December 21, 2024 Saturday of the Third Week of Advent

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121224.cfm In today’s first reading, Zechariah says God is coming! He will dwell among us. I am amazed by all of the foreshadowing in the Old Testament and then the fulfillment in the New Testament. In the gospel, there are two options, Mary is visited by the angel, Gabriel, or Mary visited Elizabeth. In both,…

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121724.cfm Today’s first reading is from the death bed of Jacob. He is speaking to his sons and foretelling of their power and the fate of the world. His son Judah will rule, the fourth son, not the eldest. My commentary says that the end of the reading is a prophesy fulfilled first by David…

OT means ordinary time. The first reading is after Solomon angers the Lord. The Lord tells a prophet that the people of Israel will be separated. He is diminishing the power of Solomon’s people. I like when the reading and psalms go together in theme. Today the response is “I am the Lord, your God,…

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061824.cfm In today’s first reading, Ahab was doing evil killing people for his selfish gain, so the Lord sent Elijah to tell the king that he would surely die as did his that he had killed and all of his descendants. Ahab put on sackcloth and was remorse for what he had done, so the…

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062024.cfm Today’s first reading is a summary of Elijah’s purpose in life and affirming he was taken up to heaven immortal. It said he was to return, but there is no record of that. There is a great commentary for this reading: https://livingspace.sacredspace.ie/o2115r/ In today’s gospel, Jesus teaches us how to pray, Our Father, who…

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080924.cfm In today’s first reading, Nineveh is conquered by God. God is upset that the innocent are being killed. He is our defender. In the gospel, Jesus said if you want to come after Him, you must deny yourself and take up your cross. He tells His disciples about His fate. He does say, “For…