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Men of Epiphany will be meeting this Saturday, December 24th, 6:30 a.m. in the Hearth room. If you can make it, this study is a marvelous preparation for each week's Mass readings.

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Honoring Mary, Our Blessed Mother and

Our Model of Faith and Trust in God’s Word

Sunday, December 24, 2006
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Micah 5:1-4
Psalm 80:2-3,15-16,18-19
Hebrews 10:5-10
Luke 1:39-45

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All generations will call me blessed. (Luke 1:48)

In every generation, God raises up certain people to present a witness to the people of their age. In medieval times, Bernard of Clairvaux and Catherine of Siena were among those who spoke to their times. The sixteenth century brought us Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross. And most recently, people like Maximillian Kolbe, Mother Teresa, and Pope John Paul II have become icons for our age. But above all of these figures stands Mary, whose role endures from generation to generation.

So Think about Mary’s influence. More churches are named in her honor than for any other person. For centuries, she has been the subject of countless paintings, sculptures, hymns, poems, and plays. Millions of prayers and petitions rise to her every year. As Mother of the Church, she has captured the hearts and imaginations of believers in every age and in every land.

It is almost instinctual for us to turn to Mary for help. Accepting her as our mother, we sense that she loves us deeply and that she knows and sympathizes with us. We trust that, just as she did at the wedding feast of Cana, Mary takes our requests and gives them to Jesus, expecting that they will be answered. Taking the lead from some of the traditional titles given her, we also trust that Mary is Our Lady of Good Counsel and the Spouse of the Holy Spirit, and so we know that she will pray for us and counsel us “according to the will of God” (Romans 8:27).

On the eve of Jesus’ birth, take all of your needs and requests and lay them at Mary’s feet. Pray for yourself, your family, your church, your community, even the world. No petition is too small or too meaningless. No request is too outlandish. In trust and humility, ask Mary to pray with you and for you. Her ears are open, and her heart is full of love for all her children.

“We turn to you for protection, Holy Mother of God. Listen to our prayers and help us in our needs. Save us from every danger, glorious and blessed Virgin.”

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1. The time for the Messianic prophecies to be fulfilled in unassuming Bethlehem has come. A city that the first reading calls “too small” among the great clans of Judah! How sharply our ideas of greatness and God’s ideas of greatness contrast. What “small” steps can you take to make sure that the Lord is at the center of your plans for Christmas?
2. In the Responsorial Psalm, we pray that the Lord would let us “see” his face. In all the activities, and hustle of these last few days before Christmas, what practical steps can you take to spend time with the Lord and “see” his face?
3. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews puts these words in the mouth of Christ addressed to his Father: “Behold, I come to do your will.” Sometimes it is difficult to discern the will of the Lord. In spite of this, how can we make these words of Jesus become more of a reality in our own lives?
4. The Gospel tells us that Mary is “blessed” because she believed and trusted in God and his words to her. This belief is based on the unshakeable conviction that God is to be trusted, not because we understand, but simply become he is worthy to be trusted. What a great model Mary is. Are their any obstacles in your life that keep you from having a deeper faith and trust in Jesus and from believing in his great love for you and plan for your life?
5. The meditation ends with these words, “Today, on the eve of Jesus’ birth, take all of your needs and requests and lay them at Mary’s feet. Pray for yourself, your family, your church, your community, even the world. No petition is too small or too meaningless. No request is too outlandish. In trust and humility, ask Mary to pray with you and for you. Her ears are open, and her heart is full of love for all her children.” If you are in a men’s group, share some specific needs you have that you can take to Mary for her intercession. Then take some time at the end of your meeting to pray the rosary, asking Mary to intercede for your needs. End by saying the prayer at the end of the meditation. 

Come Holy Spirit!  ~  Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and en kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, you taught the hearts of your faithful by sending them the light of your Holy Spirit. In that same spirit give us your right judgment and the joy of your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayer to St. Joseph  ~  Glorious St. Joseph, guide and protector of the Holy Family, we ask that you obtain for us from your son, Jesus, the strength and wisdom to lead our families to their Father in heaven. Most Chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we imitate your obedience to the will of God and be ever mindful of the vocation to which we have been called. Amen