The Commemoration of Thomas Merton, contemplative and writer, 1915-1968, transferred *

Now may 

the God of peace himself 

give you peace 

at all times 

in all ways.

II Thessalonians 3:16

Friday in the Second Week of Advent

Our king and savior now draws near, 

come 

let us adore him. 

Advent antiphon on the Venite 

The Commemoration of Karl Barth, Pastor and Theologian (1886-1968)

Commit 

your way 

to the Lord 

and put

your trust 

in him

Psalm 37:5a

Wednesday

in you, O Lord, have I fixed my hope

Psalm 38:15

Ambrose, proclaimed Bishop of Milan - first baptized! then consecrated on December 7, 373

Lord, I 

love 

the 

house 

in 

which 

you 

dwell 

and the place where your glory abides.   Psalm 26:8

I sometimes feel inclined to wonder why God hides himself so inscrutably from our experience. Or is it that the church has taught us to look for him in the wrong places? 

Oswin Ceighton (1883-1918) 

St Nicholas 4th c. Bishop of Myra

you,beloved, are not in darkness for that day to surprise you like a thief; for you are all children of light and children of the day .... 

I Thessalonians 5:4-5

Grant that your Church 

may never cease to work 

for the happiness of children, 

the safety of sailors, 

the relief of the poor 

and the help of those tossed 

by tempests of doubt or grief

The Second Sunday of Advent

Behold, I send my messenger, and he shall prepare your way before your face, hallelujah. Advent antiphon: Psalm 148

I sat down to say Morning Prayer and saw that the psalms were 148, 149, 150. They’re fine psalms, but we do them ALL the time on Sunday and I thought “Same old, same old. Nothing here for meditation,” and planned to plow through them.  And then I read Howard Galley’s Advent antiphon and there it was. This way that is being prepared on n this Second Sunday of Advent of this year  is not generic, but is personal and specific being prepared right in front of my face, so it's hard to miss. This relationship is constantly new and a constant surprise!