Saint Chaeromon
O Rex Gentium ( O King of the Nation)
Psalter: Week IV
Purple
Bishop of Nilopolis, in Egypt. When the persecution was instituted by Emperor Trajanus Decius, St. Chaeromon was quite elderly. He and several companions fled into the Arabian desert and were never seen again. The bishop and his companions are listed as martyrs.
Entrance Antiphon : Ps 23: 7
O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory!
Collect
O God, who, seeing the human race fallen into death, willed to redeem it by the coming of your Only Begotten Son, grant, we pray, that those who confess his Incarnation with humble fervour may merit his company as their Redeemer. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : 1 Samuel 1:24-28
When Hannah had weaned the infant Samuel, she took him up with her together with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the temple of the Lord at Shiloh; and the child was with them. They slaughtered the bull and the child’s mother came to Eli. She said, ‘If you please, my lord. As you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you, praying to the Lord. This is the child I prayed for, and the Lord granted me what I asked him. Now I make him over to the Lord for the whole of his life. He is made over to the Lord.’ There she left him, for the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm : 1 Samuel 2:1,4-8
R/ My heart exults in the Lord my Saviour.
My heart exults in the Lord. I find my strength in my God; my mouth laughs at my enemies as I rejoice in your saving help.
The bows of the mighty are broken, but the weak are clothed with strength. Those with plenty must labour for bread, but the hungry need work no more. The childless wife has children nowbut the fruitful wife bears no more.
It is the Lord who gives life and death, he brings men to the grave and back; it is the Lord who gives poverty and riches. He brings men low and raises them on high.
He lifts up the lowly from the dust, from the dungheap he raises the poor to set him in the company of princes to give him a glorious throne. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, on them he has set the world.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! Root of Jesse, set up as a sign to the peoples, come to save us and delay no more. Alleluia!
Gospel : Luke 1:46-56
Mary said: ‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit exults in God my saviour; because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid. Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name, and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him. He has shown the power of his arm, he has routed the proud of heart. He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away. He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy – according to the promise he made to our ancestors – of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants forever.’ Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.
Prayer over the Offerings
Trusting in your compassion, O Lord, we come eagerly with our offerings to your sacred altar, that, through the purifying action of your grace, we may be cleansed by the very mysteries we serve. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Lk 1: 46, 49
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, for the Almighty has done great things for me.
Prayer after Communion
May reception of your Sacrament strengthen us, O Lord, so that we may go out to meet our Saviour with worthy deeds when he comes and merit the rewards of the blessed. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation Mary sings her song of praise to God for His providence in her life through the “Magnificat.” This hymn holds profound messages for us, particularly during this season of advent. Firstly, Mary emphasises the importance of humility, as it attracts God’s blessings. She encourages us to recognise our role as instruments in God’s hands and cautions against the pitfalls of pride. Secondly, she calls us to be mindful of the poor and the needy, as doing so aligns us with the kingdom of God. Thirdly, she urges us to share our resources with the hungry and the starving. Through acts of care and love, we authentically demonstrate our love for God in our hearts, thereby making a positive impact in the lives of others. Mary’s “Magnificat” serves as a timeless guide for fostering humility, compassion, and generosity in our lives.