Advent Meditations: Monday 18 December

ON THE LITURGICAL CALENDAR  – St Flannan of Killaloe,  Monk, Abbot & Missionary 7^th Cent.

Flannan born of a Royal Celtic tribe eventually was sent to study at a monastery and ultimately became a monk. He became a missionary who roved the countryside preaching the Good News. He founded churches at Lough Corrib and at Inishbofin and spent time on the Isle of Man. Flannan labored in the Hebrides and gave his name to the Flannan Isles (the Seven Hunters), west of Lewis and Harris in Scotland, where the ruins of Flannan’s chapel may be found today. Despite all his toil, he managed to recite the entire Psalter daily–often while immersed in icy water. Several great miracles are attributed to Saint Flannan and he died at his monastery setting a practice fo Irish princes becoming monastics.

MEDITATION ON THE SCRIPTURES: The author of 2^nd Peter gives us some excellent Advent ponderings as he offers a list of traits that indicate a maturing faith in Christ. These traits show the world how God’s gifts blossom when one is rooted in Christ. The author encourages us to ‘make every effort’, to grow in the faith. As we consider our Advent journey we should take consideration to ponder 10 days before Christmas whether we have given earnest care, and careful constant effort to making ready ourselves for the Lord. Perhaps a good starting point is to ask; “What in our lives are we diligent about?”.  As we consider the season have we been intentional and diligent about the right things?

PRAYER: Lord, please give to us an unquenchable desire as you did with Blessed Flannan to seek you earnestly every day. Give us the desire to be faithful and obedient so that we may grow closer to You now in this Holy Season and all the days to come. In Christ’s Name we pray/ Amen

Spiritual Discipline/Activity – Spend time today in a context  that is quiet and set apart and meditate on the second Antiphon of this week.

Second O Antiphon: O Adonai

LATIN: O Adonai et Dux domus Israel, qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti, et ei in Sina legem dedisti: veni ad redimendum nos in bracchio extento)

ENGLISH: Come, Leader of Ancient Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: rescue us with your mighty power!

SYMBOLISM: Today we mark Antiphon #2 O Adonai – O LORD OF ISRAEL, – Adonai is Hebrew for Lord.  Lord is the substitute term for Yahweh, the sacred, saving, Gospel name of God under the old covenant.  “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘Yahweh the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’”  This is my name for ever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.”  To say Adonai is to say Yahweh, the Name that saves.  Where God’s Name is, there is holy ground.  The Lord is present!  Is that true when we speak God’s name? What context do we say it in? Is that a holy way?

ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “Monastic life thus became a living protest against the secularization of Christianity, against the cheapening of grace. – Dieterich Bonhoeffer. 20^th Century Scholar, Peace Activist and Martyr.

SONG FOR THE DAY – Gadol Adonai/ Great is Our Lord by Worship 360