REFLECTION BY DIANNE BERGANT CSS : The world in which we live and the events of which we are a part are the stage upon which the drama of salvation is enacted. God works through real flesh and blood people, those like David, who occupy the seats of power and influence as well as those like Mary and us, who are unseen and unknown. All can be agents of salvation. God’s future is in our hands. Human history is really the history of salvation. Each turn of God’s reveal- ing causes us to wonder at what might come next. In this tension, mystery is revealed. What was hidden is now made known. Jesus establishes a people of covenant promise. Still, the mystery is unknown, for it continues to come to us from the future, revealing more and more of itself in the junctures of history. The waiting of Advent is over. In the face of the impossible, God works the possible. During Ad- vent, we have been waiting for the realisation of the promise made to David. We have been waiting for Mary’s yes. With this yes, hope is enlivened, and history is changed. There is an unim- aginable future for all people, a future that comes from God. Salvation is created among us, and the fate of history is altered by a godly presence. This salvation resides in the hearts of those who believe in the gift, and who stay awake eagerly to know its coming. With David we await it, with the nations we long for it, with Mary we behold it. GOOD SHEPHERD PARISH MULGRAVE 34 Academy Ave., Wheelers Hill 3150 (Waverley Deanery) Parish Priest: Fr. Kaz Trawicki, C.R. 9560 4511 Parish Secretary: Mrs. Cheryl Rogers 9560 4511 Parish Fax: 9561 7819 Email: [email protected] Website: www.goodshepherdpar.org.au Parish R.E. Co-ordinator: Mrs. Kath Andraczke 9560 4511 Pastoral Worker for the Sick, Lonely & Elderly: Mrs. Theresa Kim 0401 662 254 Good Shepherd School: Mrs. Ruth Jones 9562 0229 School Fax: 9562 0186 4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT 24TH DECEMBER, 2017 (YEAR B) ROSTERS FOR NEXT WEEKEND COMMUNION TO THE SICK: R. Sanna, J. Mayadunne. CHURCH CLEANING: C. G Carvalho, Hong Nguyen, M. Sessa, M. Da Gama. FLOWER TEAM: COUNTERS: : M. Peacock, D. Kelly, U. Ponniraivan, L. Philpott. COUNTERS: (31/12/2017) : S. Thek, F. Goubran, D. Love, R. De Fry. ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: Drop down dew from above, you heavens, and let the clouds rain down the Just One; let the earth be opened and bring forth a Saviour. RESPONSORIAL PSALM: For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord 1. I will sing for ever of Your love, O Lord; through all ages my mouth will proclaim Your truth. Of this I am sure, that Your love lasts for ever, that Your truth is firmly established as the heavens. 2. ‘I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: I will establish your dynasty for ever and set up your throne through all ages.’ 3. He will say to me: ‘You are my father, my God, the rock who saves me.’ I will keep my love for him always; for him my covenant shall endure. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! I am the servant of the Lord: may His will for me be done. Alleluia! COMMUNION ANTIPHON: Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son; and His name will be called Emmanuel. READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY: The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph (Year B): Genesis 15:1-6, 21:1-3; Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Luke 2:22-40. MARY DEFIES SOCIAL CONVENTIONS TO LET GOD’S PLAN UNFOLD: The angel approached a maiden to proclaim the Good News. For Luke, the gospel did not start in the place (the Temple in Jerusalem) and to the people (the hierarchy of Judaism represented by the priest) everyone expected. No, the gospel began in a place (a backwater town despised by the cosmopolitan inhabitants of Jerusalem) and to a person (a young teenage girl) no one expected. Let's consider the place of girls like Mary in social pecking order of first century Palestine. In a gender segregated, male dominated society, young girls like Mary were sheltered from the outside world in order to protect their virginity and insure the honour of the family. The murder of promiscuous or raped young girls by family members was not uncommon; the reason for such homicides was family honour. It was inconceivable that young girls could lead the people in such a public function as temple worship. In addition to family honour, young girls were not educated. Literacy lay with the male, since females were considered too inferior and emotional for education. How could Mary know the Scriptures like Zechariah? Remember that women had no rights in ancient society; they were treated like property. Girls symbolized by Mary stood at the bottom of proper society. From a reflection on the Gospel by Larry Broding, of the Word on Sunday website. http://www.word-sunday.com/Files/b/4Advent-b/A-4Advent-b.html WORDS OF WISDOM – MATTHEW KELLY, IN THE RHYTHM OF LIFE It constantly amazes me that men and women wander the earth marvelling at the highest mountains, the deepest ocean, the whitest sands, the most exotic islands, the most intriguing birds of the air and fish of the sea – and all the time never stop to marvel at themselves and realize their infinite potential as human beings. GLEN WAVERLEY INTER- CHURCH - CYCLE OF PRAYER This week we pray for our Parish Good Shepherd Catholic Community The Archbishop’s Christmas message on video. It’s a terrific message again this year and is available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1EdSJEpXqU Please enjoy and pass on wherever appropriate.