u-er    na-tus   est  no-bis,   et  fi-lius   da-tus est no-bis,
                     A  child   is  born   to  us,                     and    a  Son        is  given  to  us:

   cu-ius  impé-ri-um   su-per    hú-me-rum   e   -  jus
     Whose        government          is  upon                     His  shoulder:

      et vo-cá-bi-tur  nomen  ei-    us, magni consí-li-i   An-ge-lus.
         and   His  Name    shall   be   called                 Angel    of    Great    Counsel.

V/.  Cantate Domino canticum novum quia mirabilia fecit. (Ps.97. 1)
Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done wonderful things

THEMES

1. CHILD/SON

titles_1

Lumen Fidei §51 “journey towards a future of hope”

    §52 Faith and the family and what is symbolizes (as sign of  hope)

    §59 DIVINE ADOPTION

“The movement of love between Father, Son and Spirit runs through our history, and Christ draws us to himself in order to save us (cf. Jn 12:32). At the centre of our faith is the confession of Jesus, the Son of God, born of a woman, who brings us, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, to adoption as sons and daughters (cf. Gal 4:4).  [in other words, the titles of child and son are ours, as well!

2. RULER/STEWARD

titles_2

Genesis Laudato Si and Theology of Body

Laudato Si,§62 ff.: To “work” and “keep/guard” the Garden (Gen 2:15)

Pope Francis encouraged us to read Dante's Divine Comedy, especially during the Year of Mercy

The Garden as Dante's Image of restored Heaven

3. GOSPEL/FAITH

titles_3

Fundamental Problem: We have a predisposition to believe that God is grasping, exacting, “Jealous of His prerogatives.”

CATECHISM §397-400
 

In our moral exhortation we sometimes act as if we are afraid that if grace is [excessively] preached, sin will abound: Paul’s ancient question:

Pope Francis - MISERICORDIA et MISERA (Mercy [with those in] Misery)

Rorate Coeli: consolamini, consolamini, populus meus...(Is 40:1)

We can become a people who bless Pope FRANCIS: A People Who Bless

4. WISDOM/PARTNER

titles_4

– How and when to communicate

– Companioning, walking with; learning language, inculturation

Evagelium Gaudii on Proclaiming Gospel (esp.§ 259-266)

Amoris Laetitia (nav) on Companionship with People of God on Journey

WE GO TOGETHER TO GOD
     The Rule of Benedict, ch. 72

WE give thanks to you, Almighty God, for your gift to us of spiritual DESIRE, of a longing within us that impels us out of isolation and into your creation, where we catch glimpses of your beauty in the things you have made.  Grant us the gifts of balance and ordering in the expression of our desire.

Forgive us for not treasuring and using well the gifts of food and drink,
   We pray to you, Lord,
      ∫ Lord, hear our prayer.

We ask your forgiveness for the times when our response to the beauty of other human beings has led us into fantasies, words, or deeds that do not find their final meaning in you:
   We pray to you, Lord,
      ∫ Lord, hear our prayer.

Forgive us for the time and energy we have wasted in pursuing money, property, or possessions that do not serve your purpose:
   We pray to you, Lord,
      ∫ Lord, hear our prayer.

Help us to reconsecrate to you our deepest desires, that you may transform our gluttony, our lust, and our avarice into selfless love:

       We pray to you, Lord,
          ∫ Lord, hear our prayer.

WE give thanks to you, Almighty God, for your gift to us of spiritual ZEAL, for enthusiasm and dedication in opposing evil and attempting things that are difficult.  Show us how to direct our righteous indignation only at the root causes of evil and injustice, never confusing the demonic with human beings for whom you died and who bear your image.

Forgive our inappropriate and misdirected anger, especially the times we have been cruel or unkind to those who deserve our gentleness and compassion:
   We pray to you, Lord,
      ∫ Lord, hear our prayer.

We ask your forgiveness for the times we have turned our indignation inward, nursing what seemed to be injustices and wrongs done to us, imagining that were martyrs:
   We pray to you, Lord,
      ∫ Lord, hear our prayer.

Forgive us for preferring spiritual numbness and anesthesia to active engagement in doing your will.  For the times we have succumbed to torpor and cynicism:
   We pray to you, Lord,
      ∫ Lord, hear our prayer.

Teach us to reconsecrate to you our spiritual zeal, that we may rejoice in your calling and in our vocation to be your eager servants:

       We pray to you, Lord,
          ∫ Lord, hear our prayer.

WE give you thanks, Almighty God, for your gift to us of spiritual VISION and thirst for truth.  Grant us the gift of prudence, of knowing how and when to proclaim your Good News in words and images your people can understand.  Make us constantly aware of how much we receive from them and from you.

We ask your forgiveness for the times we have imagined that we are the origin of the good we do.  For refusing to acknowledge that everything we are is a gift we have received from your people and from you:
   We pray to you, Lord,
      ∫ Lord, hear our prayer.

Forgive our superficiality, our failure to acknowledge and proclaim your presence in the world, and especially in the people you have created:
   We pray to you, Lord,
      ∫ Lord, hear our prayer.

We ask your forgiveness for the times we have preferred isolation and separation to community and engagement, for viewing people and circumstances as means to our ends, rather than as reflections of your splendor – in short, for preferring hell to heaven:
   We pray to you, Lord,
      ∫ Lord, hear our prayer.

LORD, you are the author of our DESIRE, our ZEAL and our capacity for CONTEMPLATION.  Renew and restore your gifts within us, and accept the offering we now make to you of all we are.  Forgive, heal, and transform us:

       We pray to you, Lord,
          ∫ Lord, hear our prayer.

 We pray together as our Lord Jesus taught us:  Our Father ...

COLLECT:

Almighty God,to whom all hearts are open,

all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden;

Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,

That we may truly see into our hearts

And offer to you all we find there.

Help us truly to believe in your mercy and your power to heal and renew

That we may repent and discover again the power

to perfectly love you,

and worthily proclaim your name,

We ask this through Our Lord Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. One God, Forever and ever.

Amen.

Matthew 11:28-30  28

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

xcxxcxxc  F ” “ This Webpage was created for a workshop held at Saint Andrew's Abbey, Valyermo, California in 2003...x....  ’ “”.