Kennedy Catholic High School
2018 Advent Reflections
FRONT COVER
Anita Shields, Kennedy Catholic Junior BACK COVER
Nicholas Bischoff, Kennedy Catholic Senior
Advent Reflections
2018 Prelude
s we approach and prepare for the birth of the Christ Child, members of our community have written personal reflections for this holy season of Advent. Each of the scripture readings have been chosen by the Catholic Church for daily Mass. We are invited every year to nurture the themes of Advent in our minds, hearts, and actions. The way of the Christ Child is the way of hope, peace, joy, and love. Our hope is this Advent booklet might be one of the ways that God brings Advent to your heart and your home. As always, we are grateful to everyone who helps make this project possible. The artwork featured throughout the booklet was carefully created by Kennedy Catholic student-artists. Thank you to Mr. Dale Dolejsi and his Studio Drawing and Painting class for their collaboration. And, so the journey begins... Warmest wishes for a blessed Advent and a Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.
FACULTY AND STAFF
Kennedy Catholic High School
December
02
First Sunday of Advent
FIRST READING
Jeremiah 33:14-16 SECOND READING
1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2 GOSPEL
Luke 21:25-28, 34-36
tty Hillesum was a vibrant young Jewish woman who lived in Nazi occupied Amsterdam in the early 1940s and died in Auschwitz in 1943. In the months before she was arrested, she underwent a profound transformation through the help of a friend, who encouraged her to begin a diary. His influence on her spiritual development is apparent in her writing. He used scripture and the writings of St. Augustine to teach her how to deal with her depression and egocentric moods. Ultimately, she refused to succumb to hate, and in this way, overcame the evil of the Holocaust. Etty began writing her diary in March 1941 and continued until her death. While at Auschwitz, she spent the last three months of her life caring for the vulnerable, visiting the sick in the hospital barracks, and writing letters to friends. By her vitality and warmth, her humanity and compassionate care – she became a source of life and inspiration to others. It was from this place that, despite everything that was happening around her, she wrote, “life is glorious and magnificent.” She was not particularly religious or faith-filled; rather a woman at the mercy of the “influences of the world,” she would say. Yet God decided to use her; that she accepted His invitation is at the center of today’s readings. Etty saw the signs of the time and by the power of the Holy Spirit, made a decision to allow herself to be guided, formed and taught, giving others similar hope. She replaced her sinful past, the evil and hate surrounding her, and became a source of life and inspiration to others. I love the last entry of her diary when she refers to life as glorious and magnificent just days before her execution. I can’t help but think she saw herself meeting Jesus face to face, the same imminent encounter we will all face, confident as she stood before the Son of Man. Pray today that we know Jesus, we walk with Jesus and we prepare well for the day we meet Jesus. This is Advent at its best.
MIKE PRATO President
December
03
Memorial of St. Francis Xavier, Priest
FIRST READING
Isaiah 2:1-5 GOSPEL
Matthew 8:5-11
dvent is a time of preparation for the coming of Jesus into the world; it reminds us of the journey of Joseph and Mary towards the birth of Christ, the Savior of the world. Psalm 122 leads us to meditate on that joy with the people of Israel walking towards Jerusalem, the city of God, and it invites us to sing with the same joy by saying, “let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord”. As good Jews, Mary and Joseph also came to the city as pilgrims, even though Jesus was soon to be born, it was not an obstacle that prevented them from fulfilling their spiritual obligations so they also walked to meet the Lord. This pilgrimage reminds us that our life is an invitation to meet the Lord and we must prepare ourselves so Christ may be born in our lives once again. We are called to make the face of God shine in our souls by attending to the needs of those who suffer the most because they are sick, hungry, or helpless. Advent also means preparing our hearts with a deep faith, just as the centurion did when he told Jesus that his word is enough for the sick to heal. Let us pilgrimage together in the footsteps of Joseph and Mary to the birth of Christ during Advent by truly desiring to change our lives and allowing Jesus to come and live among us. May the celebration of his birth this Christmas help us to be men and women of a deep faith without limits, languages, or borders to help the most vulnerable. Jesus coming into the world means the arrival of love, peace and happiness, but above all the incarnation of God is the salvation of all men. God wanted to come to us by making one like us, so let us allow ourselves to be transformed during this Advent so that God's peace may truly shine in our lives and in all those around us this Christmas.
FR. JOSÉ ALVAREZ Kennedy Catholic Chaplain
CALVIN SAM
Kennedy Catholic Junior
December
04
Tuesday of the First Week of Advent
FIRST READING
Isaiah 11:1-10 GOSPEL
Luke 10:21-24
oday’s readings bring to mind a quote from Fr. Greg Boyle’s Tattoos on the Heart, “Close both eyes; see with the other one. Then, we are no longer saddled by the burden of our persistent judgements, our ceaseless withholding, our constant exclusion. Our sphere has widened, and we find ourselves, quite unexpectedly, in a new, expansive location, in a place of endless acceptance and infinite love.” The readings describe a time where justice and peace prevail, where the “wolf shall be a guest of the lamb” and “the cow and the bear shall be neighbors.” This image of justice and peace, being one of mutuality and companionship, leads me to thinking about the means to achieve true peace and justice in our time, and the necessity of dismantling the barriers that exclude to live in radical kinship and compassion for others. This time where the bear and the cow live as neighbors is a reminder that we belong to each other, not despite our differences but in awe of those differences. When we stand in awe of each other, we are able to move into this “new location” Fr. Greg speaks of and into the flourishing of justice and the fullness of peace. The readings prompt us to remember the goal of the Advent season – to anticipate and prepare for the arrival of the bringer of peace. To ready our hearts and minds we must live in compassion and kinship with others, in astounding awe of each other... so much so that the barriers that exclude are dismantled by our ability to see each other the way The Lord intends. The readings charge us to reimagine our world and challenge any and all spaces that seek to exclude... to see each other the way The Creator does, “blessed are the eyes that see what you see,” justice flourishing and the fullness of peace for ever.
SOFIA LOPEZ Theology Teacher and Campus Minister
December
05
Wednesday of the First Week of Advent
FIRST READING
Isaiah 25:6-10a GOSPEL
Matthew 15:29-37
ften, we become so caught up in our own lives that God seems irrelevant. We simply accept the fact that we are on our own, letting our anxieties consume us. We forget that God is still there, even if we have not been giving him much of our time. It is easy to forget God. However powerful, loving, and brilliant He is, life sometimes stands in our way. We are busy all the time, and often neglect our relationships with God to keep up with everyone else. When we neglect God, we forget that we have the Creator of the universe on our side. We forget to place our trust in Him. God is so incredibly loving, and there is not a time in our lives when He does not provide what we need. Not what is convenient, not what we want, but what we truly need to eventually reach fulfillment. He knows us like a parent knows his or her child. Have you ever heard your parent say, “Trust me, I know what is best for you?" God thinks this way too, even when we face insurmountable obstacles in life. He has a plan, and He will provide the necessary graces we need to overcome even the most stressful situations and the busiest times. This Advent season, I invite you to remember that God is on your side. You cannot do it all by yourself. Give Him your worries, anxieties, burdens, and truly trust in Him. He will provide. He will never steer you wrong; you only need to trust in the process, for everything is possible through God.
PAISLEY STEADMAN Kennedy Catholic Senior
FACULTY AND STAFF
Kennedy Catholic High School
JENNIFER DO Kennedy Catholic Senior
December
06
Thursday of the First Week of Advent
FIRST READING
Isaiah 26:1-6 GOSPEL
Matthew 7:21, 24-27
o enter the city of salvation, we must be righteous and faithful, for those at peace with Him are welcome…the doors will open, for in Him we receive eternal peace. Never forget those who know they need God for they are the poor and needy - when we humble ourselves before God, He welcomes us and we find our foundation - our rock. While tempted by material goods, false narratives, close confidants and dark situations, we only need to trust God for He is good. And, in Him, we are at peace and comforted by His justice. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Shine! Light! Live! In His name. Anyone can call the Lord or use His name, but those who believe in the gospel are welcomed. It’s more than words He seeks; we are accountable for our actions and by honoring God, we are invited into His glorious kingdom. We all need a proper foundation - our rock. Each of us is building our lives and the proper one is on the foundation of the Lord’s words. This is wise.
DAVID VINSON English Teacher
December
07
Memorial of St. Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
FIRST READING
Isaiah 29:17-24 GOSPEL
Matthew 9:27-31
oday’s Gospel is about seeing. In this passage we hear the story of Jesus healing two blind men. Prior to the miracle, Jesus asked them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” When the men confirmed their belief and their sight was returned, Jesus told them not to say anything about it to others. He did not want to be a sensation or give people the wrong idea about His real mission. But the men ignored His request and told everyone they encountered what had happened. What they experienced was not just the return of their physical sight. They also gained the ability to really see - to see who Jesus is and they simply had to share that broadly. Advent is a time for us to be aware of our own blindness. We may have difficulty clearly seeing and accepting the Word of God. If we are to celebrate Christ’s birth properly, we must learn how to see deeply into the meaning of His birth and life. We must understand and accept that the baby in the stable is our source of light, vision and understanding. May the Advent season bring you renewed clarity and restore your ability to truly see Christ in everyone you meet in the new year.
AMY HALL Strategic Program Manager
HUIYING (RICE) SHEN Kennedy Catholic Junior
December
08
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
FIRST READING
Genesis 3:9-15, 20 SECOND READING
Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12 GOSPEL
Luke 1:26-38
s I reflect on the readings for the 8th of December, I can’t help but notice the symmetry between reading 1 from Genesis 3, describing the fall of humankind, and the Gospel reading from Luke 1, describing the angel Gabriel’s visit with Mary. I am struck by this full circle moment which so clearly highlights the fulfillment of the promise spoken in Genesis, but also clearly shows the characteristics of leadership, holiness, grace, purity, thoughtfulness, courage, faithfulness, obedience, humility, and miraculous wonder that the Mother of our Lord embodies. Through her encounter with the angel Gabriel, Mary shows us the model of the Christian walk. She is an exemplar of faith and leads us as the ultimate servant; a true servant leader. She illuminates the path we are to follow as disciples of Christ. Mary’s perspective on life is clearly shaped by her faith in God. What if we framed life’s challenges with the same perspective? Which of Mary’s characteristics do we possess that we can lean on when faced with uncertainty and challenge? As a soldier in the Army National Guard, I have learned to rely on my training when faced with challenges both on and off the battle field. Mary was clearly well trained. She faced a big challenge and it’s safe to say that in this moment with the angel, she did not know exactly what the future had in store for her except that she would bring the “Son of the Most High” into the world. Her faith training guided her and she accepted this role, no matter the cost. She so trusted God, that she jumped into the unknown with both feet, not caring where she personally landed, only trusting that God would take care of her. What can we do to imitate Mary in our own lives and lead a life of unfettered faithfulness to God?
DAN RUITER Director of Instrumental Music
December
09
Second Sunday of Advent
FIRST READING
Baruch 5:1-9
SECOND READING
Phil 1:4-6, 8-11 GOSPEL
Luke 3:1-6
oday we hear an anthem for our faith journey “from a voice of one crying out in the desert”. The prophet Isaiah prophesized the Savior’s coming many years before Jesus walked among us. Surely, this message emboldened the faithful to stay on the right path. This voice cries, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” Who are prophets of today that remind us of our hearts desire to stay focused on God? Could we see our own voices joining the cry of the one in the desert? For many of us, it is hard to stand up and put ourselves out there for our faith. It is often on retreat where we come most in touch with our connection to God and to the gift Jesus is in our lives. However, each day we can take a mini-retreat in morning prayer or a moment in the Chapel sometime throughout the day to center ourselves for Jesus’ coming. Take some time today to reflect on how your voice might join the multitudes in welcoming Jesus among us.
JENNY FARRELL '92 Director of Campus Ministry, Theology Teacher
YSABELLA (YSA) PEREZ Kennedy Catholic Freshman
December
10
Monday of the Second Week of Advent
FIRST READING
Isaiah 35:1-10 GOSPEL
Luke 5:17-26
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trengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak; Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; With divine recompense he comes to save you." Isaiah 35:3-4 "...that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" - he said to the one who was paralyzed, "I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home." "We have seen incredible things today." cf Luke 5:17-26 It’s dark out. The fog hangs low, blanketing the trees so that there is no way to see their tips. Perhaps the cold is finally getting under my skin, and it’s quite a ways until the darkness lifts. We might not have deserts here in the Northwest, but we do definitely have our own deserts. One of my favorite lines in Isaiah is the one I have quoted above. Sometimes we think of God being silent. Isaiah reminds God’s people that He never likes when His people are ‘in the dark,’ when they are wounded and hurting. God comes with vindication, not vindictiveness, and He comes speaking a single word to save me from my deserts: my own inability to fix myself, to truly realize the infinite desires of my heart in my finite existence, to restore all relationship that has been broken in the world. Jesus comes, the one Word of the Father, uttered and continually echoed through all of the ages and given to me, out of pure gratuitous love. Jesus came and didn’t end by abandoning me, though. He gave me a place in His Body, with His Body, that recalls the Father’s Word: forgiving sin, reestablishing humanity with its Maker, giving me His own life in His Body and Blood. God has spoken. He is speaking. He is coming! Come, Lord Jesus!
FR. LOUIS CUNNINGHAM '10 Parochial Vicar at St. Michael Parish in Olympia
December
11
Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent
FIRST READING
Isaiah 40:1-11 GOSPEL
Matthew 18:12-14
ust as highways lead people in different directions to various locations, so does the road of life. Set on the road from the moment we are born, we spend our lives making choices and actions that alter our pathway. Perhaps a bad decision will occur and we find ourselves stuck in a dead end, needing to make a U-turn. When we choose to perform positively, reflecting the characteristics God has passed on to us, we hit every green light, reaching our destination faster. At times we may be tempted to take the backroads or a shortcut, but again God leads us back to the main road and the promise of a life with Him in Heaven. Finally, there may be moments in our lives where distractions occur and we find ourselves on the beaten path, or perhaps even with a broken down car, in need of the guidance of God to heal our wounds and lead us back towards Him. The readings today imply the message of God guiding us along the path of life and searching for us when we become lost or stray from Him. Matthew 18:12-14 tells the story of a man missing one of his sheep and how he goes searching throughout the hills to find the missing sheep. Continuing on, the man rejoices upon finding the lost sheep, and compares it to God who rejoices when we have strayed but choose to return. God will always stand beside us, even in the toughest challenges life presents and will always protect and forgive us. During the Advent season in particular, I encourage you to think about following the life of the disciples and living in the image of God himself. Instead of straying from the pack and the highway of life, follow God instead and ask for forgiveness from past sins.
CARLY ELLIOTT Kennedy Catholic Senior
LYDIA CALDERON Kennedy Catholic Sophomore
December
12
Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe
FIRST READING
Zechariah 2:14-17 GOSPEL
Luke 1:26-38
appy Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe! This is one of my favorite feast days of the year because the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe is so beautiful. It is a story of profound faith and trust, and a powerful example of courage and tenacity. It is a story centered around the idea of meeting people where they are, and what it means to follow through on your commitments. Over the past few years, Mary has become one of my go-to’s in my faith life. She was obviously full of faith, grace, and had the perfect ability to trust God. However, she also possessed immense strength and a tenacity to face all that life threw her direction. She is a remarkable model for us as women - that we aren’t just meant to be meek followers but we can be fierce, brave, and courageous leaders while we also walk through life with love, compassion, and grace! I have been blessed with the opportunity to pray in front of another famous Marian image – Our Lady of Częstochowa, or the Black Madonna, in Poland. This image was once damaged, and now Mary has large scars on her cheek. I find these scars so very accurate to who Mary was as a woman, as they are a testament to the immense pain and loss she struggled through. Many of us, when faced with similar suffering, would try to hide the pain or shrink away. But what she shows us is our power comes from turning our scars and suffering into our strength, turning our pain into our purpose, our misery into our mission. Our scars are important parts of our story; it is through our brokenness that the light of Christ can shine through the cracks. This Advent season, may we look to Mary as a model for transforming our scars and look to God to be our refuge in our trying seasons.
KESLEY HARRINGTON Student Activities Coordinator
December
13
Memorial of St. Lucy, Virgin and Martyr
FIRST READING
Isaiah 41:13-20 GOSPEL
Matthew 11:11-15
everal weeks ago, I was on my way home from school driving north on Marginal Way through the Industrial District when I was forced to stop because of a backup of cars. I couldn’t immediately tell what was causing the backup, but it was clear from the position of the cars that it wasn’t just the stoplight. Slowly, an old freight train emerged in my field of view from the right and began rolling its way diagonally in a long arc across the wide intersection. It moved steadily in contrast to the stationary cars and was subtly prominent in the landscape. Everyone waited. It almost seemed that people were embarrassed to be stopped here so abruptly, looking around, self-consciously searching for something to do in the interim, being able to see into each other’s cars. I, too, was caught off guard. After looking through my phone for a bit, my impatience turned into something else. I started to watch the train. The wheels rolling heavily in the grooves of the track were emitting what I can only describe as old, thin sounds, a silvery whirring not unlike coffee swirling in a tin can or bull elks bugling back and forth to one another. The sides of the railcars were brown and grey and unassuming save for certain stretches of hieroglyphic graffiti, the images and words painted on without much intention of proclamation, establishing vaguely, for the few people who would see, that someone had been there. I wondered to myself if there are even new freight trains anymore. The train settled into its destination, and we all moved on. In times of waiting, we all want so badly to be moving on to our next destination that we tend to overlook the real presence in front of us: rivers on the bare heights, trees in the wasteland, springs in the desert, trains at intersections. This Advent, may we start to see in passing moments reminders of truths that endure.
LUKE JANICKI English Teacher
FACULTY AND STAFF
Kennedy Catholic High School
MINGQI (MAGGIE) LI Kennedy Catholic Freshman
December
14
Memorial of St. John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church
FIRST READING
Isaiah 48:17-19 GOSPEL
Matthew 11:16-19
he 90s are back! All around the hallways, high school students are rocking 1990’s style gear. Listening to the radio, you can hear 90s influenced music, or if you turn to the oldies station, its blasting 90s. I know I’m partial to 90s R&B. In the Gospel, we hear Jesus say, “to what shall I compare this generation?” Perhaps we can hear his words echo today. How does this generation compare to the 90s of my youth, or the days when you were cutting your teeth, or to Jesus’ own generation of first followers? Back in Jesus’ day, people weren’t doing what they were supposed to do. As he said, they played songs of joy and no one danced. They did not cry when remembering the dead. They did not recognize the prophet John the Baptist in their midst. They rejected Jesus as he came to love and serve. The world was upside down. What about today? Are we chasing the desires of a world that could never truly satisfy? Are we blind to the holiness that surrounds us? Are we deaf to the song God is singing? We need a generation of heroes to rise up; men and women who are unafraid to be holy. What does this holiness look like? It is a holiness that dances when the song is played. It weeps at injustice and pledges to live better. It recognizes God in the person in front of them. This Advent, allow wisdom to be vindicated by her works in your life. Be moved to live authentically and faithfully. When Jesus asks, “to what shall I compare this generation?,” we won’t say the 90s, but instead say that this is a generation after the heart of God.
AIRES PATULOT Theology Teacher and Campus Minister
JENNIFER MOON Kennedy Catholic Sophomore
December
15
Saturday of the Second Week of Advent
FIRST READING
Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11 GOSPEL
Matthew 17:9a, 10-13
he transfiguration of Jesus immediately precedes today's Gospel. During the transfiguration, Jesus’ appearance is described as “his face shown like the sun and his clothes became white as light.” (Matthew 17:2) If we compare this to the description of Elijah in today’s first reading, “like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah”, (Sirach 48:1) perhaps we can understand why the disciples are asking about Elijah as they descend from the mountain. Jesus acknowledges that Elijah must come and indeed he already has come, but they did not recognize him. The disciples realize that Jesus identifies John the Baptist as Elijah. Like Elijah, John the Baptist came to prepare the way of the Lord. What Jesus says about John the Baptist not being recognized in his time can be said of Jesus in our own lives. How often do we fail to recognize Jesus in our lives? He comes in those who show charity. He comes in bread and waits for us in the Eucharist. We often fail to recognize His coming because we fail to prepare for His coming. During this Advent season, let's be like John the Baptist and prepare the way of the Lord so that when He comes into our lives, we can recognize Him. How does one prepare the way of the Lord? Here are some suggestions. Pray - perhaps you spend time praying the Rosary or meditating on scripture for the rest of Advent. Silence - God speaks in silence. How can you make time for silence this Advent season? Fasting - One way to prepare the way of the Lord is to remove something from our lives to make more room for Jesus. Service - Spend time this Advent season serving at a food bank or homeless shelter.
JOE SKILLMAN Science Teacher
December
16
Third Sunday of Advent
FIRST READING
Zephaniah 3:14-18A SECOND READING
Philippians 4:4-7 GOSPEL
Luke 3:10-18
hat should we do? The mid-point of Advent is a perfect time to reflect on how to make this season most meaningful. It’s easy to assume, with our familiarity of Advent, we know exactly what to do. It may not be until later we realize we missed the season in our busy world. John appears in order to remind us to evaluate our preparation. Are we giving of ourselves wholeheartedly? Is there room to pray more, give more, practice justice, kindness, empathy, and compassion while we make our hearts worthy and ready for receiving the Lord? John is passionate in his own commitment, speaking to the crowds who are yearning to be ready for the Savior. He tells them to share what they have, be more honest, and to evaluate ordinary actions with a lens for social justice. Preparing for the Savior isn’t just about a declaration. It comes through repentance, changing the way we think and acting with compassion - leading us into a deeper understanding of how we can further open our hearts to accept Jesus. It’s a great time to evaluate our lifestyle - especially during the excess of the holiday season. Do we share what we have with others? Do we do our job with integrity? Are we satisfied with what we have in life? Think of all the wonderful implications if we acknowledge and accept the Lord’s presence in every moment of our lives.
SARAH DAHLEEN Director of Advancement
December
17
Monday of the Third Week of Advent
FIRST READING
Genesis 49:2, 8-10 GOSPEL
Matthew 1:1-17
he Responsorial Psalm of today states, “Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever.” Our society today is not perfect. We are plagued with hatred, discrimination, unequal rights, and many other injustices which continue to impact humanity globally. In these times, we fear one another. Harmful actions partaken in society do not ensure one’s safety. We live in a world of trepidation - a world where we do not know what will happen next. One’s skin color, political views, religious beliefs, or lifestyle may result in the next hate crime of that day. Many of us forget God as our guardian and caretaker in this world. With His omnipotent nature, we should place our trust in God during these moments of hardship. The Responsorial Psalm states that God “shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment.” He possesses the power to lead humanity to righteousness and assist those who need His love and guidance. Although society has turned against itself in the modern era, God will lead us back into unity with one another. He created humans to form relationships with one another and Him; and in the end, humanity will reach that desirable goal once again. This Advent season, our challenge is to place our trust in God fully in moments of turmoil not only in society, but in our own lives. The Responsorial Psalm reminds us not to forget God guides us through difficult moments. He continues to work through many people to achieve the goal of unity. Through God’s help and justice, we will achieve perpetual peace among one another.
JEREMY MATEO Kennedy Catholic Senior
BENIAMINO (BENJAMIN) PETRINO Kennedy Catholic Freshman
December
18
Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent
FIRST READING
Jeremiah 23:5-8 GOSPEL
Matthew 1:18-25
id you ever watch a 4-year-old ponder going down a big slide for the first time? The little girl wants to do it but hangs back warily with furrowed brow. From the top she looks down, unsure about the drop. Then comes the moment when, with some trepidation, she makes a leap of faith and slides all the way down into her mom’s waiting arms. Laughing with a sense of relief and accomplishment, she wants to do it again and again and again. When the three princes from the East followed a star into the unknown, no doubt it was an exciting but also a daunting adventure full of hardships. Both the 4-year-old and the wise men had to make a leap of faith to overcome their apprehension and go through with their do-or-die decision. Advent is like that. It is a period of our contemplating something mysterious. Advent is a gift of anticipation that something incredible is going to happen soon. Anticipation is born of hope. Indeed it is hope’s finest expression. And if we place our hope and confidence in Jesus, He will be waiting at the bottom of the slide and at the end of our star trek with open loving arms. And our lives will be forever changed. Savor the mystery of God becoming a man.
STEVE LEQUIRE Retired Faculty
December
19
Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent
“
FIRST READING
Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a GOSPEL
Luke 1:5-25
am Gabriel, who stands before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.” This reading strikes a chord with me, especially as we approach the end of Advent. I think about how many “Gabriels” have been sent into my life and what I have done to prayerfully welcome them. When I sit with God in prayer, I am always looking to be sure I don’t miss the sign or the answer to my prayer, but Gabriel reminds us the signs are always there, we just need to be open to them. During these last few days of Advent, I think about how I am open to the signs of God all around me. Am I paying attention to the reason for the season rather than getting bogged down in the preparation for the party? Gabriel is our gentle reminder that there is more to Christmas than the great food, gift-giving and family parties. Christmas is more about the birth of our Savior that will one day save us from sin. Christmas is about believing in something bigger than ourselves. It is about believing that when the Angel Gabriel comes to visit, we listen with open hearts and open minds to hear the message God is trying to send us.
KATIE BURNS '90 Dean of Students
SARAH IVERSON
Kennedy Catholic Senior
December
20
Thursday of the Third Week of Advent
“
FIRST READING
Isaiah 7:10-14 GOSPEL
Luke 1:26-38
ow can this be…” to “May it be done to me according to your word." I was fortunate this year to be able to visit my son Louie, now Fr. Louie, at Mundelein Seminary in his last year of the seminarian program. Mundelein Seminary is situated on a beautiful piece of property surrounded by a lake north of Chicago. There are several statues on campus but the one that was most impressive was the replica of the Column in the Piazza de Spagna, Rome. The statue sits in front of the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. Today’s Gospel made me think about this statue. On the base of the column are 4 prophets’ statues: David, Isaiah, Moses and Ezekiel, i.e. the “D.I.M.E” statue. Each of these prophets prophesized the coming of Jesus Christ through the Blessed Virgin Mary. Below each statue on the column is a verse from the Sacred Scriptures that refers to this dogma. Below the statue of David is the verse Ps 45:5 “…the Most High has sanctified his own Tabernacle.” Which refers to the fact that God preserved Mary from original sin in view of the Incarnation of her Son through her. Below the statue of Isaiah it says “Behold a Virgin shall conceive.” (Is 7:14) Below the statue of Moses we read from Genesis this verse, “I will put enmity between you and the woman.” (Gen 3:15) which establishes the parameters by which God will redeem His people from sin. This verse is crucial to our faith. And, below the statue of Ezekiel it reads, “This gate shall be shut,” meaning Christ came into this world in human nature, being born of her, a virgin. The fact that the Annunciation to Mary was prophesized is actually as remarkable as the Annunciation itself. It moves us with a peasant girl from godlessness to the presence of God. It’s a huge leap: “How can this be…” to “May it be done to me according to your word.” This is the promise of Christmas.
PEGGY CUNNINGHAM
Executive Assistant
December
21
Friday of the Third Week of Advent
FIRST READING
Song of Songs 2:8-14 GOSPEL
Luke 1:39-45
he Old Testament is filled with types, which are events or people that foreshadow or symbolize New Testament realities. For instance, the flood with which God cleansed the earth in Genesis 7 is a type of Baptism; and Moses, who delivered the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt into the Promised Land, is a type of Christ who liberates mankind from bondage to sin. Similarly, the Ark of the Covenant is a type of Mary’s Immaculate Conception. In Exodus 25-30, God presents an intricate plan detailing how Moses should build the ark which will contain the Ten Commandments. These instructions indicate that God wanted the ark to be as perfect as possible so that it would be worthy of carrying His written word. In the New Testament, God prepares another ark to bear His word, His logos: this ark is Mary, who is preserved from the stain of original sin from the moment of her conception so that she is fit to carry in her womb the word of God made flesh. Today’s Gospel reveals that the ark is a type of Mary. In the Old Testament, 2 Samuel describes how the Israelites had lost the ark in battle; but in the sixth chapter, the Israelites recapture it. King David, seeing the ark being brought to him, exclaims, “Who am I that the ark of the Lord should come to me?” (2 Samuel 6:9). Similarly, in the passage from Luke’s Gospel, when Mary arrives at Elizabeth’s house, Elizabeth joyously exclaims, “And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:43). Later in 2 Samuel, David dances before the ark, not for the ark itself, but because it contained God’s word. Similarly, in today’s Gospel, John the Baptist leaps for joy in Elizabeth’s womb when Mary arrives because he is in the presence of something more significant than God’s word written on stone tablets: God made flesh in the womb of Mary. Indeed, in Mary, God’s word has become a person who offers salvation to the many, a salvation far more perfect than any the old law could offer. STEPHEN BARBAROSSA '09 Math and Theology Teacher
December
22
Saturday of the Third Week of Advent
FIRST READING
1 Samuel 1:24-28 GOSPEL
Luke 1:46-56
n today's Gospel Mary says, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for he has looked upon his lowly servant.” This time of year, it is easy to get caught up in the commercialization of Christmas. Frantically shopping for last minute gifts with a Starbucks peppermint mocha in hand or browsing for stocking stuffers on Amazon. Our minds are distracted from what truly matters. The frenetic pace at which Christmas comes every year distracts us from what makes Christmas and Advent such beautiful times. Much like ours, Mary’s life was turned upside down. She had just been told she would carry the Savior of the world but instead of rushing around she responds with gratitude. Following the example of our Blessed Mother, when the holiday season brings turmoil into our lives, we should shift our focus to gratitude. We are encouraged to recognize the blessings of God in our lives and share our gratitude with others. Refocusing our lives on gratitude allows us to truly appreciate just how special Advent is. Concentrating on His blessings enables us to share those blessings with others. This Advent, take some time from shopping and Santa pictures to visit local homeless shelters, volunteer at your local food bank, or participate in other service opportunities. Actions like these are how we express our gratitude to God. So, this Advent, as we prepare for the coming of our Lord, let us give thanks for the blessings in our lives and share that gratitude with others in honor of our Blessed Mother.
ERIK EYKEL Kennedy Catholic Senior
December
23
Fourth Sunday of Advent
FIRST READING
Micah 5:1-4A
SECOND READING
Hebrews 10:5-10 GOSPEL
Luke 1:39-45
n today’s readings, I am reminded that God often uses small people to do great tasks. Personally, I believe this to be one of the most powerful themes in the Bible. It is not the powerful, wealthy, outspoken people that God most often calls to do his work, but rather the humble fisherman, the meek, and the broken-hearted. This to me serves as a reminder that God is the only determiner of our self-worth. It is so easy to measure our worth by comparing ourselves to others, being overcome by the perfection of others’ lives as displayed by social media, or even others’ successes. However, I am reminded we don’t need to fight for our self-worth, it is something we have simply because we are God's children. Furthermore, in the spirit of Advent, this idea is exemplified in the coming of Christ. Christ came to us fully human, complete in his vulnerabilities; just as we are. Despite our lack of physical or spiritual strength, God calls each of us to big and beautiful things. We just need to take the time to slow down, and listen. Today, take a moment or two out of your busy schedule to slow down, be still, and remind yourself that you are worthy.
SAVANNAH STALEY '11 English Teacher
December
24
Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent Morning Mass
FIRST READING
2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16 GOSPEL
Luke 1:67-79
y in-laws have a great tradition for gift giving. Their gifts are always meaningful and intentional, even if they are not expensive or big. They like to wrap items in such a way that you cannot tell what the gift is. For instance, you receive a present and begin to open it to find a toaster box. But is it really a toaster? No! It’s a scarf ! You are always completely surprised when you open a present. They usually will give a main gift, but rather than just wrapping it by itself, they wrap it in such a way that the presents tell a story that leads to the final gift. One year my mother-in-law gave my father-in-law a trip to the Ark Encounter. Rather than just giving him the certificate, she did smaller gifts; a children’s puzzle of the Ark, multiple toy animals, a boat, all building the anticipation to the final gift. Today’s Gospel is like the small gift that builds anticipation for the main present. Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, is filled with the Holy Spirit and speaks God’s message to us. His message tells us about the work John will do. John will prepare God’s people for the coming of the Lord. John will tell us of our salvation and the forgiveness of our sins, that God is merciful and tender and guides our steps. Zechariah tells us that the Lord God has provided us a Savior! That’s the main present. Merry Christmas, and many blessings upon you this holy season!
NANCY BRADISH Principal
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Kennedy Catholic High School 140 S. 140th Street Burien, WA 98168
