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December 15, 2009
Advent Weekday

Read

Read the last lesson from this year’s celebration
of “Lessons and Carols.”

 

 

Daily Readings

Pray

Prayer for Protection of Human Life at its Beginning
God our Father, you lovingly knit us in our mothers’ womb.  Grant that each human embryo will be respected as a human being, and not dismissed as a product to be manipulated or destroyed. Grant us the courage and conviction to be your voice for our sisters and brothers at the very earliest stages of their development, and for all defenseless unborn children.
Jesus, Divine Healer, foster in those conducting medical research a commitment to finding cures in ways that respect  these little ones and all your vulnerable children.
Holy Spirit, grant us the wisdom to develop morally sound treatments for conditions now thought to be incurable. Help us persevere in defending human life while alleviating suffering.
Show mercy to all who have cooperated in killing our tiniest brothers and sisters. Bring them and all who support destructive embryo research to true conversion. Grant them the ability to see the immeasurable dignity of all human beings even in the first days of life.
Father, we ask this in Jesus’ name, through the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Reflect

Pope Benedict XVI , Year One, 82
Through You
Are you willing to give me your flesh, your time, your life? This is the voice of the Lord who also wants to enter our epoch, he wants to enter human life through us. He also seeks a living dwelling place in our personal lives. This is the coming of the Lord. Let us once again learn this in the season of Advent: the Lord can also come among us.

Homily at St. Peter’s Basilica
November 26, 2005

Act

Read the Ten Commandments.  What is God asking us to do by commanding “thou shalt not?”  What guidelines do you have in your family?  Why were they  developed ?