prepared by the Eudist Province Minuto de Dios,
Carlos E. Acosta-Bogotá Local Community
I want to invite you, in these days of preparation for Christmas, to an absolute faith in Jesus Christ. Be filled with joy to know that He, the adorable, the infinite, the magnificent, the omnipotent, the beautiful Jesus Christ came into the world. - Servant of God Rafael García Herreros, Eudist Priest
Brothers, we greet you in the love and joy of the Heart of Jesus and Mary, from the Minuto de Dios Province. We hope that you and your families are living this time of Advent with much fervor. In the Eudist family we remember with special veneration our holy founder, St. John Eudes and the Servant of God Rafael García-Herreros, in his spirituality of the incarnation. We invite you, from this Eudist spiritual treasure, to dispose ourselves entirely, with humility and simplicity to live this moment of prayer
"I want to invite you, in these days of preparation for Christmas, to an absolute faith in Jesus Christ. Be filled with joy to know that He, the adorable, the infinite, the magnificent, the omnipotent, the beautiful Jesus Christ came into the world."
- Servant of God Rafael García Herreros, Eudist Priest
In this third week of Advent, let us contemplate Jesus in the time of his residence and life during the nine months of his stay in the sacred womb of his mother Mary. And, Mary's entirely heavenly life in Jesus during all that time. She, totally gave to Him, lived more in Him than in herself. She had just one soul, one spirit, one heart and one life with him.
moment of silence; if anyone wants to participate, you are welcome to do so.
To Mary, daughter of God the Father
We sing her the song.
To Mary daughter of God the Father
With marimba and drum
To Mary daughter of God the Father
To Mary the mother of the Lord,
To Mary, spouse of the Spirit
Praise, honor and blessing.
New Eve, from before figured,
Announced and proclaimed
On Jacob's ladder.
Truly, new ark of the covenant;
Immaculate tabernacle
That bears the Redeemer. (2)
To Mary, daughter of God the Father
To Mary the mother of the Lord,
To Mary, spouse of the Spirit
Praise, honor and blessing.
The Mighty Holy Spirit
Coming upon you
With his love made you fruitful.
Filled you with his gifts and charisms
And made His handmaid
The great Mother of God. (2)
To Mary, daughter of God the Father
To Mary the mother of the Lord,
To Mary, the spouse of the Spirit
Praise, honor and blessing.
You are Mother of Christ and of the Church
Model without blemish
Where God is looked upon.
May we, at the breath of the Spirit
May we be like her,
Mirrors of the Lord (2)
The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin's name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
"Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end."
But Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?"
And the angel said to her in reply,
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God."
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."
Then the angel departed from her.
Advent reminds us of Christ's coming into the world and into mankind. The first was when he became man in Mary's womb, two thousand years ago. It was the choice of this planet for God's presence, personal, visible. This fact is truly overwhelming.
A second Advent, which we celebrate at this time, is the coming of Christ into our personal lives when we give ourselves to HIM. This intimacy with Him, this surrender, this submission, this faith and hope in Him, this love that binds us to Him is called Advent. Arrival of Jesus Christ into our life, through the Holy Spirit.
A third Advent that we commemorate at this time is when He will come into our life at the hour of death. This is a precious event, full of joy, full of assurance. We should be continually thinking about it; without fear, without terror, full of joy and seriousness. I insist: we must be in expectation of the arrival of Jesus in our life, at the hour of our death.
And there is a fourth advent of Christ: at his coming, at the end of the world. At the end of history. When he will definitively come to put an end to what men do.
The time of Advent, so full of message, must take for us, a rhythm of seriousness, of adoration, and of reflection.
St. John Eudes delicate and tender in the love of Mary
Lord Jesus, during this time of Advent, we ask you to grant us a vigilant heart, full of hope and love for your coming. Inflame our hearts with the Holy Spirit, so that filled with courage, we may remain alert and full of love for our neighbor, waiting for your coming.
Amen
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