Friday 23 December

Malachi 3: 1-4, 23-24, Ps. 25, Luke 1: 57-66

Mother of the fuller

O Mary, mother of the fuller
Mother of the refiner
Mother of the One
who takes from human life all dross.
How subtle is his washing
How patient is his waiting
How intense his loving attention
for each who knew poverty and loss.
O Mary, whiter than the fuller’s wash
brighter than the refined silver