O Antiphon for December 21st
We pray + in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
“O Radiant Dawn, the brightness of the eternal light and sun of justice: Come, shine on those sitting in darkness and the shadow of death.”
Reflection: For many centuries, and especially in Europe, Catholic churches were built so that the congregation would be facing east as that sat or stood during the Mass. I’m sure we’ve all seen some remarkable sunrises: getting up early, grabbing a cup of coffee or a diet coke, a nice place to sit, and turn east, waiting for the rising of the sun: a new day, another day! This is the same idea with building churches so the congregation could face East: gather together, offer this Eucharist, and then wait for the rising, the coming, of the Son! A question for our prayer today: as we approach the coming of Jesus at Christmas, are we looking in the right direction? Or we focused “east”; or are we distracted by something in the past, something bathed in shadows; something that might be hiding the true meaning of December 25th? Nothing quite like a good sunrise: let’s Hope not to miss it!
We pray: Hear in kindness, O Lord, the prayers of your people, that those who rejoice at the coming of your Only Begotten Son in our flesh may, when at last he comes in glory, gain the reward of eternal life. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us. St. Peter Canisius, pray for us.
+In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment