12/27/10

Lectio: Mt 2.13-18

Meditatio: “A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentations; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more.” Mt 2.18

Oratio: "O God, You alone are our consolation when we have lost a loved one to death.

I remember the sobbing and lamentations of the parents of the innocent very young boys who were slain at Herod’s order because he feared the baby Jesus as a threat to his throne - How the hearts of these parents must have been broken and seared with a pain that is unimaginable. Yet their deaths were not the end for these boys but You raised them up and they are now revered everywhere as the Holy Innocents.

Grant that I may always point to Your son when someone is grieving over the death of a loved one for You, alone, have the ultimate consolation - the gift of eternal life.

I ask this of You, who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever.
Amen.”

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: Reflect on how well and how tactfully I offer Jesus to those who are mourning.

Tomorrow’s reading - Lk 2.22-35