Category: Advent-Christmas

A Christmas Invitation…

Published on by Sr. Kathryn J Hermes, FSPLeave a comment

This Christmas, you might want to sit for a time alone, without plans and schedules and to do lists.

I invite you to let God meet you right there. That’s all. Not a big production. Just sit like Mary Joseph and ponder what is inexplicable or overwhelming in your own life right now. You have wrestled with it, trying to determine the “right” thing to do. Now just sit quietly. Tell God: “I need you now. Right here. I don’t understand. I can’t decide what to do. I want to do what’s best, but I don’t know what that is.” Tell God what you feel: angry, betrayed, sad, frightened, determined, controlling…

Then wait in spaces that are simple and unrushed, seeking the deeper love that is the foundation of everything real. Quietly say, “Yes. Just show me what you want here. And I will say yes.”

Mysteries of the Rosary for Christmas

Published on by Sr. Kathryn J Hermes, FSP1 Comment

I have the practice of praying mysteries of the rosary that are specific to a need I have or a Feast we are celebrating or an inspiration I have received. They always begin with the Annunciation, my favorite mystery of Jesus and Mary’s life. There is such a comfort to find my life reflected in hers and to allow her to mother me in all the mysteries of my own life.

Here are the mysteries of the rosary I’m praying through the Christmas season. The reflections are from the Song of Songs and the prophets Zephaniah and Isaiah.

The Annunciation
Ah, you are beautiful, my love;
    ah, you are beautiful;
    your eyes are doves.
Ah, you are beautiful, my beloved,
    truly lovely.
(Song of Songs 1:15-16)

The Visitation
Do not fear, O Zion;
    do not let your hands grow weak.
The Lord, your God, is in your midst,
    a warrior who gives victory;
he will rejoice over you with gladness (Zeph 3:16-17)

The Nativity
The voice of my beloved!
    Look, he comes,
leaping upon the mountains,
    bounding over the hills.
(Sg 2:8)

The Shepherds Visit Jesus
Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion;
    shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
    O daughter of Jerusalem!
The Lord has taken away the judgments against you,
    he has cast out your enemies.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
    you shall fear evil no more.
(Zeph 3:14-15)

The Epiphany
 Arise, shine; for your light has come,
    and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
 Nations shall come to your light,
    and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Then you shall see and be radiant;
    your heart shall thrill and rejoice,
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
    and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
(Is 60:1, 3, 5, 6)

Image credit: Danny Aliano Rossas, Cathopic

An Advent Prayer for Holy Communion

Published on by Sr. Kathryn J Hermes, FSP1 Comment

“Thou art He that was to come, O Jesus! We look for no other. We were blind, Thou hast enlightened us; we were lame, Thou hast made us walk; the leprosy of sin disfigured us, Thou has cleansed us; we were deaf to Thy words, Thou hast given us life again; we were poor and had none to care for us, Thou hast come to us with every aid and consolation. These have been, and will again be, the blessing of Thy visit to our souls, O Jesus! A visit, silent but wonderful in its work; which flesh and blood cannot understand, but which faithful hearts feel is granted to them.”
Abbot Gueranger, OSB; The Liturgical Year; Book 1 – Advent

An Advent prayer of gratitude after receiving Holy Communion.

Image: Benjamín Dominguez

Behold the Joy this Advent

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Arise, O Jerusalem, and stand on high; and behold the joy that will come to thee from thy God.

Say to Jerusalem that her God is coming to her, and He wishes to make her His bride.

Somewhere, many years ago, I remember reading Augustine’s words that Christ came to earth as to a wedding. Such celebrations are filled with dancing and joy and hope and laughter. By the gentle asceticism of these Advent days we prepare ourselves, as did Jerusalem, for the divine visit, and detach ourselves from all that is not God who has claimed us now as His spouse.

In today’s Collect we prayed:
Almighty and merciful God,
may no earthly undertaking hinder those
who set out in haste to meet your Son,
but may our learning of heavenly wisdom
gain us admittance to his company.

Image credit: Eduardo Montivero
Inspired by Prosper Gueranger

Stretch Your Roots Deep Into the Soil of God’s Mystery

Published on by Sr. Kathryn J Hermes, FSPLeave a comment

You probably didn’t hear the Entrance Antiphon at Mass this morning. The Church opens her liturgical chants with this beautiful Psalm which expresses her confidence “as the beloved bride of Jesus.” As we lift up our hearts and our voices with all the Church, we rejoice in this first Advent day, “for the Savior comes to each of us in proportion to the earnestness of our longing for him.”

To you, I lift up my soul, O my God.
In you, I have trusted; let me not be put to shame.
Nor let my enemies exult over me;
and let none who hope in you be put to shame. see Psalm 25

The beginning of any liturgical season shakes us awake from any fatigue or boredom that prevents us from stretching our roots deep into the soil of God’s Mystery, into the ultimate meaning of God’s life and ours…love. Each liturgical season focuses our attention around the way we have been loved into being, the way we are loved and redeemed, and the way we can become love for others.

So on this first day of Advent the Church has us pray that we “resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming so that, gathered at his right hand, [we] may be worthy to possess the heavenly Kingdom.” (see Opening Prayer)

Advent Reflection: You left one heaven for another

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Advent is fast approaching. Though I love Advent, I have always struggled with the traditional style of Advent reflections. I’m turning this year instead to The Liturgical Year by Prosper Guéranger: Mary’s immense happiness upon holding in her arms the Word who was made Flesh, her Son and the Son of God, on the sacred night of his birth surpassed even the immense joy when she had been overshadowed by the Holy Spirit and received from Him the divine fruit of her womb. During the nine months when Jesus was undividedly hers, what must have been her preparation?

Christians! Your Communions during Advent prepare you for your Christmas joy, by giving you something of the delight which Mary felt before the birth of Jesus. Yes, Jesus, you are coming to me, you who entered into Mary’s virginal womb, making it the sanctuary of your Majesty. You had prepared her, from her conception, with every grace, so that you had but to leave one heaven for another. Alas, my soul is weak in faith. I bow down my whole being before you, using your Mother’s blessed words: ‘May it be done to me according to your word. (see The Liturgical Year 94-95)

Image credit: Sebastián Ycaza