ADVENT SONGS: MAGNIFICAT (LK 1:46-55).

And Mary said:



"My soul glorifies the Lord

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has been mindful

of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

for the Mighty One has done great things for me --

holy is his name.

His mercy extends to those who fear him,

from generation to generation.

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;

he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones

but has lifted up the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things

but has sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

remembering to be merciful

to Abraham and his descendants forever,

even as he said to our fathers."

THE VIRGIN OF ADVENT

Dear brothers and sisters, the Virgin Mary fully incarnates the humanity that lives in hope based on faith in the living God. She is the Virgin of Advent; she is well-rooted in the present, in the "today" of salvation; she keeps in her heart all the past promises; and they extend to future fulfillment. Let us enter her school, to truly enter this time of grace and to welcome, with joy and responsibility, the coming of God to our personal and social history.

                           (His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI)

HAPPY ADVENT...OUR SAVIOUR IS COMING...PREPARE HIM THE WAY...

     As advent begins our hearts and minds are focused on this Sunday's Gospel. Luke reminds us that Jesus is coming and that we should stand erect, hold our heads high because our redemption is near. So instead of focusing on the end of the world and events preceding it we are invited by Luke to focus on the Lord's coming and on our salvation. Therefore let us stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man - Luke 21:34-36.

WAITING JOYFULLY FOR THE MESSIAH...

This is an Advent symbol of Jesus from Rev 1:8 and 22:13: "I am the Alpha and the Omega [the first and the last, the beginning and the end]" says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty" (see also Isaiah 44:6). The first symbol is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, Alpha, and the second is the last letter of the Greek alphabet, Omega. Not only does this symbolize the One who has come and will come again, it also emphasizes the continuity of God's work in history throughout both the Old and New Testaments.

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD....

The LORD will guard you from all evil, will always guard your Soul.

       The LORD will guard your coming and going both now and forever.
                                                     (Ps 121:7-8).

LET US PRAY FOR THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN IRELAND

I'm pained at the way the Clergy and Religious have been dealt with by the report in Dublin. All the good the priests and religious did for the poor in Ireland down the centuries seems to have been forgotten. History cannot be judge as good or bad according to modern criteria, history has to be understood according to its proper context. Why don't they judge other entities and personalities of the past in the same way as they are dealing with the Church nowadays. Let us be renewed in our conviction that the vocation and ministry is a gift from God; a Call, which cannot be sullied by human limitations. I also read of a priest of the diocese of Kilmore was sentenced to imprisonment. Without condoning his sin, I felt there could be so many worst sex offenders than him out there moving about freely! Be assured of my prayers for all those who are pursuing priesthood and for the Chruch in Ireland, surely the Lord will always allow His Church to triumph in spite of evil men who oppose her. May Our Blessed Mother protect, guard and defend Her priests always.

AS ADVENT DRAWS NEAR POPE BENEDICTS REFLECTS ON HISTORY

POPE: HISTORY IS NOT THE RESULT OF CHANCE, GOD IS PRESENT AND WORKS WITHIN IT. History is not the result of "blind fate or chance."

In it "there is surprising and salvific intervention of God who enters history, is part of the story, but saves the freedom and responsibility of man".

So said Hugh of St Victor, one of the medieval theologians of whom which Benedict XVI spoke during the general audience: history is not the result of chance, God is present and works within it. And today, to the eight thousand people present in the audience hall, Benedict XVI spoke of two members of the monastery of St. Victor in Paris, where "a happy synthesis between monastic theology intent on contemplation of Scripture and scholastic theology that employed reason to scrutinize such mysteries" was represented by Hugh and Richard. There is little information available about Hugh. It is known that around 1116 he entered the abbey of St. Victor, "first as a pupil and then as a teacher."

In De sacramentis and Didascalion Hugh supported the congruence between reason and faith.

"He thought a lot about the relationship between faith and reason," saying that "all the sciences in addition to their value to read Sacred Scripture, have value in themselves in order to broaden the knowledge of man and respond to his longing to know the truth."

"Never restrict, he said, the desire to learn. Learn from everything that you do not know and you will be wiser".

The monks of the abbey of St Victor, saw theology as a "loving study of Sacred Scripture".

"To know God one must start from what God has chosen to reveal of himself through Scripture"

Hugh stated that Scripture has "a literal historical sense, then allegorical, analogical, and moral. Four dimensions of the meaning of Scripture that today are being rediscovered".

While respecting the four dimensions, "in an original way compared to his contemporaries he insisted on the importance of historical-literal sense of Scripture, so before you discover the symbolic value and the moral teaching of Bible stories, we must know and deepen the meaning of history as told in Scripture''.

Otherwise, the Pope observed, quoting the monk “we risk being like scholars of grammar who ignore the alphabet. "

"Those who know the meaning of history in the Bible, human events appear marked by Providence. Thus history is not the result of blind fate or chance, the Holy Spirit is at work in history, inspiring the marvellous dialogue between God and men". "The surprising and salvific intervention of God who enters history, is part of history, but saving the freedom and responsibility of man. "

Study, then, "makes theology itself possible, ie the systematic revelation of truth." Hugh of St. Victor, said the Pope, is credited with "the definition of sacrament which when further refined offers interesting ideas."

He shows that in the sacrament there are the three elements of divine institution, grace, and the analogy between visible and invisible elements, "the visibility of the symbol, the embodiment of the gift, which hides the divine grace."

Even Richard, who was a pupil of Hugh, and, originally from Scotland became the prior of Saint Victor to his death in 1172, gives a central role to the study of theology, but, unlike his master, he privileges the symbolic meaning. He dedicated two works to Benjamin seen as a symbol of contemplation, the summit of spiritual life.

"A path that calls monks to practice the various virtues, regulate their emotions with reason" in order to arrive at contemplation, "the souls profound reflection on the wonders of the depths of Wisdom." Contemplation, therefore, is the "culmination of a hard journey that involves dialogue between faith and reason."

"It is important today", said the Pope, that "liturgical animation, and especially priests, enhance their sacramental rites with pastoral wisdom, carefully taking care of the catechesis, so that every celebration of the sacraments may be experienced by all the faithful with devotion, intensity and spiritual joy".

Of Richard, in particular, the Pope recalled the Trinity, which he called "one of the great books of history."

In six volumes he stated that "God is love", but warned that "love is still an analogy for dialogue about a mystery that goes beyond the human mind".

"The perfection of happiness and goodness does not allow exclusivism and closure”. The Trinity is a "model of love, it is really perfect communion." "Love carries out this incessant miracle, plurality comes together in unity." Trinitarian love is participation and agreement, it is communication, oblation and direction among three Persons".

"How much the world would change - concluded the pope - if relationships lived the example of the three divine persons in which each lives for the other, with the other, and in the other. Only love makes us happy because we live to love and be loved".

ADVENT BEGINS. 10 Easy Ideas for Transforming the Season...

This winter, embrace a few simple practices and observances that will prepare your heart and mind for twelve days of big celebration that begin-not end-on December 25. Advent is always observed four Sundays before Christmas. This year, it begins on November 29. Along with traditional activities like an Advent wreath or calendar, here are 10 creative ways you can grow spiritually during the Advent season.

1. Mark Mary and Joseph’s Journey
Set up your Nativity scene by gathering the animals around the manger. Then place Mary and Joseph in the farthest spot possible from “Bethlehem,” such as your bedroom closet or a shelf in the garage. Daily move Mary and Joseph closer to the Nativity scene throughout Advent until they arrive at “Bethlehem” Christmas Eve. If you have children, they’ll love inching Mary and Joseph closer each day via the toy box, the piano, and the kitchen cabinets! Remember to keep baby Jesus stowed away until Christmas morning.

2. Hum a New Tune
This may be a tough one for those of you have “Away in a Manger” as the constant soundtrack through the entire month of December, but it’s worth trying! Choose to wait until Christmas to listen to Christmas music (and when the 25th comes, belt out your favorite carols with all your heart!). Instead, make a CD or playlist with songs appropriate for Advent. Don’t know any Advent songs? Check out www.cyberhymnal.org and click on “Advent” under the topics search option.

3. Darken Your Dinners
Transform your family meals by turning off all electric lights during dinner. Begin each meal with John 1:9, then eat by candlelight and use the experience to think about the darkness of life without Christ. Discuss what it means to wait for Jesus, the light of the world. To observe the Advent fast, you may also choose to eat simple meals during Advent meals as a way to focus on waiting for the Christmas feast.

4. Replace Cookies with Candles
In lieu of baking and delivering Christmas cookies to neighbors, friends, and co-workers during early December, give candles as small gifts instead. Wrap votive candles in small squares of taffeta, tie with a ribbon, then affix notes with the text of Isaiah 9:2 and John 1:9 printed on them. If friends are curious about your unique gift, talk honestly about the light Jesus has brought into your life.

5. Try a New Type of Tree
Instead of putting up your Christmas tree the Friday after Thanksgiving, consider having a Jesse tree instead. The idea of a Jesse tree is derived from Isaiah 11:1-a prophecy about Jesus that says “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.” A Jesse tree is traditionally a bare branch or houseplant decorated with ornaments that remind us of stories from the Old Testament and people who went before Jesus.
Don’t think you have to go out and buy new ornaments! I  made a Jesse tree with some of the ornaments I already had in my collection: apples to represent Adam and original sin; animals and plants to remember God’s creation; a harp to represent David; even a lobster to represent Old Testament dietary laws (you can get really creative here)! You can also make your own ornaments to represent Old Testament stories, such as a rainbow, big fish, altars, and a coat of many colors. And as you wait a bit to put up your traditional tree, you can also intentionally put up your other Christmas decorations a little at a time, while you wait for Christmas morning.

6. Shhhhhh!
Creatively reflect on the story of Zechariah (found in Luke 1:5-79). What was it like for him to wait in silence as he pondered the amazing news that the Messiah was coming? Set aside one morning in which you can take a vow of silence; for a few hours commit to keep your mouth shut and communicate only with God through quiet prayers and a listening heart. Focus on and enjoy God’s presence.

7. Wait to Open Presents
This is difficult, especially if your family has regularly exchanged gifts before Christmas, but by waiting for Christmas (or even the 11 days afterwards) you can truly experience what it means to wait. If you receive a gift from someone, politely say, “Thank you! I will wait until Christmas to open this, if that’s OK.” By waiting to open gifts, you can focus on the meaning of Advent and wait for Christmas to enjoy the symbolic meaning of gift-giving and receiving.

8. Knead, Shape, and Wait
Get up early one morning to make homemade yeast bread. As you wait for the dough to rise, quietly contemplate what it might have been like for those who were waiting for the Messiah to be born. Consider what it means for you to wait and watch for Christ’s Second Coming. (If you have kids, invite them to help you make cinnamon rolls with the yeast dough.)

9. Make the Common Uncommon
Transform plain, old tin cans into beautiful outdoor luminaries with your spouse or older children. First remove the label and wash any size tin can. Fill the can with water, leaving about ½ an inch at the top, then put the can in the freezer overnight. The next day, draw an Advent-themed design on a piece of paper, such as a star or an angel. Tape the paper to the can of frozen water, then use a hammer and nail to transfer the design to the can by pounding small holes into the tin. When the ice melts, you will have a lovely recycled can luminary! Place a lit candle inside each one and set them on your front door step at night. Use this project to think about the redemptive wonder of the incarnation-the Light of the universe, carried as a babe in the womb of a common girl.

10. Pray, Ponder, and be Poetic
Purchase a blank journal that you can use every Advent. Each day, write a prayer or poem that explores important Advent themes like darkness, waiting, hope, and light. Bring your journal out each Advent season; spend time each year reading the reflections already recorded there.

The point here isn’t to replace pre-Christmas chaos with the stress and frenzy of 10 elaborate Advent observances. Instead, you can choose your own Advent adventure by picking one or two things you’ll do to infuse the four weeks before Christmas with meaningful observances, lasting family traditions, and most importantly, growing intimacy with God.

Try a new to-do list this November. How about…

1. Slow down and breathe
2. Wait for Jesus with eager anticipation
3. Truly celebrate Christmas and what it means…when it comes!

COME LORD JESUS, COME WITH YOUR LOVE, MERCY AND JOY

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, As they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as men make merry when dividing spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, And the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames. For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, From David's throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains By judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this! (Isaiah 9: 1-6)

MARANATHA...MARANATHA...MARANATHA.

Dear Friends in the Lord,

We are in the last week of the liturgical year. With the celebration of the solemnity of Christ our King we have begun the countdown for the preparation of the coming of of Jesus our Saviour. Let us open our hearts to Jesus Christ the returning Saviour and King. I invite all to bow in prayer and ask for the grace to prepare the way of the Lord this ADVENT.