Monday of the First Week of Advent

For the Poor Souls in Purgatory

Saint: Saint Catherine Laboure (1806-1876)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 40:10-21 The Daily Manual Labor

Mass:  Is 4:2-6; Resp Ps 122; Mt 8:5-11

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

OUR LADY OF VAILANKANNI,

OUR LADY OF MONTILGEON,

SAINT GERTRUDE THE GREAT OF HELFTA,

SAINT NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

The Lord's glory will be shelter and protection: shade form the parchment heat of day, 

refuge and cover from storm and rain.

(Is 4:6)

Welcome to Monday of the First Week of Advent. Yes, it is Monday and not much else needs to said about that. At the same time, we are in the holy season of Advent. We remember from the Church's norms on the liturgical year that Advent has a twofold character, "for it is a time of preparation for the Solemnities of Christmas, in which the First Coming of the Son of God to humanity is remembered, and likewise a time when, by remembrance of this, minds and hearts are led to look forward to Christ's Second Coming at the end of time." Advent then is a "period of devout and expectant delight" (39).  It is also a time, as put by wife, mother of a disabled son, and by profession an academic dean, Kimberly Shankman, when we find ourselves in what she calls "a new certainty: we long for what has already happened, but is still happening today. When we quiet down, and embrace our neediness, we can see Christ present here and now" ("What Are We Waiting For?", in Magnificat, November 2022, p. 390). We get busy then and as discussed yesterday, awake from sleep, arise from stupor, throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. United in faith and prayer, we want to be prepared for Jesus Christ in our midst right now, in the midst of the daily, even the Monday daily. Christ is in the midst of our relations with others, even the most difficult ones, in our suffering, neediness, joy, sorrow, and trials. Keep an eye out for Him today. Praise to the God who is, praise to the God who was, praise to the God who is to come, for ages unending. Amen.

WHY NOT BE POLITE

by Hafiz, c.1320-1389

Everyone 

Is God speaking.

Why not be polite and

Listen to

Him?

SAINT CATHERINE LABOURE,

SAINT MARY ELIZABETH HESSELBLAD,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Perfect for the blessed season of Advent. I will pray for your good.

© Gertrude Feick 2022