December 17

Year of Saint Joseph

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Happy 85th Birthday to Pope Francis. Ad multos annos!

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 62 The Priests of the Monastery

Mass: Gn 49:2, 8-10; Resp Ps 72; Mt 1:1-17

Of her was born Jesus.

O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end, mightily and sweetly ordering all things; come and teach us the way of prudence.

(Traditional "O" Antiphon)

Let the countdown to Christmas begin as we prepare ourselves for the Nativity of the Lord. One way we do this is with the traditional "O" Antiphons that begin today and go through December 24. The Antiphon of the day will be included at the top of each daily reflection. It is since the 6th century that the Antiphons have been in the life of the Latin Church, celebrated at Vespers, or Evening Prayer, each day with the Magnificat. In 1970, they were introduced into the lectionary with shorter versions used as the Gospel versicle. You will notice them. However, they can be celebrated and prayed at any time. As you will see, each one is a fitting prayer for all times and places. I like this description of the Antiphons from Universalis: The "O" Antiphons "count down the last seven days before Christmas and tie together seven threads of hope, longing and doctrine which all find their culmination and final union in the moment of the Incarnation." Using an Old Testament title for God, we address Him each day with "O", and ask Jesus to come. O Wisdom ... come and teach us the way of prudence.

At the same time, we proclaim Saint Matthew's "book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham" (Mt 1:1) at Mass. Pray with it out loud today, let the names roll off your tongue. Remember, a name is the song you sing when you see someone coming. Tamar ... Amminadab ... Rahab ... Ruth ... Shealtiel ... Eliud ... Yes, "the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations ... (Mt 1:17).

Advent helps us to prepare ourselves for Christmas, welcoming Jesus without fear. If we open wide the doors of our life, everything takes on a new light and our family, work, suffering, health, friendship, become opportunities to discover His consoling presence.

(Pope Francis, Twitter, December 14, 2021)

SAINT JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF MARY,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's image: Our Lady of the Sign, through the hand of Sister Suzanne, ocso. The Lord Himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name Him Immmanuel (Is 7:14)

© Gertrude Feick 2021