20 Dec
Thu 		3rd Week of Advent
Is. 7:10-14
Ps. 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Lk. 1:26-38
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During these days of Advent we often read the Gospel texts referring to John the Baptist. John was a great sign of hope for Israel, and hope is at the centre of all the Church's reflection during this season of preparation for Advent. Today, however, our thoughts turn to Mary. Traditionally called "The Golden Mass", today's Mass has throughout the ages been celebrated in a special way. For all our thoughts of Mary, Mother of Jesus, are special.

In the Alleluia verse we pray that Jesus "Key of David", may free the prisoners of darkness. This is a fitting prayer to make in a Mass which particularly honours Mary, for she was freed from darkness at her very conception: she was conceived without original sin, and stands before us as a promise that one day we too will be totally set free from darkness in the glory of the resurrection.

Each time we recite the "Hail Mary" we repeat the words of the angel, the very words of God inviting Mary to represent all humanity in reversing the stance of Adam. Celebrating the mystery of Mary, we celebrate the loving kindness of our God, who has desired to set us free from all the darkness of sin.


Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That Christians may free themselves from the subtle forms of cultural conditioning which prevent them from recognising the dignity and rights of others
Elaboration

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P R A Y I N G    W I T H    T H E    C H U R C H    

INTENTION : That Christians may free themselves from the subtle forms of cultural conditioning which prevent them from recognising the dignity and rights of others

Our vocation and mission as Christians is to bring the light of Christ to the world in order to preserve the world from corruption by permeating it with the values of the Gospel. We need, ourselves, first and foremost to be enlightened by Christ. We do not generate light, we only refract, reflect and radiate. It is His light that we must cast on the world. The more transparent our lives are with the values of the Gospel, the better is the light of Christ reflected and the less we are seen.

The world in which we live is mixed with wheat and weeds. There is good and evil. Consumerism is but the logical sequence of a materialistic way of life. Spiritual values are forgotten. Our wants are made to appear as our needs and we are forced to get so immersed in the joys of this world as to forget the joys of the world to come. We are admonished to be aware lest we be trapped by these and other forms of cultural conditioning that mark this world.

Awareness is the first step to change. We pray that this awareness may help us to be delivered from the cultural conditioning that hinders and hampers our vision and prevents us from recognising the dignity and the rights of others.



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