3rd Week of the Advent - Thursday
15th December 2022 (Thursday) Readings and Reflection
Dear Brothers and Sisters, we are on the Thursday of 1st Week of the Advent. Today's gospel reflection is on the theme Prepare the way!
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Reading of the Day
First Reading: Isaiah 54: 1-10
1. “Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married,” says the LORD. 2. “Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. 3. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities. 4. “Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. 5. For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called. 6. For the LORD has called you like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God. 7. For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. 8. In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD, your Redeemer. 9. “This is like the days of Noaha to me: as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you, and will not rebuke you. 10. For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
Psalm 30:2 and 4, 5-6, 11-12a and 13b (R. 2a)
Response: I will extol you, Lord, for you have raised me up.
I will extol you, Lord, for you have raised me up,
and have not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O Lord, you have lifted up my soul from the grave,
restored me to life from those who sink into the pit. Response
Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me; be my helper, O Lord.
You have changed my mourning into dancing,
O Lord my God, I will thank you forever. Response
Sing psalms to the Lord, you faithful ones;
give thanks to his holy name.
His anger lasts a moment; his favour all through life.
At night come tears, but dawn brings joy. Response
Gospel : Luke 7:24-30
24. When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25. What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. 26. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27. This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ 28. I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” 29. (When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just, having been baptized with the baptism of John, 30. but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.)
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: Prepare the way!
Indicative: We are constantly called to prepare the way of the Lord. The best of the preparation is an attentive and diligent process of awareness-experience-repentance-reparation-witness{alertSuccess}
1. The theme of “preparation” is recurrent and forceful every day of advent. John the Baptist prepared the way. It is not the externals like his clothing or food or habitation that matter. It is his identity and mission. He was deeply conscious of his identity as a prophet, a precursor who prepares the way of the Lord.
2. Accordingly, he carried out his mission assiduously through the preaching of repentance and baptism. At the height of his fidelity to his mission, he embraced martyrdom and bore witness to his commitment to God.
3. We too have the same identity and mission. We too need to prepare the way of the Lord and bear witness to his kingdom. For this, we need to be confident, clear, convinced, and committed. The Lord says, “Fear not, be not confounded.”
4. Realise the deepest intimate relationship with God and His never-failing magnanimity. Be ever conscious and nurture within that God is not a super power, up in the heavens. Rather, He is our Creator, Maker, Redeemer, and our husband. All these are the highest expressions of love, dignity, and fidelity.
5. Realise that God’s love is everlasting. All unfavourable and adverse happenings in life are not vindictive punishments. They are chastisements and discipline for restoration and growth. Therefore, abandonment, anger, desolation, barrenness, affliction, shame, and disgrace – all these are passing phases. What is more abiding is everlasting love, compassion, dignity, and joy.
Imperative: TTherefore, “Enlarge your shrinking tents. Stretch out your shortened curtains.” Broaden your horizons. make your hearts spacious with renewed hope and joy{alertSuccess}
Video Reflection
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