Postcard Twenty-One
“This is the book my father is writing. I am going to read it and see what happens.”
As he sat and read, he laughed and wept, wept and laughed. He entered into all the people’s joys and sorrows. He longed to help them and be with them.
Finally, he turned a page that was blank and all the following pages were blank too. Disappointed, he turned back to the first blank page. Then he noticed some very small writing which said, “Do you want to help them? I will let you.”
“Oh, I do with all my heart!“
And when the father looked into the book, there was his dearly beloved son. And as he continued to write, he laughed and he wept, he wept and he laughed.
The Lord and Ruler will be coming soon, and his name will be called Emmanuel, because he will be God-with-us.
Entrance antiphon for December 21
The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty Savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, he will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals.
First reading for December 21
Postcard Twenty
“How long have we been here?”
“I don’t know. When it is so dark and you can’t tell when it’s day, it’s hard to remember.”
“Yes, what does sunlight even look like or moonlight or starlight?”
Everyone sighed and returned to silence. The silence was as deep as the darkness.
But suddenly…..“What was that?”
“I am sure it’s the sound of a key in a lock!”
“You must be imagining it! We want to hear that sound so much!”
“No! Listen! The door is opening!”
The door squealed loudly and when it opened, there was starlight which seemed so bright to the imprisoned people that they could hardly believe it.
They jumped up and ran outside. After they had danced for joy, they all sat down and waited for the Sun which they knew would rise.
O key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom; come and free the prisoners of darkness!
Alleluia Verse for December 20
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.
Gospel for December 20
Postcard Nineteen
“Look at this burnt out stump. It’s not really good for anything, is it?”
“It doesn’t look like it is, but buried beneath the earth is the root of this tree. It lives beneath the earth waiting for the right moment to spring forth from the ground.”
“I wish it would hurry and grow. I want to see it.”
“Be patient and wait. Then one day, you will rest in its shade and eat its fruit while all the birds nest in its branches.”
O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God‘s love for all his people: come to save us without delay!
Alleluia Verse for December 19
He who is to come will come and will not delay, and now there will be no fear within our land, for he is our Savior.
Entrance Antiphon for December 19
Postcard Eighteen
“You would like to read our law code? Just follow me.”
They entered a large library full of books.
“Thank you very much. Now please tell me, which book is it?”
“Which book?!? All of them, of course. How could a law code be contained in just one book?“
“Oh…well, I suppose ours is not in a book either.”
“Where is it?“
“I am wearing it around my wrist.“
“Incredible! What does it say?“
“The whole law is fulfilled in one statement: you shall love your neighbor as yourself.“
O leader of the house of Israel, giver of the law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power!
Alleluia verse for December 18
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
And the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
And the lives of the poor he shall save.Responsorial psalm for December 18
Postcard Seventeen
“ Children, what did you learn from our excursion today?“
Hands were raised and, one by one, the children gave their answers.
“The mountains are like the greatness of God.“
“The flowers are like his beauty.“
“The river is like his mercy.”
“The moon is like his guidance.”
“The sun is like his glory.“
“And what do you think, little one?“
“I think that God wants to share everything with us and not keep anything for himself.”
“Certainly he has shared his wisdom with you.”
O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge!
Alleluia verse from December 17
O God, Creator and Redeemer of human nature, who willed that your Word should take flesh in an ever-virgin womb, look with favor on our prayers, that your Only Begotten Son, having taken to himself our humanity, may be pleased to grant us a share in his divinity. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Opening Prayer from December 17
Postcard Sixteen
“Why are you sitting there in the dark? Don’t you want some light?”
“No, I’m sitting in the dark because that’s how I feel.”
“You feel dark?”
“My heart is full of darkness. Nothing seems good or right. Sadness fills the whole world and nothing can be done about it.”
“Now my heart feels dark too.”
They sat there silently in the dark until midnight.
Then suddenly the room was filled with light as from a brilliant star. They smiled without knowing why. Nothing had changed, but now they remembered. They were not alone.
Incline a merciful ear to our cry, we pray, O Lord, and, casting light on the darkness of our hearts, visit us with the grace of your Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Opening Prayer for Monday of the Third Week of Advent.
Come, O Lord, visit us in peace, that we may rejoice before you with a blameless heart.
Communion Antiphon for Monday of the Third Week of Advent.
Postcard Fifteen
We have been traveling across the desert for days, weeks. It’s always the same: sand for miles, the noise of feet, and the thirst, the ever present thirst.
But tonight, in just a few hours, we will reach the well. Already I feel like I can hear the clanking of the chains on the bucket as it is lowered, and I can almost taste the sweetness of the water.
Tonight, tonight… This word of hope keeps me going. What joy there will be when we arrive and taste our salvation.
With joy, you will draw water.
At the fountain of salvation.Responsorial Psalm for the Third Sunday of Advent
Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! The Lord is near.
Second Reading for the Third Sunday of Advent
Postcard Fourteen
She held him on her lap, knowing he could not see the tears in her eyes.
“Tell it again! Tell the story of all the people waiting to see the Savior’s face.”
She brushed away the tears and began once more to tell him that for so many long years, parents had hoped and waited and passed the message of hope to their children. She ended by saying, “And they all wanted one thing: just to see his face.”
“So when he comes, I will see his face. I have never seen anything, but the first thing I will see is his face.”
She brushed away the tears again, kissed him, and put him to bed.
But in the night, he was suddenly awake and, though he had never seen anything before, he knew that what he was now seeing was starlight for the first time.
And in the starlight, he saw a man standing in the doorway. They looked at each other for one long moment, and then the man turned and joined a small group of men heading towards the Mount of Olives.
Come and show us your face, O Lord, who are seated upon the Cherubim, and we will be saved.
Entrance antiphon for Saturday of the Second Week of Advent
So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.
The Gospel for Saturday of the Second Week of Advent
Postcard Thirteen
Note: This postcard was posted previously as an illustrated short story. I thought it worked well for this day so I am using it as today’s postcard.
Once upon a time, there was a teacher who had ten students. At the beginning of the year, the teacher announced that there would be a big exam at the end of the year. The students would have all year to prepare. Then the teacher went away. The students knew that they had all the materials they would need in order to be ready.
Five of the students began to prepare every day. They practiced for the test and helped each other to study.
The other five thought that this was silly. The teacher wasn’t there, the exam was far away and anyway, they were sure the prepared students would help them when the time came.
As the diligent learned their lessons, they tried to pass on what they learned to the lazy. But the lazy always said, “There’s plenty of time.”
The year passed and the day of the examination came. All the students filed into the testing room. The lazy five made sure that each one of them sat behind one of the diligent five.
“Because,” they reasoned, “some of the lessons they learned were generosity, kindness and sharing. They wouldn’t want to fail now that they are so close. They will certainly help us.”
Suddenly a voice came over the intercom, “The tests will be taken in two separate rooms. Those in Row A please report to the top floor. Those in Row B stay where you are.”
As the diligent got up to leave, the lazy begged them for help. “Please stay and take our test for us.”
“But we can’t. There’s only one testing time and it’s now. Besides the teacher knows all our handwriting. You should have let us help you before it was too late.”
After the diligent had left, the lazy decided to quickly study as much as they could. But they couldn’t find their books.
Finally, they decided to go to the top floor. But when they got to the doors leading to the top, the registrar said that their names weren’t on the list. “And I don’t remember ever seeing you. Neither your names nor your faces are familiar.”
They went sadly back to their old room. After sitting for a long time, they fell asleep. Maybe when they woke up, they’d find it had all been a dream. They had learned one thing. Even though the teacher was generous and kind and their fellow students were like him, no one could transform them if they refused to be transformed.
Grant that your people, we pray, Almighty God, may be ever watchful for the coming of your only begotten Son, that, as the author of our salvation himself has taught us, we may hasten, alert and with lighted lamps, to meet him when he comes. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Opening prayer for Friday of the Second Week of Advent
The Lord will come; go out to meet him! He is the prince of peace.
Alleluia Verse for Friday of the Second Week of Advent
Postcard Twelve
“What are all these stone thrones doing here?”
“The ancient kings used to rule here, but as you can see, their rule was destroyed and now all that is left are their thrones. They thought their power was forever, but no one remembers them now.”
As they walked around the thrones and thought of the nameless kings that no one remembered anymore, suddenly they noticed something perched in the last one.
“What is it? I am too short to see it.”
So her father lifted her up and placed her on the throne. There, resting peacefully on the throne, were three simple wooden figures: a man, a woman, and a tiny baby lying in a cradle.
The Lord has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly.
Communion Antiphon for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.
The Gospel for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Postcard Eleven
“Hurry, hurry! The king is coming, and they say that he has presents for everyone he sees along the main road.” All the children jumped up excitedly and began to run as fast as they could.
But one little girl sat still and wept. Her feet were bare and she had never been able to run. If she couldn’t run, she wouldn’t arrive in time.
Suddenly, she looked up and saw an eagle flying high overhead. Without thinking about what she was doing, she began running down the road, trying to keep the eagle in sight. Her feet felt like they had wings and she did not feel tired.
She ran past all the other children as they watched in amazement and right into the arms of the king.
“I wonder what present she will get?“
“I think she has already received it.”
Almighty God, who commanded us to prepare the way for Christ the Lord, grant in your kindness, we pray, that no infirmity may weary us as we long for the comforting presence of our heavenly physician. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.
Opening prayer for Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent
He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound. Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, they that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.
First reading for Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened and I will give you rest.
The Gospel for Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent
Postcard Ten
I wonder what is over that hill? If I just climb up there, I will be able to see. I thought these thoughts all day until just before the sunset, I climbed up to take a look. I couldn’t see much except that there was another hill that looked even more exciting. So I climbed up that and saw a third hill. There was still a little light in the sky, so I climbed that hill as well. And then there was yet another. How could I resist? In my eagerness, I kept climbing until it was quite dark. I didn’t know my way back, and all that climbing up and going down again had made me so tired that I lay down on the cold ground. A voice in my head warned me, “It’s cold. You will freeze.” But I was so tired.
Suddenly strong hands were picking me up and warming me. It was so dark that I could hardly see anything, but I recognized the gentle touch of my master and I rejoiced as he embraced me and carried me home.
Like a shepherd, he feeds his flock; in his arms, he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.
First Reading for Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent
If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the 99 in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.
The Gospel for Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent
Postcard Nine
“Where would you like to live? I can make you the place that you most desire.“
He looked out over the mountain tops and across all the seas. It was all so beautiful. And then he looked at all the people and he loved each one with a love greater than the mountains and deeper than the seas.
“I will live in one of them. But how can I choose? I want to live in them all.”
“If you live in the one who desires you the most, then she will help you to live in all of them. I have created her this day.”
“I praise and thank you, Father. In the fullness of time, we will send Gabriel to ask her. I know she will say yes, but how I desire to hear her say it.“
Oh God, who, by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, prepared a worthy dwelling for your Son, grant, we pray, that, as you preserved her from every stain by virtue of the death of your Son, which you foresaw, so, through her intercession, we, too, may be cleansed and admitted to your presence. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Opening Prayer for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love, he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved.
Second Reading for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
Postcard Eight
When I went to the field that day, my bag of seeds was so heavy that I wept. Planting them all seemed so difficult. I did not know how I would ever do it alone.
I worked all day in the blazing sun and when I finally finished, I threw myself down on the ground and fell asleep.
While I slept, I saw myself working in the field but strangely, I saw many other people working with me. They were singing with joy while they worked. Then I saw the days flit by one by one and the plants grew tall and strong. We harvested them and carried the harvest home rejoicing.
When I awoke, there were tears on my cheeks, but I was laughing.
Those who sow in tears
Shall reap rejoicing.
Although they go forth weeping,
Carrying the seed to be sown
They shall come back rejoicing,
Carrying their sheaves.
We were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with rejoicing.Responsorial Psalm for the Second Sunday of Advent
I pray always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, because of your partnership for the Gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Second Reading for the Second Sunday of Advent
Postcard Seven
“Where is he?”
“He’s lying on the grass looking up at all the stars.”
“Oh, how he loves that! He can stay there for hours in such stillness, looking at them.”
“I know. And once many years ago, I asked him what he does while he lies there. He replied, “I am talking to the stars.”
“Talking to the stars?”
“Yes, and from the way he said it, it almost seemed like they were his friends and he knew them by name.”
Come and show us your face, O Lord, who are seated upon the cherubim, and we will be saved.
Entrance antiphon of Saturday of the First Week of Advent
He tells the numbers of the stars; he calls each by name.
Responsorial Psalm of Saturday of the First Week of Advent
Postcard Six
“Don’t you have a home?“
She smiled sweetly, “Yes, of course, I do.“
“Oh, good! I was worried about you. What is your address?“
“1223 South Prospect Street.”
“But…that’s here. That’s the address of this church.”
“Yes, I live here. I used to come here every day because it was so lovely to be with Jesus. But at night, they lock the doors. And then he’s here alone, in the dark.”
“That’s true. I never thought about it.”
“So one day, I told him, if I’m going to live in your house forever, why wait? Why not start now? Then I sold my home and moved in here.”
“And your name is… ?“
“Anna.“
“And Anna, you never leave here, you stay here all day and all night?”
She didn’t answer in words, but her smile was all the answer I needed.
Behold, the Lord will come descending with splendor to visit his people with peace, and he will bestow on them eternal life.
Entrance antiphon of Friday of the First Week in Advent
One thing I ask of the Lord;
This I seek:
To dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life.Responsorial Psalm of Friday of the First Week of Advent
Postcard Five
“What are you looking at?” her father asked her as she stared up into the sky.
“I am not really looking at anything. But when I look at the sky, I think about Grandpa. He’s my best friend.”
“How can he be your best friend? You’ve never even seen him.”
“Yes, that’s true. But whenever I look at all the things he made with such care like the rocking chair in my room or the table where we eat our meals, I see him. And I love him.”
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call him while he is near.
Alleluia verse for Thursday of the First week of Advent
May these mysteries, O Lord, in which we have participated, profit us, we pray, for even now, as we walk amid passing things, you teach us by them to love the things of heaven and hold fast to what endures. Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer after Communion of Thursday of the First Week of Advent
Postcard Four
He was just about to eat his supper, when a frantic knocking was heard of the door. When he opened it, a voice said, “Please come quickly and bring your lantern! A group of people went out in the woods today and none of them have returned!”
He left his supper on the table and ran to the woods with his lantern. As he went through the forest, some people came running to him and his light immediately saying, “Oh, thank you for finding us! We were entirely lost.”
He had to search for some of the people more carefully because they had fallen down or taken unused paths. They also greeted him with joy.
Others, however, seemed annoyed. “Mind your own business. We’re fine. We’ll make it home on our own.“
Still others ran deeper into the forest or said that they liked the darkness and asked him to take his light away.
Even with so much rejection, he didn’t give up. He walked all night through the forest and just before dawn, he found someone who had fallen down into a deep pit and needed to be rescued and carried home.
Every night, he returned and hung lanterns in the trees to show those who remained in the forest the way to come home.
The Lord will come and he will not delay. He will illumine what is hidden in darkness and reveal himself to all the nations.
Entrance Antiphon of Wednesday of the First Week of Advent
“Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us!
This is the LORD for whom we looked;
let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!”First Reading of Wednesday of the First Week of Advent
Postcard Three
“Well, he’s sleeping now. Let’s go and put away his toys.”
But when they began to look at his toys, they had to laugh. “Look at that! His wolf is sitting at a table eating bread with the little lamb.”
“And his lions are out with the cows by his barn.”
“Here’s another cow taking some refreshment with a bear.”
“But, what’s this? He has some snakes wrapped around these baby dolls. He really doesn’t understand about enemies, does he?”
Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb…The calf and the young lion shall browse together…The cow and the bear shall be neighbors…The baby shall play by the cobra’s den,
and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair.From the First Reading for Tuesday of the First Week of Advent
I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.
From the Gospel for Tuesday of the First Week of Advent
Postcard Two
I dreamed that I saw him walking in the cold, dark night. The wind blew the clouds across the stars, and I could only just make out his thin shape carrying a heavy bundle on his back.
He stopped at the first door on the right and knocked. But the people inside never heard because they were quarreling so loudly.
At the next house, he didn’t even have a chance to knock because the dogs barked and strained at their chains as if to say “No one is welcome here.”
The next house was no better because the people were hiding behind the curtains, peeping out in fear. At the next, they were all sound asleep and in the house beyond, the noise of the singing and dancing drowned out all the gentle knocking.
This went on for what seemed like miles. No one ever answered the door. Usually, no one even heard the knock and, if they did, they all had reasons for not opening their doors.
I was weeping now and praying that someone would open the door. Anyone.
Then I realized that my weeping was blending with the prayer coming from the final house in the town.
I could see that there was a man who was dying. His family were gathered around him praying. “We praise you, Lord of heaven and earth for your mercy towards us.”
When the knock sounded at the door, one of them eagerly ran to open it and pulled the stranger inside. As this kind welcomer took the stranger’s pack from the weary back, the stranger said, “It wearies me to carry so much mercy on my back and find no one who wants it.”
Then he opened his pack, pulled out healing remedies, and restored the dying man to his family.
“Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.” He said to him, “I will come and cure him.”
Gospel for Monday of the First week of Advent
Keep us alert, we pray, O Lord our God, as we await the advent of Christ your Son, so that, when he comes and knocks, he may find us watchful in prayer and exultant in his praise. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Opening Prayer for Monday of the First week of Advent
Postcard One
“It’s winter again,” she said with a sigh as she looked at all the snow covering the ground. “I like spring when it’s warm and things are growing. Right now everything looks dead.“
“It only looks dead,” her mother said. “Beneath the snow, there is the promise of life and spring.”
But spring seemed like it would never come again after all the hard times the village had suffered in the last months. Suddenly, they heard the sound of feet running down the road. They couldn’t see who it was in the dark and, at first, they were afraid. But as more and more feet passed, their fear changed to wonder, and they grabbed their coats and ran out to see what was happening.
They were just in time to see the last of the runners disappearing in the dark. Without knowing why, they hurried to follow him.
They ran for what seemed like hours but in their eagerness, they did not feel tired.
Finally, they reached the place where a large crowd of people had gathered. The girl and her mother were welcomed and drawn into the center of the circle. Illuminated by a bright star was a fragile-looking, but beautiful tender shoot with a single white flower.
“It’s a sign to us! Even though things seem bleak and frightening, there is hope. Salvation and new life will come to us.”
In those days, in that time, I will raise up for David a just shoot; he shall do what is right and just in the land.
First reading for the First Sunday of Advent
Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming, so that, gathered at his right hand, they may be worthy to possess the heavenly Kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Opening Prayer for the First Sunday in Advent