Advent through Christmas – 2007-2008
Thursday, December 20, Third Week in Advent
Morning Star
“Morning star” refers to the last star near the eastern horizon that is visible to the naked eye before the sun rises and the star becomes invisible. (Usually the morning “star” is Venus which of course, is not a star but a planet.)
The title “Morning Star” is given to Mary. She is the last star visible in the sky before Jesus, the Light of the World, enters the human race.
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It is an ancient practice in many different cultures to pray each morning. In pagan cultures, the prayer was often directed to the new light coming over the horizon.
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One of the morning Prayers familiar to Catholics of the past several generations (and often pasted on bathroom mirrors) is the following:
“O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for the intentions of all our associates, and in particular for the intention recommended this month by the Holy Father.”
Take your time with the brief Scripture passage in the next post. These words are the graced words of God.
Advent through Christmas – 2007-2008
Thursday, December 20, Third Week in Advent
Mary said to the angel Gabriel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man? And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God…Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”…Luke 1: 26-38
If I were told by an angel what God planned to accomplish through me in the weeks and years ahead, I’d probably ask, as Mary did, “How can this be?”
In fact, I’d probably have a whole list of questions for the angel.
How can this be…given my lack of power and influence…or my weaknesses…or my health problems…or my sinfulness?”
Get ready for this. The angel’s answer would be the same as the answer to Mary. It will happen through the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit that came upon Mary comes upon me.
It is God who accomplishes through me whatever good I do, just as it was God who accomplished the Incarnation through Mary. And Mary’s answer is best: “God, whatever you want.”
God is saying to you: “Do not be afraid.”
God wants to accomplish something through me?
Really? To whom should I speak about this?
Why, God, of course.
Spend some quiet time with the Lord.
