Fr Peter Schineller associate editor at America draws on the wisdom of Mesier Eckhart Origen and St Francis in this reflection for the fourth week of Advent

A Jewish day began at one sundown and ended at the next sundown Thus Jesus death day ends at sundown as does any preparation of the body for burial this is counted as day one Buried by sundown of day one Jesus body cannot be further ministered to on day two because that day two is a S

A man of God came to me he had the appearance of an angel of God terrible indeed He said to me You will be with child and will bear a son The boy shall be consecrated to God from the womb until the day of his death

Snow has fallen this past week throughout Minnesota and more will be falling tonight and tomorrow and the next day In Minnesota we are not dashing through the snow - this is appropriate for one horse open sleighs but not most cars We are however dashing through Advent or at least I am One

Behold the days are coming says the Lord when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David as king he will reign and govern wisely he shall do what is just and right in the land In his days we shall be saved we shall dwell in security This is the name they give him the Lord Jesus our savior

Jesus was on the cross three hours this thought makes us realize that Mark has chosen to tell his readers only a few moments of that terrible time the taunts against him by passers-by who recall his statement about destroying the Temple and by the chief priests and scribes who call for a s