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God our loving Father, teach us humility and simplicity in life in this time of the year when temptations are so strong, even irresistible to be proud and powerful and sufficient in things we need that we forget you in the people around us.
As we celebrate the memorial of St. John of the Cross who was so eloquent both in his words and in deeds, help us to choose always in finding the path of Jesus Christ on the Cross which for him is the "highest wisdom attainable in this life".
The gate that gives entry into these riches of his wisdom is the cross; because it is a narrow gate, while many seek the joys that can be gained through it, it is given to few to desire to pass through it.
St. John of the Cross, Office of Readings, 14 December
In both the first reading and the gospel today, your words assure us, dear God, that it is never too late to start listening to you and to follow your Son Jesus Christ in his life of simplicity and dedication to the well-being of others.
Teach us to be "a people humble and lowly" before you, O God, who "shall do no wrong and speak no lies, who would pasture and couch your flocks with none to disturb them" (Zephaniah 3:12-13). Amen.
