Friday, December 14, 2018

Saint John of the Cross, Doctor of the Church (1542-1591)

Friday of the Second Week of Advent

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 60 The Admission of Priests into the Monastery
Mass: Is 48:17-19; Resp Ps 1 (see Jn 8:12); Mt 11:16-19


If you would hearken to my commandments, your prosperity will be like a river.

Pope Francis tweeted these words today: 'This is the first step in order to grow in our journey of faith: listening. Before speaking, listen.' So, we listen: 'Thus says the Lord, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I, the Lord your God, teach you what is for good, and lead you on the way you should go (Is 48:17). Jesus speaks to us: I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (Jn 8:12). However, we remember what the Lord tells us over and over: 'Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me' (Communion Antiphon, Mass). May we keep our fixed on Christ the Light during this Advent while praying for healing, strength, and courage. Whatever crosses come our way today in the form of contradictions, anxieties, disputes, aches and pains, and the usual daily pinpricks, may the words of the psalmist be on our lips and in our hearts:


Blessed is the one who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the Lord
and meditates on his law day and night.

He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does prospers.

Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the Lord watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
(Resp Ps 1)

MARANA THA! COME, LORD JESUS!

In my Word I have already said everything. Fix your eyes on him alone, for in him I have revealed all, and in him you will find more than you could ever ask for or desire.
(St John of the Cross)

Saint John of the Cross, pray for us.

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