Blog by-the-Sea

Advent Reflections by Father Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap.

Updated and moved up:

Father Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap., began this year's series of Advent Reflections at the Vatican on Friday, December 7.  The texts of his Advent homilies are on Father Cantalamessa's webpage of homilies in English.  His topics are "John the Baptist: one of the prophets?," "John the Baptist: 'More than a Prophet'," and "Spe Gaudentes: Joyful in Hope."

His homilies for Lent  2007 and Advent 2005 and 2006 are on the same page.  His website also has texts of other homilies, articles, talks, audios, and videos.

Those attending included Pope Benedict XVI, clergy of the Roman Curia, and superior generals of religious orders that are part of the Pontifical Chapel.  Catholic News Agency and Catholic World News have articles about the series.

Christmas Wish List

From two great bloggers, two things worthy of a Christmas wish:

Reconciliation:  From Thoughts of Apolonio Latar: In a post called "Christmas and Hospitality," Apolonio Latar III writes about visiting family members we love, and those with whom we need to find reconciliation.  "Reconciliation is grace," he writes. And yet, "Unless we are aware that we need to be reconciled, we will never want to forgive or ask for forgiveness. This awareness takes time and begging."  Christians, he says, are required to be hospitable in the way we treat each other.  He explains what this means and adds that Christmas is the hospitality of God.

A Genuine Encounter with God: From Word Incarnate, Abbot Joseph writes of the great expectations of Christmas, the demands on our energy, and the light of the Incarnate Son shining in darkness.  "We need to desire a genuine encounter with God this Christmas. If we think our desire for God has dried up, then let us desire to desire Him! Only never lose heart, never give up the search."

To these, I add a few of my own wishes for myself and others:

A childlike laugh in the joy of Christmas Day: I wish I saw more today of the simple, childlike enjoyment of Christmas, and not just among children.  In the complexity of social disagreement over whether to say "Christmas" party or "holiday" party at work, joy is disrupted.  I wish that the joy of Christmas could be celebrated, un-distracted by that complexity.

A sense of wonder at the mystery of the Nativity: A few posts to help with this are in the Christmas category of this blog.

- and -

Hope in the peace of Christmas, remembered in silent prayer: "Silent night, holy night" is a song that brings to my mind stories of soldiers long ago who suspended their combat for Christmas, and whose voices broke the silence of Christmas night singing "Silent Night" in their own languages. 

The birth of a child, of course, is not a quiet affair, but one of painful labor followed by the cry of a newborn child.  The silence that follows is one of sleep, the pain of labor finished, in some ways like having the strife of war over for the night.  The sounds of the night can be heard instead of the noise of our own human making: frogs, crickets, the wind, an owl in the distance.  With the peace of Christmas, the Saviour has been born who will bring peace to humankind by His triumph over sin and death.  It is a mystery for truly silent contemplation, if silence can be found amid a family gathering, or with dinner to be made or gifts still to be wrapped.  Although much lay ahead, in His years on earth and the Cross, there was peace on earth at Christ's birth, as the angels proclaimed to shepherds (Luke 2):

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!"

A Mysterious Truth

"Even the plainest article of Divinity, namely the Incarnation and Birth of Jesus in Human Form, cannot be expressed by any Language or known by any Mind—not even by the first of the most exalted angels. That He took man’s substance is a mysterious truth, the which we have received; but we know not how from the Virgin’s seed He was formed in another manner than is natural, nor how His dry feet supporting the solid weight of His material body He walked upon the unstable substance of the water, nor understand we any of the other things which belong to the Supernatural Nature of Jesus."

- Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, The Divine Names

Awaiting Christ in Vigilance and Prayer

In today's last Wednesday General Audience before Christmas, the Holy Father set aside his series of catecheses about the great figures of the Early Church to talk about Christmas.  He spoke of Christmas as reminding us of the birth of Jesus, and also reminding us of the exhortation "to await, in vigilance and prayer" His coming again to render justice.  He encouraged "committing ourselves to prepare the way" for the  birth of the Saviour, "to prepare for him a dwelling worthy not only in the environment around us, but above all, in the spirit."

English translations are available from the Vatican, Zenit and Papa Ratzinger Forum.  Asia News has an article.

Fasten your eyes on him alone.

"God could answer as follows: If I have already told you all things in my Word, my Son, and if I have no other word, what answer or revelation can I now make that would surpass this?  Fasten your eyes on him alone because in him I have spoken and revealed all and in him you will discover even more than you ask for and desire. . . . If I spoke before, it was to promise Christ.  If they questioned me, their inquiries were related to their petitions and longings for Christ in whom they were to obtain every good, as is now explained in all the doctrine of the evangelists and apostles. . . . fix your eyes only on him and  you will discern hidden in him the most secret mysteries, and wisdom, and wonders of God.”

St. John of the Cross, The Ascent of Mount Carmel, Book Two, 22:5, 6. From The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross, translated by Kieran Kavanaugh and Otilio Rodriguez Copyright (c) 1964, 1979, 1991 by Washington Province of Discalced Carmelites ICS Publications 2131 Lincoln Road, N.E. Washington, DC 20002-1199 U.S.A., www.icspublications.org.

Beginnings: The Feast of the Immaculate Conception

At Word Incarnate, Abbot Joseph writes about today's Feast of the Immaculate Conception as viewed among Eastern and Western Christians, and its place in the mystery of Christ.

"On the great feasts of the Lord, even though his divinity is often somewhat hidden in his humanity, at least his face can be seen and his voice heard and his works recognized. In today’s feast, and unlike the general Advent awareness, Christ is not merely hidden in the womb of his Mother—his Mother is still hidden in the womb of her mother! This is truly a feast of humble yet holy beginnings."

Read all.

Picture: Triptych of Our Lady with St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Paul, by Bernardo Daddi (Italian, about 1330).  Photo by me at the Getty.

Earlier Blog by-the-Sea posts hear about Our Lady are mentioned here.

Simply gaze at him.

"Press on then with speed, I pray you.  Look ahead now and never mind what is behind; see what you still need, and not what you have; for this is how meekness is most quickly won and defended.  Now you have to stand in desire, all your lifelong, if you are to make progress in the way of perfection.  This desire must always be at work in your will, by the power of almighty God and by your own consent.  One point I must emphasize: He is a jealous lover and allows no other partnership, and he has no wish to work in your will unless he is there alone with you, by himself.  He asks no help but only you yourself.  His will is that you should simply gaze at him, and leave him to act alone."

- The Cloud of Unknowing (Anonymous, 14th century), Chapter 2.

Graphic from Gospel Clipart.

A Few Online Advent Resources

Here are a few online resources devoted to Advent:

The Sacred Space Advent Retreat for 2007, from the Irish Jesuits, provides a retreat that you can do in one day at home, guided  by your computer.  On the linked page, they also provide more links to other websites with Advent resources.

For the three weeks and one day of this year's Advent, Pray-as-you-go will have a special Advent audio meditation to play each day based upon the Pope Benedict's first Encyclical, Deus Caritas Est.

Ignatius Insight has two articles already posted for Advent.  They are:

Mary's Gift of Self Points the Way, Part 1 of a 4-part series of meditations written by Carl Olson on the Blessed Mother and Advent, originally published in Our Sunday Visitor during Advent, 2004.

Come, Lord Jesus!: The Meaning of Advent, by Fr. Kenneth Baker, S.J., from the November 2007 issue of the Homiletic and Pastoral Review.

And thanks to the Curt Jester, who designed the Advent Wreath graphic in the sidebar here and made it available to others who would like to have an Advent Wreath in their blogs.

Online Advent Calendars

I have put up the links for online Advent calendars in the sidebar.  Some of them have not changed since I first put them on the list 1 or 2 years ago.  Because they may have the wrong number of days, and this year Advent is a short 23 days from December 2 through December 24, I have added a note for some calendars on the number of days in the calendar and the year it is from.

Not all of the calendars are Catholic.  Some are secular.  Some have 24 or 25 days each year for December 1 to 24 or 25, which is mentioned in the label.

Updated Dec. 2: I looked at the first 2 days of each of the calendars and made a few changes.  I couldn't look at all of the days for every calendar, especially for those that do not open early.  If you see anything in any of the calendars that you find offensive, please let me know so that I can take a look at it and delete any that are inappropriate to this blog.  I put some of the Catholic Advent calendars for 2007 at the top.  Some Catholic Advent calendars from last year are listed further down the list because they are still accessible but have not been updated.

Have a blessed Advent!

Advent and Christmas Events and Broadcasts

Caution:  This is a 2006 post.  A 2007 schedule will be posted later.

Expanded, with Schedule below in Pacific Time:

Vatican Radio's schedule of special broadcasts includes the Holy Father's audience to the Cardinals and members of the Roman Curia on Friday, December 22 at 11:00 a.m. (Rome's time zone), Midnight Mass from St. Peter's Basilica (broadcast begins at 11:50 p.m., Rome's time zone, on Sunday December 24), the Urbi et Orbi message on December 25, and the General Audience on December 27.  The broadcast of Midnight Mass is available with commentary in Italian, French, German, Chinese and Spanish on different channels.  (Find your channel here and then click on that channel here.)

Vatican Television's schedule includes the Angelus at noon on December 24, Midnight Mass for Christmas, and the Urbi et Orbi blessing on Christmas Day.  From this link, you can choose to watch the broadcasts online via Real Player, Windows Media, QuickTime, and 2 other options. 

EWTN's U.S. schedule of December special broadcasts (which can be seen by internet) provides the dates and times of its broadcasts for Christmas, including Midnight Mass from St. Peter's Basilica, the Urbi et Orbi Christmas message from St. Peter's Square, and the Christmas meditation and vigil Mass from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.  Other December special broadcasts include documentaries about the Holy Land and Christmas music specials.  EWTN's international schedules and Spanish language onlin broadcasts also include Christmas specials.

The Vatican has an Advent page where the Pope's homilies and addresses will be collected as translations into various languages become available.  There is also a Christmas Page, with links to music, papal Christmas greetings, Christmas homilies, and other links from Christmas from the year 2000.  There is a Vatican collection of mp3 recordings and lyrics for Advent and Christmas online, from the Capella Musicale Pontificia Sistina.  A different collection from the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music includes formularies for Advent and Christmas, and a collection of classical and sacred music.  The calendar of celebrations over which the Holy Father will preside includes Christmas Midnight Mass at St. Peter's Basilica and the annual Urbi et Orbi Blessing on Christmas Day.

KTO (French Catholic TV) is planning a Christmas Eve broadcast from Lebanon, a symbolic effort, which can be viewed online beginning at 8:50 p.m. in France, 9:50 p.m. in Lebanon (11:50 a.m. Pacific Time on Christmas Eve in the U.S.).

From Radio Notre Dame, Christmas choral music followed by Midnight Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris will be broadcast by radio, available over the internet.  From this page, click on "en direct" to listen to the broadcast live. 

BBC's "Choral Evensong" for December 27 will include plainsong introit, hymn, and antiphon, and the hymn "Of the Father's Heart Begotten" (Divinum Mysterium) from the 2006 Festival of Music Within the Liturgy at Priory Church, Edington.  The BBC Classical Music Archives currently include an Advent service of carols recorded on the first Sunday of Advent at the Chapel of St. John's College, Cambridge.

Broadcast Schedule in Pacific Time (California Time):

December 24:

3:00 a.m. - The Angelus broadcast by Vatican Television from the Vatican.

11:50 a.m. - Christmas Eve in Lebanon, broadcast by KTO TV (French Catholic TV online).

2:00 p.m. - Radio Notre Dame broadcasts Christmas songs from Notre Dame Cathedral's choirs of children and adults.

3:00 p.m. - Midnight Mass at St. Peter's Basilica broadcast by EWTN television (English commentary), KTO (French commentary), and Vatican Television (Italian commentary) and Vatican Radio (Italian, French, German, Spanish or Chinese commentary) (2 hours); and Midnight Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral broadcast by Radio Notre Dame.  Vatican Radio coverage of Mass at St. Peter's Basilica begins at 2:50 p.m.  Radio Notre Dame's broadcast begins with music at 2:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m. - Catholic University of America Christmas Concert broadcast by EWTN.

7:00 p.m. - Choral meditations and Christmas Vigil Mass at the Cathedral of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., broadcast by EWTN (3 hours).

December 25:

3:00 a.m. - Urbi et Orbi blessing broadcast by EWTN.

5:00 a.m. - EWTN re-broadcast of Midnight Mass at St. Peter's Basilica.

7:00 p.m. - EWTN re-broadcast of the Urbi et Orbi blessing.

Picture: Madonna and Child, by the studio of Lorenzo di Credi, 1490-1500 (at the Getty Museum).

Father Cantalamessa's Advent Sermons and Commentary on the Readings

Zenit is providing English translations of the Advent commentaries and sermons given by Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa, Preacher of the Pontifical Household:

Life Is Expectation - A commentary on the readings for the first Sunday in Advent.

Chosen to Be Holy and Immaculate - A commentary on the readings for the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

John the Baptist: Prophet of the Most High - A commentary on the readings for the second Sunday in Advent.

Rejoice Always! - A commentary on the readings for the third Sunday in Advent.

The Lord Is on High but Cares for the Lowly - A commentary on the readings for the fourth Sunday of Advent.

Blessed Are You Who Weep Now! - The first of a series of sermons for Advent given on the Beatitudes, Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, in the presence of Benedict XVI and members of the Roman Curia.  Zenit's translation of that sermon into English also appears on Father Cantalamessa's website. 

Blessed Are the Peacemakers - The second sermon on the Beatitudes, Friday, December 22, 2006.

Father Cantalamessa's website also includes a photo from the sermons to the Roman Curia.

"Come nearer, almost on tiptoes"

"The Lord is near; come, let us adore him."

"With this invocation, the liturgy invites us, in these last days of Advent, to come nearer, almost on tiptoes, to the cave in Bethlehem where the extraordinary event took place that changed the course of history: the birth of the Redeemer."

So began the Holy Father's last General Audience catechesis of Advent today.  In it he spoke of how all seek renewal, as we await "the advent of a Savior who renews the world and our lives the advent of Christ, who is the only true Redeemer of mankind and of every man."  We wait in vigilance and prayer as it is our task to spread the truth of Christmas with our lives.

An article is available from Asia News.  Full translations are available from Papa Ratzinger Forum, Zenit and the Vatican.  Quotations here are from Teresa Benedetta at Papa Ratzinger Forum. 

For Godes Son, this Heven-Light

Gabriel, from Heaven-King
    Sent to the Maide sweete,
Brout hir blisful tidings
    And fiar he gan he greete:
'Heil be thu, gull of grace aright!
For Godes Son, this Heven-Light
    For mannes love
    Will man bicome
    And take Fles of thee,
    Maide Bright,
    Manken free for to make
    Of sen and devles might.

From the carol "Gabriel from Heaven King" (Middle English from 13th or 14th century Latin)

Picture: Russian icon of the Archangel Gabriel, Novgorod School, 15th century, from a collection of Russian icons on the website of Dr. George Mitrevski, Auburn University.

The True Meaning of Joy at Christmas

In his reflection before praying the Angelus today, Benedict XVI spoke of the true joy of Christmas, reflecting the words of today's readings and the antiphon for Rose Sunday "Rejoice in the Lord always . . . the Lord is near" (In Latin, "Gaudate in Domino . . ., from Phil. 4:4-5).  (The third Sunday of Advent, called "Rose Sunday" or "Gaudete Sunday", is a time of Joy, the third Sunday of Advent, when the rose candle is lit from the Advent wreath and the clergy wear rose colored vestments.)

The Christmas Tree is now in place at St. Peter's Square, and today, Roman children brought the baby Jesus that will lie in their mangers in their parishes, schools and homes this year, to have them blessed by the Pope.

Asia News has posted an article.  Full translations are available from Zenit, the Vatican, and from Teresa Benedetta at Papa Ratzinger Forum.

In reflecting on the true joy of Christmas, looking to the coming of the Lord, the Pope remembered those who have fled war torn countries in Africa and the Middle East, refugees, those who are sick or alone, and those who look in vain for joy through self-affirmation and ambition, consumerism, and intoxication.  It is precisely, he said, to the wounded and orphans of life that the message of joy is proclaimed, with Christ, and salvation, rescue that is part of an inner renewal, as the source of true joy.

Here is an excerpt from Teresa Benedetta's translation:

"To transform the world, God chose a humble girl from a village in Galilee, Mary of Nazareth, and called on her in these words: "Rejoice, you who are full of grace, the Lord is with you." In those words lie the secret of the authentic Christmas. God repeats it to the chruch and to each of us: Rejoice, the Lord is near." 

Then he called the angel Gabriel

Then he called
the archangel Gabriel
and sent him to
the virgin Mary,
at whose consent
the mystery was wrought,
in whom the Trinity
clothed the Word with flesh
and though Three work this,
it is wrought in the One;
and the Word lived incarnate
in the womb of Mary.

- St. John of the Cross, from
the poem "Romances',
from The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross.

December 14 is the memorial of St. John of the Cross.

Picture: The Anunciation by Dieric Bouts, 1450-1455, at the Getty.

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

- Charles Wesley, from Hymns for the Nativity of Our Lord, 1745.

For melodies, see Cyberhymnal and Oremus. 

Some information about Charles Wesley:

Charles Wesley, the brother of John Wesley, was born December 28, 1707 at Epworth Rectory, Lincolnshire, England.  Like his brother, Charles graduated from Christ Church, Oxford.  John and Charles Wesley co-founded a small society called the Oxford Methodists at Lincoln College, studying the New Testament in Greek, visiting prisoners and visiting the poor.   Charles was ordained as an Anglican priest and, in the early years after his ordination, he traveled the English countryside on horseback, giving open air evangelical sermons similarly to his brother. 

However, the 18th century Methodist societies, led by John Wesley, were increasingly in conflict with the Church of England in which the brothers had been raised.  While the Methodists became dissenters to the church leadership, the Evangelicals, including Charles, continued to support the Church of England.  Charles pleaded with John not to separate from the Church of England, and both brothers remained members throughout their lives. 

The hymns of Charles Wesley were his greatest contribution to the Methodists, as the hymns were sung in the open air meetings.   In the course of his life, Charles wrote over 6,500 hymns, and was one of the most prolific of English poets.  Many of his hymns were originally compiled by both Charles and John Wesley for publication in 1740 in the book "Psalms and Hymns."  During those days, Charles Wesley was said to have written many of his hymns while riding a white pony through the streets of London.

In 1756, he ended his travels through the countryside and settled in Bristol, reportedly because open air preaching was too greatly associated with the societies in conflict with the Church of England.  In 1771, he relocated to London.  He died there March 29, 1788.   During his last days, Charles called for the priest at London's St. Marylebone Parish Church.  That church's website now explains its name: "This church was dedicated to St Mary the Virgin, by the bourne; the Ty bourne being a stream running from what is now Regent's Park down to the Thames."  The church has been in that spot since 1400, dedicated to Our Lady and once Catholic.

Charles Wesley reportedly said to the Anglican parish priest, "Sir, whatever the world may say of me, I have lived, and I die, a member of the Church of England.  I pray you to bury me in your churchyard."  He was buried in a corner of the churchyard, where a marker still identifies his grave.

His son was later organist of that church.

Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.

EWTN is broadcasting Pope Benedict's address for the feast of the Immaculate Conception from Rome's Piazza di Spagna today.  Asia News has an article about the tribute, which began around 4:00 p.m. at the statue of Our Lady there.  The Pope did not preside at Mass in St. Peter's Basilica this year. 

Zenit and the Vatican have slightly different translations of the Pope's homage to the immaculate conception, which includes this (in the Vatican's version):

"In your Immaculate Conception shines forth the vocation of Christ's disciples, called to become, with his grace, saints and immaculate through love (cf. Eph 1: 4). In you shines the dignity of every human being who is always precious in the Creator's eyes."

Earlier today, the Holy Father prayed the Angelus from the window of his study at the Vatican.  Asia News has an article about his words before praying the Angelus.  Papa Ratzinger Forum, Zenit and  the Vatican have full translations.  His message before the Angelus gave a short catechesis explaining the Immaculate Conception, and saying that we look to Mary as a sign of hope during Advent, a time of faithful waiting for our Lord.  Here is an excerpt from the Asia News translation:

“Not only did Mary not commit any sin, she was also protected from the common legacy of mankind that is original sin. And this because of the mission for which she was always destined by God: to be the Mother of the Redeemer. All this is contained in the truth of faith of the ‘Immaculate Conception’. The biblical foundation of this dogma is found in the words that the Angel spoke to the maiden of Nazareth: 'Greetings, favoured one!  The Lord is with you.' (Lk 1:28).  'Full of grace.'  In the original Greek kecharitoméne – is the most beautiful name of Mary, the one that God Himself gave her, to indicate that she has always been and will always be the beloved, elected, the one chosen to welcome the most precious gift, Jesus, ‘love incarnate of God’ (Enc. Deus Caritas East, 12).”

Picture: The Anunciation, by Paulo Veneziano, about 1348-1350,  These panels were originally the pinnacles of the wings of a portable altarpiece.

Advent and St. John the Baptist

"In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiber'i-us Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Iturae'a and Trachoni'tis, and Lysa'ni-as tetrarch of Abile'ne, in the high-priesthood of Annas and Ca'iaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechari'ah in the wilderness; and he went into all the region about the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God." (Luke 3:1-6, RSV, the Gospel reading for Sunday, December 9).

Picture: St. John the Baptist, painted by Luca di Tommè, late 1300's, at the Getty Museum, Los Angeles.  Photo by me.

He according to whose image we are made little children

"The King, then, who is Christ, beholds from above our laughter, and looking through the window, as the Scripture says, views the thanksgiving, and the blessing, and the rejoicing, and the gladness, and furthermore the endurance which works together with them and their embrace: views His Church, showing only His face, which was wanting to the Church, which is made perfect by her royal Head.  And where, then, was the door by which the Lord showed Himself?  The flesh by which He was manifested.  He is Isaac (for the narrative may be interpreted otherwise), who is a type of the Lord, a child as a son; for he was the son of Abraham, as Christ the Son of God, and a sacrifice as the Lord, but he was not immolated as the Lord.  Isaac only bore the wood of the sacrifice, as the Lord the wood of the cross.  And he laughed mystically, prophesying that the Lord should fill us with joy, who have been redeemed from corruption by the blood of the Lord.  Isaac did everything but suffer, as was right, yielding the precedence in suffering to the Word.  Furthermore, there is an intimation of the divinity of the Lord in His not being slain.  For Jesus rose again after His burial, having suffered no harm, like Isaac released from sacrifice.  And in defence of the point to be established, I shall adduce another consideration of the greatest weight.  The Spirit calls the Lord Himself a child, thus prophesying by Esaias: “Lo, to us a child has been born, to us a son has been given, on whose own shoulder the government shall be; and His name has been called the Angel of great Counsel.”  Who, then, is this infant child? He according to whose image we are made little children.  By the same prophet is declared His greatness: “Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace; that He might fulfil His discipline: and of His peace there shall be no end.” [Isa. 9:6].  O the great God! O the perfect child!  The Son in the Father, and the Father in the Son.  And how shall not the discipline of this child be perfect, which extends to all, leading as a schoolmaster us as children who are His little ones?  He has stretched forth to us those hands of His that are conspicuously worthy of trust.  To this child additional testimony is borne by John, “the greatest prophet among those born of women:” [Luke 7:28].   Behold the Lamb of God!” [John 1:29, 36].  For since Scripture calls the infant children lambs, it has also called Him—God the Word—who became man for our sakes, and who wished in all points to be made like to us—“the Lamb of God”—Him, namely, that is the Son of God, the child of the Father."

- St. Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedegogus), Chapter V.

December 4 is the memorial of St. Clement of Alexandria.  For biographical information, see About St. Clement of Alexandria.   

He comes to bridge the distances that divide

Pope Benedict is reflecting on his journey to Turkey, while the Turkish Christians are reflecting too.  In his message after praying the Angelus today, he said he will offer more thoughts on that journey in this week's Wednesday General Audience.

Asia News has an article about the Pope's words.  Full translations are available from the Vatican, Zenit and Papa Ratzinger Forum (scroll down).

He thanked all who prayed for him during the journey, saying that he had felt "accompanied and sustained by the prayers of the entire Christian community."

He also reflected on the meaning of Advent, on this first Sunday of Advent, including this excerpt (quotations from Papa Ratzinger Forum):

"During Advent, the liturgy often reiterates and assures us, almost as if to conquer our natural diffidence against the God-who-is-coming. He comes to be with us, in every situation; he comes to live among us, to live with us and in us; he comes to bridge the distances that divide and separate us; he comes to reconcile us with Him and among ourselves."

The Pope's homily for the first Vespers of Advent, December 2, is available in English from the Vatican website. 

Advent Retreat at Sacred Space

The Irish Jesuits' "Sacred Space" daily prayer website has an online guided Advent Retreat to help people's Advent preparation for Christmas.  It is a way to have your own personal advent retreat from home, using the priests' guidance through the website as a guide.

Sacred Space has offered an Advent Retreat and Lenten Retreat online for the past few years.  The latest newsletter at Sacred Space (Latest Space #20 for November) mentions that Fr. Brendan McManus, S.J. has added thoughts for the Advent Retreat.  Father McManus is new to the Irish Jesuit Communications Centre.

The opening page of the Retreat offers thoughts on the meaning of Advent, hope and expectation, waiting for Christmas.  It also offers suggestions for making a personal day of reflection.  These are worthwhile reading with or without the guided Retreat.

The Sacrament of Penance and the Pope's Discussion with Swiss Bishops

While confusion over the Pope's address to Swiss bishops drew attention last week because the text first published was actually not the address given, another item caught my attention in the Vatican Information Service press release on Friday, at the conclusion of that visit.  The press release said:

VATICAN CITY, NOV 10, 2006 (VIS) - Given below is the text of a communique made public today, concerning the "ad limina" visit of prelates from the Conference of Swiss Bishops who, from November 7 to 9, met in the Vatican with the Holy Father and representatives of the Roman Curia.

"The meeting was characterized by true collegial affection," the communique reads, "during which - in frank dialogue and with a spirit of collaboration - consideration was given to various questions concerning the situation of the Church in Switzerland and elsewhere. The following themes were discussed:

"The unity of the bishops among themselves, and with Peter's Successor; the collaboration of bishops.

"The bishop as master of faith, and the principal doctrinal and pastoral problems in Swiss dioceses.

"Communion with the bishop; the role of the priest in the parish and in pastoral care groups; pastoral assistants.

"Seminaries and the various faculties and schools of theology in the mission of the Church.

"Liturgical renewal and the observance of discipline.

"The Motu Proprio 'Misericordia Dei,' for a relaunch of the pastoral care of the Sacrament of Penance.

"The ecclesiastical corporations of public law.

"Ecumenism.

"The meeting served to improve mutual understanding and to strengthen ties of unity. It also clearly demonstrated the common desire of Swiss bishops to face current challenges with hope, responsibility and courage, in trusting collaboration with the action of God at work in the hearts of men and women.

"The meeting ended with the words of Bishop Amedee Grab O.S.B., who, in the name of his brother prelates, thanked the Holy Father and his collaborators for the days spent in the Vatican, expressing particular gratitude for the three talks given by His Holiness."

The mention of a wish to relaunch the sacrament of penance, and reference to a specific Motu Proprio, interested me. 

The Motu Proprio, Misericordia Dei, was issued by Pope John Paul II on April 7, 2002.  While mentioning a "relaunch" of the sacrament, the press release does not speak of authorities and practices from past decades.  Rather, the authority mentioned for what they considered was only a few years old.

John Paul II wrote about the sacrament as it has continued over the centuries, and as it has changed:

"Down through history in the constant practice of the Church, the “ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor 5:18), conferred through the Sacraments of Baptism and Penance, has always been seen as an essential and highly esteemed pastoral duty of the priestly ministry, performed in obedience to the command of Jesus. Through the centuries, the celebration of the Sacrament of Penance has developed in different forms, but it has always kept the same basic structure: it necessarily entails not only the action of the minister – only a Bishop or priest, who judges and absolves, tends and heals in the name of Christ – but also the actions of the penitent: contrition, confession and satisfaction."

In that Motu Proprio, John Paul II reflected back on two earlier calls he had made to continue to follow that practice of individual confession.  One of those was in his Apostolic Letter in the year 2000, "Novo Millennio Ineunte".  The other was as far back as 1984, in his post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation, "Reconciliato et Paenitentia".  The latter followed a synod of bishops devoted to the question of that sacrament.  It was certain that the sacrament of reconciliation was a priority for Pope John Paul II.

Most of that Motu Proprio responds to the practice of general confession, cautioning that a general confession should only be allowed in case of grave necessity, and that one who has received a general absolution of serious sins should seek individual confession as soon as there is an opportunity to do so, before receiving another general confession.  The Motu Proprio also has a good discussion of other requirements for the individual confession.

This past Lent, Archbishop Bruno Forte of Chieto-Vasto, a member of the International Theological Commission, wrote a pastoral letter on the theme of "Reconciliation and the Beauty of God."  In it, he wrote of the reasons for confession to a priest and the encounter with forgiveness.

As we near the beginning of Advent, when many parishes make a particular effort to encourage parishioners to take advantage of the Sacrament of Penance in preparation for the celebration of Christmas, it seemed to me good to have the importance of this Sacrament brought to mind amid all the talk of Latin and English Mass and other changes that may be afoot.  It is important to return to thoughts of those things that have not changed and, yet, still need to be rediscovered.

For You Is Born this Day a Saviour

Father Raniero Cantalamessa, preacher to the Pontifical Household concluded his series of Advent sermons on Friday, December 23, with a message entitled "For You Is Born this Day a Saviour".  The topic of the sermon was how best to present Christ as saviour to the present age.  ZENIT has provided a transcript in English here.  An earlier posting in this blog includes links to transcripts from Father Cantalamessa's first three sermons in this series here.

Here is a short excerpt from Friday's concluding Advent sermon:

"The Christian faith does not limit itself however to respond to the expectations of salvation of the environment in which it operates, but it creates and expands all expectations. Thus we see that to the Platonic and Gnostic dogma of salvation "through the flesh," the Church opposes with firmness the dogma of salvation "from the flesh," preaching the resurrection of the dead; to a life beyond the tomb infinitely weaker than the present life and devoured by nostalgia of it, deprived as it is of an objective and center of attraction, the Christian faith opposes the idea of a future life infinitely more full and everlasting in the vision of God."

Point of Encounter

The picture is the icon of Mary (the Theotokos) from the Church of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul (Constantinople), as shownin  "The Woman in Art" by Hamilton Reed Armstrong, an article taken from an audiotape of Armstrong's talk recorded by the Daughters of St. Paul, according to the website here.


"If the masculine takes part in the Incarnation by means of silence in the person of St Joseph ("The Word, the adopted son of silence," as Claudel calls him), it is woman, on the other hand, who pronounces the fiat, the "let it be done," on behalf of all.  To the creative fiat of the Father responds the humble fiat of the "handmaid of God."  This fiat is the indispensible human foundation of the Incarnation, the free Yes of humanity pronounced by Mary: yes, I desire my salvation, I thirst for my Savior.  Christ could not take human flesh and blood if humanity -- Mary -- had not offered them freely as a gift, a pure offering.  On Christmas Eve, the Church sings: "What shall we give Thee, O Christ? . . . Each of the creatures brings You a gift of gratitude: the angels their song; the heavens the star; the wise men their gifts; the shepherds their admiration; the earth the stable; the desert the manger; but we human beings give You a Virgin Mother."  This is why, in Orthodox piety, it is the Theotokos (Mother of God) holding in her arms the Infant Jesus (and not, for example, Simeon) who is precisely the icon of the Incarnation, of the highest degree of communion between God and man, the meeting point of the two fiats."

-Paul Evdokimov, The Sacrament of Love, translated from the French by Anthony P. Gythiel and Victoria Steadman, St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2001, pp. 37-38.

Acknowledge God in all these homely duties

Here is the fourth in a series of postings for those who feel too busy during this Advent season.  The earlier postings are here, here and here.

"A dear young Christian mother and housekeeper came to me once with a sorely grieved heart, because of her engrossing temporal life.  "There seems," she said, "to be nothing spiritual about my life from one week's end to the other.  My large family of little children are so engrossing that day after day passes without my having a single moment for anything but simply attendance on them and on my necessary household duties, and I go to bed night after night sick at heart because I have felt separated from my Lord all day long, and have not been able to do anything for Him."  I . . . assured her that all would be changed if she would only see and acknowledge God in all these homely duties, and would recognize her utter dependence upon Him for the doing of them.  Her heart received the good news with gladness, and months afterward she told me that from that moment life had become a transformed and glorious thing, with the abiding presence of the Lord, and with the sweetness of continual service to Him."

- Hannah Whitall Smith, The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life.

Father Cantalamessa: Justification through faith

ZENIT has posted both Part 1 and Part 2 of Father Raniero Cantalamessa's third sermon in a series of four Advent sermons that he is presenting as the Preacher of the Pontifical Household.  The third sermon was delivered on Friday, December 16, 2005.  Father Cantalamessa will present the fourth and last sermon in the series on Friday, December 23, 2005.

The topic for the sermon series is "'For What We Preach Is Not Ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord' (2 Corinthians 4:5): Faith in Christ Today."  The third sermon's title was "The Righteousness that Comes from Faith in Christ".  Previously, Father Cantalamessa spoke of making faith more ardent through the writings of John the Evangelist.  In the third sermon, he spoke of the faith of St. Paul and about justification through faith:

"I was saying in the first meditation that there currently exists a need for kerygmatic preaching, suitable to incite faith where it has never existed, or where it has died. Gratuitous justification by faith in Christ is the heart of this type of preaching, and it is a shame that this is, in turn, practically absent from ordinary preaching in the Church."

He mentioned the 1999 agreement on the topic between the Catholic Church and the Lutheran World Federation, and the desire that the common view be put into practice, and not just be a topic for theologians. "This is what we propose to achieve, at least in small part, in the present meditation."

The first of the three sermons (given December 2) was previously posted on Zenit on December 2 (Part 1) and December 4 (Part 2).  The second of the series (given December 9) was posted the same day (one part only).   

Arise, O Sun, and banish the darkness

Photo of the Advent wreath in the vestibule of the Church of the Nativity, Rancho Santa Fe, California, surrounded by gifts collected for underprivileged children.  The church will be decorated for Christmas around the middle of next week.

The watchers on the mountain
Proclaim the bridegroom near;
Go forth as he approaches
With alleluias clear,
The marriage feast is waiting;
The gates wide open stand.
Arise, O heirs of glory;
The bridegroom is at hand.

Our hope and expectation,
O Jesus, now appear;
Arise, O Sun, and banish
The darkness of our fear!
With hearts and hands uplifted,
We plead, O Lord, to see
The day of earth's redemption
That sets your people free!

- A hymn for Prayer for the Morning, December 17, from Magnificat  (monthly prayer publication). 

 

Photo of the Advent wreath in the vestibule of the Church of the Nativity, Rancho Santa Fe, California, surrounded by gifts collected for underprivileged children.  The church will be decorated for Christmas around the middle of next week.

The watchers on the mountain
Proclaim the bridegroom near;
Go forth as he approaches
With alleluias clear,
The marriage feast is waiting;
The gates wide open stand.
Arise, O heirs of glory;
The bridegroom is at hand.

Our hope and expectation,
O Jesus, now appear;
Arise, O Sun, and banish
The darkness of our fear!
With hearts and hands uplifted,
We plead, O Lord, to see
The day of earth's redemption
That sets your people free!

- A hymn for Prayer for the Morning, December 17, from Magnificat  (monthly prayer publication). 

St. Paul of the Cross on December 16, 1751

#793,, A letter to John Anthony Lucattini (9)
San Angelo, December 16, 1751

J.C.P.

Reverend Father,

I am writing on poor paper so as not to cost the rector, Father Dominic, a lot, to whom I am directing this note for readdressing.  This will serve to let him know that for a few days I have been in this Retreat, but I expect there will be new difficulties.

If the weather is passably good, on the day after Christmas I will be in Toscanella in the evening on my way to Mount Argentario, and I will stay all of Monday, the third day after Christmas.  So if Lucy wishes to come, she is free to do so, for I will gladly hear her in Jesus Christ.  However, the conference needs to be short, but that is not important.

I offer all Christmas greetings, and I will extend them to one and all from the holy altar, especially on the Holy Night of Christmas.  Dearest one, "Prepare your hearts for the Lord," so that there may be born spiritually in you the Divine Word-Made-Man.  Oh, fortunate that soul who, well purged from vices, detached from everything created, and in a profound annihilation, remains in a holy, divine solitude with profound interior recollection, and then in that sacred desert reposes on the bosom of the Father and is reborn every moment in the Divine Word to a new life of holy love, a divine life.

Tell Lucy that on her Name's Day I wished her greetings from the altar.  I wonder whether she forgot to do that for me, but I remembered her in God.

I have extreme need for prayers, etc.  Let us become good companions of the sweet infant.  But what astonishment to see a God become an infant!  A God wrapped in poor bandages!  A God on a little straw between two beasts!  Who would not be humble!  Who would not be subject to every creature for God's sake?  Who would have the audacity to complain?  Who would not remain in silence, within and without, in his suffering?

Tell Lucy to cry out much for me and for the congregation, and have Mary Most Holy and Saint Joseph intercede. 

On Christmas we will be together in spirit.  Goodbye.  Jesus make you as holy as I desire.  Amen

Your unworthy, affectionate servant,

Paul of the Cross

Vol. II, The Letters of St. Paul of the Cross  (1748-1758), pp. 293-294.

What our age is not so capable of is real, grown-up joy.

From this month's issue of the Diocese of San Diego's publication The Southern Cross:

Lent we can celebrate. In Lent we are asked to do something that fits with our age. Our age is capable of feeling bad about itself, of expressing sorrow for our excesses and flaws. What our age is not so capable of is real, grown-up joy.

And advent is, at root, about joy.

The joy of Advent does not come to its fullness until Christmas, but in Advent we prepare for Christmas by remembering God's promise and awaiting the fulfillment of that promise joyfully.

In a sense, Advent is the season that best sums up what the Christian life is -- patient and joyful expectancy. We live in the age between the first coming of Jesus in humility and his second coming in glory.

- Cyril Jones-Kellett, "Advent Is a Gift, Accept It", The Southern Cross, December, 2005.

Read the entire article here.

Christ Is the Supreme Gift of the Father to the World

On Friday, December 9, Father Raniero Cantalamessa, the Pontifical Household preacher, gave his second in a series of four Advent sermons on the theme "For What We Preach Is Not Ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord: Faith in Christ Today."  This Friday's message   was about the heart's role in faith.  Here is a short excerpt:

"Now, John lived in a cultural context that had something in common with this. The world was then experiencing for the first time cosmopolitanism. The term itself "kosmopolites," cosmopolitan, citizens of the world, was born and was affirmed precisely at this moment. In the large Hellenistic cities, such as Alexandria of Egypt, the air of universalism and religious tolerance was breathed.

Well then, in such a situation, how did the author of the fourth Gospel behave? Did he seek perhaps to adapt Jesus to this atmosphere in which all religions and cults were accepted, as long as they agreed to be part of something greater? Not at all! He did not argue against any one more than he did against bad Christians and heretics within the Church; he did not fling himself against other religions and cults of the time (except, in Revelation, against the wrongful emperor); he simply proclaimed Christ as supreme gift of the Father to the world, leaving every one free to receive him or not. He argued, it is true, with Judaism, but for him it was not "another religion," it was his religion! "

In addition to posting a transcript of the message in English, Zenit also posted a shorter article summarizing the message, 

Prayer in a Busy Season

Advent is a time when we should spend more time in prayer, but the press of holiday parties, concerts, shopping, decorating, and preparations sometimes leave us with less time than usual for many things.  Through the rest of Advent, I will include a few quotes and thoughts on prayer in a busy season.  This one is from Dom John Chapman's Spiritual Letters:

From Palazzo S, Calisto, Roma, 14, to an unnamed woman, dated December 23, 1920:

"Never carry out any resolution made in prayer, without first testing it in a dry light outside prayer; to see whether it is reasonable or really the best.  You must have plenty of time  for prayer.  Recollection is usually impossible otherwise, and you will be driven to reading Novels!  But when you have time to be alone with God and at peace, the temporal worries cease to be  worries and become almost pleasures.  But when you can't  get time, then you have to try and be cheerful, and offer all you suffer to God without feeling that you even mean it.  And then, later on, when you get some time again, you find that you have made progress in prayer without knowing how."

"Christ Yesterday and Today"

Zenit has posted the text of Father Raniero Cantalamessa's first Lenten sermon, in two parts.  The first part was published on Friday, December 2.  The second part was published today.  Father Cantalamessa (Pontifical Household preacher) gave the sermon to Pope Benedict XVI and others as the first in a series of four Lenten sermons on the theme "'For What We Preach Is Not Ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord' (2 Corinthians 4:5): Faith in Christ Today".  The title of the first sermon is "Christ Yesterday and Today".  Here are links to Part I and Part II.  The remaining three sermons will be given on December 9, 16 and 23.   Here is an excerpt from Part II:

"We began with the question: "What place does Christ have in present-day society?" But we cannot end without asking ourselves the most important question in a context such as this: "What place does Christ occupy in my life?" Let's call to mind Jesus' dialogue with the apostles in Caesarea Philippi: "Who do men say the Son of man is? ... But who do you say I am?" (Matthew 16:13-15). The most important thing for Jesus does not seem to be what the people think of him, but what his closest disciples think of him.

I referred earlier to the objective reason that explains the importance of the proclamation of Christ as Lord in the New Testament: It makes present and operative in the one who pronounces it the salvific events that it recalls. But there is also a subjective and existential reason. To say "Jesus is the Lord!" means, in fact, to make a decision. It is as though saying: Jesus Christ is "my" Lord; I recognize his full right over me, I hand the reins of my life over to him; I do not want to live any more "for myself," but "for him who died and rose for me" (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:15)."

I Magnify Your Two Comings, O Good One

Stained glass image in honor of St. John of Damascus from Boston University School of Theology's gallery here.

"That you might show plainly your unutterable Second Coming, how God Most High will be seen, standing in the midst of gods, you shone forth ineffably to the Apostles on Tabor, to Moses with Elias; therefore we all magnify you, O Christ.

Come and listen to me, people: ascending the holy and heavenly Mount, let us stand immaterially in the city of the living God, and contemplate with our minds the immaterial Godhead, of the Father and the Spirit, shining forth in the only-begotten Son.

You have cast a spell of longing over me, O Christ, and changed me with your divine yearning, but burn up my sins in immaterial fire, and make me worthy to be filled with delight in you, that, dancing, I may magnify your two comings, O Good One."

- St. John of Damascus, "Ode 9 (Songs of the Mother of God and of Zacharias), Troparia, 8th century, as translated and quoted in St. John Damascene: Tradition and Originality in Byzantine Theology by Andrew Louth, Oxford Early Christian Studies, Oxford University Press, 2002, pg. 274.

My Soul Thirsts for Thee

"O God, thou art my God, I seek thee, my soul thirsts for thee; my flesh faints for thee, as in a dry and weary land where no water is.  So I have looked upon thee in the sanctuary, beholding thy power and glory.  Because thy steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise thee.  So I will bless thee as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on thy name.  My soul is feasted as with marrow and fat, and my mouth praises thee with joyful lips, when I think of thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the watches of the night; for thou hast been my help, and in the shadow of thy wings I sing for joy.  My soul clings to thee; thy right hand upholds me."

- Psalm 62/63:1-8 (RSV)

Another Advent Calendar

I just added a third Advent Calendar link to the list of Advent calendars in the right column, which is from Catholic Ireland.  Check out the online calendars.  I'll add more as I have time to look for them.

When To Set Up Your Christmas Tree

Zenit has posted suggestions from Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University, about when to set out an Advent wreath, when to set up a Christmas tree, and similar guidance, recognizing that such things also vary from culture to culture.

The Presence of a Fever

The online abstract  of "Hans Urs von Balthasar: The Wave and the Sea" by Edward T. Oakes, SJ, the October 2005 issue of Theology Today (mentioned by Justin Nickelsen at Ressourcement - Restoration in Catholic Theology) introduces great theology written in the 20th century by saying:

"Nothing in the charters of the Scriptures (or in the vicissitudes of history, for that matter) has ever guaranteed that the church would be blessed with great theologians in each century of its history. Some centuries, in fact, have witnessed an almost total dearth of theological talent, such as (to speak here only of the west) the seventh to the tenth centuries; and, at least in contrast to the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries seem pretty arid and dull too (with perhaps Blaise Pascal and Jonathan Edwards excepted), just as the fifteenth looks decadent and epicene in contrast to the sixteenth."

True enough -- "to speak of only the west" -- and yet the exceptions to the rule, and "the east" from those centuries, can also amaze. 

Without distracting from the point well made by Father Oakes, that the twentieth century gave us an abundance of theological genius, Hans Urs von Balthasar being one example, take as an exceptional example from the seventh century the eastern St. John Climacus.  He did not live in a century of great thinkers, great mystics, or great writers, and yet he wrote page after page like this -- a yearning for God, a feverish thirst for God, a mystical longing within what is rightly called a century of dearth:

"Someone truly in love keeps before his mind's eye the face of the beloved and embraces it there tenderly.  Even during sleep the longing continues unappeased, and he murmurs to his beloved.  That is how it is for the body.  And that is how it is for the spirit.  A man surrounded by love had this to say about himself – and it really amazes me – “I sleep (because nature commands this) but my heart is awake (because of the abundance of my love)” (Song of Songs 5:2)  You should take note, my brother, that the stag, which is the soul, destroys reptiles and then, inflamed by love, as if struck by an arrow, it longs and grows faint for the love of God (cf. Ps 41:1).

The impact of hunger is not always obvious but thirst has a definite and clear effect.  It reveals to all the presence of a fever.  Hence someone who yearns for God has this to say: “My soul is thirsty for God, for the mighty and living God” (cf. Ps. 41:3)."

- St. John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 30 ("On Faith, Hope, and Love", ca. 7th century), translated by Colm Luibheid and Norman Russell, "Classics of Western Spirituality", Paulist Press, 1982.

As in Advent we await Christmas, we wait in a century of intellectual richness, the fruits of the twentieth century's theological depth.   May we  also  await it with such  thirst.

Sacred Space Advent Retreat

The Irish Jesuits' website, "Sacred Space", has a guide for doing your own Advent retreat  at home, using a special page of the Sacred Space website for guidance.

The Meaning of the Advent Wreath (and how to make one)

The advent wreath shown here is from The Gardener website's page of Advent and Christmas arrangements here.  A list of the ingredients and instructions are available on this page from that website.

In an interview with ZENIT, Father Juan Javier Flores Arcas, rector of the Pontifical Liturgical Institute of St. Anselm in Rome, speaks about the significance of the Advent wreath.  Read all here.

Beginning Advent

Michael Liccione at Sacramentum Vitae has posted his thoughts on Advent here, including this excerpt:

"It's better to treat Advent as a time of contemplation and fasting, heightening our sense that God first visibly entered our lives as a baby, sharing our vulnerability, just as he later did on the Cross. God does not make life better by zapping all the bad stuff; he makes it better by being fully present to us amidst the bad stuff. If we spent more time praying and thinking about that, and less time buying and drinking, perhaps this wouldn't be called "the crazy season."

As for fasting during Advent, that takes some preparation if you work in a typical office environment, where business contacts send over large amounts of chocolate, almost daily, between now and Christmas, and the menu for office "holiday dinners" may be the CEO's favorite filet mignon.  One risks giving offense by giving up such things when, to many Protestants, those same things celebrate Christ.  Many office environments too, discouraging evangelism, are difficult places to explain the reason for our actions.  While it takes some thought, treating Advent as a time of reflection, preparation, prayer and fasting, and planning how we will explain our choices if they do impact our interaction with non-Catholics, certainly does live Advent.

Steven Riddle at Flos Carmelli has posted a link to a .pdf download of Seth H. Murray's "Discovering Prayer: An Introduction and Tutorial to the Liturgy of the Hours (3rd Edition), here.