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Education for JusticeInteractive Advent Calendar

2008Theme: The Incarnation Brings to Life An Infinite Horizon of Hope

About the Calendar::•Using global solidarity as our lens, these daily Advent reflections focus on places around the world where glimmers of hope are found even in the midst of struggles and suffering. We celebrate the sacredness of life and the mystery of love so great it takes on human form. The incarnation brings to life an infinite horizon of hope.

To Use the Calendar:•Click on the image corresponding to the day of Advent beginning with December 1.•We suggest praying the Angelus or a Hail Mary after each reflection.

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Advent Calendar 2008

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Scripture Quote:Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May those who love you prosper! May peace be within your walls, prosperity in your buildings. Because of my relatives and friends I will say, “Peace be within you!”Because of the house of the LORD, our God, I will pray for your good. -Ps 122

Solidarity Reflection: South AfricaDecember 1 marks World AIDS Day. South Africa currently has one of the highest HIV/AIDs rates in the world. In the adult population, aged 15 and up, the HIV/AIDS prevalence is around 20%. One sign of hope is the Church’s effortin trying to lift the veil of secrecy and denial around HIV/AIDS and get peopleto talk about it openly. Pastoral efforts continue on many levels.

Action:We pray for the people of South Africa.

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Readings of the Day:Isaiah 2:1-5Psalm 122:1-9Matthew 8:5-11

Monday, December 1, 2008South Africa

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Scripture Quote:He shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted whenhe has no one to help him. He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save. May his name be blessed forever; as long as the sun his name shall remain. In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed; all the nations shall proclaim his happiness. -Psalm 72

Solidarity Reflection: LebanonLebanon and Syria have both recently experienced deadly bomb attacks allegedly carried out by Islamist militants. Lebanon's some 4 millioninhabitants are about 60% Muslim and 39% Christian.

Action:We pray for the people of Lebanon.

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Readings of the Day:Isaiah 11:1-10Psalm 72: 1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17Luke 10:21-24

Tuesday, December 2, 2008Lebanon

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Scripture Quote:On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples A feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, The web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever.

Solidarity Reflection: MozambiqueThe people of Mozambique are currently suffering from a cholera epidemic spreading throughout central Mozambique. Cholera is a waterborne intestinal infection causing acute diarrhea and vomiting; if left untreated, itcan cause death. Because of early detection of this outbreak, there is hope the situation will soon be under control.

Action:We pray for the people of Mozambique.

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Readings of the Day:Isaiah 25:6-10Psalm 23: 1-6Matthew 14: 29-37

Wednesday December 3, 2008St. Francis Xavier, priest

Mozambique

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Scripture Quote:Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. -Matthew 7:24-27

Solidarity Reflection: SyriaAs a result of the Iraq war, approximately 1.5 million Iraqi refugees havefled to Syria. Tensions continue to mount as the war lingers on. In recent weeks the United States has increased the numbers of refugees accepted from 200 in 2003 to 20,000 this year.

Action:We pray for the people of Syria.

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Readings of the Day:Isaiah 26:1-6Psalm 118:1,8,9,19-21, 25-27Matthew 7:21,24-27

Thursday, December 4, 2008St. John of Damascus

Syria

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Scripture Quote:As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David,have pity on us!” When he entered the house, the blind men approachedhim and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,”they said to him. Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened. – Matthew 9:27-30

Solidarity Reflection: ColumbiaJournalist, Íngrid Betancourt, was released in July after being held hostage for seven years by Columbian rebels. Upon her release she reflected, "Without faith there is no hope and without hope there is no strength to continue to struggle for a reconciled world.” She has become a symbol of hope.

Action:We pray for the people of Columbia.

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Readings of the Day:Isaiah 29:17-24Psalm 27:1,4,13-14Matthew 9:27-31

Friday December 5, 2008Columbia

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Scripture Quote:The Lord will give you the bread you need and the water for which you thirst. No longer will your Teacher hide himself, but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher, While from behind, a voice shall sound inyour ears: “This is the way; walk in it,” when you would turn to the right or to the left. -Isaiah 30

Solidarity Reflection: GermanyThe German aid organization Misereor is a bridge connecting the haves with the have-nots. Misereor is a movement of collaboration that unites numerous people in German, Africa, Asia, Oceania and Latin American in solidarity.

Action:We pray for the people of Germany.

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Readings of the Day:Isaiah 30: 19-21, 23-26Psalm 147: 1-6Matthew 9:35-10: 1,5-8

December 6Feast of St. Nicholas

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Scripture Quote:As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight hispaths.” -Mark 1

Solidarity Reflection: UruguayLay catechists are taking the lead to spread the Gospel in Uruguay, where only5% of the population regularly attend Mass. Lay catechists are at the forefrontof a plan to revitalize the faith in the South American country. Three-quarters of its 3.4 million people are baptized and the number is increasing.

Action:Pray for the people of Uruguay.

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Readings of the Day:Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9-11Psalm 85: 9-142 Peter 3:8-14Mark 1:1-8

Sunday, December 7, 2008Second Sunday of Advent

Uruguay

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Scripture Quote:Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have foundfavor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.” -Luke 1

Solidarity Reflection: IndiaLately, Christians in India have faced increased persecution from Hindu fundamentalists, especially in the state of Orissa, where at least 80 Christians have been killed. Pope Benedict called on the nation to “renounce these acts [of violence] and join with their brothers and sisters to work together in building a civilization of love.”

Action:Pray for the people of India, especially thosein Orissa.

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Readings of the Day:Genesis 3: 9-15, 20Psalm 98:1-4Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12Luke 1:26-38

Monday December 8, 2008Feast of the Immaculate Conception

India

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Scripture Quote:Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills itresound; let the plains be joyful and all that is in them! Then let all the treesof the forest rejoice. They shall exult before the LORD, for he comes; for he comes to rule the earth. He shall rule the world with justice and the peopleswith his constancy. -Psalm 96

Solidarity Reflection: GuatemalaGuatemala is a country marred by mineral exploitation. The bishop recentlyissued a statement connecting care for the earth with the Eucharist. By linking care for the environment to the Eucharist means that Church leaders understand the seriousness of the challenge ahead of us in land reformand rights of the indigenous peoples.

Action:Pray for the people of Guatemala.

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Readings of the Day:Isaiah 40: 1-11Psalm 96: 1-3, 10-13Matthew 18: 12-14

Tuesday December 9, 2008St. Juan Diego

Guatemala

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Scripture Quote:Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” -Matthew 11:28-30

Solidarity Reflection: AfghanistanIn Pope Benedict XVI’s New Years address, “Diplomacy Must Give Hope”, he called special attention to countries in Afghanistan, where violence and drugs have exacerbated the serious social problems that those citizens face. He called on all nations to “commit themselves to building a peaceful society, respectful of the rights of all.”

Action:Pray for the people of Afghanistan

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Readings of the Day:Isaiah 40:25-31Psalm 103: 1-4, 8, 10Matthew 11:28-30

Wednesday, December 10, 2008Afghanistan

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Scripture Quote:The afflicted and the needy seek water in vain, their tongues are parchedwith thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsakethem. I will open up rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the broad valleys; I will turn the desert into a marshland, and the dry ground into springs of water. -Isaiah 41:

Solidarity Reflection: Czech Republic"Hope is indeed the timeless message which the Church offers to every generation, and it prompts her to participate in the global task of forging bondsof peace and goodwill among all peoples," the Holy Father said. The Czech Republic will hold the presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2009,the Pontiff said "new avenues of influencewill soon open" for the Czech Republic.Action:Pray for the people of the Czech Republic

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Readings of the Day:Isaiah 41:13-20Psalm 145: 1, 9-13Matthew 11:11-15

Thursday, December 11, 2008St. Damascus ICzech Republic

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Scripture Quote:“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” – Luke 1:38

Solidarity Reflection: MexicoMexico will host the 6th World Meeting of Families in 2009. Cardinal Rivera Carrera, archbishop of Mexico City, has emphasized the importancethat the family can play in developing and supporting a religious life: “We wantto promote the family as a center of true education […] a transmitter of values[…] not just of knowledge or services."

Action:Pray for the people of Mexico

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Readings of the Day:Zechariah 2: 14-17 or Revelation 11:12, 12:1-6,10Judith 13: 18-19Luke 1:26-38

Friday, December 12, 2008Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Mexico

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Scripture Quote:Once again, O LORD of hosts, look down from heaven, and see; Take care of this vine, and protect what your right hand has planted the son of man whom you yourself made strong. -Psalm 80

Solidarity Reflection: CongoAs the situation in the Congo deteriorates, the Vatican is calling for theinternational community to work harder to enact peace. Meanwhile, refugees are fleeing camps that are being looted and razed and aid workers are finding it more difficult to help the population that is in such great need.

Action:We pray for the people of Congo

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Readings of the Day:Sirach 48:1-4,9-11Psalm 80:2-3,15-6, 18-19Matthew 17:9-13

Saturday, December 13, 2008St. LucyCongo

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Scripture Quote:I rejoice heartily in the LORD, in my God is the joy of my soul; for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation and wrapped me in a mantle of justice, like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, like a bride bedecked with her jewels. -Isaiah 61: 10-11

Solidarity Reflection: BrazilOver the past decade, the number of Catholics in Brazil has declined as never before in history. But hope is alive and a new evangelization has begun. As Cardinal Francisco Errázuriz asserts, “To be a Christian is to be always a missionary disciple of Jesus Christ, in communion with his own, sent to buildhis kingdom.” The urgency to go out and evangelize has become an imperative.

Action:Pray for the people of Brazil, and all thoseinvolved in the work of evangelization.

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Readings of the Day:Isaiah 61: 1-2, 10-11Luke 1: 46-50, 53-54I Thessalonians 5: 16-24John 1: 6-8, 19-28

Sunday, December 14, 2008Third Sunday of Advent

Brazil

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Scripture Quote:Good and upright is the LORD; thus he shows sinners the way. He guides the humble to justice, he teaches the humble his way. -Psalm 25

Solidarity Reflection: HungaryLong years of communist rule left people unable to trust. Despite secularizationthe Catholic Church remains, for many Hungarians, the religious communityof choice or, at least, an important point of reference. The Church in Budapestis a living Church and the missionary spirit is profoundly present in God’s people.

Action:Pray for the people of Hungary.

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Readings of the Day:Numbers 4:2-7, 15-17Psalm 25: 4-9Matthew 21:23-27

Monday December 15, 2008Hungary

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Scripture Quote:From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia and as far as the recesses of the North, they shall bring me offerings. . . For then will I remove from your midst the proud braggarts, and you shall no longer exalt yourself on my holy mountain. But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD: the remnant of Israel. -Zep 3:10-13

Solidarity Reflection: EthiopiaEthiopia suffers from drought, has an urgent need for basic education for its children and is among the countries with the highest rate of infant malnutrition.Despite the material poverty, it is spiritually rich and things are changing through the road of development. Hope is on the rise.

Action:Pray for the people of Ethiopia.

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Readings of the Day:Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13Psalm 2-3,6-7,17-19, 23Matthew 21:28-32

Tuesday, December 16, 2008Ethiopia

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Scripture Quote:The mountains shall yield peace for the people, and the hills justice. He shall defend the afflicted among the people, save the children of the poor. Justiceshall flower in his days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more. May herule from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth.

–Psalm 72:3-4,7-8Solidarity Reflection: IraqViolent acts against Christians in Iraq are on the rise. Yet there is hope that theinitiatives of dialogue with the Muslim world, along the path opened by John Paul II and continued by Benedict XVI, contribute to affirm ever more decidedlythat in the name of God, one cannot kill and hate, but only love and respect every human person.

Action:Pray for the people of Iraq.

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Readings of the Day:Genesis 49:2, 8-10Psalm 72:1-4, 7-8, 17Matthew 1:1-17

Wednesday, December 17, 2008Iraq

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Scripture Quote:O God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice, the king’s son; He shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment. For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflictedwhen he has no one to help him. -Psalm 72

Solidarity Reflection: ParaguayPope Benedict XVI granted a reduction to the lay state for former bishop and newly elected president of Paraguay, Fernando Lugo. The Code of Canon law prohibits clerics from running for political office. After granting Lugo’s request,the pope urged Lugo “to be faithful to the Catholic faith in which he was baptized and to lead a life that is consistent with the Gospel.”

Action:Pray for the people of Paraguay.

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Readings of the Day:Jeremiah 23: 5-8Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19Matthew 1:18-25

Thursday, December 18, 2008Paraguay

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Scripture Quote:I will treat of the mighty works of the LORD; O God, I will tell of your singularjustice. O God, you have taught me from my youth, and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds. -Psalm 71: 16-17

Solidarity Reflection: HaitiIn September, three hurricanes ravaged Haiti in a span of 25 days. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. The storms have left the destituteeven more desperate. The recent school collapse only added to the sense ofgrief and loss. New hope emerges as attention refocuses on Haiti.

Action:Pray for the people of Haiti.

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Readings of the Day:Judges 13:2-7, 24-25Psalm 71:3-6, 16-17Luke 1:5-25

Friday December 19, 2008Haiti

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Scripture Quote:Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD? or who may stand in this holy place? One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires notwhat is vain. -Psalm 24

Solidarity Reflection: BosniaMore than 100,000 people died during Bosnia's three-way war from 1992-95. Yet Bosnian soldiers, Muslim Bosnians, Orthodox Christian Serbs, Catholic Croats, once bitter enemies, are fanning around the globe as peacekeepers in Congo, Eritrea, Iraq and possibly Afghanistan, as well. Their willingness to servetogether, both at home and abroad points up an astonishing reality in postwar Bosnia.

Action:Pray for the people of Bosnia.

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Readings of the Day:Isaiah 7:10-14Psalm 24:1-6Luke 1:26-38

Saturday December 20, 2008Bosnia

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Scripture Quote:“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then theangel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favorwith God. -Luke 1

Solidarity Reflection: UkraineThe Ukraine is experiencing the rebirth of the Church after the dramatic periodof persecution. The Communist empire has fallen, but there are other problemsthat challenge the faith, which call for courage, an even greater effort, perhaps,in witnessing to the Christian faith and in truly living the Christian life. Despite this, there is a tremendous enthusiasm and new vibrancy among the young people for the faith.

Action:Pray for the people of Ukraine.

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Readings of the Day:2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16Psalm 89: 2-5, 27, 29Romans 16:25-27Luke 1:26-38

Sunday, December 21, 2008Fourth Sunday of Advent

Ukraine

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Scripture Quote:“The LORD makes poor and makes rich, he humbles, he also exalts. He raises the needy from the dust; from the dung heap he lifts up the poor, To seat them with nobles and make a glorious throne their heritage.”

-1 Samuel 2: 7-8

Solidarity Reflection: ZimbabweA contested election in March has resulted in ongoing violence and unrest. Robert Mugabe refuses to abide by power-sharing agreements. The once prosperous country is in total economic collapse, with inflation officially listed at over 231 million percent. More than 3 million people have fled the country while those who remain live on the brink of starvation. Hope is waning but the peopleare still waiting for signs of hope.

Action:Pray for the people of Zimbabwe.

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Readings of the Day:1 Samuel 1:24-281 Samuel 2:1,4-8Luke 1:46-56

Monday, December 22, 2008Zimbabwe

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Scripture Quote:Good and upright is the LORD; thus he shows sinners the way. He guides the humble to justice, he teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy toward those who keephis covenant and his decrees. -Psalm 25

Solidarity Reflection: PolandThe young people of Poland are reinvigorating the faith. 70,000 young people gatheredin Lednica for Poland's 12th Youth Day. The theme centered on friendship, “Friendshipis the most beautiful gift that we can be given in life; therefore, it must be nurtured with care: at home, in school, at work, in marriage, but above all friendship with Christ mustgrow.“

Action:Pray for the people of Poland.

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Readings of the Day:Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24Psalm 25:4-5,8-10, 114Luke 1:57-66

Tuesday, December 23, 2008St. John of Kanty

Poland

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Scripture Quote:In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shallbreak upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and theshadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.” -Luke 1:78-80

Solidarity Reflection: Holy Land“The Israelis want security and they want peace; the Palestinians want their independence, their security as well, and peace. And they are capable of attaining it. There is much opposition for ideological reasons, for political reasons because of a fear of peace. In my opinion, the main obstacle to peace is the fear of peace.” -Archbishop Michel Sabbah, Prelate of Jerusalem

Action:Pray for the people of Israel and Palestine.

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Readings of the Day:2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16Psalm 89: 2-5, 27, 30Luke 1:67-79

Wednesday, December 24, 2008Christmas EveIsrael - Palestine

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Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord. -Lk 2:11

Thursday, December 25, 2008Christmas

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