2022 Christmas Eve Reflection

The Gospel Reading from the Nativity of the Lord--Mass at Dawn:

When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another,  “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

Luke 2:15-20

As the late radio personality Paul Harvey would say, "And now, the rest of the story."

The angels have finished singing the first Christmas carol, its echo we proclaim in the "Gloria". Now, like the shepherds, we must travel to the House of Bread. We must find that original makeshift church and actually participate in that inaugural Eucharistic Adoration, where the monstrance is not made of precious metals and rare gems but of rough wood and coarse straw.

As we re-present this first Christian pilgrimage, we recall how God has made known to us this thing which has happened. He announced it immediately after the Fall. He repeated it time and again throughout the Old Testament. Now, at last, "the Word was made flesh and dwelled amongst us." We need not ask, "What Child is this?" He is our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He is Emmanuel--God is with us.

And so we enter His presence. For those of you fortunate enough to visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, you know the entrance to the cave is so small one has to stoop to gain access. Does our soul do that when we enter our local church, no matter how plain or grandiose the architecture of the place? Symbolically, are we like Moses and Elijah, who covered their faces as a sign of humility? If able, do we genuflect before the tabernacle, acknowledging the fact we are in the Real Presence of the King of kings and Lord of lords? He is here. He is Emmanuel--God is with us. 

The shepherds knew. When they came, they encountered a magnum mysterium et admirabile sacramentum. Did their awe foreshadow St. Peter's at the Transfiguration? Should we not have that same reaction? And from that, should we not act accordingly? He is here. He is Emmanuel--God is with us.

While we are in His presence, how are we like the Blessed Virgin Mary? How are we to be still and know He is Emmanuel--God is with us? Yes, time in prayer and with Sacred Scripture are sure foundations. But we also have to "remember what peace there may be in silence". And there is no "may" about it. "Amid the noise and the haste" of this world, there is something to be said about being quiet. The world continues to muffle the voice of God; the Word is sometimes barely a whisper, even more so an echo. But it is in only the soul can we encounter Him as He is. There in contemplation can we keep all these thing and reflect upon them, allowing His life to grow within us.

Because and after this encounter with the Christ Child, the shepherds left as the first evangelists. They heard Ite, Missa est long before we even established those words in our liturgy. So, how do we make this message known? It certainly has to start with the ongoing metanoia of our own lives. That starts with "naming and claiming" we are sinners in need of a Saviour. The follow up is a sincere examination of conscience, grounded in the truth of the Faith (something that seems to be ignored in the "primacy of conscience" arguments I hear), Finally, the use of Sacrament of Reconciliation is required, with all the sincerely of repentance one can muster. Repeat as necessary, which is to say as long as you live, move, and have being. (Lately, I have started to speculate why the lines at Communion are longer than those at Confession. I wonder if it is because people are thinking the Penitential Rite during Mass is a form of general absolution. Lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi?)

Only then can we preach the Gospel always and use word if necessary, paraphrasing an attributed quote from St. Francis of Assisi, the man who created the first Nativity scene. Only then can we amaze all those who hear what we are saying. Only then can we return, glorifying and praising God for all we have heard and seen, just as it has been told to us.

The rest of this story will occur as it has been foretold. But what of our role in it? How will you keep the salvation given to us by our God? We must see things with the eyes of Faith. Our churches are not only Calvary but also Bethlehem. The tabernacle is not only a tomb but also a manger. We will seek and find Him in these places to start. We will continue to believe, adore, trust, and love Him.

Hodie Christus natus est.

Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.

Infinite Cost; Infinite Price

Here is an Advent hymn you won't find in today's mainstream hymnals. The words were written in 1664 by Johannes Olearius . It was set to the tune Darmstadt in 1699.

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Come, Thou precious ransom, come,

Only hope for sinful mortals!

Come, O Saviour of the world!

Open are to Thee all portals.

Come, Thy beauty let us see;

Anxiously we wait for Thee.

Enter now my waiting heart,

Glorious King and Lord most holy.

Dwell in me and ne'er depart,

Though I am but poor and lowly.

Ah, what riches will be mine

When Thou art my guest divine!

My hosannas and my palms

Graciously receive, I pray Thee;

Evermore, as best I can,

Saviour, I will homage pay Thee,

And in faith I will embrace,

Lord, Thy merit through Thy grace.

Hail, hosanna, David's Son!

Help, Lord, hear our supplication!

Let Thy kingdom, scepter, crown,

Bring us blessing and salvation,

That forever we may sing:

"Hail, hosanna!" to our King.

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Do they not truly express our longing of body, mind, heart, and soul?

Ero cras.

Advent's Magnificent Seven

They are most familiar to those who make the Divine Office/Liturgy of the Hours a regular part of their prayer life.

They are very familiar to us at this time of the liturgical year as a hymn heard frequently throughout Advent.

They are rather familiar to you who visit this infinitesimal corner of the universe and seek them for whatever inspiration they may provide.

As is this 'blog's tradition, I once again present my series of meditations on the "O" Antiphons. These are the seven antiphons recited or chanted before the Magnificat during Vespers/Evening Prayer starting tonight. Each one focuses on a title given to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Each one begs for His coming into the world, not only as the Babe in the manger but also the Judge at the end of time.

It is my desire to take from my store these offerings of a simple pilgrim and share them once more.

It is my hope as we still await the blessed hope my meager musings are still "ever ancient, ever new".

It is my invitation to come and see, again.

Later today.

December 2022 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

Here is the intention for this month when prayer the Morning Offering:

For volunteer not-for-profit organizations. We pray that volunteer non-profit organizations committed to human development find people dedicated to the common good and ceaselessly seek out new paths to international cooperation.

A reflection for this intention is found here.

Four Full Weeks, Again

Well, what do you know?

For the first time in six years, Christmas falls on a Sunday. And because of three Leap Days, it will not happen again until 2033.

We have a full twenty-eight days of Advent this time around.

How will you "prepare the way of the Lord" so when that last Sunday of December comes you are ready to "see the salvation of our God"?

There is never anything wrong with the tried and true. Daily Mass (if you don't already), extra prayers, more Bible reading, adding spiritual reading, the Sacrament of Penance, some Corporal Work of Mercy--all these still can help you prepare spiritually as you prepare materially. And unlike the innkeeper mentioned in the Gospel of St. Luke, you can reserve a space in your schedule for some of this.

It is all about focus. It is about going to a quiet place away from the hustle and bustle of the season. It is about being still and coming to know more about God. It is about looking east instead of north.

The whole world waited since the fall of Adam for the Savior to arrive. The Blessed Virgin Mary waited for nine months. Compared to those, this is a short vigil.

Prepare your Advent wreath to once again mark the time.

This year, you will get more use out of the last purple candle.

"Maranatha."

2022 Thanksgiving Day Card

May you truly be thankful for all the blessings you have received. May today be fill with gladness and fellowship. May you praise and thank God for all His graces and favors.

Happy Thanksgiving, Everybody!

This Musical Maiden

Today's Collect/Opening Prayer:

O God, who gladden us each year with the feast day of your handmaid Saint Cecilia, grant, we pray, that what has been devoutly handed down concerning her may offer us examples to imitate and proclaim the wonders worked in his servants by Christ your Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

A 'blog post from the Catholic Truth Society gives more detail about her.

St. Cecilia, patroness of musicians. pray for us.

Flowery Symbol

In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

In Flanders Fields (1915)

John McCrea (1872-1918)

PM: Special Edition--Feast Of The Dedication Of The Lateran Basilica

Here is another one of those feasts which would supercede the Sunday of Ordinary Time if today's date would fall on the first day of the week. It is officially the cathedral for the Bishop of Rome. This church honors two St. Johns--the Baptist and the Evangelist. 

God is in his holy place, God who unites those who dwell in his house; he himself gives might and strength to his people. 

V. Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered; and let those who hate him flee before his face.

Ps. 67:6, 7, 36; V. 2

This is also the Introit for the Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time. While God is everywhere, He is especially present in His sacred buildings, where He provides for His people.

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

V. Let peace reign within your walls, and abundance in your towers.

Ps. 121:1; V. 7

This is also the Gradual for the Twenty-Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time. Our hearts should be glad when we go to meet Him where He is, as He is. 

The house of the Lord is solidly built upon a firm rock.

A rare non-biblical Proper, this Alleluia displays the unity of the People of God with the Supreme Pontiff. "Where Peter is, there is the Church."

O Lord God, in the simplicity of my heart I have joyfully offered all things: and I have beheld with immense joy your people gathered here. God of Israel, preserve this good intention, O Lord God.

1 Chron. 29:17, 18

What a sincere request during the Offertory. Reminds one of the request Solomon had before he became king, when he asked for wisdom. 

Jerusalem is built as a city bonded as one together. It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, to praise the name of the Lord.

Psalm 121:3-4

This is used at Communion on the Fourth Sunday of Lent when the Gospel is not either the Man Born Blind or the Prodigal Son. Again the unity of those who make up the visible Church and their primary duty is presented.

Omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput.

Of all the churches in the city and the world, the mother and head.

November 2022 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

Here is the intention for this month when prayer the Morning Offering:

For children who suffer. We pray for children who are suffering, especially those who are homeless, orphans, and victims of war; may they be guaranteed access to education and the opportunity to experience family affection.

A reflection for this intention is found here.