December 21

Year of Saint Joseph

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

Saint: Saint Canisius, Priest, Doctor (1521-1597)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 64:7-22 The Election of an Abbot

Mass: Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Resp Ps 33; Lk 1:39-45

Our soul waits for the Lord.

O Rising Dawn, splendor of eternal Light and Sun of Justice: come and illuminate those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.

Here we are on the winter solstice with the shortest day of the year and the official first day of winter. On the shortest day of the year, we turn first to the Prophet Isaiah: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwell in the land of gloom a light has shone (Is 9:1). The Prophet's words are the words we echo as we address God in our "O" Antiphon, "O Rising Dawn", "O Rising Dawn, splendor of eternal Light and Sun of Justice: come and illuminate those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death." We might be short on daylight today, but the light, the Light is coming. The daylight hours increase as we are yes, on our way to spring, but the Light and Sun of Justice are coming to illuminate the darkness and gloom of our days, to "illuminate those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death." As we continue to prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths, we address the Lord as Rising Dawn, and ask Him to lighten our load and remove any darkness and gloom that may be residing in our hearts and minds. The Light is shining, faithful readers, look to God's face and be radiant with joy.

You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing.

(Is 9:2)

For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.

(Lk 1:44)

SAINT PETER CANISIUS,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Back by popular demand, it's Theo. He's waiting on something or someone.

© Gertrude Feick 2021