Today’s readings My spiritual director in seminary used to say that family could be the source of our greatest joys and deepest sorrows. Sometimes all in the same day. That’s just how families are. Our closeness, at least by blood relation, doesn’t always assure that we will be well-functioning. There are all sorts of families… Continue reading The Holy Family
Month: December 2007
The Holy Innocents
Today’s readings Right here in the middle of the joy of the Christmas Octave, we have the feast of what seems to be an incredibly horrible event. All of the male children in the vicinity of Bethlehem two years old and younger are murdered by the jealous and, quite frankly, rather pathetic Herod. But not… Continue reading The Holy Innocents
St. John, Apostle and Evangelist
Today’s readings | Today’s saint “He saw and believed.” The “other” disciple, often called the “beloved” disciple or the disciple “whom Jesus loved,” is St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, the one we celebrate today. St. John had a very special relationship with Christ. He wasn’t as zealous and boisterous as Peter could be, but… Continue reading St. John, Apostle and Evangelist
The Nativity of the Lord
Various readings for Mass The older I get, the more I become convinced that every Christmas has its own flavor, and every Christmas comes with its own gifts. Not the kinds of gifts you wrap and put under the tree, but the kinds of gifts that fill your heart and give you the grace to… Continue reading The Nativity of the Lord
O Come, Let Us Adore Him
O Come, All Ye Faithful Adeste Fideles, John Wade O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem. Come and behold Him, born the King of angels; Refrain O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the… Continue reading O Come, Let Us Adore Him
Fourth Sunday of Advent: O Emmanuel
Today’s readings How often have you wondered why God allows this or that calamity to happen, or why God hasn’t put an end to one injustice or another? When you’re in the thick of frustration, or even sorrow, do you question why a loving God wouldn’t put an end to all of that? Do you… Continue reading Fourth Sunday of Advent: O Emmanuel
Saturday of the Third Week of Lent: O King of all the Nations
Today’s readings We hear a similar song from Hannah and Mary today. In fact, many Biblical scholars suggest that the song of Mary we heard in today’s Gospel is a restatement of the song of Hannah that we have in today’s psalm. Whether or not that is true, it is clear that both women give… Continue reading Saturday of the Third Week of Lent: O King of all the Nations
O Oriens (O Radiant Dawn)
Vespers O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. Hymnody O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death’s dark shadows put to flight. Sacred Scripture Stop passing… Continue reading O Oriens (O Radiant Dawn)
Thursday of the Third Week of Advent: O Key of David
Today’s readings We humans put up all sorts of barriers. Some are necessary, like the walls of prisons, or the sound barriers along a highway. Some are sad, like the old wall that used to separate East and West Germany. Others are exasperating, like the wall along the frontier into Mexico. The physical barriers that… Continue reading Thursday of the Third Week of Advent: O Key of David
O Root of Jesse
From Vespers O Flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silen in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid. Hymnody O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;… Continue reading O Root of Jesse