Seventh Advent Station -- The Birth of the Virgin Mary
The Fidelity of Israel in Anne and Joachim
God said to Noah, 'I have decided that the end has come for all living things, for the earth is full of lawlessness because of human beings. So I am now about to destroy them and the earth.
Make yourself an ark out of resinous wood. Make it of reeds and caulk it with pitch inside and out.
This is how to make it: the length of the ark is to be three hundred cubits, its breadth fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. Make a roof to the ark, building it up to a cubit higher. Put the entrance in the side of the ark, which is to be made with lower, second and third decks. 'For my part I am going to send the flood, the waters, on earth, to destroy all living things having the breath of life under heaven; everything on earth is to perish. But with you I shall establish my covenant and you will go aboard the ark, yourself, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives along with you.
From all living creatures, from all living things, you must take two of each kind aboard the ark, to save their lives with yours; they must be a male and a female. Of every species of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that creeps along the ground, two must go with you so that their lives may be saved. For your part, provide yourself with eatables of all kinds, and lay in a store of them, to serve as food for yourself and them.'
Noah did this; exactly as God commanded him, he did.
The ark of Noah was built to save mankind from the deadly force of the flood. It was built with precision and care, for the ark would be Noah's only refuge. It would deliver his family from death and destruction.
The new Ark who is Blessed Virgin Mary was created with even greater care and precision, for not just one family would find safety within her but all families! Mary guides us through the last days of our Advent waiting. Her conception and birth are the last preparations before the floods begin again -- not floods of water -- or wrath -- but floods of mercy and love -- as Gods becomes man and takes flesh of the Virgin. The dove is sent out again to bring not a simple olive branch but the very root and stem of Jess, Jesus Christ our Lord.
No one can hurt you if you are determined to do only what is right; and blessed are you if you have to suffer for being upright. Have no dread of them; have no fear. Simply proclaim the Lord Christ holy in your hearts, and always have your answer ready for people who ask you the reason for the hope that you have. But give it with courtesy and respect and with a clear conscience, so that those who slander your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their accusations. And if it is the will of God that you should suffer, it is better to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong.
All protecting Father, in the ark of the Blessed Virgin Mary you call all men to find salvation and life in her Son, Jesus Christ. As in the ark of Noah, always keep us free from all natural disasters. In the ark of Mary, keep us free from all spiritual disasters. May we always be strong in faith, steadfast in hope and fervent in charity. Never allow us to drift away from you in anything that we do, and remind us always of the safe refuge we have in your embrace. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.
Old Testament Scripture (Genesis 6: 13 -22)
God said to Noah, 'I have decided that the end has come for all living things, for the earth is full of lawlessness because of human beings. So I am now about to destroy them and the earth.
Make yourself an ark out of resinous wood. Make it of reeds and caulk it with pitch inside and out.
This is how to make it: the length of the ark is to be three hundred cubits, its breadth fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. Make a roof to the ark, building it up to a cubit higher. Put the entrance in the side of the ark, which is to be made with lower, second and third decks. 'For my part I am going to send the flood, the waters, on earth, to destroy all living things having the breath of life under heaven; everything on earth is to perish. But with you I shall establish my covenant and you will go aboard the ark, yourself, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives along with you.
From all living creatures, from all living things, you must take two of each kind aboard the ark, to save their lives with yours; they must be a male and a female. Of every species of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that creeps along the ground, two must go with you so that their lives may be saved. For your part, provide yourself with eatables of all kinds, and lay in a store of them, to serve as food for yourself and them.'
Noah did this; exactly as God commanded him, he did.
Meditation
The ark of Noah was built to save mankind from the deadly force of the flood. It was built with precision and care, for the ark would be Noah's only refuge. It would deliver his family from death and destruction.
The new Ark who is Blessed Virgin Mary was created with even greater care and precision, for not just one family would find safety within her but all families! Mary guides us through the last days of our Advent waiting. Her conception and birth are the last preparations before the floods begin again -- not floods of water -- or wrath -- but floods of mercy and love -- as Gods becomes man and takes flesh of the Virgin. The dove is sent out again to bring not a simple olive branch but the very root and stem of Jess, Jesus Christ our Lord.
New Testament Scripture (1 Peter 3: 13-22)
No one can hurt you if you are determined to do only what is right; and blessed are you if you have to suffer for being upright. Have no dread of them; have no fear. Simply proclaim the Lord Christ holy in your hearts, and always have your answer ready for people who ask you the reason for the hope that you have. But give it with courtesy and respect and with a clear conscience, so that those who slander your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their accusations. And if it is the will of God that you should suffer, it is better to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong.
Christ himself died once and for all for sins, the upright for the sake of the guilty, to lead us to God. In the body he was put to death, in the spirit he was raised to life, and, in the spirit, he went to preach to the spirits in prison.
They refused to believe long ago, while God patiently waited to receive them, in Noah's time when the ark was being built. In it only a few, that is eight souls, were saved through water. It is the baptism corresponding to this water which saves you now -- not the washing off of physical dirt but the pledge of a good conscience given to God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
who has entered heaven and is at God's right hand, with angels, ruling forces and powers subject to him.
who has entered heaven and is at God's right hand, with angels, ruling forces and powers subject to him.
Prayer
All protecting Father, in the ark of the Blessed Virgin Mary you call all men to find salvation and life in her Son, Jesus Christ. As in the ark of Noah, always keep us free from all natural disasters. In the ark of Mary, keep us free from all spiritual disasters. May we always be strong in faith, steadfast in hope and fervent in charity. Never allow us to drift away from you in anything that we do, and remind us always of the safe refuge we have in your embrace. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.
O come, O come Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice, rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel
posted by See Tho Zhang Jacob at
2:39 PM
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