Second Sunday of Advent: Repentance,Grace

 Second Sunday of Advent

Repentance and Grace

As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,
"The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord,
make His paths straight.  Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain
and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall be made straight,
 and the rough ways shall be made smooth;
 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God." - Luke 3:4-6

 

 "O Jesus, open to me Your sacramental breast, because I wish to place all my affections there. O Jesus, how much I love Thee! But why do You act towards me with so much love, while I offend You with countless ingratitudes? This thought alone, if I could but comprehend it, should be enough to turn me into a furnace of love. Is it not an irresistible love to love Him who is not angry with one who always offends Him? O Jesus, if I only considered attentively Your immense love for me, how greatly I should excel in every virtue!

Pardon me, O Jesus, so much carelessness; pardon such great ignorance. My God! Jesus my love, infinite Goodness! What would have become of me if You had not drawn me to Thee? Open to me Thy Heart, open to me Thy sacramental breast; I open mine to You."

 St Gemma Galgani (+1903)

During this holy Advent season make frequent and good confessions

that you may receive 
frequent and good Holy Communions.

 
Photo Credit:  John Gutmann

On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry

Advent Hymn by Charles Coffin (+1749)

On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry
Announces that the Lord is nigh;
Come, then, and hearken, for he brings
Glad tidings from the King of kings.

Then cleansed by every Christian breast
And furnished for so great a Guest.
Yea, let us each our hearts prepare
For Christ to come and enter there.

For Thou art our Salvation, Lord,
Our Refuge, and our great Reward.
Without Thy grace our souls must fade
And wither like a flower decayed.

Lay on the sick Thy healing hand
And make the fallen strong to stand;
Show us the glory of Thy face
Till beauty springs in every place.

All praise, eternal Son, to Thee
Who advent sets Thy people free,
Whom, with the Father, we adore
And Holy Ghost forevermore.