R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We have found the Messiah:
Jesus Christ, who brings us truth and grace.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

John was standing with two of his disciples,
and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said,
“Behold, the Lamb of God.”
The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.
Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them,
“What are you looking for?”
They said to him, “Rabbi” — which translated means Teacher —,
“where are you staying?”
He said to them, “Come, and you will see.”
So they went and saw where Jesus was staying,
and they stayed with him that day.
It was about four in the afternoon.
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter,
was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.
He 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.

The words of John the Baptist: “Behold, the Lamb of God. Behold Him Who takes away the sin of the world!” We make this same invocation at every Mass in the rite of Holy Communion.

At the Christmas Eve Mass, Bishop Bonnar elevated the chalice and the Body of Christ and chanted to the people, “Behold the Lamb of God! Behold Him Who takes away the sin of the world!”

And the people assembled chanted back strongly, “Oh Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof … Only say the word, and my soul shall be healed!”

That chant during the Christmas Eve Mass was an emotional moment for me. It was beautiful to hear bishop-and-priest actually beholding the Lamb of God.

Our Christian vocation is to live and to die like the Lamb of God, our Lord Jesus by leading lives that are pure, innocent, humble, selfless, obeying Christ’s command to love Him and to love one another. When we partake of the Body and Blood of the Lamb in the Holy Eucharist, we derive the event’s spiritual strength from the Holy Spirit as we receive the Body and Blood of Christ for the forgiveness of our sins. Like the Lamb of Sacrifice, we must share our blessings of health and wealth and talents with others in the family, in our parish, and in our community, in our illness and pain, our sufferings, and by graciously accepting all of it – like the Lamb of God – for the glory of God Himself, and in penance for our sins and for the conversion of all sinners.

To bear witness to the Lamb of God, it requires a personal experience of Jesus as Lord and Savior. Once we experience the presence of Jesus in our daily life, through personal prayer and acts of charity, we will start sharing with others the good news of the Lamb of God; the good news of love, peace, justice, mercy, lived by the Lamb – Jesus.

Let me clearly state that before you can share with others, you yourself must experience Him first! That is why we pray at every Mass to the Lamb of God, “Oh Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof … Only say the Word, and my soul shall be healed!”

Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Anthony – pray for us!

Monsignor Michael J. Cariglio, Jr., Pastor & Rector, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica – Saint Anthony Parish

Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the LORD
where the ark of God was.
The LORD called to Samuel, who answered, “Here I am.”
Samuel ran to Eli and said, “Here I am. You called me.”
“I did not call you, ” Eli said. “Go back to sleep.”
So he went back to sleep.
Again the LORD called Samuel, who rose and went to Eli.
“Here I am, ” he said. “You called me.”
But Eli answered, “I did not call you, my son. Go back to sleep.”

At that time Samuel was not familiar with the LORD,
because the LORD had not revealed anything to him as yet.
The LORD called Samuel again, for the third time.
Getting up and going to Eli, he said, “Here I am. You called me.”
Then Eli understood that the LORD was calling the youth.
So he said to Samuel, “Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply,
Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.”
When Samuel went to sleep in his place,
the LORD came and revealed his presence,
calling out as before, “Samuel, Samuel!”
Samuel answered, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

Samuel grew up, and the LORD was with him,
not permitting any word of his to be without effect.

R. (8a and 9a) Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I have waited, waited for the LORD,
and he stooped toward me and heard my cry.
And he put a new song into my mouth,
a hymn to our God.
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
Sacrifice or offering you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, “Behold I come.”
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
“In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
to do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!”
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

Brothers and sisters:
The body is not for immorality, but for the Lord,
and the Lord is for the body;
God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power.

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?
But whoever is joined to the Lord becomes one Spirit with him.
Avoid immorality.
Every other sin a person commits is outside the body,
but the immoral person sins against his own body.
Do you not know that your body
is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you,
whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
For you have been purchased at a price.
Therefore glorify God in your body.

It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacramental Communion. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,

Come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace you as if you were already there

And unite myself wholly to you.

Never permit me to be separated from you.

Amen.