The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor,
the utterance of a man whose eye is true:
I see him, though not now;
I behold him, though not near:
A star shall advance from Jacob,
and a staff shall rise from Israel.
(Num 24:15-17)

The prophecy of Balaam is one of the more unusual prophetic utterances, especially since it is from the Book of Numbers. But as we come to these final days of Advent, we begin to see how the Scriptures from the liturgy each day help us to see God’s great plan of salvation. Saint John of the Cross and Saint Teresa of Ávila joined together in the reform of the church and of their religious communities. He is known for his spiritual poetry and is known as the “Mystical Doctor.” He died on this day in 1591. The photo is of a drawing of the Crucifixion by Saint John.