This radiant and manifest coming of God to men most certainly needed a joyful prelude to introduce the great gift of salvation to us. The present festival, the birth of the Mother of God, is the prelude, while the final act is the foreordained union of the Word with flesh. Today the Virgin is born, tended and formed, and prepared for her role as Mother of God, who is the universal King of the ages.
Justly then do we celebrate this mystery since it signifies for us a double grace. We are led toward the truth and we are led away from our condition of slavery to the letter of the law. . . .
Therefore, let all creation sing and dance and unite to make worthy contribution to the celebration of this day. . . . Today this created world is raised to the dignity of a holy place for him who made all things. The creature is newly prepared to be a divine dwelling place for the Creator. from a Discourse--St. Andrew of Crete
Praise
Frances is gone and the damage done is not so fearful as might have been. Pray hard to keep Ivan at bay and far from all human habitation. As much as Frances may hurt us, the Bahamas were far more battered and bruised. So too with any hurricane--what scares and frightens us for a while means life and death for many hundreds living in shelters less secure than our own.
Prayer Requests
Please continue to pray for Dylan until he returns to us.
Please pray that I might find a roofer quickly, who will repair my house correctly the first time.
A quick sale and an easy move for Tom and his family as they set out on another exciting adventure in life.
Pour out prayers on the people of Florida who have lost their homes, their livelihoods, and their lives in this storm.
For the continued recovery of Katherine's mother.
For a deeper understanding of and commitment to the strengthening grace of the sacrament of marriage, especially for those who are presently undergoing trials.
Please storm heaven for my friends in Louisiana, they've had a long string of misfortune and could do with some good news.
For a dear friend who is undergoing a troubling period in her life, beset with a number of problems, physical, financial, emotional. May God hold her close to His heart.
For a St. Blog's parishioner in need of work to forestall financial catastrophe, that the Lord provide all that is needed in both material and spiritual blessings.
For those struggling against self to attain holiness, that the Good Lord will raise up new Saints for our times, visible beacons that draw all people toward Christ.
