Jesus sent out these Twelve
after instructing them thus, "Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel”. (Matthew 10.6)
Today’s Advent readings remind us of God’s yearning to be with those far from Godself. The First Reading speaks of God wanting to nourish, heal and guide Israel to fullness of life. The Gospel Reading is about Jesus’ mission of preaching, healing and teaching to help save the lost ones of the house of Israel. It is remarkable that Jesus, the Son of God, sought out twelve disciples to help him accomplish his mission.
Are you helping Jesus to save those who are lost? Who are these lost ones? How are you saving them? Or, are you one of those who needs Jesus to save you? Why so?
For Friday, 2 December
Jesus said to the blind men,
"Do you believe that I can do this?" "Yes, Lord," they said
to him. (Matthew 9.28b)
An Advent image is of a people
in darkness awaiting God’s radiant light. Painters, writers and composers have
imaged this as in terms of looking out into the dark night to the twinkling
stars or the breaking dawn. These blind mean were in the darkness of their
blindness, yet they believed in the promised sight Jesus could restore.
Perhaps, this is Jesus’ challenge to us today: “Can you believe in difficult
times?”
What is the quality of your
belief in Jesus? Can you really entrust yourself into his care?
Let go and let the Lord care for you
through another person’s love today.
For Thursday, 1 December
Jesus said to his disciples: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. (Matthew 7.21)
It is timely that Advent is at the end of the year. From this vantage point, we can look back and take stock, as we can also look forward and plan anew. More significantly, Advent is a spiritual time to evaluate the quality of our relationship with God.
What or whom is the focus of your life today? Is God in it? Or, do you have to refocus to better fix your gaze on God?
Recall your feelings of an experience when you followed God’s will. Savour them.
For Wednesday, 30 November
Jesus said to them,
"Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." At once they
left their nets and followed him. (Matthew 4.19-20)
Jesus called his disciples to a
life they had never imagined. Theirs was now a life of being in intimate friendship
with him. Through Jesus’ friendship, they learnt to call God, “Father”, and to
share the Father’s love with others. This was the something more they did not
expect when he called them to follow him. Today, Jesus is also calling us to
something more.
What might this ‘more’ be in your
life? If you say yes to this ‘more’, what will you have to say no to?
Ask for the grace to say ‘yes’
to Jesus' call in your life.
For Tuesday, 29 November
Jesus said, "I give you
praise Father…for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the
learned you have revealed them to the childlike". (Luke 10.21)
The glee of children at
Christmas reminds us what a wondrous season it is. For them, everything about
Christmas is gift. They enjoy because they gladly receive. Their mirth and
delight remind us of Jesus’ words today. He reminds us that we will truly know God when
we can appreciate that all in life is gift and that all God asks of us is to
receive with grateful hearts.
What do you appreciate as
pure gift in your life today? Why is this gift? How do you wish to thank the
giver of this gift?
Delight another with a gift of a word or a deed to brighten her day.
For Monday, 28 November
"Lord, my servant is
lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully." Jesus said to him, "I
will come and cure him." (Matthew
8.6-7)
Advent is a graced time to
reflect on possibilities: possibilities to change our ways and to renew our
lives. This is a time for possible conversion and transformation. We can take
first steps towards this by trusting in Jesus.
Jesus is God's light for us in darkness, God's forgiveness for our
reconciliation and God's love for us to live fully.
In what areas of your life do
you need the Lord’s healing?
Spend some time in prayer asking
the Lord for the healing or conversion you need.
For Sunday, 27 November
For Sunday, 27 November
Watch, therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming. (Mark 13.35a)
Advent invites us to look forward to Christmas when we celebrate the truth that God became one like us so that we can become more like God. But Advent also challenges us: we are to participate in -- and not passively await -- God's saving love.
How do you want to prepare spiritually for Christmas? What can you do to keep a better Advent ‘watch’ this year?
Share your Advent preparations with the Lord in prayer.
photo: www.ngtalks.com
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