Swans, getting ready to head south for the winter.

It’s Advent already!

From today’s first reading at Mass:

“The days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will fulfill the promise
I made to the house of Israel and Judah.
In those days, in that time,
I will raise up for David a just shoot ;
he shall do what is right and just in the land.
In those days Judah shall be safe
and Jerusalem shall dwell secure;
this is what they shall call her:
“The LORD our justice.”

——– Jeremiah 33

 

 

 

“If you have in your pocket a radio that is turned on, you might not realize it in the hubbub of a city or of a street because the noise that it makes blends in with the environment. But if you enter a church, you suddenly understand that incessant chatter is coming from your pocket; the first thing you will do is try to turn it off. Alas, there is no switch to reduce the chattering of our imagination. . . The first step consists of becoming aware of this, even though it is not very pleasant. The silence that reigns in the monastery is not enough. Attaining communion in silence requires long work that is started over and over again indefinitely. We must be patient, and the efforts to be made are difficult; when our imagination finally agrees to cooperate and to quiet down, the moments of profound intimacy with God amply repay the efforts that were necessary to make room for him.”

 

– Robert  Cardinal Sarah, “The Power of Silence”

 

New Melleray Abbey 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grandson napping on the couch.

 

“Wherever God’s word is translated into human words there remains a surplus of the unspoken and unspeakable which calls us to silence.” God reveals himself, but our human words fail to express his immensity, depth, and mystery. He forever remains beyond our words. And how small God would be if we understood him!”

– Cardinal Sarah, “The Power of Silence”

It was 70° yesterday.

40° today, and in the 20’s tonight.

Thought I’d better get out and enjoy it.

Sun and Moon, Bless the Lord
Stars of heaven, bless the Lord.

— Daniel 3:62

 

 

Today is the feast of the Triumph of the Cross.

From the Liturgy of the Hours this morning:

“How radiant is that precious cross which brought us our salvation. In the cross we are victorious, through the cross we shall reign, by the cross all evil is destroyed, alleluia.”