December 21

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

O Oriens!

Saint: Saint Peter Canisius, Priest, Doctor of the Church (1521-1597)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 64:7-22 The Election of an Abbot

Mass: Songs 2:8-14 or Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Resp Ps 33; Lk 1:39-45

Our soul waits for the Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, MORNING STAR,

PRAY FOR US.

Hark! My Lover - here he comes, springing across the mountains, leaping across the hills.

(Songs 2:8)

Our readings today speak of lightness, joy, bounding, leaping, and delight in the Lord. It is no wonder as the Prophet Zephaniah prophesies: The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; He will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, He will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals (Zephaniah 3:17). On this winter solstice then, the first day of winter and the shortest day of the year, and always united in faith and prayer, we celebrate O Rising Dawn, splendor of eternal Light and Sun of Justice: come and illuminate those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death. Listen for Mary's voice today. At the moment Our Lady greets you, join the infant in Elizabeth's womb and leap for joy! (see Lk 1:44). Or in the words of Saint Rafael Arnaiz, "Love Mary dearly ... look to heaven ... sing ... go crazy ..."

SAINT PETER CANISIUS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: For the winter solstice, just a little something from the archives to whet our appetite for things to come. In Him our hearts rejoice.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

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

Saints: Saints Marcellinus and Peter, Martyrs (-304); Saints Pothinus and Blandina, Martyrs (2nd century)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 7:35-43 Humility

Mass: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11; Resp Ps 16; Jn 17:20-26 

I bless the Lord who counsels me.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

I pray not only for them, but also for those who believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they may also be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.

(Jn 17:20-21)

United in faith and prayer, may we, through word and deed, bring others to the faith. Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on us. At the same time, our faith demands suffering, as we are reminded by the martyrs we commemorate these days. To be a disciple of Jesus, one with the Father, we must pick up our cross and follow Him. Immersed as we are in Saint Benedict's Chapter 7 on humility, we are brought to the fourth step of humility that begins in this way: "The fourth step of humility is that in this obedience under difficult, unfavorable, or even unjust conditions, [the disciple's] heart quietly embraces suffering and endures it without weakening or seeking escape. For Scripture has it: Anyone who perseveres to the end will be saved (Mt 10:22), and again, Be brave of heart and rely on the Lord (Ps 26[27]:14) (RB 7:35-37). The fourth step of humility is worth reading in its entirety. You may find it relevant and helpful. By the grace of God we go forth, brave of heart. 

Now is the time for Christians to rejoice, since Scripture says that we should rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering trains us to endure faith with patience, patient endurance makes us pleasing to God. and being pleasing to God gives us ground for a hope that will not be disappointed. Only let the love of God be poured forth into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

(From the exhortation to Martyrdom by Origen, priest, in Office of Readings, June 2)

SAINTS MARCELLINUS AND PETER,

SAINTS POTHINUS AND BLANDINA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: The delights at your right hand forever.

© Gertrude Feick 2022