FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT (A)
(Expectant Mothers)
22nd December 2019


Dear Parishioner,

Loving, responsive obedience to God, as modelled for us in the Gospel by St. Joseph, is the central theme of today's readings, with special emphasis on the Virgin Birth of Jesus.

In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah gives a sign from God to King Ahaz of Judah: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (Is 7:14).

In the second reading, Paul asserts that Jesus was a descendant of David and thus the Messiah. Paul explains that the only begotten Son of God, become Incarnate as Jesus, was revealed and established by the Father as Son of God in power by his Resurrection from the dead. Then Paul provides a sweeping summary of God's mighty acts in history through Jesus Christ.

Today's Gospel, from Matthew, focuses on the person and role of Joseph. For Jesus to fulfil the Messianic prophecy given by Isaiah, Joseph had to, and freely did, accept Jesus as his son, making Jesus a legal descendant of David because Joseph was a descendant of David. Hence, Matthew makes it clear that Jesus was not the biological child of Joseph. But because Joseph was the husband of Mary at the time Jesus was born, Jesus was legally the son of Joseph and thus a descendant of David.

Let us therefore trust in God, listen to Him and be faithful. Instead of relying on our own schemes to get us through life, let us trust in God and be strengthened by talking to Him in fervent prayer and by listening to Him speaking through the Bible.

May our immediate preparation for the coming of our saviour be meaningful and intense in these days. Wishing you all a very blessed Christmas with all the blessings from the divine child born in the manger.

"Merry Christmas to all"

SEND, O LORD: HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH

Fr Sabu Pariyadan RCJ


CHRISTMAS MASSES AT ST AUGUSTINE'S

TUESDAY 24 DECEMBER Christmas Eve
FIRST MASS OF CHRISTMAS
St Augustine 8.00pm
8.30pm
Carols followed by
Vigil Mass

WEDNESDAY 25 DECEMBER Christmas Day
St Augustine 9.00am Solemn Mass

Notices:

Please remember to pray for:

Daily for the sick clergy of our Diocese

The sick and housebound

Those who have recently died

Years Mind:
Sunday: Fr Arthur Cowd
Monday: Bp Brian Foley
Wednesday: Canon Wilfrid Thompson
Thursday: Fr Francis Greenan
Friday: Fr Francis Wilson
Saturday: Eric Pearson