Responsorial Psalm           (Psalm 34)
R.    The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
    and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;
    no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.
R.    The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121421.cfm
The scriptures of Advent remind us that God is close to us. Saint John of the Cross, like his friend, Saint Teresa of Avila, teach the church the difference between saying prayers and prayer itself. Today's picture is a drawing of the Crucifixion by Saint John of the Cross.