Let's return to the image of the holy mountain, which we've focus on so far during Advent: “The mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it” (Is 2:2). This is a beautifully archetypal image: Jerusalem as the axis mundi, the pole of the earth, the center, the still-point around which everything turns. It is the place ofcommunio, of connection. Here all peoples, while retaining what is proper to them, nevertheless come together in unity. No one dominates or manipulates another, but rather all are one in their distinctiveness because all have found the same center. This is a picture of what God intends for the soul and for the nations of the world: all remain themselves, but all are connected to each other through the center. Now there is a most interesting parallel to this reading in Isaiah, found in the Gospel of John: “When the Son of Man is lifted up from the earth, he will draw all people to himself” (Jn 12:32). This, of course, is Jesus’ own self-description. When he is lifted up on the cross, he will unify the whole human race. What a surprise and paradox! The vision of Isaiah is fulfilled, but not as we might have expected. The mountain of the Lord is a dung-heap outside of Jerusalem, the skull-place, Mt. Calvary, where the Son of God is crucified. The cross is the place where the divine love is most radically on display. God’s power, God’s godliness, is most fully revealed precisely in the place of self-emptying love, where he takes on our suffering and gives us his life. This must become the center of all that we are, all that we think, and all that we choose. Mary, Help of Those in Need "Mary, Help of Those in Need" was formerly the Magnificat antiphon from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Evening Prayer. Holy Mary,
help those in need,
give strength to the weak,
comfort the sorrowful,
pray for God's people,
assist the clergy,
intercede for religious. Mary all who seek your help
experience your unfailing protection.
Amen. PRAYER FOR THE VIRTUE OF FAITH Jesus, Your faith was in the Heavenly Father, Your steadfastness being my living model! Kindly grant me the richness of such faith, To embrace Your Father as my true Provider, Having staunch belief in His eminent powers And to remain loyal to Him until my last day. If my faith shifts as temporary waves, Rush to my rescue without any hesitation, Protecting others from my fleeting frailty. May Your Presence always be lively enjoyed, Enabling me to shine as a flame of faith. My faith loyally reaches out to You! ST. NICHOLAS PRAYER
St. Nicholas, patron of children,
may this candy cane, shaped like your Bishop's staff,
be a reminder of Advent joy.
Help us prepare for the miracle of the coming of Jesus.
Help us not to be blind to the gifts of getting ready.
Help us be sincere in the greetings we send and receive,
with love and prayer.
Kind St. Nicholas, protect us from shoppers' fatigue,
help us to be kind and generous of heart.
Whereever candy canes are hung, may they bring the bright blessings of God.
Let them be reminders of the joy of sharing
and our call to be God's peaceful children as we wait for Jesus.
St. Nicholas, pray for us!
AMEN! Prayer for Trust in Jesus O Christ Jesus,
when all is darkness
and we feel our weakness and helplessness,
give us the sense of Your presence,
Your love, and Your strength.
Help us to have perfect trust
in Your protecting love
and strengthening power,
so that nothing may frighten or worry us,
for, living close to You,
we shall see Your hand,
Your purpose, Your will through all things.
St. Ignatius of Loyola Try Something Different I'm sitting in a quiet room at the Milcroft Inn, a peaceful little place hidden back among the pine trees about an hour out of Toronto. It's just past noon, late July, and I'm listening to the desperate sounds of a life-or-death struggle going on a few feet away. There's a small fly burning out the last of its short life's energies in a futile attempt to fly through the glass of the window pane. The whining wings tell the poignant story of the fly's strategy: Try harder. But it's not working. The frenzied effort offers no hope for survival. Ironically, the struggle is part of the trap. It is impossible for the fly to try hard enough to succeed at breaking through the glass. Nevertheless, this little insect has staked its life on reaching its goal through raw effort and determination. This fly is doomed. It will die there on the windowsill. Across the room, ten steps away, the door is open. Ten seconds of flying time and this small creature could reach the outside world it seeks. With only a fraction of the effort now being wasted, it could be free of this self-imposed trap. The breakthrough possibility is there. It would be so easy. Why doesn't the fly try another approach, something dramatically different? How did it get so locked in on the idea that this particular route and determined effort offer the most promise for success? What logic is there in continuing until death to seek a breakthrough with more of the same? No doubt this approach makes sense to the fly. Regrettably, it's an idea that will kill. Trying harder isn't necessarily the solution to achieving more. It may not offer any real promise for getting what you want out of life. Sometimes, in fact, it's a big part of the problem. If you stake your hopes for a breakthrough on trying harder than ever, you may kill your chances for success. (Price Pritchett) - - -
Lord of the past, Thanks for the blessings you have given me.
Lord of the present, be with me now.
Lord of the future, guide my steps in your ways. My Christmas Pledge
I Promise . . .
I. To make my Christmas a holy day with Christ-----not a holiday without Him.
2. To observe Christmas as the birthday of Christ-----not a day to give and receive material gifts.
3. To remember that the real symbols of Christmas are the Star, the Stable and the Crib-----not Santa Claus and his reindeer.
4. To teach my children that "Santa Claus" is the nickname of St. Nicholas-----who gave to the poor in honor of Christ.
5. To help one poor family-----in honor of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the Holy Family of Bethlehem.
6. To send Christmas cards remindful of Him, the Infant Savior-----not decorated only with candy canes, dogs, ribbons and wreaths.
7. To make room in my home for Him-----with a Christmas Crib to remind me that He was born in a stable.
8. During the Christmas season, in a special way, to honor Mary, His mother-----who kept the first Christmas vigil beside the manger.
9. To begin Christmas by leading my family to His altar-----to receive the Bread of Life.
10. Today and every day, to give "Glory to God in the highest"-----to work and pray for "Peace on earth to men of good will". Someone Else
Our church was saddened to learn this week of the death of one of our most valued members, Someone Else. Someone's passing creates a vacancy that will be difficult to fill. Else has been with us for many years and for every one of those years, Someone did far more than a normal person's share of the work.
Whenever there was a job to do, a class to teach, or a meeting to attend, one name was on everyone's list, "Let Someone Else do it." Whenever leadership was mentioned, this wonderful person was looked to for inspiration as well as results; "Someone Else can work with that group." It was common knowledge that Someone Else was among the most liberal givers in our church. Whenever there was a financial need, everyone just assumed Someone Else would make up the difference. Someone Else was a wonderful person; sometimes appearing superhuman. Were the truth known, everybody expected too much of Someone Else. Now Someone Else is gone! We wonder what we are going to do. Someone Else left a wonderful example to follow, but who is going to follow it? Who is going to do the things Someone Else did? When you are asked to help this year, remember - we can't depend on "Someone Else" anymore.
Author Unknown
A CHRISTMAS LEGEND Amongst the earlier descendants of William the Conqueror was one Walthen, a priest, whose mother had married David, King of Scotland, and whose father bore in his veins the blood of the brave Siward, about whom you have all heard, no doubt. St. Walthen, of course, loved the beautiful feasts of Christmastide; and on one occasion, after a very fervent preparation, he was standing at the altar celebrating theMidnight Mass, when a strange thing happened. It was so solemn, so intensely still in the chapel, that the very candles seemed to be holding their breath in expectation. The worshippers wondered that Walthen was so long at the Elevation. And what do you suppose was the cause? A very wonderful thing, indeed. As St. Walthen lifted the Sacred Host and pronounced the words of Consecration It suddenly disappeared, and in his arms lay a lovely Babe, smiling up into his eyes and stretching out Its tiny hands to caress him. The Saint's heart gave a great leap, and then he stood still for a long, long time, drinking in the beauty of the Blessed Child that had sought a Bethlehem within his arms. Then suddenly again the Sacred Host lay on the altar, and St. Walthen finished his Mass, with great thoughts swelling in his heart and tears of joy streaming from his eyes.
Who would not like to have been in his place that Christmas morning? Taken From "Heaven's Bright Queen"
Compiled from Approved Catholic Publications by William J. Walsh
Imprimatur, 1904 December 6 - Jesus Calling Stay ever so close to Me, and you will not deviate from the path I have prepared for you. This is the most efficient way to stay on track; it is also the most enjoyable way. Men tend to multiply duties in their observance of religion. This practice enables them to give Me money, time, and work without yielding up to Me what I desire the most—their hearts. Rules can be observed mechanically. Once they become habitual, they can be followed with minimal effort and almost no thought. These habit-forming rules provide a false sense of security, lulling the soul into a comatose condition. What I search for in My children is an awakened soul that thrills to the Joy of My Presence! I created mankind to glorify Me and enjoy Me forever. I provide the Joy; your part is to glorify Me by living close to Me. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
—Deuteronomy 6:5 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
—Colossians 3:23 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
—Psalm 16:11 | 
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