter in Nazareth (born in Bethlehem). The story of Joseph’s selection: Mary’s parents are assumed to have passed. Temple priests arrange for her marriage initially against her will because of her dedicating her life and virginity to God. God tells Mary he will honor her pledge and tells the priest how to find her a husband. Elsewhere, Joseph was a very humble and religious man who had also dedicated his life (and virginity) to God. He avoided being selected as Mary’s husband for this reason. In the end, the flower on Joseph’s staff and the landing of the dove atop his staff was how Joseph was selected.

Betrothals were usually for a year before the marriage as the husband plans for their new home. Both Mary and Joseph were elated to find out that each of them had the same pledge that they would be able to keep IN THEIR MARRIAGE. 

Annunciation (Mar 25), Nazareth. Mary is visited by Angel Gabriel who tells her she will conceive the Messiah, the Son of God. Mary agrees.

Visitation to St. Elizabeth near Jerusalem, ~3 BC.

Birth of Jesus: Bethlehem, ~ 3 BC, about Dec 25 (est). 

Presentation at the Temple ~2 BC

Egypt: Joseph is warned in a dream about Herod’s plans to kills all 2 year old and the Holy Family immediately departs for Egypt. They remain there about two years when another dream tells Joseph that Herod has died. They return to Nazareth. 

Jesus found in the Temple at 12 years old, ~10 AD.

Wedding at Cana: Jesus first miracle at Mary’s request, ~27 AD.

Crucifixion: Jerusalem. Mary is present. About 30 AD.

Pentecost: Upper Room, Jerusalem. Mary is with the Apostles when the Holy Spirit descends. Beginning of the Church. 

Assumption: ~50s AD. Mary’s body is raised into heaven at the end of her life, surrounded by the Apostles. This tradition is still prominent in the Eastern Church: Mary died at 3PM on Aug 13 and was raised into Heaven on Aug 15. Her death on August 13 is commemorated in Jerusalem to this day, and we celebrate her Assumption on Aug 15. Hence, Aug 13-15 is a kind of Marian Triduum (3-day death and resurrection cycle) similar to her Son’s 3-day Triduum. Tradition says Mary asked for this as opposed to being taken up immediately – if her son had to die, then she should have to die. 

Paintings from the west (left) and the east (right) from the 1100s.

What was the first prophecy involving Mary? 

Genesis 3:15. It was the same prophecy of the Messiah, which was also recognized by the Jews, after Adam and Eve chose their path without God.  

The scene is the garden of Eden. The characters are God, the serpent, Adam, and Eve. The devil is no doubt smiling in triumph, very proud to be showing God up. He had just deceived Eve, and through her, Adam, for he has successfully marred God’s handiwork of creation and dragged human beings—for whom God has a special love—into death and misery.

God appears on the scene to clean up the mess, decrying  the tragic choice (sin) made by Adam & Eve, but also proclaiming the first good news (Gospel) of redemption, as well as the devil’s doom.

God starts by addressing Satan, telling him he is going to eat dirt for the rest of his days. Then God reveals that his ultimate defeat will come through a woman.

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between thy offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel – Genesis 3:15. 

Even the Jews read this as the first Messianic prophecy – the “he” would be the One would crush the head of the serpent. And “he” would come through Mary, the new Eve who says “yes” to God (“May it be done to me according to His word” – Luke 1:38). 

What does it mean, “he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel” ? 

Jesus will conquer evil and death once and for all, reopening the gates of Heaven. 

Satan will indeed strike his heel – Christ is put to death on the cross. Satan thought that he’d probably won again, but Christ going to the cross willingly out of love for mankind changed the outcome.   

    As for Mary, it wasn’t enough that she was the new Eve who reversed the choice of the first Eve and that through her, Jesus would crush Satan. It was that God used a human woman, a lowly handmaiden, to bring about this humiliation. 

     But also likely weighing on Satan’s mind is the high place that Mary would hold in Heaven. It wasn’t difficult for him to see that Mary had replaced him. Recall that Lucifer was originally God’s finest angel. He was more beautiful and powerful than all the other creatures that God had made. He was so mighty that he really thought he could be better than God. The defining marks of Satan that caused his fall from Heaven are his pride and envy of the Almighty. And now this lowly handmaiden had taken his place!

Contrasted with Satan, what are the defining characteristics of our Lady?

First and foremost, she is supremely humble. In fact, she is the most humble creature that has ever existed. For every ounce of pride the devil has, Mary has more in humility. For every drop of hate-filled and bitter envy in Satan’s black heart, Mary’s heart is filled with twice as much praise, worship, and love. 

Second, she was preserved from Original Sin. That wasn’t supposed to happen, she was supposed to be his, like every other human (before Jesus). 

Third, she would reverse the mistake made by Eve by choosing the will of God.

And so, in Revelation 12, we see the immense Dragon trying to take out the Queen of Heaven (Mary) and eat her first born son. He fails.  

This heavenly exchange of lowly Virgin Mary for the great and powerful Satan is revealed in our Lady’s hymn of praise that Mary, inspired by the Holy Spirit, says to her cousin, Elizabeth, at her greeting; now called the Magnificat. In the Magnificat, we see the Mary’s role in salvation summarized beautifully:

• Mary’s humility- “he has looked graciously on the lowliness of his handmaid”

• God’s marvelous work of grace in her: “Because he who is mighty, he who name is holy, has wrought for me his wonders”

• God’s casting out of Satan: “Driving the proud astray in the conceit of their hearts, he has put down the mighty from their seat”

• His exalting of Mary in Satan’s place: “He has…exalted the lowly.”

Closing Prayer: 

        The Magnificat, Luke 1:46-55

My soul magnifies the Lord; my spirit has found joy in God, who is my Savior,

because he has looked graciously upon the lowliness of his handmaid.

Behold, from this day forward all generations will count me blessed;

because he who is mighty, he whose name is holy, has wrought for me his wonders.

He has mercy upon those who fear him, from generation to generation;

he has done valiantly with the strength of his arm,

driving the proud astray in the conceit of their hearts;

he has put down the mighty from their seat and exalted the lowly;

he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty-handed.

He has protected his servant Israel,

keeping his merciful design in remembrance,

according to the promise which he made to our forefathers,

Abraham and his posterity for evermore.

Next Week we will discuss/explain both the logic and scriptural justification of Mary’s Immaculate Conception, her life without sin, and her bodily Assumption.