Today's antiphon: O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust! (Isaiah 9:5; 2:4)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 1:39-45)

"Blessed are you among women,  and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"

At the Visitation, Elizabeth responds to Mary's greeting with these words and with a question. She tells Mary that at the sound of her greeting, the infant John leaped in her womb. And then she asks a question, which is direct and at the same time full of meditation and wonder. Elizabeth is undoubtedly one of the first to ponder how it is that the Blessed Virgin, the mother of the Lord . . . .

Today's antiphon: O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death. (Isaiah 9:1)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 1:39-45)

"Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."

Luke narrates Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth after the Annunciation. It reveals the significance of Mary’s pregnancy and Elizabeth's recognition of Jesus’ divine role even before his birth. Mary travels to visit Elizabeth in haste, expressing the level of joy she must have felt in the angel Gabriel's message and the fulfillment of it in her pregnancy. In responding to Mary's greeting, Luke tells us that Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried out in a loud voice, "Most blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" Mary exudes the joy of faith in the Lord; Elizabeth affirms it, saying "Blessed are you who believed." From these two faithful women, God's tender compassion begins to break through darkness and the shadow of death, a dawn from on high that will illuminate the entire world.

God, by my faith and in my participation of the sacraments, help me be a means of bringing Christ to others. Mary visited Elizabeth, bearing your Son with overwhelming joy. Through fervent participation in my faith, help me know and share the same joy in carrying within me the Incarnate Word. In the Song of Songs is a kind of irony reflecting your mastery over nature, that in the dead of winter and at the longest night, the readings speak of new light that dawns from on high, bringing the peace that only Christ gives: "For see, the winter is past, the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of pruning the vines has come, and the song of the dove is heard in our land." Splendor of eternal light, shine on us and on the whole world.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Today's antiphon, O Clavis David (O Key of David): O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness! (Isaiah 9:6; 22:22)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 1:26-38)

"He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end."

The angel Gabriel visits the Virgin Mary to announce that she will conceive the Son of God. In the Annunciation, he describes Jesus as great, the Son of the Most High, and that he will inherit the throne of David and reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will have no end. Seeing that Mary is troubled, the angel says to her: "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God." He tells her that the Holy Spirit will come upon her, and the power of the Most High will overshadow her in the conception. Over any plans Mary could have made for her life, God's will for Mary is that she fulfills his promises to all of humanity through the birth of Jesus. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Mary says yes.

God, help me realize throughout the day that my role in doing your will has Mary as a perfect example. It is to say yes to you. Help me have the conviction that just as with Mary, the Holy Spirit comes at my consent with overshadowing love. In order for me to say yes, I need an attentiveness to faith that listens out for you in the thrum and turmoil of the day. The psalmist prays, "Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory." And you do enter with superabundant love, as when Gabriel reveals that Elizabeth would bear a son who would prepare the way of Jesus. Make clear to me your love, Lord, your desire to enter.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Today's antiphon, O Radix Jesse: O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay! (Isaiah 1:1; 11:10)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 1:5-25)

But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John."

Luke recounts the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth. During Zechariah's service in the sanctuary of the temple, the angel Gabriel appears to him, causing Zechariah to be troubled and afraid to announce the birth of their son, John the Baptist. The angel describes John’s role as a great prophet who will prepare the way for the Lord and "turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous." When Zechariah expresses doubt and fear, he is made mute until the fulfillment of the angel's words in the birth of John. Elizabeth then conceives and in seclusion delights in what the Lord has done for her in his divine intervention.

God, the O Antiphon for today ends with "come to save us without delay!" It brings to mind the familiar prayer said in the Liturgy of the Hours, "O God, come to my assistance; O Lord, make haste to help me." Keep my faith supple, Lord, able to discern your works even as I wrestle with doubt and fear. Not by my own power can I save myself, Lord, but by you alone, the giver of all good gifts. Gabriel tells Zechariah what the outcome of John's consecrated birth will bring: "And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord." Help me be attentive to what you bring to fruition today; let me be a witness to the joy and gladness that follow as you come to my assistance.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Today's antiphon, O Adonai: O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power! (Isaiah 11:4–5; 33:22)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 1:18-25)

Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

Matthew's account of the birth of Jesus gives us a glimpse into Joseph's submission to God's will. Under the circumstances, his intention was to divorce Mary quietly until the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. Among his first words after identifying Joseph by his Davidic lineage, the angel tells him not to be afraid. Surely, he must have been greatly relieved—overjoyed—to hear that the woman he loved, to whom he is betrothed, remained a virgin. Matthew tells us that all this took place to fulfill what had been said through the prophet, "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel." When Joseph awakes, he does what the angel commands him and takes Mary into his home. Jesus, Son of God and son of the Virgin Mary, is born to the world fully divine and fully human.

God, help me see Joseph as a model of obedience to your will. Although silent and docile, Joseph speaks clearly as he moves from deciding to divorce Mary quietly to taking his wife into his home as the angel commanded. The transformation he experienced is one that I can seek today and every day, allowing my plans to become overshadowed by God's. The plans I make, the things I decide, are bound ultimately to fail unless I allow you to do your will through me. "If the Lord does not build the house," the psalmist prays, "in vain do its builders labor." Give me the grace, Lord, to know your will and carry it out joyfully.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Today's antiphon, O Sapientia: O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge! (Isaiah 11:2–3; 28:29)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 1:1-17)

Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Presenting the genealogy of Jesus Christ, Matthew traces the lineage of Jesus from Abraham through David to Joseph, the husband of Mary. By his direct connection from Abraham and David, from David to the exile in Babylon, and from the exile to Jesus, Matthew provides a genealogy that establishes Jesus as the Messiah in fulfilling all of God's promises to the patriarchs. These are the credentials of Jesus the Messiah, establishing his identity. In other words, Jesus is in truth who he claims to be. By including a long list of names, forty-two generations, Matthew provides not only a historical account but also the context of Jesus’ birth within all the breadth of salvation history.

God, you are Wisdom Most High who guides all of creation by your power and love. Teach me the path to knowledge of you. What is there in human wisdom that could compare with yours? Give me the grace to hear and receive your wisdom through scriptures, through the Holy Spirit, and through the sacraments of the Church. You are love itself. Guide me today in your love and make me your instrument; teach me to depend on you, trusting in the way you lead.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

From the responsorial psalm: “Your ways, O LORD, make known to me; teach me your paths, Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior. Teach me your ways, O Lord.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 21:23-27)

Jesus said to them in reply, “I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things. Where was John’s baptism from? Was it of heavenly or of human origin?”

Jesus is teaching in the temple when the chief priests and elders approach and question him. He responds with another question. The chief priests and elders deliberate among themselves as they face a dilemma. Through his questioning, Jesus reveals their hypocrisy and the complexities they wrestle with in recognizing divine authority, setting the stage for the continuing conflict that would lead to Jesus’ passion and death. Ultimately, the leaders say, “We do not know.” This reflects their inability to see the truth about John and Jesus.

God, help me see clearly in these remaining days of Advent that true authority rests in Jesus Christ your Son. The false authority of consumerism and innumerable media distractions would have me believe I can have at will a joyous Christmas season, and these falsehoods put Christmas ahead of Advent and not the other way. Give me the grace to recognize my true longing for Jesus, who comes as a child in a manger and definitively at the Second Coming on a cloud of glory with the authority to bring a new heaven and a new earth. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

From the responsorial psalm: "God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel."

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 3:10-18)

Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."

Today we hear the voice of the one who prepares the way of the Lord. Crowds come to John the Baptist asking what they should do. John tells them to be generous with the poor, not to be greedy, and to treat others and oneself justly. The good news that John preaches to the people fills them with hope and expectation, but John is not the Messiah. John baptizes with water, but one mightier than himself will come. The one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire will, as John says, "gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” John prepares the way for Jesus, the one Zephaniah speaks of in the first reading: "The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love."

"God is indeed my savior," the psalmist prays, "I am confident and unafraid." How is it, Lord, that I can make this prayer my prayer? Discouragement comes, but I hear in the first reading don't be afraid and "be not discouraged." Saint Paul recognizes anxiety by naming it, not denying it, "but in everything," he says, "by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God." Lord, you know me and know my needs. Grant me the peace and joy of knowing you are in my midst, a mighty savior who is nearer than I can comprehend. Throughout the day, let me rest with this and trust in it: "My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior." Come, Holy Spirit, come!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

From the responsorial psalm: "Once again, O LORD of hosts, look down from heaven, and see; Take care of this vine, and protect what your right hand has planted, the son of man whom you yourself made strong. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved."

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 17:9a, 10-13)

As they were coming down from the mountain, the disciples asked Jesus, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" He said in reply, "Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands." Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

Jesus speaks to the disciples immediately after his transformation on the mountain, where Moses and Elijah appear to him. According to Jewish belief, Elijah would appear again before the coming of the Messiah. Jesus makes clear that Elijah has appeared again, referring to John the Baptist and his message of repentance and baptism. Just as people failed to listen to John, they will fail to listen to Jesus, rejecting him and putting him to death on a cross. In indicating that the disciples understand Jesus, Matthew expresses in his account that John brings to fulfillment the role of Elijah in the continuity between the greatest of prophets and the mission of Jesus.

God, help me understand more deeply that regardless of what reality looks like on the surface, you have a plan. Jesus reveals this to the disciples, and in revealing it to them, reveals it to me. As the psalmist prays, in turning to you, we see your face and are saved. "Take care of this vine, and protect what your right hand has planted. . . ." In today's Gospel, Peter, James, and John had just witnessed the Transfiguration, and they were full of questions. In pondering your glory, Lord, help me turn more and more to your saving power, your plan for me; let me see your face. Saint John of the Cross, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

From the responsorial psalm: "Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked Nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, But delights in the law of the LORD and meditates on his law day and night. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life."

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 11:16-19)

Jesus said to the crowds: "To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, 'We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.'"

Jesus describes to the crowds two depictions of the kingdom of God. In neither of them do people of his generation participate in the revelation of God's presence. They regarded John's ascetism as insane and the full participation of Jesus within the community as sinful and indulgent. That leaves for them by their own choice an existence in limbo, neither here nor there. "But wisdom is vindicated by her works," Jesus tells them. And Isaiah, speaking the word of the LORD, says, "If you would hearken to my commandments, your prosperity would be like a river, and your vindication like the waves of the sea." To be forgotten by God is to choose to live apart from him in an oblivion that willfully stands outside of his presence.

God, help me listen to your commandments. As you say through Isaiah, teach me what is for my good, and lead me on the way I should go. If the hope of prosperity isn't enough to lead me on or seems uncertain, give me the grace to desire always to remain in your presence. You, the Holy One of Israel, sent Jesus your Son as incarnate wisdom to lead us out of darkness and into the light of your face. Isn't that enough to follow where he goes? Saint Lucy, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.