Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent

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

Saint: Saint Nicholas of Myra, Bishop (270-343)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 54 Letters or Gifts for Monks

Mass: 40:1-11; Resp Ps 96; Mt 18:12-14

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

OUR LADY OF MONTILGEON,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Though the grass withers and the flower wilts, the word of God stands forever.

(Is 40:8)

We keep our saint of the day busy. We have the privilege to commemorate Saint Nicholas of Myra as he is known in the East, for he was the bishop of Myra (now Demre, on the coast of modern-day Turkey), also known as Saint Nicholas of Bari in the West, because his relics were taken to Bari by the Italians during the Muslim conquest of Turkey in 1087. For a variety of reasons, Saint Nicholas has become the patron saint of pawnbrokers, children, and of sailors, He is invoked by the shipwrecked, by those in difficult economic circumstances, and for those affected by fires. One of the most endearing stories of Saint Nicholas speaks of his generosity. It is said they he "threw bags of gold through an open window in the house of a poor man to serve as dowry for the man's daughters, who otherwise would have been forced into prostitution. The gold is said to have landed in the family's shoes, which were drying near the fire. This is why children leave their shoes out by the door or hang their stockings by the fireplace in the hope of receiving a gift on the eve of his feast (see Catholic News Agency, "Saint Nicholas of Myra"). In any case, dear Saint Nick, as he is affectionately called - apparently the traditional red robes he wore as a bishop were the inspiration for the fur-trimmed red suit and black boots Santa Claus is known for today” (D. Bean in "Saint Nicholas and Mother Seton: The Gift of Generosity," Seton Shrine), is invoked today. San Nikolaus can intercede for those who have wandered from the fold. As Jesus tells us in today's Gospel, It is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost 9Mt 18:14). United in faith and prayer, we do our part too. Reach out to a lost one - invite him or her to pray with you, send a poem, a short note, or call. And the most important thing is to pray for one another, wandered from the fold or not. Jesus is searching for all of us.

I will look after my sheep, says the Lord, and I will appoint a shepherd to pasture them, and I, the Lord, will be their God.

(Entrance Antiphon, Mass for the Optional Memorial of Saint Nicholaus)

SAINT NICHOLAS OF MYRA,

SAINT MARY ELIZABETH HESSELBLAD,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: I read today's Responsorial Psalm yesterday morning then walked outside and took this. Then let all the trees of the forest rejoice.

© Gertrude Feick 2022