December 20

The Month of December Dedicated to Advent and the Coming of Christ

O clavis David!

Saints: Saint Dominic of Silos (1000-1073); Blessed Scubilion (1797-1867); Saint Fachanan of Kilfenora (c. 6th century)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 64 :1-6 The Election of an Abbot

Mass: Is 7:10-14; Resp Ps 24; Lk 1:26-38

He founded it upon the seas.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT JOSEPH, PILLAR OF FAMILIES,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

The virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.

(Is 7:14)

Welcome to our countdown to the Nativity of the Lord when we rejoice and celebrate O Key of David and scepter of the house of Israel; who open and none can shut; who shut and none can open: come and lead us to freedom the prisoner who sits in darkness and the shadow of death.

And speaking of angels, dear Gabriel pays Mary a visit in today's Gospel. Thank you, Mary, for saying yes. 

You have heard, O Virgin, that you will conceive and bear a son; you have heard that it will not be by man but by the Holy Spirit. The angel awaits an answer; it is time for him to return to God who sent him. We too are waiting, O Lady, for your word of compassion; the sentence of condemnation weighs heavily upon us ...

Answer quickly, O Virgin. Reply in haste to the angel, or rather, through the angel to the Lord. Answer with a word, receive the Word of God. Speak your own word, conceive the divine Word. Breathe a passing word, embrace the eternal Word ...

Arise, hasten, open. Arise in faith, hasten in devotion, open in praise and thanksgiving. Behold, the handmaid of the Lord, she says, be it done to me according to your word.

(From a homily In Praise of the Virgin Mother, by Saint Bernard, abbot, in Office of Readings, December 20)

SAINT DOMINIC OF SILOS,

BLESSED SCUBILION, 

SAINT FACHANAN OF KILFENORA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: A wonderful photo from the archives. The Lord's are the earth and its fullness.

© Gertrude Feick 2022