December 19

Year of Saint Joseph

Other saints: Saint Nemesius and Other Martyrs of Alexandria (250); Pope Saint Anastasius I (401); Pope Bd Urban V (1310-1370); SS Dominic Uy, Stephen Vinh, and Companions, Martyrs (1839)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 63:10-19

Mass: Jdg 13:2-7, 24-25a; Resp Ps 71; Lk 1:5-25

For you are my hope, O Lord; my trust, O God, from my youth.

O radix Iesse!

O Root of Jesse, who stand as a sign among the people, before whom kings shall shut their mouths, to whom the nations shall make supplication: come to deliver us, and tarry not.

(Traditional O Antiphon)

The angels have been busy these days. Yesterday, "the angel of the Lord" appeared to Joseph in a dream (Mt 1:20). In our first reading for today, "an angel of the Lord" appears to the wife of Manoah (Jdg 13:3), and "the angel of the Lord" appears to Zechariah in our Gospel (Lk 1:11). What do you suppose would be your response to an angel's appearance? It may be worth reflecting on that question. The truth, as our Catechism teaches, is that "the whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of the angels" (CCC 334). Furthermore, "from its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. 'Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life' .... (CCC 336). These are some of the reasons we venerate angels for "the Church venerates the angels who help her on her earthly pilgrimage and protect every human being" (CCC 352). Ask your angel to help you as you prepare to celebrate Christmas. May all our angels protect and guide us as we count down the days to Christmas with the third of seven "O" Antiphons: O Root of Jesse ... come to deliver us, and tarry not. 

SUDDEN BREEZE

Jeremy Driscoll

Across

water like glass

a fast

and sudden

wind races.

In two directions almost the same:

a flash of ripples.

An angel slicing

    the waters

    of

    the pond,

delivering a message

to the bottom.

Fast again to heaven returned,

the waters all smooth,

the earth blessed.

JOSEPH, MIRROR OF PATIENCE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: One last look at our Advent wreath for the Third Week of Advent.

© Gertrude Feick 2020