The Catholic Calendar for Friday, December 19, 2003
Friday of the Third Week of Advent


O Come,
Flower of Jesse's stem
sign of God's love for all his people:
save us without delay!


Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Zechariah 2:14-17
Psalm 113:1-8
Luke 1:39-47

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Two extraordinary births today... from two women, both barren... Hannah and Elizabeth. Since God intervened in causing them to be fertile, we can assume that He had a special reason. Both are "Nazarites", that is, vowed in a special way to serve God, not cutting their hair, not drinking strong drink. When Samson broke his vow, and allowed Delilah to cut his hair, God abandoned him. On the other hand, John the Baptist was loyal to the Lord as his special prophet and precursor.

We may not have had such extraordinary births, but God nevertheless has called us to be his beloved followers. No matter how we may stray, God's designs on us are still in place, urging us to realize our dignity and to live by its demands.

Not "how many shopping days" until Christmas, but "how many days to prepare for His coming."

Hurry, the Lord is near!

- Msgr. Paul Whitmore (smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)

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posted by joachim at 4:12 AM