Seventh Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord, 31 December 2020
In today’s reflection, Waiting in Joyful Hope author Michelle Francl-Donnay reflects on John 1:1, a holy anecdote from St. Simplicianus via Augustine, chemiluminescence, and gold-letter words.
In the comments section below, share your own response to today’s scripture, Francl-Donnay’s reflection, or the accompanying meditation prompt.
Today is the Seventh Day of Christmas- seven swans a-swimming. According to a Surgeworks, Inc., publishers of the app, DivineOffice, the seven swans represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. They are Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Respect for the Lord. As St. John tells us in the first reading, we know the Truth, and as long we remain open to Him, learning and forming our lives to our Father’s will, these are our gifts. We need these gifts to resist the antichrists that present themselves all too frequently. How do we accomplish this feat? By regularly partaking of our Sacraments, as many of the Seven as we can. Then, we will be prepared to proclaim from the rooftops, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” ( John 1:1).
One of my favorite scripture passages is from Micah 7: 8 “You have been told, O man, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: Only to do the right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.” I usually shortened it to say “Live justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with your Lord”.