Reid thinks Bin Laden is Dead

From Channel 4 KRNV.com:

"Nevada Senator Harry Reid thinks Osama Bin Laden was killed in last month's earthquake in Pakistan.

Speaking Wednesday on News 4's Nevada News Makers, Reid says he was informed today that Bin Laden may have died in the October temblor.

'I heard today that he may have died in the earthquake that they had in Pakistan, seriously.' Reid says that if that is the case, 'that's good for the world.'"

Plenary Indulgence for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Perhaps his first encyclical will be Marian in scope?

 

From the Vatican Information Service:

 

 "December 8," the text reads, "will mark 40 years since Servant of God Paul VI, Supreme Pontiff, who had already proclaimed the Virgin Mary as Mother of the Church, in closing Vatican Council II dedicated great praise to the Virgin who, as Mother of Christ, is Mother of God and spiritual Mother to us all.

 

  "On this Solemnity, the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI, when he renders public homage of praise to Mary Immaculate, has the heartfelt desire that the entire Church should join with him, so that all the faithful, united in the name of the common Mother, become ever stronger in the faith, adhere with greater devotion to Christ, and love their brothers with more fervent charity. From here - as Vatican Council II very wisely taught - arise works of mercy towards the needy, observance of justice, and the defense of and search for peace."

 

  For this reason, the decree continues, the Holy Father "has kindly granted the gift of Plenary Indulgence which may be obtained under the usual conditions (sacramental Confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer in keeping with the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff), with the soul completely removed from attachment to any form of sin, on the forthcoming Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, by the faithful if they participate in a sacred function in honor of the Virgin, or at least offer open testimony of Marian devotion before an image of Mary Immaculate exposed for public veneration, adding the recitation of the Our Father and of the Creed, and some invocation to the Virgin."

Crowds Flock to View Bloody Tears of Statue

The most viewed image on Yahoo images over the weekend...

From Foxreno.com:

Crowds have begun gathering at a tiny Catholic Church on the outskirts of Sacramento to view an outdoor statue of the Virgin Mary that appears to be shedding tears of blood.

Members of the parish -- the Vietnamese Catholic Martyrs Church on Jackson Road -- first noticed the tears last Wednesday, but the statue was wiped clean by one of the parish's priests, fearing it was the work of someone playing a prank.

Pope's Angelus for Today

Referencing today's Gospel reading...

From Asia News Italy:

The Gospel invites us today to remain vigilant in anticipation of Christ’s second coming. Jesus says: ‘Keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come’ (Mk 13:35-37). The short parable about the master who leaves for a trip and the servants charged with keeping watch, highlights the importance of being ready to welcome the Lord when, unexpectedly, he comes. The Christian community anxiously awaits his “manifestation” and the apostle Paul, writing to the Corinthians, exhorts them to trust in God’s faithfulness and to live in such a way as to be found ‘faultless’ (cfr 1 Cor 1:7-9) on the day of the Lord. Therefore, it is very opportune that the Liturgy should put the words of the Psalm on our lips at the beginning of Advent: ‘Show us Lord, your mercy, and give us your salvation’ (Ps.84:8)

“We may say that Advent is the time in which Christians should reawaken in their heart the hope of being able, with God’s help, to renew the world. From this point of view, I want to call to mind, today too, the Constitution of the Second Vatican Council Gaudium et Spes about the Church in the modern world: Christian hope is deeply pervasive in its text. I refer in particular to no. 39, entitled “New earth and new heaven”. Here we read: “We are taught that God is preparing a new dwelling place and a new earth where justice will abide (cfr 2 Cor 5:2; 2 Pt 3:13)… the expectation of a new earth must not weaken but rather stimulate our concern for cultivating this one”. We will find the good fruits of our work again when Christ hands over his eternal and universal Kingdom to his Father. The most Holy Mary, Virgin of Advent, enables us to live this time of grace vigilant and hardworking as we wait on the Lord.

First Sunday of Advent, Year B

Mark 13:33-37
P. Prepare
Watch!
1. Jesus presents this teaching on the Mount of Olives just before the Passion.
2. "No one knows the day nor the hour" is the preceeding verse of the Gospel.
3. Christians are to be constantly in a state of expectation of the Lord's return no matter how delayed he may seem.
4. The gospel contains a mini parable, comparing the vocation of a Christian to a "doorkeeper"...interestingly two of North America's most holy men of the last century both worked as "porters or doorkeepers": Canada's (and New England's) Blessed Andre Besset and the U.S.'s Venerable Solanus Casey...might this be interpreted as some sign that the Lord's comign is nearer now? On any account it was the "doorkeepers" one job to watch for the coming of a anyone. (one might also reflect on last Sunday's Gospel and the coming of the Lord under his many guises).
5. The doorkeeper is given "charge"...the Greek word exousia which also can mean "power"
6. What is said is underscored not to be just for the Apostles but for everyone...."Watch!"

R. Read
Read Mark 13:33-37 slowly. What strikes you as you read the selection? You might want to read it again before you go to Mass on Sunday.
A. Attend
Listen to all of the readings at Mass. How do the First Reading and Responsorial Psalm add to what the Gospel says? What speaks to you as you hear the Gospel proclaimed? What in the homily touches you or adds to what you were already thinking?
Y. Yield
How can you keep watch? Read the stories of Solanus Casey and Brother Andre...how did they watch for Christ as doorkeepers in their lives? How might you celebrate this Advent season by watching more intensely for Christ?

Here is a suggestion:
Pray the Divine Office throughout the day (all seven hours) as a way of "keeping watch" for Christ both in his future Second Coming but also as he comes to you in the guise of the poor.

Put the Mass back into Christmas!

Worried about the secularization of Christmas? Give the gift that calls to mind the presence of Christ available to all...and explains how in detail to those who have not heard or do not understand...and another that helps those who "get" the gift that is being offered daily by Our Lord to "get" the most from it!

Everyday can be Christmas! (except Good Friday)

Put the Mass back into your family and friends Christmas by giving them the tools necessary... tape it to the back of that ipod or whatever gift they think they want...

Like a Deer...

Snow and cold, cold wind here, but in the midst of the ravages of nature... a peaceful sight.

So to in the battle between the Kingdom of God and our fallen nature, we know who wins, so why not put our trust in Him.

From Psalm 42:

Like the deer that yearns for running streams,
so my soul is yearning for you, my God.

My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life;
when can I enter and see the face of God?