Reflections on the Sunday Readings

                                                             Our gospel this fourth Sunday of Advent asks us to reflect on the role of Joseph in the life of Jesus and Mary.                                                                                                            Through Mary, Jesus took his humanity and through Joseph, he was given the connection to the line of King David, because Joseph was of the house and lineage of David.  In fact, according to the Gospel of Matthew, Joseph could trace his lineage all the way back to Abraham.  (Matthew 1:1...

  Gaudette Sunday Rejoice the Promised One is Near This Sunday is the midpoint of Advent.   We are almost there, but not yet.   And yet the Church calls us to be of great joy (i.e., Gaudette) that he is near.   Can our mind’s eye, see, he is the long-awaited one.                                                                                                 Our   readings this weekend are depicted in sharp contrast with those of   the last two weeks.   The first reading shows us a desert scene which is coming into blossom. The depiction in that reading is not so much about an environment as it is about a people coming into the fullness of their relationship with God.   “They will see the glory of the Lord, t...