One of the most enduring images of the Scriptures is light nbsp Divinity understanding love grace goodness divine presence are all symbolized by light nbsp The Radiant Dawn offers light to those who have lost their way has offered us the a way to follow that leads to peace with God and thu

This O-antiphon calls to the One who is nbsp referred nbsp to as the Key of David nbsp He is this in the sense that it is he who particularly through nbsp the death nbsp and resurrection of Jesus will open for us and for all the mighty gates of Heaven nbsp We are as Luke phrases it in darkne

The child of Jesse was King David from David comes the King about whom we sing this evening nbsp Jesus is the King of Kings before whom all other kings stand in awe nbsp Kings are astonished and in silence and their peoples worship before him nbsp It is from this perspective that Jesus who

The second O-antiphon is a cry to the Lord of Israel that He stretch out His hand to save us nbsp In this antiphon we are reminded of the crucial act of salvation prior to Jesus the giving of the Law God s own best thought nbsp to Moses on Mount Sinai nbsp Moses himself the antiphon says r

O Wisdom is our evening antiphon to introduce Mary s Magnificat nbsp Wisdom is the first word suggested to us to consider as we approach Christmas Day nbsp For centuries before Jesus and for all centuries up to our own people have sought the wisdom by which to live a happy life nbsp For bei

nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp Mark has us at the end of Jesus journey fateful journey to Jerusalem nbsp The last story Mark chooses to tell is a story about the cure of a blind man nbsp In itself the cure is one more testimony to the immense power of Jesus a power which Peter had earlier claimed

nbsp Sunday s Gospel falls under the shadow of the second prediction of Jesus death and resurrection nbsp By writing in this way Mark nbsp wants the disciple of Jesus to look upon hardships and trials - the cross of the disciple - as things which should be understood to nbsp imitate both Jesus

nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp Two observations are in order about this Gospel nbsp First we find the words of Jesus about service to others as the means to greatness in his Kingdom to be placed after the prediction of his passion and death and resurrection nbsp As we know Mark had a choice of mater

nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp This Gospel passage has for quite awhile now been recognized by scholars as a key nbsp pivotal moment nbsp of the entire Marcan Gospel nbsp The first 8 chapters have given all the indications to justify the estimates you are a prophet you are Elijah you are John the Ba

nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp We read in the Gospel that Jesus cured a deaf and dumb man and Jesus responded by curing him nbsp The account of this healing continues Mark s intentional presentation of miracle after miracle nbsp As the powers of Jesus overwhelm the variety of evils human beings so of