December 18, 2012 
Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent
Saint of the day
Saint Flannan (d.642)
Saint Flannan was the son of an Irish chieftain and next in line for the throne. Flannan feared becoming king, and prayed for a disfigurement that would prevent his ascension to the throne. After his prayer, his face became inflamed with scars, rashes, and boils. Upon his disqualification for kingship, Flannan became the intellectual and spiritual student of a monk. He desperately wanted to join a monastery, but faced fierce opposition from his family. He finally made them realize that the monastic lifestyle was his true vocation and became a missionary monk. Flannan traveled throughout Ireland, Scotland, and the Hebrides preaching the Good News. Saint Flannan eventually became the bishop of Killaloe.
Reflection
Saint Flannan's family expectations and obligations kept him from living the monastic lifestyle that he yearned for. Through prayer, he was able to live out his true vocation as a missionary monk. Do you have faith that God will help you on your path to live out your vocation and become filled with grace? Ask the Lord to guide your footsteps as you listen to his call and fulfill your vocation.
Prayer
Dear God, I praise and thank you for the grace you give to help me find my way to you. Please guide my footsteps every day so that I become righteous, godly, faithful, loving, patient, and gentle. (Taken from “Good News Day by Day: Bible Reflections for Teens.”)
Liturgical season information
Lectionary: 194
Place in Year: Advent
Color of decorations and priest's vestments: Purple
Daily readings
Reading 1: Jeremiah 23:5-8
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19
Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25
View complete readings on USCCB.orgMeditations
Meditation for Gospel
Saint Joseph is truly a remarkable, faithful man. He was engaged to Mary, and, when Mary became pregnant, Joseph knew he was not the father. Rather than humiliate her, he decides he will 'divorce her quietly' - that is, not expose her to society as an adulterer. An angel of God spoke to Joseph in a dream and told him that Mary was not an adulterer - she was a virgin, and the child with whom she was pregnant was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit! I know if I were Joseph, it would be a lot easier to believe that Mary had simply had an affair. But Joseph, faithful to God and to Mary, chose to believe in and act on the wisdom from the angel. How great a role model and stepfather for Jesus!
