O Adonai and Lord : Isaiah 11:3b-5 He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins.
Music: O Adonai – sung by Zero8 Chorus, composed in German by Arvo Pärt
O Adonai O Adonai, der Herr und Führer des Hauses Israel, im flammender Dornbusch bist du dem Moses erschienen, und hast ihm auf dem Berg das Gesetz gegeben. O komm und befreie uns mit deinem straken Arm.
O Adonai Adonai, the Lord and leader of the house of Israel, In the burning bush hast thou appeared unto Moses And given him the law upon the mountain: O come and deliver us with thy powerful arm.
For Your Reflection
Is God the core and leader of your life?
What does God’s “righteousness” mean to you?
How does God want to express this “righteousness” in your life?
Talk with God about God’s hope and desire for you.
Today, we stand on the threshold of the O Antiphons, the last great expressions of our longing for the coming of Christ. As preface today, we ask for peace in the many places and souls where there is unrest. We look for any such places in our own spirits. We ask God for the courage to do what we need to do in order to bring a peace that causes rejoicing.
O Wisdom: Isaiah 11:2-3a The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
Music: The Perfect Wisdom of our God – The Gettys
For Your Reflection
How has God’s Wisdom been evident to you?
Is there something that puts you in awe of God’s Wisdom, such as the night sky, the ocean, another person’s goodness, your own spiritual growth?
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As Sisters of Mercy around the world, celebrate our 193rd Anniversary, we find ourselves in a great season of faith and gift-giving shared by those of many faith traditions!
Christians are in the midst of the season of Advent, also a time of fasting and prayer. Soon the exchange of gifts on Christmas will symbolize the love and peace we wish to give to one another in imitation of Christ Who was Gift to us.
But today I would like to speak of the beautiful celebration of Hanukkah, or the Feast of Lights. Those of Jewish faith remember in this feast the reclaiming of the Temple from their ancient enemies. Once the Temple Mount in Jerusalem had been reclaimed, the Temple had to be rededicated. According to tradition, only one jar of sacramental oil was found, enough for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, thus the eight days of Hanukkah.
This stirring faith story is one that all of us, whatever our tradition, can hear with joy and comfort. For indeed, God’s mercy is so generous that it abides with us always — for one day, for eight days, for all of the days that we live. God is with us — just like the Lights of Hanukkah — and there is nothing that can ever separate us from that Love and Presence.
It is a painful and challenging time for so much of our human family around the world. Caught in the tangle of wars, geographic displacement, and threats of political tyranny, we may be tempted to lose hope.
But God unfailingly abides with us. Remember this and rejoice when you see the lights of Hanukkah or Christmas; when you experience the generosity, forgiveness, encouragement and good will of those with whom you work and live.
Thank you for the Light each one of you offers to Creation. All Sisters of Mercy around the world pray in gratitude for you today. May that miraculous gift shine in your hearts and in the hearts of your families in this special season. Please pray for us as well.
For Your Reflection:
What feelings or reactions do I have after reading this reflection?
Do my feelings or reactions remind me of any passage or event in scripture, especially in the life of Christ?
What actions might I take today because of my response to these readings?
Suggested Scripture: Maccabees 4: 36-61 – The Rededication of the Temple
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My mother, ever chilly even on warmer days, adored the word “flannel”. She loved to wrap her family in flannel – layettes, blankets, scarves and – above all – a good flannel shirt. Dad, who worked outside often in harsh weather, had quite a flannel wardrobe in elegant muted plaids. On a wicked winter morning, seeing him off in such protective regalia gave Mom a measure of solace against her worry.
Years later, when I ministered with people who had been left homeless, I remembered those shirts. Even as early as October, winter can make a brief, unexpected statement in our town. Someone living on the street can be caught off guard as an unannounced cold front sweeps in during the night. I began to carry an extra coat and some flannel shirts in the trunk of my car, distributing them to persons in need. Perhaps the shirts were scant shelter against a really cold bite – but they were, at least, something.
In life, there are many ways to be caught isolated, cold and alone. Despite all appearances, a person can be homeless in her heart. Most often, that little “something” is all that person needs before she is able to mobilize her own resources against a harsh season. This kind of “flannel shirt” can come in many forms when “winter” hits unexpectedly – an encouraging word, prepared meal, offered errand, a listening ear. You can always keep that kind of warmth ready, just in case you meet someone for whom the heart fires have died.
I had never thought that Mercy could be made of flannel. But, upon reflection, I think it just might be.
For Your Reflection:
What feelings or reactions do I have after reading this reflection?
Do my feelings or reactions remind me of any passage or event in scripture, especially in the life of Christ?
What actions might I take today because of my response to these readings?
Suggested Scripture: Luke 10:25-37 – The Good Samaritan
Lavish Mercy 