Reflections on the Spirit of the Sacred Heart: December 23, 2011

Reflection on the Spirit of the Sacred Heart

December 23, 2011

Advent 1994

"And John sent asking
Are You the One we are looking for?"

We have so tinsel-towned the story
that God's inbreaking Love'
ceases to amaze us.
We know the words so pat
The Angel declared
and Mary said.

That God should so love the World
To seed, fruit, bear that Love
nine months
enwombed
till she brought forth
The First born,
God's love manifest.

What is it?
How is it?
To bear God's Love?

Easier to seek and name it outside
but to bear it humanwise
To see it in another's eyes
- in the tenderness of lovers touch -
- in the intimacy of heart -
though Emmanuel - God-with-us.
wished it so
Is it not amazing?

The Word is made Flesh.

(Poem by Anne Hine rscj, Province of England - Wales)

(http://www.rscjinternational.org/en/spirituality/creative-space-publicmenu-35/2597-various--poetry-by-anne-hine-rscj-carmen-smith-rscj-anna-mae-marheineke-rscj-helen-condon-rscj.html)

For Reflection...

The Lord himself, therefore, will give you a sign. It is this: the maiden is with child and will soon give birth to a son whom she will call Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

O Emmanuel

(O Antiphon for December 23)

O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations,

Savior of all people:

Come and set us free, Lord our god.

(For more information on the on the O Antiphons: http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0374.html)