Nicholas was born in the city of Patara, a port on the Mediterranean Sea, in Asia Minor in the Roman Empire, to a wealthy family of Greek Christians.

 

Nicholas is also said to have visited the Holy Land. The ship he was on was nearly destroyed by a terrible storm but he rebuked the waves, causing the storm to subside. Thus, Nicholas became venerated as the patron saint of sailors and travelers.

 

He is said to have been imprisoned and tortured during the Great Persecution under the Emperor Diocletian, was released under the orders of the Emperor Constantine the Great.

 

In 325, Nicholas is said to have attended the First Council of Nicaea, where he is said to have been a staunch opponent of Arianism and a devoted supporter of Trinitarianism, and one of the bishops who signed the Nicene Creed.

 

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊  

Isaiah 25:6-10a

On this mountain

Yahweh Sabaoth will prepare for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, meat full of marrow, fine wine strained.

On this mountain he will destroy the pall cast over all peoples, this very shroud spread over all nations, and death will be no more. The Lord Yahweh will wipe away the tears from all cheeks and eyes; he will take away the humiliation of his people all over the world: for Yahweh has spoken. On that day you will say: This is our God. We have waited for him to save us, let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation. For on this mountain the hand of Yahweh rests.

 

Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4,5,6 I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊      

Matthew 15:29-37

From there, Jesus went to the shore of Lake Galilee, and then went up into the hills, where he sat down. Great crowds came to him, bringing the dumb, the blind, the lame, the crippled, and many with other infirmities. People carried them to the feet of Jesus, and he healed them. All were astonished when they saw the dumb speaking, the lame walking, the crippled healed, and the blind able to see; and they glorified the God of Israel.

 

Jesus called his disciples and said to them, "I am filled with compassion for these people; they have already followed me for three days and now have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away fasting, or they may faint on the way." His disciples said to him, "And where shall we find enough bread in this wilderness to feed such a crowd?" Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" They answered, "Seven, and a few small fish."

 

Jesus ordered the people to sit on the ground. Then, he took the seven loaves and the small fish, and gave thanks to God. He broke them and gave them to his disciples, who distributed them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the leftover pieces filled seven wicker baskets.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"Advent is all about patience." 

Patience has never been my best thing. I am constantly in a hurry, wanting things to happen immediately if not sooner! Advent can be a struggle for me since Advent is all about patience, longing, and anticipation.

 

But what are we waiting for? (After all, I'm much more willing to wait for something I really want which is why I'm happier in a line to ride a roller coaster than in a line to pay my taxes.) In today's first reading, Isaiah tells of the kingdom for which we await. It is a kingdom where our  us fine food and choicest wine.

God's kingdom is a place where all experience the healing and compassion that will soothe our hearts and minds. Every time we meet the needs of our brothers and sisters or offer them healing and hope, we offer a preview of the kingdom of God where sadness and need no longer exist.