Advent Meditations: Friday 16 November

Dec 16, 2022 by Jill

ON THE LITURGICAL CALENDAR –  Saint Adelaide of Burgundy, 10th Century

St. Adelaide was married to the Holy Roman Emperor, Otto as his second wife until she was widowed after 20 years. Her stepson Otto II came to power and treated her poorly. He died prematurely and his infant son Otto III was king with his mother

serving as regent and his grandmother Adelaide fundamentally ignored and eventually exiled. Her daughter in law Theophano died and Adelaide returned once again to the court to act as regent for her grandchild, using her royal position and power to help

the poor, to evangelize, especially among the Slavs, and to build and restore monasteries and churches. When Otto III was old enough, Adelaide retired to the convent of Selta near Cologne, a house she had built. Though she never became a nun, she spent the rest of her days there in prayer.

BIBLICAL REFLECTION – Psalm 33 celebrates the awesome majesty and kingly sovereignty of God. When considered in the season of Advent, this psalm reminds us to consider

the power of God’s promises to redeem his people. This is a season where we are given

the opportunity to rejoice in the power of God’s word as the summit and source of the very promises we are waiting on. The psalm calls individuals and nations of the world to trust in the Lord: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD” (vs. 12). We

are called to not put their hope in their powers and principalities but to trust in his great strength and power.

This Psalm serves as a reminder that God’s plans unfold according to His purposes. The purposes of this season have been apprehended by the culture and that may be dismaying at times, but we should find some solace that: “The kingdoms of this world have become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever!” (Rev. 11:15).

PRAYER: Almighty God, the giver of all good gifts, in your divine providence you have appointed various orders in your Church: Give your grace, we humbly pray, to all who are called to any office and ministry for your people; and so fill them with the truth of your doctrine and clothe them with holiness of life, that they may faithfully serve before you, to the glory of your great Name and for the benefit of your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen. Amen.

ADVENT DISCIPLINE/ACTIVITY – PUT As tomorrow starts the O ANTIPHONS, prepare today by getting ready a Jesse Tree in your home or office.

This is a small tree made of evergreen branches upon which are placed symbolic ornaments with each representing a prophecy foretelling of Christ.  With your families

or small groups, you can also create ornaments that represent the monogram symbols of Christianity.

ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “Our actions have a tongue of their own; they have an eloquence of their own, even when the tongue is silent. For deeds prove the lover more than words. – — St. Cyril of Jerusalem

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