Immaculata University Advent Reflection Booklet
Immaculata University Advent Reflection Booklet Immaculata University Advent Reflection Booklet
December 16, 2011Third Friday of AdventYou have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. Notthat I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you maybe saved. John was a lamp that burned and gave light andyou chose for a time to enjoy his light. I have testimonyweightier than that of John. For the works that the Father hasgiven me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testifythat the Father has sent me. John 5:33-36Jesus claimed His Divinity; He tells the Pharisees that He doesthings only God can do. Jesus says in Vs 19-20 He is equal withGod; Vs 21 as God, He is the Giver of Life; Vs 22-23 He is thefinal Judge; Vs 24 He will determine the eternal destiny of humanity;Vs 25-29 He will raise the dead; Vs 30 He is always doing thewill of God. In Vs 31 Jesus bows to the rabbinical demand for witnessesoutside Himself as to His true nature. He tells us, “John wasa lamp that burned and gave light…” Jesus didn’t need John’s testimony,He says, “I have testimony weightier than that of John.” Yetelsewhere in the Gospels Jesus tells us, our works and our livesshould testify to what we believe. We are to be that light to others.Almost sounds like a contradiction, but it’s not. Jesus in our Gospelsays that He doesn’t need our witness for Himself. So, could itbe that we are the ones who need a witness of the Lord in our dailylives? Indeed, we need the witness and authentication of other’sespecially when we are weak, fearful, or in doubt. When we proclaimJesus as eternal God, it is faith, hope, and love that give usstrength to continue to believe in good times and in bad.God, our Father, John the Baptist pointed to your only begotten Son, Jesus, asMessiah and Lord. Let the light of truth shine forth in our lives that will directothers to Jesus. In this Advent Season, as we await Jesus' coming, may wemore deeply give ourselves in the loving example of Jesus Christ who is Lordforever and ever. AmenDr. Thomas F. O’BrienAssociate Dean, College of Graduate Studies
December 17, 2011Third Saturday of AdventJacob that father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her wasborn Jesus who is called Christ. Matthew. 1:16Upon first reading today’s Gospel about the genealogy of JesusChrist, I wanted to say, “Who cares?” I mean obviously it is importantto know that Jesus can be traced back to Abraham, butwho wants to sit through a whole reading of the ancestors of Jesus?But upon further reflection, I realized that it is not necessarily importantwho the ancestors of Jesus are, but rather that He had ancestors.Jesus was human. He too had a family, just as we havefamilies. Just as we have families who annoy one another, supportone another, and love one another unconditionally, so too did Jesus!Beyond our own individual families, the Gospel reading today remindsus that we are all one family. Under God our Father, we areall brothers and sisters. During this Advent Season, let us remember,pray for, and be thankful for our biological and spiritual familymembers.Dear Lord, we thank You for both the biological and spiritual families Youhave provided for us. We ask that during this holiday season that we rememberthat family is a blessing, despite differences and stresses. We ask that You blessthose in our families for whom we are concerned and ask that You give ushearts to accept and appreciate those brothers and sisters with whom we haveproblems. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenCourtney SahmClass of 2012English MajorCommunications Minor
- Page 6: November 30, 2011First Wednesday of
- Page 10 and 11: December 4, 2011Second Sunday of Ad
- Page 12 and 13: Jesus said to his disciples: "What
- Page 14 and 15: And Mary said, “Behold, I am the
- Page 16 and 17: December 10, 2011Second Saturday of
- Page 18 and 19: December 12, 2011Feast of Our lady
- Page 20 and 21: “I am the Lord, there is no other
- Page 24 and 25: December 18, 2011Fourth Sunday of A
- Page 26: December 20, 2011Fourth Tuesday of
- Page 30 and 31: December 24Fourth Saturday of Adven
- Page 32: Office of Mission and Ministry&Depa
December 16, 2011Third Friday of <strong>Advent</strong>You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. Notthat I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you maybe saved. John was a lamp that burned and gave light andyou chose for a time to enjoy his light. I have testimonyweightier than that of John. For the works that the Father hasgiven me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testifythat the Father has sent me. John 5:33-36Jesus claimed His Divinity; He tells the Pharisees that He doesthings only God can do. Jesus says in Vs 19-20 He is equal withGod; Vs 21 as God, He is the Giver of Life; Vs 22-23 He is thefinal Judge; Vs 24 He will determine the eternal destiny of humanity;Vs 25-29 He will raise the dead; Vs 30 He is always doing thewill of God. In Vs 31 Jesus bows to the rabbinical demand for witnessesoutside Himself as to His true nature. He tells us, “John wasa lamp that burned and gave light…” Jesus didn’t need John’s testimony,He says, “I have testimony weightier than that of John.” Yetelsewhere in the Gospels Jesus tells us, our works and our livesshould testify to what we believe. We are to be that light to others.Almost sounds like a contradiction, but it’s not. Jesus in our Gospelsays that He doesn’t need our witness for Himself. So, could itbe that we are the ones who need a witness of the Lord in our dailylives? Indeed, we need the witness and authentication of other’sespecially when we are weak, fearful, or in doubt. When we proclaimJesus as eternal God, it is faith, hope, and love that give usstrength to continue to believe in good times and in bad.God, our Father, John the Baptist pointed to your only begotten Son, Jesus, asMessiah and Lord. Let the light of truth shine forth in our lives that will directothers to Jesus. In this <strong>Advent</strong> Season, as we await Jesus' coming, may wemore deeply give ourselves in the loving example of Jesus Christ who is Lordforever and ever. AmenDr. Thomas F. O’BrienAssociate Dean, College of Graduate Studies
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