Daily Retreat 12/21/06
2006 Dec 21 Thu:Advent
Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a; Ps 32(33):2-3,11-12,20-21; Lk 1:39-45
From today’s readings: “Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one, and come.... Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior.... Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to Him a new song.... Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled!”
O Oriens - O Dawn!
The lectionary today presents a choice for the first reading: either 3:14-18 from the prophet Zephaniah or 2:8-14 from the Canticle of Canticles (a.k.a. the Song of Songs, or the Song of Solomon). Which do I recommend? Why, both, of course!
Both readings depict a profound joyful change for the better, from the wintery cold and damp to the beauty of the flowers of spring, from a time of fear to a time of fulfillment. In the Song of Songs, the glad tidings are presented as the intimate whispering of a Lover to His beloved; in the prophet Zephaniah’s words, the good news rings as a trumpet fanfare for all peoples to hear.
And that’s because the Gospel tidings of the birth of Christ are both - both very personal, directed to each man, woman, and child intimately and individually, but also to all people together of all ages and places. All darkness is to be vanquished by the blessed birth and radiant dawn from on high!
Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a; Ps 32(33):2-3,11-12,20-21; Lk 1:39-45
From today’s readings: “Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one, and come.... Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior.... Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to Him a new song.... Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled!”
O Oriens - O Dawn!
The lectionary today presents a choice for the first reading: either 3:14-18 from the prophet Zephaniah or 2:8-14 from the Canticle of Canticles (a.k.a. the Song of Songs, or the Song of Solomon). Which do I recommend? Why, both, of course!
Both readings depict a profound joyful change for the better, from the wintery cold and damp to the beauty of the flowers of spring, from a time of fear to a time of fulfillment. In the Song of Songs, the glad tidings are presented as the intimate whispering of a Lover to His beloved; in the prophet Zephaniah’s words, the good news rings as a trumpet fanfare for all peoples to hear.
And that’s because the Gospel tidings of the birth of Christ are both - both very personal, directed to each man, woman, and child intimately and individually, but also to all people together of all ages and places. All darkness is to be vanquished by the blessed birth and radiant dawn from on high!
posted by FrPitstick | 12/20/2006
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