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

December 17

Year of Saint Joseph

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Happy 85th Birthday to Pope Francis. Ad multos annos!

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 62 The Priests of the Monastery

Mass: Gn 49:2, 8-10; Resp Ps 72; Mt 1:1-17

Of her was born Jesus.

O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end, mightily and sweetly ordering all things; come and teach us the way of prudence.

(Traditional "O" Antiphon)

Let the countdown to Christmas begin as we prepare ourselves for the Nativity of the Lord. One way we do this is with the traditional "O" Antiphons that begin today and go through December 24. The Antiphon of the day will be included at the top of each daily reflection. It is since the 6th century that the Antiphons have been in the life of the Latin Church, celebrated at Vespers, or Evening Prayer, each day with the Magnificat. In 1970, they were introduced into the lectionary with shorter versions used as the Gospel versicle. You will notice them. However, they can be celebrated and prayed at any time. As you will see, each one is a fitting prayer for all times and places. I like this description of the Antiphons from Universalis: The "O" Antiphons "count down the last seven days before Christmas and tie together seven threads of hope, longing and doctrine which all find their culmination and final union in the moment of the Incarnation." Using an Old Testament title for God, we address Him each day with "O", and ask Jesus to come. O Wisdom ... come and teach us the way of prudence.

At the same time, we proclaim Saint Matthew's "book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham" (Mt 1:1) at Mass. Pray with it out loud today, let the names roll off your tongue. Remember, a name is the song you sing when you see someone coming. Tamar ... Amminadab ... Rahab ... Ruth ... Shealtiel ... Eliud ... Yes, "the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations ... (Mt 1:17).

Advent helps us to prepare ourselves for Christmas, welcoming Jesus without fear. If we open wide the doors of our life, everything takes on a new light and our family, work, suffering, health, friendship, become opportunities to discover His consoling presence.

(Pope Francis, Twitter, December 14, 2021)

SAINT JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF MARY,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's image: Our Lady of the Sign, through the hand of Sister Suzanne, ocso. The Lord Himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name Him Immmanuel (Is 7:14)

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Year of Saint Joseph

Other saints: Saint Ammon and Companions, Martyrs (250); Saint Philogonius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr (324); Saint Dominic of Silos, Abbot (1073); Bd Scubilion (1797-1867); Saint Fachanan of Kilfenora

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 64:1-6 The Election of an Abbot or Abbess

Mass: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 141, 16; Resp Ps 89; Rm 16:25-27; Lk 1:26-38

For ever I will sing the goodness of God.

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 to freedom the prisoner who sits in darkness and the shadow of death. 

(Traditional O Antiphon)

We continue our count down to Christmas with the fourth great "O" Antiphon and address Jesus in this way:  O Key of David ... come. I like something I read yesterday about how great these "O" Antiphons are, for "nothing stands in the way of these antiphons: compared to them, even Sundays have no antiphon of their own" (Universalis, "About Today", December 19, 2020). O Key of David ... come.

Something else I read was this: "Advent is not a spectator sport but a way of life in service of the Gospel" (Magnificat, December 2020, p. 200). If for one reason or another you have been spectating, there is still time to get involved in the action. And there is plenty of that in today's Gospel. Be awake. An angel just may come to you today at a most unexpected time. You may be troubled or afraid. That would be a normal response one would think. After all Mary was. Still, listen to the message brought to you. Turn to God who can strengthen you (Rm 16:25). May your response and mine too join with Mary's: May it be done to me according to your word (Lk 1:38).

When the human spirit is ready, God enters without hesitation or waiting. You need not look either here or there. God is no farther away than the door of your heart.

(Meister Eckhart, 1260-1328)

MARY, MOTHER OF DIVINE GRACE,

PRAY FOR US.

SAINT JOSEPH, 

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Our Advent wreath for the Fourth Week of Advent.

© Gertrude Feick 2020