New Forest, UK (Photo credit Jim Champion, Wikicommons Images)
In the same UK forest where the infamous Gerald Gardner, father of modern witchcraft, met with his coven to perform magic rituals, animals have been found slashed and stabbed to death with satanic symbols painted on their bodies.
December 5
“Surrender to God is the only absolute power with which creature is endowed.”
-Gertrud von le Fort
For Reflection
Why do you think surrender to God is “the only absolute power” we have? In another place, Gertrud von le Fort says that when we surrender to God, we share in His own power. In my own life, how have I experienced the power that comes through surrender to God?
We frequently receive questions about reflexology from people who are surprised to learn that it is another form of New Age “energy medicine” – which, as we all know, is pure snake oil.
The much anticipated December 21 beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen has been delayed indefinitely after a few members of the Bishops’ Conference ask for further consideration.
December 4
“Mary is the attentive Virgin, who receives the word of God with faith, that faith which in her case was the gateway and path to divine motherhood, for, as St. Augustine realized, “Blessed Mary by believing conceived Him [Jesus] whom believing she brought forth.”
-Pope Paul VI, Marialis Cultus
For Reflection
Advent is a time of anticipation and preparation. How do you see both of these attitudes of heart implicit in the statement, “Mary is the attentive Virgin?” What virtue underscores Mary’s reception of the word of God – from the moment of the angelic message to her impregnation? What do you make of St. Augustine’s words as given in the quote? Journal your insights and reflections, and consider your receptivity in light of Mary’s attentiveness, her faith,
and her trust.
A group of four exorcists is calling for a day of fasting, prayer, and reparation on Friday, December 6, “for the purpose of driving our any diabolic influence within the Church that has been gained as a result of recent events.”
Last week, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed Senate Bill 660 – also known as the “Boss Bill” – which will now force all employers, including religious employers such as churches and pregnancy care centers, to hire people who oppose their beliefs and pro-life position.
December 2
“Evangelical surrender is directed towards receiving God’s word. It is like the ploughing which enables the soil to be ‘good soil’ capable of receiving the divine seed, the seed of life.”
-Father Marie-Dominque Philippe, O.P.
For Reflection
According to Father Philippe, what is the relationship between surrender and reception of the “divine seed, the seed of life?” How does Mary demonstrate evangelical surrender to God after Angel Gabriel’s announcement? On a scale of 1-10, how do I rank my evangelical surrender with 1 being “unyielding” and 10 being “Marian?” How can I work to move myself forward this Advent season? (Tomorrow’s GraceLine may give you “Mary-like” insights).
December 1
“… [Mary] was predestined first of all to be Mother of God. And the precise reason why the fullness of glory and grace was given her was to make her of it to be the mother of Christ, as St. Thomas expresses it.”
-Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P.
For Reflection
When in Sacred Scripture do we first learn of Mary’s predestination to be the Mother of God? (Hint: It is in the Old Testament in the first book.) What does this suggest about God’s own preparation for the coming of Jesus? What aspect of this preparation does the quote detail? Consider this in light of Angel Gabriel’s salutation to Mary, “Hail, full of grace… (Lk. 1:28). What sacrament was both my preparation for Christ as well as my initial reception of Him? As a chosen daughter of the Most High God, I, too, have been called to be a Christ-bearer. How can I cooperate with grace to prepare for Jesus and to receive Him anew this Christmas?
