Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann SetonJn 1:35-42He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah,” which is translated Christ. Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas,” which is translated Peter.

Christmas WeekdayJn 1:29-34John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world."

The Fifth Day in the Octave of ChristmasLk 2:22-35The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

Feast of the Holy InnocentsMt 2:13-18When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi.

We're here today with Karen Bortvedt, who is the Recruitment and Relationship Manager for the Maryknoll Lay Missioners. Karen coordinated various immersion trips while in college – including one to Nicaragua. She served with the Border Servant Corps for one year and has since worked with various non-profit organizations. She worked at the Deaf Development Program as the Communication Coordinator. On any given day, she was found developing the communications strategy; documenting DDP’s many activities through photos and videos; visiting the provinces to document the field work of DDP; ‘playing Facebook’ as they say in Cambodia to share DDP’s work; writing blogs; creating mini-videos about the Deaf community; welcoming visitors; or coordinating volunteers.You can check out more of Karen’s work by liking the DDP Facebook page, following them on Twitter, or reading the weekly blog updates.

Friday of the Third Week of Advent Lk 1:46-56"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. for he has looked upon his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation."

Thursday of the Third Week of AdventLk 1:39-45"For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."

About The Gospel of Peace: A Commentary on Matthew, Mark, and Luke from the Perspective of NonviolenceIn this original and inspiring new commentary Father John Dear walks us through every line of the three synoptic Gospels, pointing out Jesus’ practice and teachings of nonviolence each step of the way. As Dear shows us, Jesus is—like Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. —nonviolent to the core, a disarming, healing presence toward those in need. This Jesus is also a revolutionary disrupter of the unjust status quo and a political threat to the ruling authorities. Those authorities succeed in killing him, only to push Jesus to the heights of nonviolence through his death and resurrection.This original commentary brings a fresh new approach to the Gospels for all those who preach or engage in social ministries. It is sure to inspire everyone in this time of permanent warfare, gun violence, racism, poverty, and climate change. Learn more at Orbis BooksRev. John Dear is an internationally recognized voice and leader for peace and nonviolence. A priest, activist, and author, he served for years as the director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation. The author of forty books, including They Will Inherit the Earth and Lazarus, Come Forth! (from Orbis), Father John is founder and director of “The Beatitudes Center for the Nonviolent Jesus,” www.beatitudescenter.org, where he hosts and offers virtual workshops on Jesus and nonviolence. He was nominated several times for the Nobel Peace Prize, including by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He lives in Cayucos, CA.

Friday of the Second Week of AdventMt 11:16-19Jesus said to the crowds: "To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, 'We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.'"

Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church Lk 14:25-33"Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple."

Monday of the Second Week of AdventLk 5:17-26When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "As for you, your sins are forgiven."

Interview with Maryknoll Missioner, Fr. David Smith, M.M.