Category Archives: Blog Posts

(REBLOG) A Christmas Creed 2021

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A Christmas Creed 2021

I believe wild grace connects heaven and earth.

I believe miracles rouse crazy love.

I believe cooing children imitate angels.

I believe tears consecrate forgiveness.

I believe hearts shelter hope.

I believe relationships name holy families.

I believe radical epiphanies.

I believe baptism never ends.

I believe John the Baptist faces the Son.

I believe Isaiah paints word pictures of heaven.

I believe Mary births unending hope.

I believe Elisabeth and Zechariah voice unimaginable love.

I believe Anna and Simeon wait to embrace us.

I believe a sword pierces our hearts and egos.

I believe we ponder mysteries of heaven within us.

I believe hope is freedom.

I believe the cross and the crib hold miracles.

I believe wisdom rising from humility and sorrow.

I believe the gifts we offer are hidden within us.

I believe love melts fear.

I believe Light.

I believe Wisdom.

I believe Peace.

I believe God-among-us.

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Advent, Mass in the Morning, December 24, 2022: Article from Give Us This Day, December 2022, from Liturgical Press

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As Morning Dawns

Zechariah’s tongue is freed. With full voice, he praises God for his son, John. Zechariah cuddles his young miracle, proclaiming him the forerunner of the Messiah. From Zechariah’s mouth that had been hushed, his words ring out to us who wait in Advent hope. We too raise our voices on this quiet morning because we know what is to come—Jesus, the Incarnate Love of God.  

Our hearts ache to be freed. In Advent, we cultivate desire for God, both within us and in our world. As we wait for the Promise of Peace, we form long-awaited words to speak out against injustice. We shout from within the darkness of sin, addiction, self-loathing, and doubt, because we know that the dawn from on high shall break upon us. We care for the weary. We speak on behalf of people whose voices have been silenced by power, abuse, and corruption. We treasure gifts, not wrapped in cheap paper, but wrapped with the mercy, forgiveness, and love born within us.  

Quickly, God, free us. Come quickly, not just as infant, but as Messiah.

We beg Christ to come yet again, not just today, but at the end of time. Tonight, we shall settle into a quiet night, a silent night, and hear the echoes of Zechariah’s canticle ring in our hearts. We shall sing as morning dawns. The Messiah is born here in our human frailty, in our pregnant hearts. He shall guide our feet into the way of peace, one step at a time. Jesus Christ brings us home to Kingdom love, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.    

Fr. Ronald Patrick Raab, CSC

My thanks to Liturgical Press for the opportunity to write for Give Us This Day. This is the last Mass of Advent.

Christmas Eve/Day 2022: Prayers of the Faithful

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Christmas Eve/Day 2022

December 24/25, 2022

Let us pray for renewal within our Church this holy day. May we serve basking in the grace of the Incarnation. May we love all people because of God’s fidelity toward us.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for miracles to be born in our world this Christmas. May the Church share the Light of Christ in the dark corners of injustice and sin. May hope lift up the weary.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray to find Christ Jesus in the unexpected places in our lives. May divine compassion heal our complicated lives. May the Incarnation bring peace in every turmoil and misfortune under heaven.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for children who do not know love this Christmas. May our orphans be given new relationships for their survival. May our addicted youth find healing and comfort. May all children be cuddled in blankets of mercy.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray to wrap people surviving poverty in swaddling clothes. May the hungry find genuine nourishment in our acts of justice. May our homeless find true safety in the shelter we provide.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for love to be born in hatred. May guns be silenced this holy night. May the darkness of racism, homophobia, religious divisions, wars, and every violence be brought into the light of faith, trust, and calm.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for harmony among us at our family tables this Christmas. May all hardships and regrets not hinder us from joy. May we be satisfied, comforted, and supported among our loved ones.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for our loved ones who have died since last Christmas. May our beloved dead know only God’s mercy for all eternity.

We pray to the Lord.