December 22

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

O Rex gentium!

Saints: Saints Chaeromon, Bishop, Ischyrion, and Others, Marytyrs (250); Blessed Jutta of Diessenberg (1136)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 65:1-10 The Prior of the Monastery

Mass: 1 Sm 1:24-28; Resp Ps (1 Sm 2); Lk 1;46-56 

He raises the needy from the dust.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT JOSEPH, MOST STRONG,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.

(Lk 1:46)

We march on to the celebration of the Nativity of the Lord and pray: O King of the nations and their Desire, the Cornerstone who binds two into one; come and save mankind, whom you fashioned from clay. As we continue our countdown to Christmas, we have another day of joy and much thanksgiving. We have beloved Hannah, Mary, and Elizabeth in our readings at Mass. They alone bring us much to rejoice about. These strong, faithful women are busy interceding for us. They know something about what life is about, with all its up and downs. Women of prayer, may they inspire us to get down on our knees and pray for one another, especially for those who find these days difficult, those who grieve, those who suffer with depression, loneliness, isolation, or illness. Reach out in one way or another. Let your Spirit rejoice in God your Savior and help lift up the lowly.

Let Mary's soul be in each of you to proclaim the greatness of the Lord. Let her spirit be in each to rejoice in the Lord. Christ has only one mother in the flesh, but we all bring forth Christ in faith ... Magnify the Lord with me. The Lord is magnified, not because the human voice can add anything to God but because He is magnified in us. Christ is the image of God, and if the soul does what is right and holy, it magnifies that image of God, in whose likeness it was created and, in magnifying the image of God, the soul has a share in its greatness and is exalted.

(From a commentary on Luke by Saint Ambrose, bishop, in Office of Readings, December 21)

SAINT CHAEROMON, ISCHYRION AND OTHERS,

BLESSED JUTTA OF DIESSENBERG,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: From the daily morning regime, on "the hill." Don't forget to stop and take a closer look now and then. He raises up again.

© Gertrude Feick 2022