Second Week of Advent

December is the month dedicated to Advent and Christmas and the Immaculate Conception 

Readings from the Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week: Ch 57 The Artisans of the Monastery - Ch 61 The Reception of Visiting Monks

Justice shall look down from heaven.

MARY, CONCEIVED WITHOUT ORIGINAL SIN,

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together; 

for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

(Isaiah 40:5)

Welcome to the Second Sunday of Advent. The Sunday when we hear a messenger who will prepare the way; a voice of one crying out in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths (Mk 1:3). It is time to listen, then, with the ear of your heart (Rule of Saint Benedict Prologue 1). Or as a disciple of Saint Benedict says: "Enter the room of your heart. Put your ear to the door, strain to listen to the tidings God's messenger brings" (Saint Bernard of Clairvaux). Be alert; pay attention. Don't miss a thing, for "there is no room for complacency in Christian life" (Mary Healy). Just what is it that you will do this week to make straight the way of the Lord? We turn to one of my favorites, Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622), for help.

Make straight the way of the Lord, fill up the valleys, lower the mountains and hills. They, as well as the ditches and valleys, trouble travelers. Make straight the paths. Those that twist and turn fatigue the pilgrim greatly. Our life too contains many hills, valleys and tortuous ways which can be put right only by penitence. Penitence fills up the valleys, lays low the mountains, makes straight and smooths the ways. Do penance ... lower those mountains of pride, fill up those valleys, those ditches of lukewarmness and tepidity. The valleys ... which are none other than fear which, when it is excessive leads to discouragement. Fill up the valleys; that is, fill your hearts with confidence and hope because salvation is near at hand.

Jesus, please give us the grace we need this week to further prepare for Your coming. May we be found worthy to enter Your kingdom. United in faith and prayer, we go forth. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus, come. 

Here a voice, there a voice, everywhere a voice, voice ...

Time slows,

waiting with the text,

waiting for the Word to come,

Waiting with my heart

Wide open

For Him to write

His pages there.

(David Hodges)

The Incarnation is the most stupendous event which can ever take place on earth; and after it and henceforth, I do not see how we can scruple at any miracle on the mere ground of its being unlikely to happen.

(Saint John Henry Newman, 1801-1890)

In putting his signature, in faith, to the mysterium of the Incarnate Son of God, a person is enabled to be a helper of his fellow men, to bring happiness to children, families, and the oppressed. Faith in the Incarnation promotes the salvation of mankind and the implementation of human rights.

(Theodor Schnitzler, 1910-1982)

God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December.

(James M. Barrie, 1860-1937, author of Peter Pan)

Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.

(Thomas Merton, 1915-1968)

Put aside hatred and hostility. See to it that you refrain from harsh words.

(Saint Francis of Paola, 1416-1507)

The golden urn is blessed Mary,

golden by reason of the excellence of her life,

golden through her integrity and purity,

golden through the fullness of grace.

(Amadeus of Lausanne, 1110-1159)

Salve Regina! Immaculate Virgin,

Hear me implore; and thy pity bestow;

Wild waves of trouble around me are surging,

Light with thy smile the deep night of my woe.

Queen of the saints! hear my earnest petition,

Mother of Jesus, conceived without sin,

Turn me aside from the road to perdition,

Let me the fold of thy love enter in.

(William A.C. Hosmer, 1814-1877)

OUR LADY OF LORETO,

SAINT MELCHIADES,

SAINT JOHN ROBERTS,

SAINT EDMUND GENNINGS,

SAINT EUSTACE WHITE,

SAINT POLYDORE PLASDEN,

SAINT SWITHIN WELLS,

POPE SAINT DAMASUS I,

SAINT MARIA MARAVILLAS OF JESUS,

SAINT FINIAN OF CLONARD,

SAINT JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL,

SAINT LUCY,

SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS,

SAINT VIRGINIA CENTURIONE BRACELLI,

BLESSED MARY OF THE ANGELS,

SAINT ADELAIDE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This shot, taken after some days of considerable rainfall, turns out to be perfect. Glory dwelling in our land.

© Gertrude Feick