The Liturgy Podcast from Spirit & Song

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God..." On this Mass During the Day, we reflect on the meaning behind the wondrous events of the Incarnation story.

"Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place." In the City of David, God's promise of salvation has been fulfilled as the Eternal Word, Jesus the Lord, is born of Mary.

"For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord." At his very birth, Jesus of Nazareth, born in Bethlehem, was Savior and Lord. Tonight, we adore the infant who became our salvation.

"All this took place to fulfill what the Lord said through the prophet: Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel..." Merry Christmas! The Vigil Mass begins the four-fold liturgical celebration of the Nativity of the Lord.

"Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled." Mary's joyful faith inspires us as we transition from Advent to Christmas.

"One mightier than I is coming. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." John the Baptist declares that when Jesus comes he will immerse us in the Holy Spirit to set the world ablaze with the power and the presence of God.

"Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low." Just as Mary held the Word of God preparing to bring our Savior into the world, so we, too, are dwelling with the Word in order to bring Jesus to the world.

"Mary said, 'Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.'" On this joyful solemnity, we celebrate Mary's great Yes.

"They will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory... Your redemption is at hand." The joyful season of Advent begins!

"Pilate said to him, 'Then you are a king?' Jesus answered, 'You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world.'" At the of the end liturgical year, we profess our faith in the Lordship of Jesus Christ. There is a coming kingdom that will have no end.

"Stand up and go! Your faith has saved you." As we gather for Thanksgiving Day, let us be thankful for the gift of faith that grounds our families and binds us together in love.

Jesus will be victorious over the world's terror and uncertainty.

Faith asks for us to give everything and to trust that God will supply everything we need.

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart . . . You shall love your neighbor as yourself." With these words, Jesus provides the fundamental pursuit of the Christian.

We celebrate our unity in Christ with the Communion of Saints in this week's episode of The Liturgy Podcast, presented by Ken Canedo

"Master, I want to see." Jesus told him, "Go your way; your faith has saved you." Bartimaeus teaches us to always seek the Lord confidently, no matter what other people think.

"Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all." Many spiritual writers have observed that the virtue of humility is the gateway to all other virtues. Christ calls us to be servants.

"At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions." Salvation is found when we are able to live in freedom and to have God alone to be enough for us.

"What God has joined together, no human being must separate." Jesus gives his teaching on marriage and divorce.

"There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me." We are all called to serve the Lord.

"Whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me." Jesus teaches us that discipleship is not self-serving or glory-seeking. We are called to humble service.

"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." Discipleship is the challenge of the Cross.

"He looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, 'Ephphatha!'-- that is, 'Be opened!' -- And immediately the man's ears were opened." God has spoken and God continues to speak. As he opens eyes and ears, we pray, too, that we would be aware of God's work in our lives.

"He summoned the crowd again and said to them, 'Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile." Holiness is found, not in our external piety, but within a heart that is set doing the will of God.

"I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." We ask for the new school year to be consecrated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and we ask for him to shepherd us through the coming months.