I was reflecting today that the Immaculate Conception is the only historical "day of creation" that is celebrated liturgically. We celebrate the act of creation--and new creation--on Easter, it seems to me, but Mary is the only creature whose coming to be gets an annual commemoration. (No, the Incarnation of the Word doesn't count!)
It's supremely appropriate that this feast day always falls in Advent: Mary is Advent in person: readiness, attentiveness, responsiveness. All the qualities of Advent are Marian qualities. In Mary, creation itself was open and available for the Incarnation.
I had really been looking forward to our concert this evening at the Marian shrine of La Salette in Attleboro. Again, it was so supremely appropriate to celebrate with music at Mary's shrine on her feast day. But we'll have to wait until next year: a huge power outage has Attleboro in a cold, dark, freeze today. The Shrine's famous "Festival of Lights" isn't glowing, either. So the choir is taking a holiday on this holy day...an opportunity for me to make a bit of a retreat day (and to fix my hem, which decided to let go of its last bits of thread this morning)...
Monday, December 08, 2008
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2 comments:
He! He! Whatever happened to "The Show must go on!" Actually I think it is a good idea to take a rest...and no lights...the audience would never see the famous palm tree, see you all dance or hear all those angelic voices blend as I am sure they do properly mixed and mic-ed. Enjoy the gift you have been given!
Did you know that our Jewish friends are celebrating Abraham and Isaac Day today! I heard it on WNPR.
Father Fred, CMF
Attleboro's loss is your gain or as your forefathers and foremothers used to sing as they rocked their tired offspring "Go tell Aunt Sally". All of you deserve some time off. To borrow a line from Shakespeare Flights of Angels Sing Thee to Thy Rest.
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