Mary pondered so much of the young Jesus as he grew up in the Holy Family. This pondering would be vital in giving her the strength she needed to stand at the foot of his cross. Join Catholic Musings for a contemplation of the readings for the Feast of the Holy Family (Year C). Readings for the 30th December 2018.

1 Samuel 1:20-22,24-28

Psalm 83: 2-3,5-6,9-10

1 John 3:1-2,21-24

Luke 2:41-52

The four Masses of Christmas give us four different ways of approaching this feast and Mary is an example of all these four. Join Catholic Musings for a contemplation of the readings for Christmas (Year C) Readings for the 24th and 25th December 2018.

Vigil

Isaiah 62:1-5

Psalm 88:4-5,16-17,27,29

Acts 13:16-17,22-25

Matthew 1:1-25

Night

Isaiah 9:1-7

Psalm 95:1-3,11-13

Titus 2:11-14

Luke 2:1-14

Dawn

Isaiah 62:11-12

Titus 3:4-7

Luke 2:15-20

Day

Isaiah 52:7-10

Psalm 97:1-6

Hebrews 1:1-6

John 1:1-18

Music:

Silent Night Vocal

Music by http://www.danmusicbox.com

John the Baptist leapt in his mother's womb when he came close to Our Lord. In this we see a perfect act of worship. Does our worship echo this? Join Catholic Musings for a contemplation of the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year C). Readings for the 23rd December 2018.

Micah 5:1-4

Psalm 79(80):2-3,15-16,18-19

Hebrews 10:5-10

Luke 1:39-44

The Third Sunday of Advent (Year C) is always a day on which we are called to rejoice. Can we do so in a world filled with terror? And just what is St John the Baptist calling us to do? Join Catholic Musings for a contemplation of the readings for this Sunday. Readings for the 16th December 2018.

Zephaniah 3:14-18

Isaiah 12

Philippians 4:4-7

Luke 3:10-18

Rejoice in the Lord _ Purcell (alto: Guido Groenland - e.a.)

by Stadsknapenkoor Gorcum (City of Gorcum Boys Choir, NL)

Used under Creative Commons 2.0

Depending on how we look at them mountains and valleys are either faults in the landscape or beautiful additions to them. Join Catholic Musings for a contemplation of the Second Sunday of Advent (Year C). Readings for the 9th December 2018.

Baruch 5:1-9

Psalm 125(126)

Philippians 1:4-6,8-11

Luke 3:1-6

Music: Messiah, Ev'ry valley shall be exalted (HWV56), Composer Georg Freidrich Handel. Performed by MIT Concert Choir. Used under Creative Commons Licence 2.0

St Cyril of Jerusalem said "Generally speaking, everything that concerns our Lord Jesus Christ is twofold." Join Catholic Musings for a contemplation of the readings for the First Sunday in Advent (Year C). Readings for the 2nd December 2018.

Jeremiah 33:14-16

Psalm 24(25):2-5,8-9,10,14

1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2

Luke 21:25-28,34-36

Including: "Church Bells, Close, A.wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org Creative Commons 2.0

Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1 - IV. Prestissimo by Daniel Veesey is licensed under a Public Domain License.

COMPOSER: Ludwig van Beethoven

Christ the King - A Kingdom not of this world

Jesus is the Universal King, not an appointed or elected President or Military Leader. He was also born a King. How does this idea fit into our world today? Join Catholic Musings as they contemplate the readings for the Solemnity of Christ the King (Year B). Readings for the 25th November 2018.

Daniel 7:13-14

Psalm 92(93):1-2,5

Apocalypse 1:5-8

John 18:33-37

With readings written by people who experienced the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem, or who knew of earlier ransackings of the Holy City, each one of the authors could easily have despaired, but instead they had hope and lead us to hope. Catholic Musings reflects on the readings for the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) and looks back on a liturgical year. Readings for the 18th November 2018. Daniel 12:1-3 Psalm 15(16):5,8-11 Hebrews 10:11-14,18 Mark 13:24-32

Elijah met a widow who had no hope as she prepared for her death and that of her son. Compare that to the hope which Paul expresses in his letter to the Hebrews. Contemplating the readings for the Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B), Catholic Musings reflects on November as a month of praying for the dead. Readings for the 11th November 2018. 1 Kings 17:10-16 Psalm 145(146):7-10 Hebrews 9:24-28 Mark 12:38-44 or 41-44

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time - Getting the balance

Jesus speaks to the Scribe in the words of Deuteronomy, that we should love the Lord our God with all our "heart, soul and strength." In a day when we are so eager to get a work/life balance, how eager are we to balance what we do for God? Join Jude-Xavier as he contemplates the readings for the Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B). Readings for the 4th November 2018.

Deuteronomy 6:2-6

Psalm 17(18):2-4,47,51

Hebrews 7:23-28

Mark 12:28-34