Oh Nuts

Advent Meditations with Fulton Sheen The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them, light has shined. -Isaiah 9:2 The O Antiphons refer to the seven antiphons that are prayed immediately before the Magnificat during Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours (or the Divine Office). Each antiphon begins with the exclamation “O”, thus earning their popular name of the “O Antiphons.” Originally written in Latin around the seventh or eighth centuries, these special antiphons are verses extracted from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah that are titles for the Messiah.

“For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.   Blessed are you who believed   that what was spoken to you by the Lord   would be fulfilled.”   Luke 1   On this last Sunday of Advent,   we quietly reflect on the mystery.   We rest in awe, in wonder,   at how our God entered our world and came to be with us.   We pause to receive the gift offered us:   that the Spirit of God will open up our lives and   that Jesus will really come into our hearts.   May we have watchful hope today,   believing what the Lord promises us.   Let us pray today, that we might be God's servants,   that we might be instruments of God's love   for our families and all we serve this week.   ... Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,,       cried out in a loud voice and said,...

We begin this third week of Advent asking to feel the joy  that comes from knowing our Lord's coming to us is near.   In these precious days ahead, we are praying, longing, hoping   in the background of our everyday lives. His mission is for each of us who ask, "What must we do?"   He tells us to give away our coats, our security. He asks that we not bully people but be content with our lives. We can smile today as we imagine the freedom he has won for us   and how liberating it will be to live it, with him, for others.   It is right to give our God thanks and praise. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,  by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,  make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding  will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.   Philippians 4: 6-7 Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad a...

God is leading Israel in joy by the light of his glory, with his mercy and justice for company. Baruch 5   We begin this second week of our Advent journey  with this wonderful proclamation of the end of our exile.  We really can take off our robe of misery and put on the splendor of the glory of God forever.   Let us experience today what it will be like to be  freed from the power of our sins to hold us captive.  Freed from our longing, our desire:  that we might be set free.   “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.” Ps. 126   May the Lord bless us,   protect us from all evil   and bring us to everlasting life.   Amen.

Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem dwell secure. We begin Advent coming to the Lord who promises to keep us safe. In awe we say: “To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul!” Psalm 25   Let's begin this week with a deeply felt prayer. Even if we don't know exactly what we need or long for, today, let's try to express our desire for God's help and assistance. The days are coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and Judah .     Jeremiah 33   He guides the humble to justice,  he teaches the humble his way.  Psalm 25 May the Lord bless us,  protect us from all evil  and bring us to everlasting life.  Amen.

The angel Gabriel said to Mary, "Do not fear, Mary, you shall conceive and bear a son and give him the name Jesus. Great will be his dignity and he will be called Son of the Most High..."  Lk. 1 Fourth Sunday of Advent O Jesus, I believe you were born of Mary and are God's Son. Your mysterious coming is beyond understanding. Yet like your holy mother, Mary, I wish that you come to me, for you promised you will. Let me serve you in any way I can and know that you are with me day by day as my life goes by. Like Mary, your mother, though I know you only by faith, may my whole being proclaim your greatness and my spirit rejoice in your favor to me. O Wisdom, holy Word of God, Jesus Christ, holding all things in your strong yet tender hands, come and show us the way to salvation.

John's disciples said to Jesus, "Are you 'He who is to come' or do we look for another?" In reply, Jesus said: "Tell John what you hear and see: the blind recover their sight, cripples walk, lepers are cured, and the poor have good news preached to them..."  Lk. 3:10 Third Week of Advent O Jesus, I rejoice at the signs that say you are near. Your power is everywhere if I could see it. Yet my eyes often see only darkness and what has yet to be done. I believe in you, yet when I look around evil seems so strong and goodness so weak. If you have come, why is there still so much suffering and why do the poor still despair? Where are your miracles today? Your grace, O Lord, is more fruitful in my world than I imagine. I know your power is everywhere around me, if I could only see it. Show me today where the blind see and cripples walk. Make my vision sharper than it is.

When John the Baptizer made his appearance as a preacher in the desert of Judea, this was his them: Reform your lives. The reign of God is at hand!"  Mt. 3:1 Second Sunday of Advent O Jesus, in an empty desert your prophet John proclaimed: God is here, at your side. God has come to bring about a kingdom where injustice and suffering will be no more, where tears will be wiped away, and where those who turn to God will feast at a banquet. "Turn now, your God is standing at your side. Reform your lives, God's kingdom is at hand." In an empty desert John said these things. Give me faith like John's, O Lord, strong enough to believe even in a desert that you and your kingdom are no farther from me than my hand. Make my heart strong like his, not swayed by trials or snared by false pleasures. Give me courage to be faithful until your promises are fulfilled. O King of all nations, Jesus Christ, only joy of every heart, come and save your peopl...

"Jesus said to his disciples: 'Be constantly on the watch! Stay awake!...You do not know when the Master of the house is coming.'" Mark. 13:33 First Sunday of Advent O Jesus, your voice sounds through the house of my world: Be on your guard! Stay awake! Yet I hardly hear you. Busy with so much, I go about the things I do like a servant trapped in  household  routine, hardly giving a thought to what my life is about. My spirit within has grown tired and you, my God, seem far away. How can I hear your voice today? Speak to my heart during this season of grace, as you spoke to your prophets and saints. Remind me again of the journey you call me to make and the work you would have me do. I am your servant, O Lord. Speak to me in this holy season and turn my eyes to watch for your coming. O Emmanuel, Jesus Christ, desire of every nation, Savior of all peoples, come and dwell among us.

Eleventh Station: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross Thou didst forgive thy enemies; my God, teach me to forgive injuries and forget them. Twelfth Station: Jesus Dies on The Cross Thou art dying my Jesus, but Thy Sacred Heart still throbs with love for Thy sinful children. Thirteenth Station: Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross Receive me into thy arms, O Sorrowful Mother; and obtain for me perfect contrition for my sins. Fourteenth Station: Jesus is Laid in the Sepulcher When I receive Thee into my heart in Holy Communion, O Jesus, make it a fit abiding place for thy adorable body. Amen.

Sixth Station: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus O Jesus! Thou didst imprint Thy sacred features upon Veronica's veil; stamp them also indelibly upon my heart. Seventh Station: Jesus Falls the Second Time By Thy second fall, preserve me, dear Lord, from relapse into sin. Eight Station: Jesus Consoles the Women of Jerusalem My greatest consolation would be to hear The say: "Many sins are forgiven thee, because thou hast loved much." Ninth Station: Jesus Falls the Third Time O Jesus! When weary upon life's long journey, be Thou my strength and perseverance. Tenth Station: Jesus is Stripped of His Garments My soul has been robbed of its innocence; clothe me, dear Jesus, with the garb of penance and contrition.

The meditations that I am using for this post and the next two posts are from the Pieta prayer book. First Station:  Jesus is Condemned to Death O Jesus! so meek and uncomplaining, teach me resignation in trials. Second Station: Jesus Carries His Cross My Jesus, this cross should be mine, not Thine; my sins crucified Thee. Third Station: Jesus Falls the First Time O Jesus! by this first fall, never let me fall into mortal sin. Fourth Station: Jesus Meets His Mother Oh Jesus! may no human tie, however dear, keep me from following the road of the cross. Fifth Station: Simon the Cyrenean Helps Jesus Carry His Cross Simon unwillingly assisted Thee; may I with patience suffer all for Thee.