Fourth Sunday of Advent

Sunday 21 December 2008

DOMINICA IV ADVENTUS
4th Sunday of Advent
1st Class, Violet
No Gloria; Credo; Preface of the Holy Trinity

Oremus.

Excita, quæsumus, Dómine, poténtiam tuam, et veni : et magna nobis virtúte succúrre; ut per auxílium grátiæ tuæ, quod nostra peccáta præpédiunt, indulgéntia tuæ propitiatiónis accéleret : Qui vivis.

Let us pray.

Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy power, and come; make haste to our aid with thy great might ; that, by the help of thy grace, that which is hindered by our sins may be hastened by thy merciful forgiveness.

Who livest and reignest.

~~*~~

"Jesus' public life begins with his baptism by John in the Jordan. (Cf. Lk 3. 23; Acts 1. 22) John preaches 'a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.' (Lk 3. 3) A crowd of sinners (Cf. Lk 3. 10-14; Mt 3. 7; 21. 32) --tax collectors and soldiers, Pharisees and Sadducees, and prostitutes--come to be baptized by him. 'Then Jesus appears.' The Baptist hesitates, but Jesus insists and receives baptism. Then the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, comes upon Jesus and a voice from heaven proclaims, 'This is my beloved Son.' (Mt 3. 13-17) This is the manifestation ("Epiphany") of Jesus as Messiah of Israel and Son of God." (CCC 535)

Numerous allusions appear in the Liturgy of this day to Jerusalem and her people. Let us be filled with sentiments of hope and of joy, for the coming of Jesus is nigh. Let us prepare the way in our hearts for the Messiah: Our Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ.

Links:

• Goffine, The Church's Year, fourth Sunday in Advent
  
• Guéranger, L'Année Liturgique, "4ème Dimanche Avent"
• What Does the Prayer Really Say?
  
• Gregorian Chant Propers
• chantblog
• Vultus Christi: Ave Maria, gratia plena, on the Sunday of the B.V.M. in Advent
  

(image: breviary.net;
reflection: St Francis Xavier Association)