Parable and Conscience Meditation November 20

Liturgy  November 20

. . . give thanks to the Lord, the Giver of every good (Rule of St. Augustine, 49).

We are only beneficiaries of the love of God.  “What do you have that you have not received? And if you have received it, why do you boast as though you had not received it?” (I Co 4:7).  This is the theme of Christian life, well expressed in the Exultet proclaimed by the deacon at the Easter Vigil.

Be glad, let earth be glad, as glory floods her,

ablaze with light from her eternal King,

let all corners of the earth be glad,

This is the night,

when once you led our forebears, Israel’s children,

from slavery in Egypt

and made them pass dry-shod through the Red Sea.

This is the night,

when Christ broke the prison-bars of death

and rose victorious from the underworld.

O truly necessary sin of Adam,

destroyed completely by the Death of Christ!

O happy fault that earned so great, so glorious a Redeemer!

O truly blessed night,

when things of heaven are wed to those of earth,

and divine to the human.

Since the Resurrection of Jesus, thanksgiving characterizes the Christian community and leads it continually to liturgical prayer.  It brings together all the sentiments of thanks in one eternal “Amen” of Christ.  It is right and just!

The one who asks avoids every appearance of pride.  (Shi)