"A light will shine on us this day,
the Lord is born for us."
The liturgy of the Mass at Dawn reminded us that the night is now past, the day has begun; the light radiating from the cave of Bethlehem shines upon us.
--Pope Benedict XVI Urbi et Orbi message, December 25, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Glory to God in the Highest
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that the whole world should be enrolled.
This was the first enrollment,
when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.
And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth
to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and family of David,
to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
While they were there,
the time came for her to have her child,
and she gave birth to her firstborn son.
She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields
and keeping the night watch over their flock.
The angel of the Lord appeared to them
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were struck with great fear.
The angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid;
for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David
a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you:
you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel,
praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
--New American Bible
that the whole world should be enrolled.
This was the first enrollment,
when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.
And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth
to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and family of David,
to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
While they were there,
the time came for her to have her child,
and she gave birth to her firstborn son.
She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields
and keeping the night watch over their flock.
The angel of the Lord appeared to them
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were struck with great fear.
The angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid;
for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David
a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you:
you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel,
praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
--New American Bible
Thursday, December 24, 2009
O Holy Night
O Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night, divine, O night, O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from the Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our needs, to our weakness no stranger.
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Your king, before him bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night, divine, O night, O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from the Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our needs, to our weakness no stranger.
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Your king, before him bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
My heart is ready
My heart is ready, O God;
I will sing, sing your praise.
Awake, my soul;
awake, lyre and harp.
I will awake the dawn.
I will thank you, Lord, among the peoples,
among the nations I will praise you,
for your love reaches to the heavens
and your truth to the skies.
O God, arise above the heavens;
may your glory shine on earth!
--from psalm 108
I will sing, sing your praise.
Awake, my soul;
awake, lyre and harp.
I will awake the dawn.
I will thank you, Lord, among the peoples,
among the nations I will praise you,
for your love reaches to the heavens
and your truth to the skies.
O God, arise above the heavens;
may your glory shine on earth!
--from psalm 108
Come Lord Jesus
Come, Lord Jesus,
do not delay;
give new courage to your people who trust in your love.
By your coming, raise us to the joy of your kingdom,
where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
--Roman liturgy
do not delay;
give new courage to your people who trust in your love.
By your coming, raise us to the joy of your kingdom,
where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
--Roman liturgy
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
O Emmanuel
O Emmanuel,
king and lawgiver,
desire of the nations,
Savior of all people,
come and set us free,
Lord our God.
--Vespers antiphon
O come, O come Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
--Latin hymn – ninth century
I am the Lord and there is no other.
Let justice descend, O heavens, like dew from above,
like gentle rain let the skies drop it down.
Let the earth open and salvation bud forth;
let justice also spring up!
I, the Lord, have created this.
--Isaiah 45
king and lawgiver,
desire of the nations,
Savior of all people,
come and set us free,
Lord our God.
--Vespers antiphon
O come, O come Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
--Latin hymn – ninth century
I am the Lord and there is no other.
Let justice descend, O heavens, like dew from above,
like gentle rain let the skies drop it down.
Let the earth open and salvation bud forth;
let justice also spring up!
I, the Lord, have created this.
--Isaiah 45
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
O King
O King of all the nations,
the only joy of every human heart;
O Keystone of the mighty arch of man,
come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.
--Vespers antiphon
O come desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of humankind;
O bid our sad divisions cease,
And be for us our king of peace.
--Latin hymn – ninth century
the only joy of every human heart;
O Keystone of the mighty arch of man,
come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.
--Vespers antiphon
O come desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of humankind;
O bid our sad divisions cease,
And be for us our king of peace.
--Latin hymn – ninth century
Monday, December 21, 2009
Hark! My lover...
I love this text from the Song of Songs. To me it has a unique beauty. The Church specifies it be proclaimed at Mass every year on December 21, although there is an alternate. When I read or hear it, I become the narrator to whom the lover (God) is speaking. Just imagining the almighty God, who knows me better than I know myself, calling me "beloved," or "beautiful one," or "lovely" in spite of my many faults and failings fills me with hope and a sense of His infinite love.
Hark! My lover--here he comes
springing across the mountains,
leaping across the hills.
My lover is like a gazelle
or a young stag.
Here he stands behind our wall,
gazing through the windows,
peering through the lattices.
My lover speaks; he says to me,
"Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one,
and come!
"For see, the winter is past,
the rains are over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth,
the time of pruning the vines has come,
and the song of the dove is heard in our land.
The fig tree puts forth its figs,
and the vines, in bloom, give forth fragrance.
Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one,
and come!
"O my dove in the clefts of the rock,
in the secret recesses of the cliff,
Let me see you,
let me hear your voice,
For your voice is sweet,
and you are lovely."
--Song of Songs
Hark! My lover--here he comes
springing across the mountains,
leaping across the hills.
My lover is like a gazelle
or a young stag.
Here he stands behind our wall,
gazing through the windows,
peering through the lattices.
My lover speaks; he says to me,
"Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one,
and come!
"For see, the winter is past,
the rains are over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth,
the time of pruning the vines has come,
and the song of the dove is heard in our land.
The fig tree puts forth its figs,
and the vines, in bloom, give forth fragrance.
Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one,
and come!
"O my dove in the clefts of the rock,
in the secret recesses of the cliff,
Let me see you,
let me hear your voice,
For your voice is sweet,
and you are lovely."
--Song of Songs
O Radiant Dawn
O Radiant Dawn,
splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:
come, shine on those who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death.
--Vespers antiphon
O come, thou Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadow put to flight.
--Latin hymn – ninth century
splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:
come, shine on those who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death.
--Vespers antiphon
O come, thou Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadow put to flight.
--Latin hymn – ninth century
Sunday, December 20, 2009
O Key of David
O Key of David, O royal power of Israel
controlling at your will the gate of heaven:
come, break down the prison walls of death
for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death;
and lead your captive people into freedom.
--Vespers antiphon
O come, thou key of David, come,
And open wide our heav’nly home,
Make safe the way that leads on high,
That we no more have cause to sigh.
--Latin hymn – ninth century
controlling at your will the gate of heaven:
come, break down the prison walls of death
for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death;
and lead your captive people into freedom.
--Vespers antiphon
O come, thou key of David, come,
And open wide our heav’nly home,
Make safe the way that leads on high,
That we no more have cause to sigh.
--Latin hymn – ninth century
Saturday, December 19, 2009
O Flower
O Flower of Jesse’s stem,
you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples;
kings stand silent in your presence;
the nations bow down in worship before you.
Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.
--Vespers antiphon
O Come O Rod of Jesse’s stem,
From every foe deliver them
That trust your mighty power to save,
And give them victory o’er the grave.
--Latin hymn – ninth century
Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse’s lineage coming
As seers of old have sung.
It came, a blossom bright,
Amid the cold of winter,
When half spent was the night.
Isaiah ‘twas foretold it,
The Rose I have in mind,
With Mary we behold it,
The Virgin Mother kind.
To show God’s love aright,
She bore to us a Savior,
When half spent was the night.
O Flower, whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air,
Dispel in glorious splendor
The darkness ev’rywhere;
True man, yet very God,
From sin and death now save us,
And share our ev’ry load.
--German carol
you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples;
kings stand silent in your presence;
the nations bow down in worship before you.
Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.
--Vespers antiphon
O Come O Rod of Jesse’s stem,
From every foe deliver them
That trust your mighty power to save,
And give them victory o’er the grave.
--Latin hymn – ninth century
Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse’s lineage coming
As seers of old have sung.
It came, a blossom bright,
Amid the cold of winter,
When half spent was the night.
Isaiah ‘twas foretold it,
The Rose I have in mind,
With Mary we behold it,
The Virgin Mother kind.
To show God’s love aright,
She bore to us a Savior,
When half spent was the night.
O Flower, whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air,
Dispel in glorious splendor
The darkness ev’rywhere;
True man, yet very God,
From sin and death now save us,
And share our ev’ry load.
--German carol
Friday, December 18, 2009
O Sacred Lord
O sacred Lord of ancient Israel,
who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush,
who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain:
come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.
--Vespers antiphon
O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to your tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the Law
In cloud and majesty and awe.
--Latin hymn – ninth century
Your light will come, Jerusalem;
the Lord will dawn on you in radiant beauty.
--Your light will come, Jerusalem;
the Lord will dawn on you in radiant beauty.
You will see his glory within you;
--the Lord will dawn on you in radiant beauty.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
--Your light will come, Jerusalem;
the Lord will dawn on you in radiant beauty.
--Roman liturgy
who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush,
who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain:
come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.
--Vespers antiphon
O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to your tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the Law
In cloud and majesty and awe.
--Latin hymn – ninth century
Your light will come, Jerusalem;
the Lord will dawn on you in radiant beauty.
--Your light will come, Jerusalem;
the Lord will dawn on you in radiant beauty.
You will see his glory within you;
--the Lord will dawn on you in radiant beauty.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
--Your light will come, Jerusalem;
the Lord will dawn on you in radiant beauty.
--Roman liturgy
Thursday, December 17, 2009
O Wisdom
O Wisdom, O holy Word of God,
you govern all creation
with your strong but tender care.
Come and show your people the way to salvation.
--Vespers antiphon
O come, O Wisdom from on high,
Who orders all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
--Latin hymn – ninth century
From the mouth, of the Most High I came forth
And mistlike covered the earth.
Before all ages, in the beginning, God created me,
And through all ages I shall not cease to be.
Come to me, all you that yearn for me,
And be filled with my fruits.
--Sirach 24: 3, 9, 18
you govern all creation
with your strong but tender care.
Come and show your people the way to salvation.
--Vespers antiphon
O come, O Wisdom from on high,
Who orders all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
--Latin hymn – ninth century
From the mouth, of the Most High I came forth
And mistlike covered the earth.
Before all ages, in the beginning, God created me,
And through all ages I shall not cease to be.
Come to me, all you that yearn for me,
And be filled with my fruits.
--Sirach 24: 3, 9, 18
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Let justice descend
I am the Lord, there is no other;
I form the light, and create the darkness,
I make well-being and create woe;
I, the Lord, do all these things.
Let justice descend, O heavens, like dew from above,
like gentle rain let the skies drop it down.
Let the earth open and salvation bud forth;
let justice also spring up!
I, the Lord, have created this.
--Isaiah 45, NAB
I form the light, and create the darkness,
I make well-being and create woe;
I, the Lord, do all these things.
Let justice descend, O heavens, like dew from above,
like gentle rain let the skies drop it down.
Let the earth open and salvation bud forth;
let justice also spring up!
I, the Lord, have created this.
--Isaiah 45, NAB
Monday, December 14, 2009
Father...
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
ever faithful to your promises
and ever close to your Church:
the earth rejoices in hope of the Savior's coming
and looks forward with longing
to his return at the end of time.
Prepare our hearts and remove the sadness
that hinders us from feeling the joy and hope
which his presence will bestow,
for he is Lord for ever and ever.
--Roman liturgy
ever faithful to your promises
and ever close to your Church:
the earth rejoices in hope of the Savior's coming
and looks forward with longing
to his return at the end of time.
Prepare our hearts and remove the sadness
that hinders us from feeling the joy and hope
which his presence will bestow,
for he is Lord for ever and ever.
--Roman liturgy
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Creator of the Stars
This became my favorite Advent hymn a dozen or so years ago. The melody grabbed me first, then, after I listened closely to the words, especially the first verse, the text grabbed me, too. I imagined it being written by someone in the 8th or 9th century who was pondering the immensity of a star-filled sky at evening time while trying to turn his or her heart to God. Maybe the composer was hungry and living in a chilly castle, a humble, cold hut, or out on a plain somewhere in the cold. Then I noticed the hope expressed in the final line and wondered how much faith it took, in those ancient days, to write it. I think that hope, for the Creator of the stars to hear our prayers, is shared by believers everywhere.
I wish I could post the melody, because it's so beautiful, especially when sung with a rich texture by a good choir. When I hear it sung that way, especially if they pause for a second or two at the end of each line, I'm out on a plain, with hat, jacket, and scarf pulled tight, looking up at the stars, pondering the Almighty, and marveling at the infinite love behind it all.
Creator of the stars of night,
Your people’s everlasting light,
O Christ, Redeemer of us all,
We pray you hear us when we call.
In sorrow that the ancient curse
Should doom to death a universe,
You came, O Savior, to set free
Your own in glorious liberty.
When this old world drew on toward night,
You came; but not in splendor bright,
Not as a monarch, but the child
Of Mary, blameless mother mild.
At your great Name, O Jesus, now
All knees must bend, all hearts must bow:
All things on earth with one accord,
Like those in heav’n, shall call you Lord.
Come in your holy might, we pray,
Redeem us for eternal day;
Defend us while we dwell below
From all assaults of our dread foe.
To God Creator, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One,
Praise, honor, might, and glory be
From age to age eternally.
Text: Conditor alme siderum, Latin 9th. C., tr. The Hymnal 1982, © 1985, The Church Pension Fund
I wish I could post the melody, because it's so beautiful, especially when sung with a rich texture by a good choir. When I hear it sung that way, especially if they pause for a second or two at the end of each line, I'm out on a plain, with hat, jacket, and scarf pulled tight, looking up at the stars, pondering the Almighty, and marveling at the infinite love behind it all.
Creator of the stars of night,
Your people’s everlasting light,
O Christ, Redeemer of us all,
We pray you hear us when we call.
In sorrow that the ancient curse
Should doom to death a universe,
You came, O Savior, to set free
Your own in glorious liberty.
When this old world drew on toward night,
You came; but not in splendor bright,
Not as a monarch, but the child
Of Mary, blameless mother mild.
At your great Name, O Jesus, now
All knees must bend, all hearts must bow:
All things on earth with one accord,
Like those in heav’n, shall call you Lord.
Come in your holy might, we pray,
Redeem us for eternal day;
Defend us while we dwell below
From all assaults of our dread foe.
To God Creator, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One,
Praise, honor, might, and glory be
From age to age eternally.
Text: Conditor alme siderum, Latin 9th. C., tr. The Hymnal 1982, © 1985, The Church Pension Fund
Saturday, December 12, 2009
How blessed we are
Lord,
Help us see how blessed we are
because of the mysteries
of creation, redemption, and sanctification.
May we, like Mary, our most merciful mother,
find joy in doing whatever you ask of us.
We pray that we may have the same sort of wisdom
and courage that allowed Mary to say yes to you
--Bishop Robert F. Morneau, Waiting in Joyful Hope,
Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN
Help us see how blessed we are
because of the mysteries
of creation, redemption, and sanctification.
May we, like Mary, our most merciful mother,
find joy in doing whatever you ask of us.
We pray that we may have the same sort of wisdom
and courage that allowed Mary to say yes to you
--Bishop Robert F. Morneau, Waiting in Joyful Hope,
Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN
Friday, December 11, 2009
Our brokenness
Our brokenness is the wound through which
the full power of God
can penetrate our being
and transfigure us in God.
Loneliness is not something from which we must flee
but the place from where we can cry out to God,
where God will find us and we can find God.
Yes, through our wounds
the power of God can penetrate us
and become like rivers of living water
to irrigate the arid earth within us.
Thus we may irrigate the arid earth of others,
so that hope and love are reborn.
--The Broken Body, Jean Vanier, Paulist Press
the full power of God
can penetrate our being
and transfigure us in God.
Loneliness is not something from which we must flee
but the place from where we can cry out to God,
where God will find us and we can find God.
Yes, through our wounds
the power of God can penetrate us
and become like rivers of living water
to irrigate the arid earth within us.
Thus we may irrigate the arid earth of others,
so that hope and love are reborn.
--The Broken Body, Jean Vanier, Paulist Press
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Seeking God
When a monk enters a monastery, what is asked of him is, “Are you truly seeking God?” The question isn’t, “Have you found God?” The question is, “Is he seeking God? Is his motivation highly involved on that search of who and what God is in relationship to us?” It’s not philosophical—it’s existential. And Merton, to me, was a great searcher. He was constantly unhappy, as all great searchers are. He was constantly ill at ease, he was constantly restless, as all searchers are—because that’s part of the search. And in that sense, he was the perfect monk. Contemplation isn’t satisfaction—it’s searching.
--Rembert Weakland, about Thomas Merton’s search for God, in his sermon at the conference on monasticism the morning after Merton’s death on December 10, 1968.
--Rembert Weakland, about Thomas Merton’s search for God, in his sermon at the conference on monasticism the morning after Merton’s death on December 10, 1968.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Justice and peace
O God, whose will is justice for the poor
and peace for the afflicted,
let your herald’s urgent voice
pierce our hardened hearts
and announce the dawn of your kingdom.
Before the advent of the one who baptizes
with the fire of the Holy Spirit,
let our complacency give way to conversion,
oppression to justice,
and conflict to acceptance of one another in Christ.
We ask this through him whose coming is certain,
whose day draws near:
your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
and peace for the afflicted,
let your herald’s urgent voice
pierce our hardened hearts
and announce the dawn of your kingdom.
Before the advent of the one who baptizes
with the fire of the Holy Spirit,
let our complacency give way to conversion,
oppression to justice,
and conflict to acceptance of one another in Christ.
We ask this through him whose coming is certain,
whose day draws near:
your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
O splendid jewel
The Catholic Church celebrates the Immaculate Conception of Mary today.
O splendid jewel, serenely infused with the Sun!
The Sun is in you as a fount
from the heart of the Father;
It is his sole Word, by whom he created the world,
The primary matter, which Eve threw into disorder.
He formed the Word in you as a human being,
And therefore you are the jewel that shines most brightly,
Through whom the Word breathed out
the whole of virtues
As once from primary matter he made all creatures.
--Hildegard of Bingen – Twelfth century
O splendid jewel, serenely infused with the Sun!
The Sun is in you as a fount
from the heart of the Father;
It is his sole Word, by whom he created the world,
The primary matter, which Eve threw into disorder.
He formed the Word in you as a human being,
And therefore you are the jewel that shines most brightly,
Through whom the Word breathed out
the whole of virtues
As once from primary matter he made all creatures.
--Hildegard of Bingen – Twelfth century
Monday, December 7, 2009
Rain down
Rain down your dew, you heavens,
and you clouds, rain down the just one.
Earth, be opened,
and give birth to the Savior.
and you clouds, rain down the just one.
Earth, be opened,
and give birth to the Savior.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Ask not
Ask not, doubt not. You have, my heart, already chosen the joy of Advent. As a force against your own uncertainty, bravely tell yourself, “It is the Advent of the great God.” Say this with faith and love, and then both the past of your life, which has become holy, and your life’s eternal, boundless future will draw together in the now of this world. For then into the heart comes the one who is Advent, the boundless future who is already in the process of coming, the Lord, who has already come into the time of the flesh to redeem it.
--Karl Rahner
Father in heaven.
The day draws near when the glory of your Son
will make radiant the night of the waiting world.
May the lure of greed not impede us from the joy
which moves the hearts of those who seek him.
May the darkness not blind us
to the vision of wisdom
which fills the minds of those who find him.
--Karl Rahner
Father in heaven.
The day draws near when the glory of your Son
will make radiant the night of the waiting world.
May the lure of greed not impede us from the joy
which moves the hearts of those who seek him.
May the darkness not blind us
to the vision of wisdom
which fills the minds of those who find him.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
A shoot shall sprout
On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry
announces that the Lord is nigh;
Awake and hearken for he brings
Glad tidings of the King of kings.
A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,
and from his roots a bud shall blossom.
The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him:
a spirit of wisdom and understanding,
A spirit of counsel and of strength,
a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord,
and his delight shell be fear the of the Lord.
O God of power and mercy,
open our hearts in welcome.
Remove the things that hinder us
from receiving Christ with joy,
so that we may share his wisdom
and become one with him
when he comes in glory.
announces that the Lord is nigh;
Awake and hearken for he brings
Glad tidings of the King of kings.
A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,
and from his roots a bud shall blossom.
The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him:
a spirit of wisdom and understanding,
A spirit of counsel and of strength,
a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord,
and his delight shell be fear the of the Lord.
O God of power and mercy,
open our hearts in welcome.
Remove the things that hinder us
from receiving Christ with joy,
so that we may share his wisdom
and become one with him
when he comes in glory.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Waiting
For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits,
truly my hope is in you.
O Lord of Light, our only hope of glory,
your radiance shines in all who look to you,
come, light the hearts of all in dark and shadow.
For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits,
truly my hope is in you.
truly my hope is in you.
O Lord of Light, our only hope of glory,
your radiance shines in all who look to you,
come, light the hearts of all in dark and shadow.
For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits,
truly my hope is in you.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Joyful hope in God
When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage,
it seemed like a dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
on our lips there were songs.
The heathens themselves said: “What marvels
the Lord worked for them!”
What marvels the Lord worked for us!
Indeed we were glad.
Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage
as streams in dry land.
Those who are sowing in tears
will sing when they reap.
They go out, they go out, full of tears,
carrying seed for the sowing:
they come back, they come back, full of song,
carrying their sheaves.
it seemed like a dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
on our lips there were songs.
The heathens themselves said: “What marvels
the Lord worked for them!”
What marvels the Lord worked for us!
Indeed we were glad.
Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage
as streams in dry land.
Those who are sowing in tears
will sing when they reap.
They go out, they go out, full of tears,
carrying seed for the sowing:
they come back, they come back, full of song,
carrying their sheaves.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
They watch
They watch for Christ
who are sensitive, eager, apprehensive in mind,
who are awake, alive, quick-sighted,
zealous in honoring him,
who look for him in all that happens, and
who would not be surprised,
who would not be over-agitated or overwhelmed,
if they found that he was coming at once. . . .
This then is to watch:
to be detached from what is present, and
to live in what is unseen;
to live in the thought of Christ as he came once,
and as he will come again;
to desire his second coming, from our affectionate
and grateful remembrance of his first.
who are sensitive, eager, apprehensive in mind,
who are awake, alive, quick-sighted,
zealous in honoring him,
who look for him in all that happens, and
who would not be surprised,
who would not be over-agitated or overwhelmed,
if they found that he was coming at once. . . .
This then is to watch:
to be detached from what is present, and
to live in what is unseen;
to live in the thought of Christ as he came once,
and as he will come again;
to desire his second coming, from our affectionate
and grateful remembrance of his first.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Above
Above the clamor of our violence
your word of truth resounds,
O God of majesty and power.
Over nations shrouded in despair
your justice dawns.
Grant your household
a discerning spirit and a watchful eye
to perceive the hour in which we live.
Hasten the advent of that day
when the weapons of war shall be banished,
our deeds of darkness cast off,
and all your scattered children gathered into one.
We ask this through him whose coming is certain,
whose day draws near:
your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, for ever and ever.
your word of truth resounds,
O God of majesty and power.
Over nations shrouded in despair
your justice dawns.
Grant your household
a discerning spirit and a watchful eye
to perceive the hour in which we live.
Hasten the advent of that day
when the weapons of war shall be banished,
our deeds of darkness cast off,
and all your scattered children gathered into one.
We ask this through him whose coming is certain,
whose day draws near:
your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, for ever and ever.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Come, Lord Jesus
Come, Lord Jesus!
Light that never fades, dispel the mists about us,
awaken our faith from sleep.
Guard us from all harm today,
may your glory fill us with joy.
Give us unfailing gentleness at all times,
towards everyone we meet.
Come to create a new earth for us,
where there will be justice and peace.
Come, Lord Jesus!
Lord our God.
help us to prepare
for the coming of Christ your Son.
May he find us waiting,
eager in joyful prayer.
Light that never fades, dispel the mists about us,
awaken our faith from sleep.
Guard us from all harm today,
may your glory fill us with joy.
Give us unfailing gentleness at all times,
towards everyone we meet.
Come to create a new earth for us,
where there will be justice and peace.
Come, Lord Jesus!
Lord our God.
help us to prepare
for the coming of Christ your Son.
May he find us waiting,
eager in joyful prayer.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
First Sunday of Advent
“The days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will fulfill the promise
I made to the house of Israel and Judah.
In those days, in that time,
I will raise up for David a just shoot ;
he shall do what is right and just in the land.”
Father in heaven,
our hearts desire the warmth of your love
and our minds are searching for the light of your word.
Increase our longing for Christ our Savior
and give us the strength to grow in love,
that the dawn of his coming
may find us rejoicing in his presence
and welcoming the light of his truth.
when I will fulfill the promise
I made to the house of Israel and Judah.
In those days, in that time,
I will raise up for David a just shoot ;
he shall do what is right and just in the land.”
Father in heaven,
our hearts desire the warmth of your love
and our minds are searching for the light of your word.
Increase our longing for Christ our Savior
and give us the strength to grow in love,
that the dawn of his coming
may find us rejoicing in his presence
and welcoming the light of his truth.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Thinking about Advent and this blog
Each year as Advent approaches, I get a feeling that I can’t easily describe and don’t know why it comes. It’s a call to do something extra of a spiritual nature to prepare my heart to receive the Christ-Child on Christmas. When I sing hymns of joy at Christmas Mass, and when I receive Jesus in Holy Communion, I want to feel his presence in my heart in a very special and personal way.
Two years ago in response to this call, I sent, via a daily e-mails, a prayer, a psalm or other words of a spiritual nature to about 100 people. Although many recipients responded favorably to these messages, I found the entire e-mail process to be cumbersome and time-consuming. For Advent 2009, I’ll try to do the same thing using this blog. I'll look for prayers, psalms, or spiritual writing that speaks to me, post them, and hope they find resonance in the hearts of others.
I’m a private person and find it intimidating to step into a public place where anyone can read, react, and respond as they wish. But I’m taking a leap of faith and hoping for the best. After all, Advent is a season of Hope!!
Two years ago in response to this call, I sent, via a daily e-mails, a prayer, a psalm or other words of a spiritual nature to about 100 people. Although many recipients responded favorably to these messages, I found the entire e-mail process to be cumbersome and time-consuming. For Advent 2009, I’ll try to do the same thing using this blog. I'll look for prayers, psalms, or spiritual writing that speaks to me, post them, and hope they find resonance in the hearts of others.
I’m a private person and find it intimidating to step into a public place where anyone can read, react, and respond as they wish. But I’m taking a leap of faith and hoping for the best. After all, Advent is a season of Hope!!
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