| Sat Dec 20 | am: 55 pm:138, 139 | Zech 8:9-17 | Rev 6:1-17 | Matt 25:31-46 |
ON THE LITURGICAL CALENDAR: St. Dominic of Silos, Monk and Abbot, 1053 (patron saint for those who have rabies; against rabid dogs)
Dominic of Silos was born in Navarre, Spain. Eventually, drawn to the Lord, he entered the monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla as a monk. Recognized for his piety and sanctity, Dominic soon thereafter became the prior of the monastery. While serving as prior, Saint Dominic was drawn into a disagreement with the king of Navarre, who insisted that the monastery’s possessions were rightfully his. Dominic disagreed and, for his trouble, was exiled. He, with his monks, traveled to Castille and were appointed at the monastery of Saint Sebastian at Silos. It was due to his long-term service at Silos that Saint Dominic received his referential name.
Upon arrival, it became clear that the monastery at Silos was neglected and in disrepair—both physically and spiritually. The buildings were falling around the brothers who labored there. Saint Dominic immediately undertook to restore the monastery to its former state, in the process reforming the lives and practices of the monks who resided there. Dominic preserved the Mozarabic Rite (one of the early variants of what was used in the Latin Rite) at the monastery at Silos. He further preserved the Visigothic script of ancient Spain, with the monastery becoming a center of learning and liturgy. Saint Dominic was recognized for his charity and became renowned in the region for his healing ministry for the sick, blind, and lame.
Saturday of Advent III – -O Antiphons of the Day – O Key of David
LATIN : O Clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel: qui aperis et nemo claudit; claudis et nemo aperit: veni et educ vinctum de domo carceris, sedentem in tenebris et umbra mortis.
ENGLISH: Come, Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal kingdom: free the prisoners of darkness! O come, thou Key of David, come and open wide our heavenly home; make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery.)
SYMBOLISM: The key and scepter are traditional symbols of kingly power and authority. Christ, the anointed one, is the heir of David and possessor of the kingdom. Jesus himself also made use of this symbol, showing the prophetic relationship of the earthly kingdom of David to the kingdom of God. For some scholars, this image of the Key of David uses typology to unlock sealed and secret prophecies, to reveal the mysteries of God, and to hide these secret things of God from the natural nation of Israel that saw only with eyes and heard only with ears. There are some today who wish to link the Key of David between the Key of David and the keys of the Kingdom. Certainly, we are all given the key insofar that we are given the keys to unlock the doors of our souls under the New Covenant, and this unlocks a pattern of discipleship for all.
BIBLICAL MEDITATION: The Gospel today focuses on anticipating Christ’s return by actively showing mercy to the needy, recognizing Jesus is the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick, or imprisoned person, making our tangible actions toward the “least of these” our judgment and a true sign of our faith. It’s a call to embody the coming King’s values of compassion and justice now, living as citizens of God’s kingdom by serving others, preparing for His arrival not just spiritually, but practically, by being Christ’s hands and feet in the world. Advent is the season of waiting for Christ’s coming (both His first arrival as a vulnerable baby and His Second Coming in glory). This passage calls us to actively prepare for His return by embodying His character now and to live as “resident aliens,” bringing the ethics of God’s coming Kingdom (mercy, love, justice) into our present world.
PRAYER: God of all hope and joy, open our hearts in welcome, that your Son Jesus Christ at his coming may find in us a dwelling prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.
Spiritual Discipline /Activity –Go beyond a simple cash donation and actively participate in a specific food drive or winter clothing drive. Buy the requested items (e.g., canned proteins, warm socks, gently used coats) and deliver them to a local food pantry or shelter, personally addressing hunger and nakedness.
Ancient Words/Present Grace: “We have to keep asking ourselves: ‘What does it all mean? What is God trying to tell us? How are we called to live in the midst of all this?’ Without such questions, our lives become numb and flat.” ― Henri J.M. Nouwen.”
SONG OF THE HEART, SONG OF THE SEASON: Whatsoever You Do https://youtu.be/zKIf1qjwKtU