O King of the Gentiles and the desire thereof, Thou cornerstone that makes both one, come and deliver mankind, whom Thou didst form out of clay. The verses that inspire this antiphon begged to be read in entirety. And truly, all the context around them. My Christmas list, already quite lofty, insists on going further…extending … More Advent, the Cornerstone
O Day-Spring,Brightness of light eternal,and Sun of Justice,come and enlightenthem that sit in darknessand in the shadow of death. Today’s Antiphon ends with the same line as yesterday’s, referring to those who “sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.” And I thought, isn’t it enough? He comes to bring the prisoner forth. Yesterday. … More Advent, the Light
O Key of David, and sceptre of the house of Israel! who openest, and no man shutteth: who shuttest, and no man openeth; come, and lead the captive from prison, sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death. Is. 22:22; Apoc. 3:7; Lk. 1:79 Thou hast, O eternal Light, to shine in the midst … More Advent, the Key
O Root of Jesse, Which standest for an ensign of the people, before Whom kings shall keep silence, Whom the Gentiles shall beseech: come and deliver us, and tarry not. Isaiah 11:10 An ensign is like a signal, standard, or a banner. It can point out a place where everyone of the same tribe is … More Advent, the Ensign
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name … More Advent, Rorate Caeli
I took off work today in obedience to this Holy Day of Obligation. It was a struggle to even ask for it, against my people-pleasing ego in the midst of the busiest time of the year. Busy, not just because Christmas is coming, but year-end for accountants…sigh. Yet, once again, I find myself incredibly grateful … More Advent, Feast of the Immaculate Conception
“And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you in all things; that your whole spirit, and soul, and body, may be preserved blameless in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23 During Advent, one phrase rolls off my tongue so naturally that I almost don’t think about what I’m saying. It’s … More Advent, holy and blameless
“We are charting our own dispositions every day. By the way we dispose ourselves to tend this Advent, we dispose ourselves to tend at Christmastide.” Mother Mary Francis – Come, Lord Jesus Every Friday, I do the Stations of the Cross. It may not seem very Advent-like at first glance, but skipping it would have … More Advent, charting our disposition
Which is a greater thing to possess? The gift itself, or the necessary means to obtaining and keeping and using the gift? What an impossible question, to which the only answer is both/and. The capacity of understanding the gift must expand to include the necessary means. It’s a package deal, as they say. What good … More The Necessary Means
I have seedlings. This is a big deal, as I am not known for being able to keep plants alive. And so I spent an excessive amount of time staring at the seeds before covering them with soil…wondering… How is it possible that there are instructions hidden inside this tiny little speck of nothing? How … More The Formula of a Flower
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