Micah 5:1-4
 
The Lord says this: You, Bethlehem Ephrathah, the least of the clans of Judah, out of you will be born for me the one who is to rule over Israel; his origin goes back to the distant past, to the days of old. The Lord is therefore going to abandon them till the time when she who is to give birth gives birth. Then the remnant of his brothers will come back to the sons of Israel. He will stand and feed his flock with the power of the Lord, with the majesty of the name of his God. They will live secure, for from then on he will extend his power to the ends of the land. He himself will be peace.

Hebrews 10:5-10
 
This is what he said, on coming into the world:
You who wanted no sacrifice or oblation, prepared a body for me. You took no pleasure in holocausts or sacrifices for sin; then I said, just as I was commanded in the scroll of the book, ‘God, here I am! I am coming to obey your will.’ Notice that he says first: You did not want what the Law lays down as the things to be offered, that is: the sacrifices, the oblations, the holocausts and the sacrifices for sin, and you took no pleasure in them; and then he says: Here I am! I am coming to obey your will. He is abolishing the first sort to replace it with the second. And this will was for us to be made holy by the offering of his body made once and for all by Jesus Christ.

Gospel Acclamation 

Alleluia, Alleluia
‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ Alleluia

Luke 1:39-45

Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy.’

Prayer of the Faithful

God our Father and Mother, we are close to the celebration of the birth of your Son Jesus, your greatest gift to us. We praise and we thank you.  Lord hear us

Open our hearts Lord, to those whom society wishes to forget. As Mary responded to Elizabeth’s need, so may we respond to the needs of those around us. Lord hear us

We call to mind all those who have died, and all who mourn for them. May the pain of their loss make us careful to appreciate those with whom we share our lives. Lord hear us

We are mindful of those who may find themselves homeless as Christmas approaches. May our government provide the necessary supports for them and their families.
Lord hear us

As we approach the celebration of Jesus birth, Lord, give us the courage and confidence that Joseph & Mary had in your love. Lord hear us

In silence we remember those who need our prayer and our support………………………Lord hear us

Reflection

“The hunger to belong is at the heart of our nature. Cut off from others, we atrophy and turn in on ourselves. The sense of belonging is the natural balance of our lives. Mostly, we do not need to make an issue of belonging. When we belong, we take it for granted. There is some innocent childlike side to the human heart that is always deeply hurt when we are excluded. Belonging suggests warmth, understanding, and embrace. No one was created for isolation.
When we become isolated, we are prone to being damaged; our minds lose their flexibility and natural kindness; we become vulnerable to fear and negativity. The sense of belonging keeps you in balance amidst the inner and outer immensities. The ancient and eternal values of human life—truth, unity, goodness, justice, beauty, and love are all statements of true belonging; they are also the secret intention and dream of human longing.”

Remembered this Weekend

John, Josephine, Mary & Joan Hannon
Timothy & Damien O'Sullivan
Martha & Barney Coughlan
Jane & Paddy Stanley
 

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