Month: December 2012

Fourth Sunday of Advent, 2012

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You will grieve, but your grief will become joy.
–John 16:20

Today, as usual for the fourth Sunday of Advent, Worcester Catholic Workers and friends gathered to Christmas carol. We numbered a mighty 21 this year, and visited a nursing home and people around the neighborhood.

It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word,
and that war and destruction rule forever—
This is true: Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given,
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
his name shall be called wonderful councilor, mighty God,
the Everlasting, the Prince of peace.
—Daniel Berrigan

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Third Sunday of Advent, 2012

I’ve been doing a lot of housecleaning this weekend, especially sorting through old boxes from previous moves that haven’t been opened in some months.

Tonight I found my old copy of Advent Meditations from the Writings of Henri Nouwen, which is terrific.

I have found it very important to let go of my wishes and instead to live in hope.

Exactly what I needed to hear my housemate read tonight.

508 #209: UPDATED BREAKING

508 is a show about Worcester. This week’s panel is Brendan Melican, Shane Capra, Bruce “Snow Ghost” Russell, Jen Burt, and Holly C.K. Jones. Not on this week’s show: the now 3 North High altercations.

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Audio: Download the mp3 or see more formats.

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You can watch 508 Fridays at 7pm on WCCA TV13.

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Second Sunday of Advent, 2012


Not much to report this week. Christmas preparations, both logistical and spiritual, continue.

Isaiah:

A voice proclaims:
In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD!
Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!

Every valley shall be lifted up,
every mountain and hill made low;
The rugged land shall be a plain,
the rough country, a broad valley.

Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together;
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

San Francisco Catholic Worker River Sims meditates on the flipside of that joyful voice, the crucifixion:

I have a wound that is hurting from being stabbed, not the first . . . following the cross puts you in the line of fire.

Teilhard de Chardin, who River quotes:

Once we have fully grasped the sense of the cross, we are no longer in danger of finding life sad and ugly. We shall simply have become more attentive to its barely comprehensible solemnity.

Just noticed that in my photo of the St. Peter’s Advent wreath, the second purple candle is directly behind the unlit pink one. We apologize for the confusion.

First Sunday of Advent, 2012

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This Advent is the first anniversary of the new translation of the Catholic mass. I was planning to write something here about how the transition has gone perfectly in the parishes I’ve attended. Then today at mass, the priest forgot a line in the Gloria. Oh well. Let’s see where we are in another year.

I enjoy experimenting with Advent prayer guides, but this year I’m keeping it simple and just following along with Give Us This Day, a daily prayer book I already use. I’ll also be listening to any Advent talks that Susan Stabile posts.
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