Advent Meditations: Thursday 20 December
| Thur Dec 20 |
am: 59, 60 pm: 33 |
Isa 9:18-10:4 | 2 Pet 2:10b-16 | Matt 3:1-12 |
Notes on the Liturgical Feast for Today : Dominic of Silos, Benedictine abbot and defender of the faith, 1073
Born in Canas, Navarre, Spain, circa 1000, he entered the Benedictines at San Millan de Ia Cogolla. King Garcia III of Navarre challenged him when he became abbot of the monastery, and Dominic refused to surrender part of the Benedictine lands to the crown. For this he was exiled, going to King Ferdinand I of Castile and Leon, who made him abbot of St. Sebastian Abbey at Silos, now called St. Dominic’s. Dominic reformed the abbey, built the cloisters in Romanesque style, and started a scriptorium that became famous throughout the region. One of the most beloved saints in Spain, Dominic also rescued Christian slaves from the Moors. Dominic’s shrine is noted for its place in the birth of Dominic de Guzman, the founder of the Order of Preachers. Dominic de Guzman’s mother begged for a child there. Dominic was also noted for miracles of healing.
O Antiphon : O Key of David – and Scepter of the House of Israel; you open and no man closes; you close and no man opens. Come, and deliver from the chains of prison those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Biblical Meditation : Today’s Gospel challenges us to consider the value of Mission Statements vs being on Mission. John the Baptist is preaching and baptizing at the Jordan. The Pharisees and the Sadducees had not paid heed to the mission statements they had been making and were quite concerned with safeguarding their job descriptions and positon. John addresses this strongly.The leaders of the Temple had forgotten the mission, which was to serve the Lord and his people. No surprise that John the Baptist’s words were less than desired.
The Church is the present age as it seeks to bring the message of peace on earth and good will to all needs to be mindful that it is on its mission to accomplish that and not just give lip service to it. Perfection of church leaders is unrealistic but a call to consistency and integrity is not and when we fail to own up to it. Something the Pharisees seemed unable to do. It is not always easy to stand in this gap as John the Baptizer and the saint remembered today, Saint Dominic of Silos found out but it is a way to make ready for the coming of the Lord who comes with his winnowing fork.
PRAYER: Lord, we pray for all clergy today and ask you to renew in them a servant’s heart. Keep them from losing heart when ministry gets tough. Help them prove faithful with the things you have entrusted to them. Teach them Your ways so that they know You and find favor with You as they seek to serve. Keep them humble and honest before You so that they may represent You to the world . Amen..
Spiritual Discipline /Activity: Do an Inventory of your keys. Is there a key that is often unused? Use it today to open that which is locked and hasn’t been opened in a while. Consider taking what is under lock and key and releasing it from your own possession to a person who could use whatever it is you have locked up and cherish it well. Use these keys to open your heart, soul and life rather than keep things all locked up physically and spiritually.
Ancient Words/Present Grace: Faithfulness in little things is a big thing. — St. John Chrysostom
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