Advent

No sooner Thanksgiving than Advent follows, the great almost forgotten season of the liturgical year. Conversation in the sacristy before the second Mass went like this.

"Good morning gentlemen, how was Thanksgiving?" One server looked me grimly in the eye, "About two thirds."

"Two thirds? That's no use, what happened?"
"Daughter-in-Law's dog bit me."
"You shoot the dog?"
"No, but I said I would shoot the dog if it did it again."

Another server chimed in, "Maybe you should've bit the dog right back." And at that point it seemed right to pray. Here's the governing Collect of the season:

ALMIGHTY God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen.

God bless,

LSP

Cast Away The Works Of Darkness, It's Advent

Advent's all about light, right? Light coming into the world. No, wrong, it's all about darkness according to Jann-Aldridge Clanton, holy, creative darkness at that. 

Jann's written us a song, sung to the tune of O Little Town of Bethlehem, to illustrate the point. Here it is:

O Holy Darkness, loving Womb, who nurtures and creates,

sustain us through the longest night with dreams of open gates. We move inside to mystery that in our center dwells, where streams of richest beauty flow from sacred, living wells.

Creative Darkness, closest friend, you whisper in the night;

you calm our fears as unknown paths surprise us with new sight. We marvel at your bounty, your gifts so full and free, unfolding as you waken us to new reality.

O Holy Night of deepest bliss, we celebrate your power;

infuse us with your energy that brings our seeds to flower.

The voice out of the darkness excites our warmest zeal

to bring together dark and light, true holiness reveal.

O come to us Sophia, your image black and fair

stirs us to end injustice and the wounds of Earth repair.

The treasures of your darkness and riches of your grace

inspire us to fulfill our call, our sacredness embrace.

Beautiful, isn't it, but to set the record straight, here's the governing Collect or prayer for the season.

Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Cast away the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. With that in mind, what's the "Holy Darkness" that Jann's appealing to? 

The womb of the blessed, glorious, Immaculate, ever Virgin Mary assumed into heaven without sin? Or something else, the darkness that attempted to overcome the Light and failed? 

Perhaps you remember the verse, "And the light shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not." (John 1:5) What is this darkness? Here's a hint:

Here at the Compound we recommend you stick to the light but hey, your call. Just don't be surprised if, when you make the wrong choice, you wake up and a demon's gnawing on your forearm.

God bless,

LSP