Advent 2011: Week 3 - Joy

For Saturday, 17 December

Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Christ, fourteen generations. (Matthew 1.17)

The genealogy of Jesus explains his ancestral background. More significantly, it reminds us that Jesus received his belief in God through his ancestors. Like Jesus’ forebears, our parents and their parents, our siblings and our relatives, are our first teachers of the faith we have. We, in turn, are called to pass on our faith to our children and our children’s children in time to come. That all of us are called to share and hand on the story of faith in God is the joyful reality of who we are: God's co-partners in helping others come to faith in God.

Who in your family or amongst your friends has taught you about God? What did he or she do to help you grow in relationship with God? How do you feel about God’s gift of this person in your life?

Spend some time considering how you are handing on the Christian faith to others. Ask the Lord for the graces you need to do this joyfully. 

For Friday, December 16

Jesus said to the Jews, “…the works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me." (John 5.36)

The Gospels record the many works Jesus performed for others: preaching and teaching; healing and miracle making. Through Jesus’ works, God revealed Godself to humankind. This is why Advent points us to the name of Jesus that speaks most eloquently of God loving us so much to become one like us--Emmanuel, God-with-us. This good news is joyful: by becoming one like us, God reminds us of the goodness of our humanity, a goodness God claims as God’s very own.

Do you value the goodness of your humanity? Have you celebrated the wonder that it is, as Jesus who is Emmanuel reveals to us? Can you let God claim your humanity as his very own?

Spend a few minutes in prayer and share with the Lord all that is good about your humanity, as well as those areas needing improvement on. Ask for the graces you need.

For Thursday, 15 December

This is the one about whom Scripture says: “Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, he will prepare your way before you.” (Luke 7.27)

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus speaks to the crowds about John the Baptist whose role was to prepare the way for his coming. John did this by directing his followers’ gaze onto Jesus and making him more present in their lives. John could not do this, however, without dying to the human need to put self first. Only then could he joyfully make room for Jesus in his own life and in the lives of others. This is what John meant when he said, “Jesus must increase while I must decrease”.

Do you want Jesus to be more present in your life in these last two weeks of Advent? Why so? What can you do to make Jesus more present? 

Spend some time meditating on John the Baptist’s line, “Jesus must increase while I must decrease". As you do so, pay attention to how the Lord is meeting in your prayer.

For Wednesday, 14 December

Jesus said to [John the Baptist’s disciples] in reply, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them." (Luke 7.22)

Today’s good news is the wondrous miracles Jesus does: they heal; they uplift; they bring life. They manifest God’s saving love for humankind. The greater wonder is experiencing God in the person of Jesus. We too experience the joy of Jesus laboring for our good in the simple, everyday “miracles” of our life. A parent who makes sure food is on the table. A spouse who forgives. A fellow worker or classmate who smiles. A friend who offers a shoulder to lean on.

What “miracles’ are you most thankful for today? How do they help you experience Jesus’ presence in your life? Can you let yourself savour God's goodness in all of this?

Do a Christ-like act for a stranger or someone you do not really know. 

For Tuesday, 13 December

Jesus said to [the chief priests and the elders of the people], "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did." (Matthew 21.31b-32a)

Jesus calls the Jewish leaders to conversion. He calls them because God wants to share the fullness of divine life with humankind. Today, Jesus is calling us to God too. He calls because we can fool ourselves that everything is alright, and we do not need conversion. The truth is that we are all sinners who are in need of constant conversion. The joy is that God gives us examples in people around us who have changed their lives for God. They model for us a life of conversion.

Is Jesus inviting you to a change of heart and a change of ways? Why is he inviting you? What do you want to do with Jesus’ invitation?

Call to mind someone whose change of life to live in God’s ways can be a model for your on-going conversion. Ask Jesus for the grace to do like this person has.

For Monday, 12 December

Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled (Luke 1.45)

Elizabeth speaks these lines to Mary who visits her in her pregnancy. They tell us about the depth of Mary’s faith in the Lord: she heard and she believed. Mary’s faith must have inspired Elizabeth and given her joy. It must also have challenged her to deepen her own faith in the Lord.

Whose faith inspires you? Why? How does this person’s faith in the Lord challenge you? And, what are you doing about this challenge?

Consider a way you can share your faith to inspire another person today.

For Sunday, 11 December 

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. (John 1.6-8)

John the Baptist’s mission was to point others to Jesus. In doing this, he faced opposition that ended in his death. Yet, his ministry brought joy to those who encountered Jesus: they experienced him as God’s true light in the world. 

Have you been a John the Baptist to others at home or at work? Who were these persons? How did you point them to Jesus?

Spend some time asking God for the grace to continue being a John the Baptist.

photo by kjerstin