From USCCB:
December 21, 2010
Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent
Read
•Read the Sixth Lesson from our Advent Lessons & Carols and listen to the podcast.
Sixth Lesson
Reading: Luke 2:1-18 Listen to the Podcast
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there,
the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them,“Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another,“Let us go, then, to Bethlehem
to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.
Thus ends the sixth lesson.
Song: Silent Night
Prayer:
Lord,
you came to us in humility and vulnerability.
May we always show loving care to those around us,
especially those in most need.
Amen.
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•Read about the Catholic Campaign for Peace in the Holy Land.
Catholic Campaign for Peace in the Holy Land
Prayer/Study Resource
The Catholic Campaign for Peace in the Holy Land is part of an unprecedented interreligious initiative. This initiative engages Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious leaders and communities within the United States in a coordinated effort to promote a just peace in the Middle East. The Catholic Campaign builds upon and complements the ongoing efforts of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to pursue a just peace.
We launch this Catholic Campaign for Peace in the Middle East for at least three reasons:
Our faith demands it.
Our Church’s leaders call us to it.
Our Church is well situated to build bridges.
Viewing the Documents
The documents (below) are made available to you in Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF). You will need to have Adobe Acrobat 5.0 or higher installed on your computer in order to view the report in this popular format. If you do not already have it, you may download and install the current version of this application free of charge at the Adobe Acrobat Reader's web site. If you have any difficulty opening any of the links below or you would like to inquire about receiving a hard copy of the report, email us at jphdmail@usccb.org.
OVERVIEW (Print this overview for full description of the campaign.)
Campaign Documents (This file contains all of the documents listed separately below.)
National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East
A Nationwide Network of Local Interreligious Initiatives Working for Peace in the Middle East
National Interreligious Leadership List
Arab-Israeli-Palestinian Peace: Crisis to Hope
Appeals to U.S. Leadership
Twelve Urgent Steps for Peace
Sample Press Release
Guidelines for Supporting the National Interreligious Initiative
Sample Op-Eds
Prayers for Peace in the Middle East
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Background Documents
Remarks by Cardinal William Keeler, National Press Club, January 12, 2005
Statement read by Bishop William Skylstad to Presidents of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, January 11 & 13, 2005
Remarks by Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, National Press Club, December 2, 2005
Statement on Israeli-Palestinian Violence by the USCCB Administrative Committee, March 13, 2002
A Statement of the U.S. Catholic Bishops, June 15, 2001
National Interreligious Leadership Initiative Background Documents
Summary of the Geneva Accord
The People's Voice Peace Initiative
If you are not already on our alert list, to receive periodic updates on the Catholic Campaign for Peace in the Holy Land e-mail: jphdmail@usccb.org. For more information on the Church’s work for Peace in the Middle East visit: http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/mideast.shtml
Email us at sdwpmail@usccb.org
Social Development and World Peace
3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington DC 20017-1194
(202) 541-3180 © USCCB. All rights reserved.
Pray
During these last few days of Advent, begin your daily prayers with the O Antiphon for the day:
O Radiant Dawn,
splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:
come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death
Reflect
Questions for Reflection on Peace in the Holy Land
•Is my attitude toward my brothers and sisters of religions other than my own one of acceptance and love?
•Do I recognize that we are all God’s children?
•How can I reach across the boundaries and divisions that have been created to humbly work together for peace in the Holy Land?
Act
In visits to the White House and the State Department this past September, religious leaders representing the Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities offered support for the Obama administration’s efforts to continue peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Read their statement and the Voices of Peace in the Holy Land parish guide for ideas on things you can do in your parish and community to promote peace in this troubled region.
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