It is strange that the gospel read at the beginning of the time of preparation for Christmas is that of the end of the whole history of the world. Yet that is not really surprising. For what is afoot in a small beginning is best recognized by the magnitude of its end. What was really meant and actually happened by the coming, the "advent," of the redeemer is best gathered from that completion of his coming which we rather misleadingly call the "second coming." for in reality it is the fulfillment of his one coming which is still in progress at the present time.
Karl Rahner
We live in the time of his one coming. Take off your shoes, for you stand on holy ground!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Advent III
Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction, O Jerusalem,
and put on forever the beauty of the glory from God.
Put on the robe of righteousness from God;
put on your head the diadem of the glory of the Everlasting.
For God will show your splendor everywhere under heaven.
For your name will be forever called by God,
"Peace of righteousness and glory of godliness."
Arise, O Jerusalem, stand upon the height
and look toward the east,
and see your children gathered from west to east,
at the word of the Holy One,
rejoicing that God has remembered them.
For they went forth from you on foot,
led away by their enemies;
but God will bring them back to you,
carried in glory, as on a royal throne.
For God has ordered that every high mountain and the
everlasting hills be made low
and the valleys filled up, to make level ground,
so that Israel may walk safely in the glory of God.
The woods and every fragrant tree
have shaded Israel at God's command.
For God will lead Israel with joy,
in the light of the divine glory,
with the mercy and righteousness that come from God. Baruch 5:1-9
and put on forever the beauty of the glory from God.
Put on the robe of righteousness from God;
put on your head the diadem of the glory of the Everlasting.
For God will show your splendor everywhere under heaven.
For your name will be forever called by God,
"Peace of righteousness and glory of godliness."
Arise, O Jerusalem, stand upon the height
and look toward the east,
and see your children gathered from west to east,
at the word of the Holy One,
rejoicing that God has remembered them.
For they went forth from you on foot,
led away by their enemies;
but God will bring them back to you,
carried in glory, as on a royal throne.
For God has ordered that every high mountain and the
everlasting hills be made low
and the valleys filled up, to make level ground,
so that Israel may walk safely in the glory of God.
The woods and every fragrant tree
have shaded Israel at God's command.
For God will lead Israel with joy,
in the light of the divine glory,
with the mercy and righteousness that come from God. Baruch 5:1-9
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Advent II
One week of Advent gone.......one less shopping day till Christmas. I fear I am more ready to place my gifts beneath the tree than to welcome the Christ at the end of time. I rush prayer while taking lavish time to wrap each gift to perfection. I fill my ears with Christmas carols while neglecting to create a silent place within to commune with the the One who sang creation's song. Much yet to do both work and prayer.....yet with Dame Julian, I sense ALL IS WELL! Veni Emmanuel!
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