December 17, 2004

In her womb the Virgin
Carries the Word Divine
She comes seeking shelter
Will you grant her thine?
-St. John of the Cross

December 17th marks the beginning of the singing of the “O Antiphons” in the Liturgy of the Hours. They are the antiphons of evening prayer which came into use by the Church in the 8th century. They are based on different titles of Christ which are scripturally based, and express our deep longing for the coming of the Messiah. These antiphons comprise the ubiquitous song, “O come, O come, Emmanuel.” In all of the Church’s liturgies during these remaining days, the pitch of the call heightens. What was before, “Prepare the way of the Lord,” is now “The Lord is close at hand!” There is haste in the air—an enthusiasm is building.

There is a tradition in many Latin American countries that begins today known as Las Posads—“Posada” means shelter. They commemorate the cold and difficult journey of Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem seeking shelter from the census called by the Emperor Augustus. A neighborhood will get together and dress up some of the children - one as an Angel (who leads the way), one as Joseph, and another as Mary. Many neighborhoods will even have a donkey for Mary to ride on. All the people follow Joseph and Mary as they go from house to house asking for shelter, only to be turned away harshly by those who don’t want to be bothered. The traditional song has the people inside the house say to the Holy Family, “Go on your way! You could be thieves.” All of the people, along with Joseph and Mary, feel the sting of rejection knowing that Jesus is in Mary's womb. Finally, at the last house Joseph declares that his wife is Maria and she will be mother of the Divine Word. The home opens up saying, “Receive this little home, though it is poor I give it with my heart.”

She comes seeking shelter knocking at the door of our hearts… Will you grant her thine?

Br. Agostino Miguel Torres, CFR
________________________________________________________________________________

Go To Page 2

FastCounter by bCentral