Write In Between: Loving the Bride, vol 8

Something old....

From the archives of all the reading I've been doing on the theology of Henri de Lubac. This gem is taken from his book, The Splendor of the Church. It's recovered from the 12th century, a meditation attributed to Saint Bernard and and to Hugh of St. Victor. (Here they deduce the dignity of man from his creation in the image of God.) But the piece really speaks most profoundly of the deep friendship and fellowship that exists between Christians, our sisters and brothers in Christ.

Read this slowly, and drink it in....

When you are at prayer you are in my presence, and I am in yours. Do not be surprise because I say presence; for if you love me, and it is because I am the image of God that you love me, I am as much in your presence as you are in your own. All that you are substantially, that am I. Indeed, every rational being is in the image of God. So he who seeks in himself the image of God seeks there his neighbor as well as himself; and he who finds it in himself in seeking it there, knows it as it is in every man... If then you see yourself, you see me, for I am not different from you; and if you love the image of God, you love me as the image of God; and I, in my turn, loving God, love you. So seeking the same thing, tending toward the same thing, we are ever in one another's presence, in God, in whom we love each other.

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Here's a revisiting of some of the ancient music of the Church. Again, my New Jersey friend, Fr. Guy, gives a tidy explanation about the history of the "O Antiphons" of the Church as we come closer to Christmas.

And here's more over at Crossroads Initiative.
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Something new....

Here's an excerpt from Benedict XVI's message for the sick:

I now turn to you, my dear brothers and sisters suffering from incurable and terminal diseases. I encourage you to contemplate the sufferings of Christ crucified, and, in union with him, to turn to the Father with complete trust that all life, and your lives in particular, are in his hands. Trust that your sufferings, united to those of Christ, will prove fruitful for the needs of the Church and the world. I ask the Lord to strengthen your faith in his love, especially during these trials that you are experiencing. It is my hope that, wherever you are, you will always find the spiritual encouragement and strength needed to nourish your faith and bring you closer to the Father of Life. Through her priests and pastoral workers, the Church wishes to assist you and stand at your side, helping you in your hour of need, and thus making present ChristÂs own loving mercy towards those who suffer.

Read the entire message from this past week ">here.
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And here's a transcript of a wonderful address given by Archbishop Chaput of Denver... in a .pdf format about Advent, our country, and Christ's coming into our world.
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Something borrowed....

It's never too late in the season to check out the Advent Resources page over at Catholic Mom!
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Good story about loving your spouse and praying for their conversion from Maureen Wittman's blog. (Some of you may know Maureen's an author and a homeschooling Mom.)
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Something blue....

Here's a Catholic site I've discovered that is dedicated to the Catholic bio-ethics debate--worth a bookmark--while not a Marian site per se, Mary represents all the fullness of the Church in what the Church teaches, so it's an appropriate usage. Go to Mary Meets Dolly.
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And finally, a prayer...

Hail, O Star of the Ocean (Ave Maris Stella)
A traditional 9th century hymn used in Evening Prayer and Marian feasts.

Hail, O Star of the ocean, God's own Mother blest,

ever sinless Virgin, gate of heav'nly rest.

Taking that sweet Ave, which from Gabriel came,

peace confirm within us, changing Eve's name.

Break the sinners' fetters, make our blindness day,

Chase all evils from us, for all blessings pray.

Show thyself a Mother, may the Word divine

born for us thine Infant, hear our prayers through thine.

Virgin all excelling, mildest of the mild,

free from guilt preserve us meek and undefiled.

Keep our life all spotless, make our way secure

till we find in Jesus, joy for evermore.

Praise to God the Father, honor to the Son,