Jan 2 Fri - Should I seek help from our Mother Mary?

 

Jan 2 Fri
Should I seek help from our Mother Mary?
Sub tuum praesidium… We fly to your patronage, O holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin!

This prayer addressed to the Virgin Mary is the oldest hymn in which her role as Mother of God is proclaimed. It appears in a Greek document from the year 250, so it is highly likely that this prayer was already being recited prior to that date. The Greek word Θεοτόκε (Theotóke) leaves no doubt about Mary’s true motherhood.

Those were times of persecution for all Christians. The temple in Jerusalem was destroyed and burned by the Romans in the year 72, and all of the Lord’s disciples were scattered throughout the known world at that time.

Saint Paul preached the good news in Greece, where there were several thriving communities. He preached to the Corinthians, to whom he wrote two epistles, together with the one he wrote to the Thessalonians, around the year 60.

Before the Constantinian peace in 312, everything was adverse for Christians. It was a difficult time of catacombs, and martyrs. These early Christians were communities that had received the message directly from the apostles or from those whom the apostles had converted to Christianity, and they held the message dear.

Their proposals were rejected as scandalous by the Jews and as foolishness by the Gentiles. Nothing seemed to be in their favor, at least on the surface.

It is no wonder that in those circumstances, they turned to Mary. When everything seems to be collapsing… “Sub Tuum Praesidium”… we fly to your patronage. Seeking patronage under Mary’s mantle denotes the assurance that whatever may happen to them is a gift from their Mother; and the confidence that She is the Strong Woman of the Apocalypse who crushes the head of the dragon. The word praesidium has to do with shelter, with that atmosphere of constant struggle in which those early Christians lived.

They addressed her not only as their mother but as the most powerful and kind Mother in all of history, the one who wins battles and welcomes us and embraces us like a mother comforting her frightened child. “Do not be afraid,” she tells us.

The prayer continues. “Do not despise our petitions in our necessities.” This is what a child asks of its mother with the trust that it will obtain what it seeks. “Mom, I’m thirsty. Mom…”.

And like young children, they also ask her to deliver them from all future danger, and they ask with an endearing phrase, with a brief prayer: “Glorious and blessed Virgin!”

What a precious gift those early Christians bequeathed us as they defended the faith with their lives! “We fly to your patronage…” and what inner happiness they received from their Mother to stand firm in the faith.

Jan 1 Thu - Is Jesus’ Mother also my mother?

 

Jan 1 Thu
Is Jesus’ Mother also my mother?
Let us celebrate the Motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is the source of all the prerogatives which God in his Wisdom bestowed upon our Lady. Let us adore her Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Mary's divine motherhood is a dogma of our Catholic faith. It was solemnly defined early in the Church's history at the Ecumenical Council of Ephesus (year 431). We profess that the holy Virgin Mary is not only the Mother of Christ as Man, but also the Mother of God.

St. Josemaría recalled years ago: “In the first residence, I had a little statue of the Blessed Virgin which the communists stole from me during the war in Spain. I called it Our Lady of the Kisses. I never went in or out without going to the Director's room, where the image was, so I could kiss it. I don't think I ever did so mechanically. My kisses were human kisses, the kisses of a son who was afraid... But since I've said so often that I'm not afraid of anyone or anything, let's not say I was afraid. They were kisses from a son who felt far too young and who sought from our Lady all her tenderness and her affection. All the strength I needed, I sought from God through the Blessed Virgin."

Besides being the Mother of God and Mother of the Church, our Lady is the Mother of each one of us. Mary is a Mother who loves us madly, cares for us, consoles us, and encourages us to return to the Father's house whenever we are far from God.

Mary is always at our side, ready to intercede before her Son when we don't act as we should, provided we take refuge in her motherly affection."

St. Josemaría invited us “to make a personal resolution: not to let anything human bother us, however serious it may appear, as long as we go to God through our Lady. And you know how we do so: through spiritual advice and Confession. The result will be a haven of peace, and our Lord will smile at us, seeing the human way in which we act. And as he forgives us, he will think: this one has learned his lesson: now he'll be more faithful to me."

“If a little child does something wrong, breaking a valuable object, for instance, he sometimes tries to run away from his mother's arms. He doesn't realize that she doesn't always want to catch him to spank him, but she wants to console him, to press him to her heart and smother him in kisses."

“This is what I'm trying to tell you: trust God completely and make up your mind not to run away from him. The best sign that we're not trying to escape is to be sincere in your spiritual coaching chat, and clear in Confession. Don't get all worked up when you have made a mistake - that wouldn't be sorrow, but pride. Keep calm and return to your Father's house; there we will always find the immense tenderness and understanding of our Blessed Mother Mary waiting for us."

Dec 31 Wed - Should I be afraid of my personal Judgment?

 

Dec 31 Wed
Should I be afraid of my personal Judgment?
As the year ends, our Mother, the Church, doesn't remind us of the judgment to make us anxious about our failings or the demands Christ will make of us. She wants to encourage us in our daily struggle and help us to respond more faithfully to our Christian vocation. She doesn't want to frighten us. Rather, she wants us to have a clear idea of our end and to help us strive upwards every day.

Moreover, Christ will not be a strange judge for us. We have the immense good fortune of being among the chosen friends of the One who is to judge us. And each day our friendship grows stronger. By fulfilling our Norms of piety, our small mortifications, our acts of love, our habitual apostolate, we increasingly identify ourselves with Him. Saint Josemaría wrote: "I was amused to hear you speak of the 'account' that Our Lord will demand of you. No, for none of you will he be a Judge, in the harsh sense of the word; He will be simply Jesus." -This phrase has consoled more than one troubled heart, and could very well console yours.

Indeed, at times, there isn't enough refinement in our love. We could do our work or study better; we could receive the means of formation more fruitfully; we could carry out a more constant apostolate. It's also true that we have offended him. However, despite everything, we grow more in love with our Lord every day and become more resolved to dedicate ourselves to Him. Though we know our faults have offended him, we also understand that a small token of our love is enough to draw back his loving gaze. He often smiles at our efforts in our interior life and apostolate.

Besides, “our Guardian Angel always accompanies us as our principal witness. It is he who, at your particular judgement, will remember the kind deeds you performed for our Lord throughout your life. Furthermore, when you feel lost, before the enemy's terrible accusations, your Angel will present those intimations of your heart, which perhaps you yourself might have forgotten, those proofs of love for God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit."

“That is why you must never forget your Guardian Angel, and that Prince of Heaven shall not abandon you now, or at that decisive moment."

Therefore, we view our judgment with great hope and confidence, since our only aim in life is to please God. How can we be afraid or uneasy at the moment of our judgment, when our Christian vocation necessarily entails trying to please Jesus!

Furthermore, our Mother Mary will be present there, providing her protection and support, as she always has done. Our Lady will do what we ask of her every day; she will say good things about us, with motherly affection.

Dec 30 Tue - Will my actions bring about my future reward?

 

Dec 30 Tue
Will my actions bring about my future reward?

The Lord says, “Unless your justice exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." How can justice exceed, unless compassion rises above judgment?

What could be more just or worthy than a creature created in the image and likeness of God, imitating the Creator who, through the remission of sins, brings about the reparation and sanctification of believers? The guilty man is restored to innocence, with God’s strict vengeance removed, and all punishment ceases. Thus, the end of wickedness becomes the beginning of virtue. Can anything be more just than this?

This is how Christian justice surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees—not by canceling the law but by rejecting earthly wisdom. This is why, when giving his disciples guidance on fasting, the Lord said: "Whenever you fast, do not look sad like the hypocrites. They disfigure their faces to appear as if they are fasting. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward." What reward is this, if not human praise? Such desire often masquerades as justice, for having a false reputation brings pleasure when there is no concern for conscience. Consequently, when injustice is concealed, a man enjoys a misleading reputation.

For the person who loves God, it is sufficient to please the One he loves; there is no greater reward than loving God, for love originates from God, as God is love.

God so fulfills the good and chaste soul that it wishes to find delight in nothing else. The Lord’s words ring true: "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." What is a man’s treasure but the accumulation of profits and the fruits of his labor? Just as a man sows, so shall he reap, and each man’s gain corresponds to his toil; where he finds delight and enjoyment, there the desire of his heart is anchored.

There are many kinds of wealth and various reasons for rejoicing; each person's treasure is what he desires. If it is rooted in earthly ambitions, it leaves men not blessed but wretched.

However, those who find joy in the eternal and heavenly, rather than the earthly and perishable, possess an incorruptible hidden treasure. Through these, with God's grace, even earthly possessions can be transformed into heavenly blessings.
Many people utilize wealth wisely by sharing what is superfluous to support the poor, they are amassing imperishable riches, ensuring that what they have discreetly given will not be lost.

They have rightly placed their riches where their heart is; it is truly blessed to work towards increasing such riches rather than fearing their loss.
From a sermon of Saint Leo the Great, Pope.

Dec 29 Mon - How can I prepare myself better for Holy Communion?

 

Dec 29 Mon
How can I prepare myself better for Holy Communion?
All Christians share the mission of attracting others to sanctity, encouraging them to get close to him, to feel united to the Church, and to extend the kingdom of God to all hearts. Jesus wants to see us dedicated, faithful, and responsive. He desires that we should be holy, very much his own ...

These great horizons of our Christian vocation, this unity of life built on the presence of God our Father, and action, can and ought to be a daily reality.

Jesus comes to us daily in the Eucharist. Our Lord comes very close to us. He wants to live more fully in our hearts. "Come, Lord," we tell him, "our hearts are waiting for you." We long to prepare ourselves to receive him worthily. Through our love, shown in deeds, we want to erase the record of past infidelities. Your holy impatience to serve God pleases him. But it will be fruitless if it is not accompanied by a real improvement in your daily conduct."

In the Book of Isaiah, we hear of a promise of the messianic banquet, which God is preparing for mankind. “The Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of fat things, of wine on the lees well refined. … He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces... Lo, this is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation."

This divine feast becomes a reality each day at Holy Communion. Just as Mary and Joseph awaited him in the stable at Bethlehem, so we should look forward to our daily meeting with Jesus in the Eucharist. We should try to fill our night period with desires to receive our Lord more lovingly when He comes into our souls.

“Have you ever thought about how you would prepare to receive our Lord if you could go to communion only once in your life?
We must be thankful to God that He makes it so easy for us to come to him, but we should show our gratitude by preparing ourselves to receive him very well."

If we want to apply St. Josemaría's words more effectively to our lives, now is the right moment for us to make the resolution to intensify our spirit of recollection, especially during the hours leading up to Holy Mass and Communion. A contemplative soul relishes the silence of the night; it becomes something indispensable. We should fill these hours with frequent spiritual communions, to express our daily eagerness to receive our Lord, in union with Mary: I wish, Lord, to receive you with the purity, humility, and devotion with which your most holy Mother received you, with the spirit and fervor of the saints.

“Ask our Lady, along with me, St. Josemaría says, to make it come true. Try to imagine how she spent these months, waiting for her Son to be born. And our Lady, Holy Mary, will make of you alter Christus, ipse Christus: another Christ, Christ himself!"

Dec 28 Sun - Why does Our Lord come determined to seek us out after we are lost?

 

Dec 28 Sun
Why does Our Lord come determined to seek us out after we are lost?

Today, the Holy Family, we remember our parents especially. They fulfilled their God-given mission very well, at times perhaps without even realizing it. God will not fail to reward them abundantly, both in heaven and on earth. Nonetheless, although we are certain that God will help them, we should remain constant in our prayers for them.

The Holy Family serves as a model for all Christian families. In Joseph, fathers find the noblest standard of watchfulness and fatherly care. In the most holy Virgin, Mother of God, mothers have a splendid mirror of love, modesty, and perfect faith. In Jesus, who was subject to his parents, children have a divine example of virtues to imitate.

Thus, we all must continue our way to heaven.
How often have we separated ourselves from God! How often we have failed to hear his voice - the voice of the one who heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.

We must hasten to meet him, ready to start again and to respond to his never-failing Love.

“A day of salvation has arrived for us. Once again, we can hear the whistling of the divine Shepherd, his affectionate call: I have called you by name. Like our mother, He calls us by our name, even by our affectionate family nickname. He calls there in the very depths of our soul, and we must answer: ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ Here I am, determined on this occasion not to let time pass like water over the rocks, without leaving a trace."

St. Josemaría tells us that “what we have to try to do is to get to heaven. If we don't, nothing is worthwhile. To reach heaven, faithfulness to Christ's teaching is essential. And to be faithful, we must strive doggedly against whatever blocks our way to eternal happiness."

The response is required from us: to begin over and over again; not in a vague manner, but in the main points of our interior struggle, enthusiastically.

“Let's not deceive ourselves: in our life, we will encounter excitement and victory along with deprivation and defeat. Such has always been the earthly pilgrimage of Christians, even of those we venerate on the altars. … The true-life stories of Christian heroes resemble our own experience: they fought and won; they fought and lost. And then, repentant, they returned to the fray."

To find Jesus, we have to keep starting over and over again. We need to be continually engaged in a struggle to improve. To stand still is to fall back. St Augustine says, “I am still running, I am still advancing. I am still walking. I am still on the way. I am still exerting myself. I have not yet arrived. In the same way, if you are walking, if you are exerting yourself, if you are thinking of the future, then forget the past, do not glance back, or you may remain at the spot where you turned to look back. If you say, ‘Enough,’ you are lost."

Dec 27 Sat - How can I have a sporting spirit in my interior struggle?

 

Dec 27 Sat
How can I have a sporting spirit in my interior struggle?
John Evangelist worked hard. In his early youth, he became a disciple of John the Baptist, that man of God who preached interior conversion and penance, and lived a sober life, preparing the paths of the Lord.

The interior struggle requires continuous battles. And as St. Josemaría taught, it should be undertaken with a tenacious, cheerful sporting spirit. “My child, try to be faithful throughout your life. And when you sense you're not, ask God for help. Strive eagerly and cheerfully, with a sporting spirit, to progress in your supernatural struggle, and you'll conquer. Lay all your wretchedness, all the obstacles that block your way, at Christ's feet. Then, He will be raised on high and triumph, and you will go with him. Never get discouraged. Rectify your intention, begin again, and keep trying. In the end, if you can't do it, our Lord will help you to leap over the rampart, the rampart of holiness."

We need a sporting spirit in our struggle, being ready to begin again and again whenever necessary, with cheerful, supernatural stubbornness.

“I have noticed at times how an athlete's eyes light up at the sight of the obstacles to be overcome, what a victory is in store! See how he conquers the difficulties! God, our Lord, looks at us that way. He loves our struggle: we will win through always because he will never deny us his all-powerful grace. Thus, it doesn't matter if we have to fight, because He does not abandon us."

This is the difference between us and those who don't know God; the latter complain in adversity, whereas hardships only strengthen our virtue.

The best strategy for victory in the supernatural Olympics is to struggle in little things. A good athlete takes care of the smallest details. One need only recall the gymnast's precise movements, the runner's exact pace, the jockey's measured rhythm. The best athletes are always those who prepare with the most determination and look after all the details.

Besides, we are not fighting for a perishable crown, a momentary triumph: we're fighting for the victory of Christ, to identify ourselves with Christ.
 
Sometimes in our interior life, “as in sports, one has to know how to lose a game to win the next one. Thus, we draw new strength from our errors and defeats.
Whoever gives up because he misses one goal has missed the point of his effort. We know we're going to lose sometimes. We may fail, but God doesn't lose battles."

Learning how to lose is another virtue of a good sportsman. We are inevitably going to lose some skirmishes in our daily struggle. But “learn to draw from your falls a new impulse: from death, life.” If we struggle, if we have a spirit of examination and contrition, then our daily mistakes, our unfulfilled resolutions, our lack of love, and our insensitivity will be turned to good advantage.

God counts on our defects and gives us his grace to fight against them. Our small daily defeats should help us to trust more in God and less in ourselves. They help to make us more humble.

Dec 26 Fri - What is my mission in life?

 

Dec 26 Fri
What is my mission in life?

“The Holy Spirit sanctifies and leads the people of God and enriches it with virtues, not only through the sacraments and the ministries of the Church, but also ‘allotting his gifts to every one according as He wills.’” (Vatican II)
You too have personal gifts that the Spirit gives to each one.

The charism has two elements:
First, the charism is the gift given “for the common good,” to be useful to everyone. It is not destined ordinarily for the sanctification of the person, but for the “service” of the community.

Secondly, the charism is the gift given “to one”, or “to some” in particular, not to everyone in the same way, and this is what distinguishes it from sanctifying grace, from the theological virtues, and from the sacraments, which are the same for all.

“The laity are not the least, no, they laity are not a form of external collaborator or auxiliary troops of the clergy, no! They have their own charisms and gifts to contribute to the mission of the Church."

When they hear about charisms, some may experience disappointment, as they think they do not possess any, and feel they are excluded or second-class Christians. No, they are not second-class Christians; no, each person has his or her personal, and also community charism.

The charisms are the “jewels” or the ornaments that the Holy Spirit distributes to make the Bride of Christ, the Church, more beautiful.

All charisms are “mine”, just as “my” charisms belong to all and are for the good of all, making you –your mission– a charism for all.

God gives to each person a unique mission. What is your mission? Finding it is essential to your journey of holiness and, therefore, happiness. When fully embraced, this mission will bring abundant fulfillment to your life because it is the purpose of your life.

Some embark on selfish activities in life, failing to commit all their energies to the work of the Lord. The Lord wants you to work day and night on His mission. This is not too much to ask. It is what you were made for, and the only way to obtain what you truly desire.

Your mission will require a complete self-giving. It will also include moments of fun and rest, work and struggle, laughter and tears. But it’s worth it! Seek the mission God has given you, and embrace it with all your heart.

Reflect, today: What is my mission in life? It may come to you slowly, over time, taking twists and turns as you go. But never stop seeking to serve our Lord and His perfect plan. This plan will become the delight of your soul. Ponder it, and if you are on the wrong path, correct your direction in life.

Tell Him: I promise to say “Yes” to You throughout my life and to never tire of fulfilling Your Will. I love You, Lord. Help me to love You with my life.

Dec 25 Thu - What conclusion should I draw from today’s feast?

 

Dec 25 Thu
What conclusion should I draw from today’s feast?
Today, a light will shine upon us. For the Lord is born to us. And his name will be called "Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Jesus' Birth encourages us to get to know him better.

“We have been preparing for today's solemnity by trying to build a crib in our hearts for our God. Do you remember what we did when we were small? How eagerly we built the Christmas scene, with its mountains of cork, its tiny houses, and all those little figures around the manger God chose as his birthplace. Since Opus Dei is for adult Christians who know how to become children out of love for God, I know that with the passage of time, my daughters and sons become more childlike every day. We have prepared a stable in the intimacy of our souls even more eagerly than when we were children." Saint Josemaría

My Jesus, thank you for becoming one like us; let us tonight become like you: children, that we may learn to see in all the love of your Father, even in the cold and loneliness of the night, like your first night made Man.

“A holy day has dawned for us. Come, you nations, and adore the Lord. For this day a great Light has descended upon the earth. We would like people everywhere to treat you well. We would like the whole world to welcome you affectionately. And we cloak the indifferent silence of those who do not know you or do not love you by singing Christmas carols, the popular songs sung by young and old in all countries with a Christian tradition. Have you noticed how they always speak about going to see and gaze upon the Christ Child as the shepherds did on that blessed night? They went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger."

May my heart be a copy of Bethlehem, with each character of the mystery. May humility and contrition be the straw to prepare and arrange the manger in my heart. May my fidelity be like a blanket to be spread on the crib and comfort the Child Jesus in my heart. May my childlike love and my Mother's tenderness establish the proper lap for the Child.

He unveils his secrets and his mystery only to the simple of heart. As He did with Mary and Joseph, and as He has done throughout the centuries. He would also like to do so in my prayer today and every day, counting on my collaboration and teamwork.

Now is the time for me to listen fully to Jesus Christ, who wants to tell me: "I love you, and I want to make you happy.”

How often have I been indifferent to the voice of God knocking at the door of my heart! Christ offers me happiness, but it is not obligatory. I have the freedom to say yes or no to him. I want to tell Jesus Christ yes! to enter my soul and renew my whole life.

I want to be a witness to the One who has loved me, died for me, and who has called me by my name with a smile on his face. And I, who experience my weakness, my misery, I want to turn to Christ and his Blessed Mother.

Dec 24 Wed - What are we to do on this day when people celebrate the birth of Christ?

 

Dec 24 Wed
What are we to do on this day when people celebrate the birth of Christ?
First of all, we must pray, and talk to him as God's children.
 
Next to the crib, where God was born, we consider: God has sent his Son into the world to recover what was lost, to save, and to forgive. This is why his birth is so simple, or else, we, filled with wretchedness, could be terrified at God's power. Instead, we are won over by his love. We see him in his Mother's arms, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a poor manger.

Why swaddling clothes?
Because He is human. Angels do not need these.

When someone is in Christ, everything dirty, everything old, everything that stains, everything that hurts, all disappear. And tonight, God, through his Mother, will send us new graces to help us grow in love as children of God.

“We must ask God for the ability to discern what gives him glory, and what offends him; to know what works for people's good, and what is a damage for them; what will make us happy, and what will destroy our happiness –both eternal happiness and the relative happiness we can attain here on earth."

“How grateful we should be to Jesus, this Brother of ours who made us children of the Father. Have you seen how your own little brothers and sisters, or those tiny children of your relatives, need all kinds of things from everyone? The Baby Jesus is like that. It is good to think of him like that, defenseless. He is the Almighty, he is God, and yet he has made himself a helpless, vulnerable Child in need of our love."

“We have to pray always –always. We must feel the need to go to God after every success and every failure in our interior life. Especially in times of failure, let us humbly go back and tell God: ‘Despite everything, you are still my Father!’ Let us play the role of the prodigal son."

Why should we always pray?
Because God will listen to us.

“And how are we going to pray?
I give you two good resolutions for tonight. First of all, offer a prayer of THANKSGIVING. Thank God the Father. Thank Jesus, who became a Child because of our sins, and gave himself over to suffering, for us… Thanksgiving despite our wretchedness and sins."

Then, ask, PETITION. What should we request?
What does a child ask of his father? - Daddy... the moon! … We asked our parents for everything. Ask God for the moon and He will give it to you. Ask him boldly for everything you want; He will always give it to you, in one way or another. Ask confidently.

But seek first what works for God's glory, and everything that souls have a right to: whatever unites, whatever improves them. Then He will give us everything else in addition
Adore Him in your heart, and ask pardon for your sins.
May you have a happy Christmas feast. May God bless you.

Dec 23 Tue - O Antiphons: O EMMANUEL (God-with-us).

 

 Dec 23 Tue
O Antiphons: O EMMANUEL (God-with-us).
Our Ruler and Lawgiver, the expected of the nations and the Redeemer of all, come now to deliver us, O our Lord and our master.

At the dawn of creation, when He created man, God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good. God looked on man with such love that He adopted him as his son, filling him with grace.

But man sinned. He rebelled against God, against his Father. Then that divine work was shattered, and that unity of grace, soul and body, was broken up. Yet God showed that he was not satisfied with re-establishing what sin had undone. He went much further, giving our human nature a dignity it had never had before: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

During Christmas, the Church invites us to contemplate the mystery of the Incarnation: God-made-man. By taking on human flesh, God shows us how valuable our body is in his eyes, so that we may keep it free from sin.

Christ is the image of the invisible God; looking at him, we become souls of prayer, contemplatives.
“If we want to love Jesus, we have to spend time with him. We don't have two hearts: one for God, and one for the things of this earth. You should spend time with him daily, putting your heart into everything, with the ardor of people in love. God has captured our heart, our whole life. One day, by his infinite goodness, we felt the dart of love that conquered us forever. And we must see to it that this love endures, and becomes more intense and refined every day."

We are sorry for not having kept close enough to Jesus, and for not having made good use of all the riches he has brought us. Therefore, now that Christmas is at hand, let us try to be prayerful souls who seek to live in God's company, since God chose to live among us. That is the very meaning of Emmanuel: "God with us".

This Christmas, we resolve to get to know Jesus, to listen to him and talk to him constantly, trustingly, lovingly, tenderly, as did our Lady and St Joseph.

And if you ever find that you don't know what to say, turn to Mary, our Lady, our wonderful Mother, and say: “Teach me to talk and to know your Son."

“Joseph, my Father and Lord, so humble and pure, worthy to carry in your arms, to care for and embrace the Baby Jesus, teach us how to approach our God, how to be humble and pure, worthy to become other 'christs'. And how to live and teach –as Christ did– the ways of God, both hidden and bright, telling all men and women that in their everyday lives here on earth they can attain a wonderful holiness, an extraordinary fruitfulness."

Dec 22 Mon - O Antiphons: O King of the Gentiles and the Desired of all.

 

Dec 22 Mon
O Antiphons: O King of the Gentiles and the Desired of all.
You are the cornerstone that binds two into one. Come, and save poor man whom you fashioned out of clay.
The Savior is near; he is at the door. Twenty centuries have gone by since the first Christmas, and still nations and peoples are awaiting the Messiah.

We are the soldiers and messengers of this king. All power in heaven and on earth belongs to him, and he has given us the mission to teach all people and bring them into his kingdom. St. Josemaría writes: “Our Lord wants to be placed once more at the summit of all human activities. We are asked in a special way for this service, which help in ensuring that throughout the world there are even more abundant fruits of the Redemption, which is the only true freedom for man. We are working with this hope and this responsibility." The war of peace and love that we are engaged in is certain to be a long and demanding one. Yet victory is assured. God always conquers: He does not lose battles.

Our apostolic hunger must encompass even those who are completely estranged from God. We will bring God's light to those who do not know him if we feed the flame of our own faith with the oil of charity. “Love everyone, be charitable to everyone, offer friendship to everyone. …Yet we should never speak to anyone about our faith if that person doesn't want us to."

Yet on seeing how you live, these people often ask themselves, and then ask you, about the interior strength that explains our joy. Then you speak to them about God, about your love for Christ, about your own wretchedness, and the wonders of grace that inspire you to be faithful. And you have often seen how God, who guides hearts, has used your words to move their hearts.

Our apostolic activity is always positive. By virtue of our mission, we are “sowers of peace and joy. The members of Opus Dei try to drown evil in an abundance of good. Thus, their work is never negative or "anti-" anything. It is affirmative and optimistic; it is youth, joy, and peace."

“And thus, gently but firmly, without yielding in our behavior or in doctrine, the charity of Christ that we try to incorporate into our lives will give us a spirit of conquest, and every day our thirst for souls will increase."

Our apostolic horizons are unlimited. They embrace all people, those who know Christ and those who do not. With this universal perspective, we ask our Lady to kindle an apostolic spirit in our hearts, so that each day we may experience an increase in our hunger to work for souls.