Posted on 12/04/2011 7:08:30 PM PST by Salvation
From: Isaiah 35:1-10
Promise of Redemption
[3] Strengthen the weak hands,
and make firm the feeble knees.
[4] Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
“Be strong, fear not!
Behold, your God
will come with vengeance,
with the recompense of God.
He will come and save you.”
[5] Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
[6] then shall the lame man leap like a hart,
and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert;
[7] the burning sand shall become a pool,
and the thirsty ground springs of water;
the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp,
the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
[8] And a highway shall be there,
and it shall be called the Holy Way;
the unclean shall not pass over it,
and fools shall not err therein.
[9] No lion shall be there,
nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there,
but the redeemed shall walk there.
[10] And the ransomed of the Lord shall return,
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
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Commentary:
35:1-10 The focus now changes with this hymn celebrating Zion, the holy city.
It presents a picture of the restored Jerusalem in language reminiscent of that of
chapters 11 and 12. God who manifested his presence and protection during the
exodus, when Israel came up out of Egypt, will do so again in wonderful ways as
the redeemed flock back home to Zion. He will show them the route and give them
a highway and be with them in a sort of solemn procession to where he dwells (v.
8). Just as in Babylon there was a “Holy Way” lined with statues of lions and dra-
gons that led to the temple of Marduk, the redeemed will have a truly “Holy Way”
to take them to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. The joy of the returnees is
compounded by the instant cure of the blind, deaf and lame (cf. 29:18-19), which
is an anticipation of what will happen in the messianic era.
The miracles worked by Jesus demonstrate that the moment of true redemption
foreseen indistinctly by the prophets has come to pass (cf. Mt 11:2-6). St Justin,
showing the Jew Tryphon that this prophecy found fulfillment in Christ, points out:
“Christ is the stream of living water that flows from God; he sprang up in the de-
sert wastes of ignorance of God; that is, in the parched earth of all the nations. He,
who was born among your people, cured those who were blind from birth, and the
deaf and the lame: by his word alone, they leapt and heard and saw once more.
He raised the dead and gave them new life, and by all his good works prompted
men to see Him for who he is. [...] He did all these things to convince those who
were to believe in him, whatever bodily defects they might have, that if they obeyed
the teachings that he gave them, he would raise them up again at his Second Co-
ming and make them whole and perfect and immortal as He is” (”Dialogus Cum
Tryphone”, 69,6).
The Church uses this passage from Isaiah in the Advent liturgy (3rd Sunday,
Cycle A) to encourage the faithful in joyous hope that God will come and bring
salvation.
*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.
From: Luke 5:17-26
The Cure of the Paralytic in Capernaum
[21] And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this
that speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?” [22] When Je-
sus perceived their questionings, He answered them, “Why do you question in
your hearts? [23] Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say,
‘Rise and walk’? [24] But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority
on earth to forgive sins” — He said to the man who was paralyzed — “I say to you,
rise, take up your bed and go home.” [25] And immediately he rose before them,
and took up that on which he lay, and went home, glorifying God. [26] And
amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe,
saying, “We have seen strange things today.”
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Commentary:
17. A little earlier, beside the lake, Jesus addressed His teaching to crowds (ver-
ses 1ff). Here His audience includes some of the most educated Jews. Christ
desired not only to teach but also to cure everyone — spiritually and, sometimes,
physically, as He will soon do in the case of the paralytic. The evangelist’s obser-
vation at the end of this verse reminds us that our Lord is ever-ready to use His
omnipotence for our good: “I know the plans I have for you, plans for welfare and
not for evil’, God declared through the prophet Jeremiah (29:11). The liturgy ap-
plies these words to Jesus, for in Him we are clearly shown that God does love
us in this way. He did not come to condemn us, to accuse us of meanness and
smallness. He came to save us, pardon us, excuse us, bring us peace and joy.”
(St. J. Escriva, “Christ Is Passing By”, 165). On this occasion also Jesus wan-
ted to benefit His listeners, even though some of them would not receive this di-
vine gift because they were not well-disposed.
19-20. Our Lord is touched when He sees these friends of the paralytic putting
their faith into practice: they had gone up onto the roof, taken off some of the
tiles and lowered the bed down in front of Jesus. Friendship and faith combine in
obtaining a miraculous cure. The paralytic himself had a like faith: he let himself
be carried around, brought up onto the roof and so forth. Seeing such solid faith
Jesus gives them even more than they expect: He cures the man’s body and,
what is much more, cures his soul. Perhaps He does this, as St. Bede suggests
(cf. “In Lucae Evangelium Expositio, in loc.”), to show two things: that the illness
was a form of punishment for his sins and therefore the paralytic could only get
up once these sins had been forgiven; and that others’ faith and prayer can move
God to work miracles.
In some way, the paralytic symbolizes everyone whose sins prevent him from
reaching God. For example, St. Ambrose says: “How great is the Lord who on
account of the merits of some pardon others, and while praising the former ab-
solves the latter! [...] Therefore, let you, who judge, learn to pardon; you, who are
ill, learn to beg for forgiveness. And if the gravity of your sins causes you to doubt
the possibility of being forgiven, have recourse to intercessors, have recourse to
the Church, who will pray for you, and the Lord will grant you, out of love for her,
what He might have refused you” (St. Ambrose, “Expositio Evangelii Sec. Lu-
cam, in loc.”).
Apostolic work should be motivated by desire to help people find Jesus Christ.
Among other things it calls for daring — as we see in the friends of the paralytic;
and it also needs the intercession of the saints, whose help we seek because
we feel God will pay more attention to them than to us sinners.
24. Our Lord is going to perform a public miracle to prove that He is endowed
with invisible, spiritual power. Christ, the only Son of the Father, has power to
forgive sins because He is God, and He uses this power on our behalf as our
Mediator and Redeemer (Luke 22:20; John 20:17-18, 28: 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Co-
lossians 2:13-14; Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 1:9; Isaiah 53:4-5). Jesus used this po-
wer personally when He was on earth and after ascending into Heaven He still
uses it, through the Apostles and their successors.
A sinner is like a paralytic in God’s presence. The Lord is going to free him of
his paralysis, forgiving him his sins and enabling him to walk by giving him grace
once more. In the sacrament of Penance, if Jesus Christ “sees us cold, unwilling,
rigid perhaps with the stiffness of a dying interior life, His tears will be our life: ‘I
say to you, My friend, arise and walk,’ (cf. John 11:43; Luke 5:24), leave that nar-
row life which is no life at all” (St. J. Escriva, “Christ Is Passing By,” 93).
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Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.
| First reading | Isaiah 35:1-10 © |
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| Psalm | Psalm 84:9-14 © |
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| Gospel Acclamation | Lk3:4,6 |
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| Or |
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| Gospel | Luke 5:17-26 © |
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We thank you, God our Father, for those who have responded to your call to priestly ministry.
Accept this prayer we offer on their behalf: Fill your priests with the sure knowledge of your love.
Open their hearts to the power and consolation of the Holy Spirit.
Lead them to new depths of union with your Son.
Increase in them profound faith in the Sacraments they celebrate as they nourish, strengthen and heal us.
Lord Jesus Christ, grant that these, your priests, may inspire us to strive for holiness by the power of their example, as men of prayer who ponder your word and follow your will.
O Mary, Mother of Christ and our mother, guard with your maternal care these chosen ones, so dear to the Heart of your Son.
Intercede for our priests, that offering the Sacrifice of your Son, they may be conformed more each day to the image of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Saint John Vianney, universal patron of priests, pray for us and our priests
This icon shows Jesus Christ, our eternal high priest.The gold pelican over His heart represents self-sacrifice.
The border contains an altar and grapevines, representing the Mass, and icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney.
Melchizedek: king of righteousness (left icon) was priest and king of Jerusalem. He blessed Abraham and has been considered an ideal priest-king.
St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests.
1. Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
2. The Apostles Creed: I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
3. The Lord's Prayer: OUR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
4. (3) Hail Mary: HAIL Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)
5. Glory Be: GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Fatima Prayer: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy.
Announce each mystery, then say 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be and 1 Fatima prayer. Repeat the process with each mystery.
End with the Hail Holy Queen:
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus!
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Final step -- The Sign of the Cross
The Mysteries of the Rosary
By tradition, Catholics meditate on these Mysteries during prayers of the Rosary.
The biblical references follow each of the Mysteries below.
St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle
Be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the devil;
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God,
Cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen
+
From an Obama bumper sticker on a car:
"Pray for Obama. Psalm 109:8"
Psalm 109:8
"Let his days be few; and let another take his place of leadership."
PLEASE JOIN US -
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Mary was in need of redemption and she was indeed redeemed by the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. The manner of Mary's redemption, however, was unique. Instead of being freed from original sin after having contracted it, she was preserved from contracting it. This was a most fitting favor for the Mother of the Redeemer.
INVOCATION
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
TO THE VIRGIN IMMACULATE
O Virgin Immaculate, Mother of God and my Mother, from thy sublime height turn upon me thine eyes of pity. Filled with confidence in thy goodness and knowing full well thy power, I beseech thee to extend to. me thine assistance in the journey of life, which is so full of dangers for my soul. And in order that I may never be the slave of the devil through sin, , but may ever live with my heart humble and pure, I entrust myself wholly to thee. I consecrate my heart to thee for ever, my only desire being to love thy divine Son Jesus. Mary, none of thy devout servants has ever perished; may I too be saved. Amen.
PRAYER OF PRAISE
O pure and immaculate and likewise blessed Virgin, who art the sinless Mother of thy Son, the mighty Lord of the universe, thou who art inviolate and altogether holy, the hope of the hopeless and sinful, we sing thy praises. We bless thee, as full of every grace, thou who didst bear the God-Man: we all bow low before thee; we invoke thee and implore thine aid. Rescue us, 0 holy and inviolate Virgin, from every necessity that presses upon us and from all the temptations of the devil. Be our intercessor and advocate at the hour of death and judgment; deliver us from the fire that is not extinguished and from the outer darkness; make us worthy of the glory of thy Son, O dearest and most clement Virgin Mother. Thou indeed art our only hope, most sure and sacred in God's sight, to whom be honor and glory, majesty and dominion for ever and ever world without end. Amen.
Saint Ephrem the Syrian
PRAYER OF POPE PIUS XII
This prayer, dedicated to Mary Immaculate, was composed by the Pope for the Marian Year (December 8, 1953-December 8, 1954), which was proclaimed to mark the centenary of the definition of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.
Enraptured by the splendor of your heavenly beauty, and impelled by the anxieties of the world, we cast ourselves into your arms, 0 Immacuate Mother of Jesus and our Mother, Mary, confident of finding in your most loving heart appeasement of our ardent desires, and a safe harbor from the tempests which beset us on every side.
Though degraded by our faults and overwhelmed by infinite misery, we admire and praise the peerless richness of sublime gifts with which God has filled you, above every other mere creature, from the first moment of your conception until the day on which, after your assumption into heaven, He crowned you Queen of the Universe.
O crystal fountain of faith, bathe our minds with the eternal truths! O fragrant Lily of all holiness, captivate our hearts with your heavenly perfume! 0 Conqueress of evil and death, inspire in us a deep horror of sin, which makes the soul detestable to God and a slave of hell!
O well-beloved of God, hear the ardent cry which rises up from every heart. Bend tenderly over our aching wounds. Convert the wicked, dry the tears of the afflicted and oppressed, comfort the poor and humble, quench hatreds, sweeten harshness, safeguard the flower of purity in youth, protect the holy Church, make all men feel the attraction of Christian goodness. In your name, resounding harmoniously in heaven, may they recognize that they are brothers, and that the nations are members of one family, upon which may there shine forth the sun of a universal and sincere peace.
Receive, O most sweet Mother, our humble supplications, and above all obtain for us that, one day, happy with you, we may repeat before your throne that hymn which today is sung on earth around your altars: You are all-beautiful, O Mary! You are the glory, you are the joy, you are the honor of our people! Amen.
Prayer Source: Prayer Book, The by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954
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December, 2011
Pope Benedict XVI's Intentions
General Intention: That the nations of the earth, through knowledge and mutual respect, may grow in harmony and peace.
Missionary Intention: That children and young people may be messengers of the Gospel and that their dignity may always be respected and preserved from all violence and exploitation.
| Monday, December 05, 2011 Advent Weekday |
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The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.
Amen. |
Dec 05, Invitatory for Monday of the 2nd week of Advent
Lord, open my lips.
– And my mouth will proclaim your praise.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, the King who is to come.
Psalm 95
Come, let us sing to the Lord
and shout with joy to the Rock who saves us.
Let us approach him with praise and thanksgiving
and sing joyful songs to the Lord.
Ant.
The Lord is God, the mighty God,
the great king over all the gods.
He holds in his hands the depths of the earth
and the highest mountains as well
He made the sea; it belongs to him,
the dry land, too, for it was formed by his hands.
Ant.
Come, then, let us bow down and worship,
bending the knee before the Lord, our maker,
For he is our God and we are his people,
the flock he shepherds.
Ant.
Today, listen to the voice of the Lord:
Do not grow stubborn, as your fathers did
in the wilderness,
when at Meriba and Massah
they challenged me and provoked me,
Although they had seen all of my works.
Ant.
Forty years I endured that generation.
I said, “They are a people whose hearts go astray
and they do not know my ways.”
So I swore in my anger,
“They shall not enter into my rest.”
Ant.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, the King who is to come
Dec 05, Office of Readings for Monday of the 2nd week of Advent
Ribbon Placement:
Liturgy of the Hours Vol. I:
Ordinary: 649
Proper of Seasons: 209
Psalter: Monday, Week II, 816
Christian Prayer:
Does not contain Office of Readings.
Office of Readings for Monday of the 2nd Week of Advent
God, come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.
HYMN
Veni, veni Emanuel: captivum solve Israel,
Qui gemit in exilio, privatus Dei Filio.
Gaude! gaude! Emanuel nascetur pro te, Israel.
Veni, veni, O Oriens; solare nos adveniens;
Noctis depelle nebulas, dirasque noctis tenebras.
Gaude! gaude! Emanuel nascetur pro te, Israel.
Veni, veni, Adonaï, Qui populo in Sinaï
Legem dedisti vertice in maiestate glorie.
Gaude! gaude! Emanuel nascetur pro te, Israel.
English translation
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Veni, Emanuel Performed by Mignarda; Words: Unknown, 8th Century Latin, The O Antiphons; Music: “Veni Emmanuel,” 15th Century French Plain Song melody, Arranged and harmonized by Thomas Helmore in Hymnal Noted, Part II (London: 1854). Based on a 15th Century French Processional
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 Bow down and hear me, Lord; come to my rescue.
Psalm 31
A troubled person’s confident appeal to God
Father, into your hands, I commend my spirit (Luke 23:46).
I
In you, O Lord, I take refuge.
Let me never be put to shame.
In your justice, set me free,
hear me and speedily rescue me.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a mighty stronghold to save me,
for you are my rock, my stronghold.
For your name’s sake, lead me and guide me.
Release me from the snares they have hidden
for you are my refuge, Lord.
Into your hands I commend my spirit.
It is you who will redeem me, Lord.
O God of truth, you detest
those who worship false and empty gods.
As for me, I trust in the Lord:
let me be glad and rejoice in your love.
You have seen my affliction
and taken heed of my soul’s distress,
have not handed me over to the enemy,
but set my feet at large.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. Bow down and hear me, Lord; come to my rescue.
Ant. 2 Lord, let the light of your countenance shine on your servant.
II
Have mercy on me, O Lord,
for I am in distress.
Tears have wasted my eyes,
my throat and my heart.
For my life is spent with sorrow
and my years with sighs.
Affliction has broken down my strength
and my bones waste away.
In the face of all my foes
I am a reproach,
an object of scorn to my neighbors
and of fear to my friends.
Those who see me in the street
run far away from me.
I am like a dead man, forgotten,
like a thing thrown away.
I have heard the slander of the crowd,
fear is all around me,
as they plot together against me,
as they plan to take my life.
But as for me, I trust in you, Lord,
I say: “You are my God.
My life is in your hands,
deliver me from the hands of those who hate me.
Let your face shine on your servant.
Save me in your love.”
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. Lord, let the light of your countenance shine on your servant.
Ant. 3 Blessed be the Lord, for he has poured out his mercy upon me.
III
How great is the goodness, Lord,
that you keep for those who fear you,
that you show to those who trust you
in the sight of men.
You hide them in the shelter of your presence
from the plotting of men:
you keep them safe within your tent
from disputing tongues.
Blessed be the Lord who has shown me
the wonders of his love
in a fortified city.
“I am far removed from your sight,”
I said in my alarm.
Yet you heard the voice of my plea
when I cried for help.
Love the Lord, all you saints.
He guards his faithful
but the Lord will repay to the full
those who act with pride.
Be strong, let your heart take courage,
all who hope in the Lord.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm-prayer
God of kindness and truth, you saved your Chosen One, Jesus Christ, and you gave your martyrs strength. Watch over your people who come to you here and strengthen the hearts of those who hope in you, that they may proclaim your saving acts of kindness in the eternal city.
Ant. Blessed be the Lord, for he has poured out his mercy upon me.
Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) – a moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church.
Lord, show us your mercy and love.
– And grant us your salvation.
READINGS
First reading
From the book of the prophet Isaiah
24:1-18
The coming of the Lord on that day
Lo, the Lord empties the land and lays it waste;
he turns it upside down, scattering its inhabitants:
Layman and priest alike, servant and master,
The maid as her mistress, the buyer as the seller,
The lender as the borrower, the creditor as the debtor.
The earth is utterly laid waste, utterly stripped,
for the Lord has decreed this thing.
The earth mourns and fades, the world languishes and fades;
both heaven and earth languish.
The earth is polluted because of its inhabitants,
who have transgressed laws, violated statutes,
broken the ancient covenant.
Therefore a curse devours the earth,
and its inhabitants pay for their guilt;
Therefore they who dwell on earth turn pale,
and few men are left.
The wine mourns, the vine languishes,
all the merry-hearted groan.
Stilled are the cheerful timbrels,
ended the shouts of the jubilant,
stilled is the cheerful harp.
They cannot sing and drink wine;
strong drink is bitter to those who partake of it.
Broken down is the city of chaos,
shut against entry, every house.
In the streets they cry out for lack of wine;
all joy has disappeared and cheer has left the land.
In the city nothing remains but ruin;
its gates are battered and desolate.
Thus it is within the land, and among the peoples,
As with an olive tree after it is beaten,
as with a gleaning when the vintage is done.
These lift up their voice in acclaim;
from the sea they proclaim the majesty of the Lord:
“For this, in the coastlands, give glory to the Lord!
In the coastlands of the sea,
to the name of the Lord, the God of Israel!”
From the end of the earth we hear songs:
“Splendor to the Just One!”
But I said, “I am wasted, wasted away. Woe is me!
The traitors betray: with treachery have the traitors betrayed!
Terror, pit, and trap are upon you, inhabitant of the earth;
He who flees at the sound of terror will fall into the pit;
He who climbs out of the pit will be caught in the trap.
For the windows on high will be opened
and the foundations of the earth will shake.
RESPONSORY Isaiah 24:14, 15; Psalm 96:1
Singing in praise they lift their voices:
– Let the Lord be glorified in your teachings.
Sing to the Lord a new song;
– let all the earth sing to the Lord.
Second reading
From a treatise on The Ascent of Mount Carmel by Saint John of the Cross, priest
In Christ God has spoken to us
Under the ancient law prophets and priests sought from God revelations and visions which indeed they needed, for faith had as yet no firm foundation and the gospel law had not yet been established. Their seeking and God’s responses were necessary. He spoke to them at one time through words and visions and revelations, at another in signs and symbols. But however he responded and what he said and revealed were mysteries of our holy faith, either partial glimpses of the whole or sure movements toward it.
But now that faith is rooted in Christ, and the law of the gospel has been proclaimed in this time of grace, there is no need to seek him in the former manner, nor for him so to respond. By giving us, as he did, his Son, his only Word, he has in that one Word said everything. There is no need for any further revelation.
This is the true meaning of Paul’s words to the Hebrews when he urged them to abandon their earlier ways of conversing with God, as laid down in the law of Moses, and to set their eyes on Christ alone: In the past God spoke to our fathers through the prophets in various ways and manners; but now in our times, the last days, he has spoken to us in his Son. In effect, Paul is saying that God has spoken so completely through his own Word that he chooses to add nothing. Although he had spoken but partially through the prophets he has now said everything in Christ. He has given us everything, his own Son.
Therefore, anyone who wished to question God or to seek some new vision or revelation from him would commit an offense, for instead of focusing his eyes entirely on Christ he would be desiring something other than Christ, or beyond him.
God could then answer: This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased; hear him. In my Word I have already said everything. Fix your eyes on him alone for in him I have revealed all and in him you will find more than you could ever ask for or desire.
I, with my Holy Spirit, came down upon him on Mount Tabor and declared: This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased; hear him. You do not need new teachings or ways of learning from me, for when I spoke before it was of Christ who was to come, and when they sought anything of me they were but seeking and hoping for the Christ in whom is every good, as the whole teaching of the evangelists and apostles clearly testifies.
RESPONSORY Micah 4:2; John 4:25
Many nations will come and say: Let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the home of the God of Jacob.
– He will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths.
The Messiah, who is called the Christ, is coming. When he comes, he will teach us everything.
– He will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
May our prayer of petition
rise before you, we pray, O Lord,
that, with purity unblemished,
your servants may come, as they desire,
to celebrate the great mystery
of the Incarnation of your Only Begotten Son.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.
ACCLAMATION (only added when praying in community)
Let us praise the Lord.
– And give him thanks.
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