December 14, 2025, Third Sunday of Advent: Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10; Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11

Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.”

John the Baptist is in prison and wants to know about Jesus and the disciples go back to John and tell him what they themselves have heard and seen, because the healings, resurrections and liberations are unequivocal signs of the messianic nature of Jesus of Nazareth. St. Augustine of Hippo remarks on St. John the Baptist: “Many things could be said about St. John the Baptist. However, if I attempted to enumerate them, I would never be finished with telling you, nor you with listening. Now let me round it off in a nutshell. Human beings must be humbled, and God must be exalted.” – Sermon 293 D,

Pope Leo XIV – Intentions for the month of December 2025: Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention focuses on the importance of education for migrants, refugees, and those affected by war, emphasizing the need for their right to education to be respected.
Overview of the Intention
Pope Leo XIV has entrusted specific prayer intentions for each month, and for December 2025, the intention highlights the critical role of education in building a better world. The intention calls for prayers that migrants, refugees, and those affected by conflict may have their right to education upheld, which is essential for personal development and societal progress. (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)

“BE DOERS OF THE WORD,” by Bishop James S. Wall, Bishop of the Gallup diocese 2024: “Most Rev. James S. Wall, Bishop of Gallup discusses his special connection to the diocese and his experience as bishop in this unique diocese. Bishop Wall also talks about how the Catholic Home Missions Appeal helps provide the faithful of his diocese with the most basic things and why contributing to the Collection is so important. Bishop Wall’s diocese also has the highest percentage of Native American lands of any diocese in the country, he briefly discusses how the Church can minister to Native Americans through the Pastoral Framework for Indigenous Ministry “Keeping Christ’s Sacred Promise”.

MISSION STATEMENT –The Monastery of Our Lady of the Desert is a monastic community of women in the Benedictine tradition. We profess vows of stability, conversion of life and obedience. Our primary mission, is to seek God through a life of prayer, silence and solitude. Our way of life frees us to give glory and praise to God, intercede through prayer for the needs of the world and hospitality