PM: Gradual Tuesdays--3rd. Sunday Of Advent

The Gregorian Missal has two Graduals for this Sunday: the first for Lectionary Cycles A and C; the other, Cycle B. They will be presented in that order.

O Lord, who are enthroned upon the Cherubim, stir up your might and come forth. 

V. O Shepherd of Israel, hear us, you who lead Joseph like a flock. 

Ps. 79: 2, 3; V. 2

The phrase "stir up your might" hit me immediately. It is the same phrase found here.

There was a man sent from God whose name was John; he came. 

V. To bear witness to the light, to prepare an upright people for the Lord. 

John 1:6; V. John 1:7 & Luke 1:17

A reading of these two Gospel passages (John 1:6-9 and Luke 1:13-17) is very much in order. You will see how these interplay with each other.

PM: Introit Mondays--3rd. Sunday Of Advent

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your forbearance be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Do not be anxious over anything; but in all manner of prayer, let your requests be made known unto God. 

V. Lord, you have blessed your land; you have put an end to Jacob's captivity. 

Phil. 4:4-5; Ps. 84

This is why rose is the liturgical color of the day, both in vestments and Advent wreath candle. We are again to be joyful in the Lord, for He is always near. For this reason, we can confidently approach the throne of Grace.

PM: Communion Fridays--2nd. Sunday Of Advent

Arise, O Jerusalem, and stand on high; and behold the joy that shall come to you from your God. 

Baruch 5:5; 4:36

We, the New Jerusalem, have been called to see Him face to face in His Real Presence. We behold Him Who is our true joy and peace.

PM: Offertory Thursdays--2nd. Sunday Of Advent

You will turn toward us, O God, and restore our life again, and your people will rejoice in you. Show us, Lord, your mercy and grant us your salvation. 

Ps. 84:7-8

What an appropriate thought as we begin the Liturgy of the Eucharist. He not only shows His mercy, but also grants us salvation as the Sacrifice of the Mass unfolds the final act of our redemption.

PM: Alleluia Wednesdays--2nd. Sunday Of Advent

I rejoiced when it was said unto me: "Let us go to the house of the Lord!" 

Ps. 121:1

Is there not an echo of the Magnificat in this, when the Blessed Virgin Mary's soul also called out in gladness? Hopefully, this should this also be our response when we have been judged worthy to be in His presence upon the end of our lives.

December 2015 Morning Offering Prayer Intentions

Here are the intentions for this month when reciting the Morning Offering:

Universal Intention - Experiencing God's Mercy. That all may experience the mercy of God, who never tires of for giving.

Evangelization Intention - Families. That families, especially those who suffer, may find in the birth of Jesus a sign of certain hope

Reflections for these intentions are found here.

PM: Gradual Tuesdays--2nd. Sunday Of Advent

Out of Zion his perfect beauty shines forth. God is coming in broad daylight. 

V. Summon before him the consecrated nation who made a covenant with him by sacrifice. 

Ps. 49: 2, 3, V. 5

We are that consecrated nation, the new People of God under a new and eternal covenant--the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. How well are we keeping our end of the deal?

PM: Introit Mondays--2nd. Sunday Of Advent

People of Zion behold, the Lord is coming to save all nations; and the Lord shall cause you to hear his majestic voice for the joy of your heart. 

V. O Shepherd of Israel hear us, you who lead Joseph like a flock! 

Cf. Is. 30: 19, 30; Ps. 79

I am reminded of the following:

For he is our God, we are the people he shepherds, the sheep in his hands. Oh, that today you would hear his voice:  Do not harden your hearts as at Meribah, as on the day of Massah in the desert. There your ancestors tested me; they tried me though they had seen my works. 

Psalm 95:7-9

The "Four Week Night Watch"

The sunlight of the last day of the liturgical year fades. Another year of the temporal cycle had rolled through our calendar. Winter settles in the northern hemisphere; the darkness increases as December knock on our door.

We arrive at another Advent. We come to prepare and wait along with the Blessed Virgin Mary as well as the world for the appointed time when Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will enter time and space, taking on our image and likeness so we can be restored to God's. We are prayerfully watchful.

Out comes the Advent wreath to mark the weeks of our confinement. Candles of purple and one of rose are embedded in a garland of green, a unique juxtaposition of symbols of  penance, joy, and hope in anticipation of what is to come.

We cannot wait for the day to arrive, but we must. And there is much to do make ourselves as worthy as possible for the birth of our King. And it seems so little time, just "four weeks", but it can be time well spent.

Again, we prepare the way for the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

May our "night watch" make us ready for the joy that is to come.

PM: Communion Fridays--1st. Sunday Of Advent

The Lord will bestow his loving kindness, and our land will yield its fruit. 

Ps. 84:13

How fitting for Communion. And also how fitting a sign of Who Is To Come in "four weeks".