The Catholic Calendar for Friday, December 22, 2000
The Third Week of Advent
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 Samuel 1:24-28
1 Samuel 2:1,4-8
Luke 1:46-56
Full text: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/index.htm
A Reflection on Today's Scripture:
Magnificat anima mea Dominum! -- "My soul glorifies the Lord!"
We are blessed to hear in today's Gospel, the beautiful canticle that
Mary, now with child, exclaimed in answer to the greeting given to
her by Elizabeth, her kinswoman. Mary's song of joy, The Magnificat,
is her summation of the greatness of God and his power manifest
throughout the history of God's chosen people -- His promise of
salvation.
Throughout this second part of Advent beginning on December 17th,
we've learned all about the genealogy of the Messiah; we have read
the documentation of God's extraordinary power among the Israelites.
The lesson continues in today's first reading with yet another
example, that of the barren Hannah who finally, by the power of God,
bore a son, Samuel, who became a prophet of the Lord. So, we see
again that this documentation of salvation history teaches us about
God's great power and His intent to be a merciful God.
This and many other signal events from Scripture, show us that the
birth of Jesus was not an isolated incident, but was preceded by
example after example of God's purposeful power and His strong desire
to wash away the curse of Original Sin cast upon us and all the
descendants of Adam and Eve. Now we have learned that God in His
mercy would bring salvation to earth through the new Eve, Mary, the
only one ever conceived without sin, the only worthy vessel of the
Savior of mankind.
-joachim, ocds
O King of all the nations,
The only joy of every human heart;
O Keystone of the mighty arch of man,
come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.
Amen.
(prayer from The Divine Office for December 22)
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