For Saturday, 10 December
The disciples asked Jesus, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" He said in reply, "Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come...." Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist. (Matthew 17: 10-13)
The prophet Elijah proclaimed God’s promise to restore the exiled Israelites by sending a Messiah. John the Baptist continued Elijah’s prophetic ministry; he announced Jesus as the Messiah. In our lives, there are family and friends who are God’s prophets; they remind us of God laboring lovingly in our lives and the world for our wellbeing and happiness.
Who are these prophets God has sent into your life? How have they helped you experienced God’s goodness? What does their presence in your life say about who you are to God?
Take time to thank one of these prophets in your life.
For Friday, 9 December
The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, "Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners." But wisdom is vindicated by her works. (Matthew 11.19)
The Lord comes to meet us in the people and events of our lives. Sometimes, his presence in them disturbs us; we experience him in a way that does not fit our expectations. Yet, these moments remain graced: the Lord is present, inviting us to trust and to grow through them. This is how the Lord forms us to be wise.
Recall a time when the Lord’s presence disturbed you. How did you feel? How did you respond? What did you learn from meeting the Lord then?
Surprise someone this weekend in a charitable way that speaks of God’s loving presence.
For Thursday, 8 December
The angel Gabriel was sent from God…to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph… and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you." (Luke 1.26-28)
Mary’s humanity allows us to connect with her. We find in her something of ourselves: a young one growing up; a parent who loves; a person of faith. Today, we see God honoring her when the Angel Gabriel salutes her, saying “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” God hails us too by sending people to affirm our goodness, to celebrate our worthiness, to lift up our humanness.
Imagine the Angel Gabriel coming and saying to you, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you”? What moves you most about his greeting? How do you feel that that he recognizes the Lord is with you? Is there a response you’d like to make?
Be God's angel to another by acknowledging her goodness with words that uplift or bless.
For Wednesday, 7 December
For Wednesday, 7 December
Jesus said to the crowds: "Come to me, all you who
labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11.28)
The end of the year can be a stressful time for many. Exams
to sit for and papers to write. Hoping one’s job is secure and trusting that one’s
bank account has enough to feed the kids. Keeping alive in the winter cold and staying safe in the monsoon rains. Presents to buy and cookies to bake for Christmas Day. In the midst of all this, Jesus offers us rest. Rest that will not take away these concerns, nor lessen them. But rest that will allow us to experience, once again, the love of God who is always with us.
What are your labors, burdens and pains today? Do you
believe Jesus will give you rest? Can you entrust these concerns into his care?
Sit with the Lord in prayer and share your concerns with him.
Listen to his response. Rest in his presence.
For Tuesday, 6 December
Jesus said to his disciples: “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? (Matthew 18.12)
Isn’t it foolish that the man would leave ninety-nine sheep, all that he possesses, to go look for the one who strayed? And why would he search out the stray if it is not as precious to him? This too is how God relates to us, whether in the messiness of our lives or in the comfort we dwell in. God seeks us out because we are God’s beloved, loved not because of our weakness but because we have no other image or likeness but God’s. We are God’s very own.
How about sitting quietly for a few moments, closing your eyes and savoring how precious you are to God? How do you feel? What is God saying about who you really are to Godself?
Seek out someone who is in need of being helped, saved or loved these days.
Jesus said to the one who was paralyzed, "I say to
you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home." He stood up immediately
before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God (Luke 5.24b-25)
God’s love is a healing love. It restores us to our truest identity, God’s own, as it also restores us to our rightful inheritance, friendship with God. God sent Jesus so that we might experience this love now, even as we await its fullness to come in death. This is the goodness of God’s love the paralytic experienced. He responded by obeying Jesus and glorifying God.
When have you experienced Jesus’ healing? How did you
respond to it? What more could you have done as thanksgiving?
Recall the goodness of someone who helped you heal in a time
of pain or suffering. Offer a prayer for this person’s kindness.
For Sunday, 4 December
John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a
baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (Mark 1.4)
John the Baptist’s call to repentance can sound brutally
honest and harsh. We may not want to hear it, aware as we are of our
sinfulness and guilt. But if we dare to listen carefully, we might hear the
soft, assuring words of God’s forgiving and saving love calling us to amend, to
make our lives anew, and to come home to God’s friendship and to relationships with
others.
What are you in need of conversion from? What do you want to
transform your life for?
Identify an aspect of your life you would like to improve on
this week.
photo by yain hassan
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