18th December 2016 - 3rd Sunday of Advent - Reflection with Fr Martin Browne OSB

On this the fourth Sunday of Advent, SS102fm is joined by Fr Martin Browne OSB from Glenstal Abbey to reflect on this last week of preparation, and the final opportunity it gives us before Christmas. We have our regular reflection on this weeks Sunday gospel as well as other liturgical odds and ends.

You can listen to the podcast of this weeks full programme HERE.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Fr Martin Browne OSB from Glenstal joins us on this weeks programme to reflect with us on the fourth and final week of Advent and how it is a last opportunity to prepare spiritually for Christmas. Taking the week day gospel readings as sign posts for our reflections Fr Martin takes us through the buildup to the coming of the Messiah through the experiences of Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth and Zechariah and how it reaches a crescendo at Christmas. 

It is a short but thought provoking reflection and well worth a listen. You can listen to the reflection from Fr Martin excerpted from the main programme HERE.

Gospel - Matthew 1:18-24

"Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 
But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ 
All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 
‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel’, which means, ‘God is with us.’ 
When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife,

Reflections on this weeks gospel:

Word on Fire
Sunday Reflections
Centre for Liturgy
English Dominicans
Vatican Radio

Liturgical odds & ends

Liturgy of the Hours - Psalter week 4, 4th week of Advent

Saints of the Week

December 19th - Bl Bogumila Noisezeweska
December 20th - St Fachanan
December 21st - St Peter Canisius
December 22nd - Bl Bertheid of Munster
December 23rd - St John Kanty
December 24th - Blessed Francesco dei Maleficii