Posts

The Daily Word: Roots, Shoots, and Repentance (Reflections for the Second Sunday of Advent)

Image
Reflections for the Second Sunday of Advent Welcome to today’s reflection. As we continue our journey through Advent, our readings present a striking contrast between a peaceful promise and a fiery warning. We are invited to look at the "roots" of our faith and the "fruit" of our lives. Opening Prayer Almighty God, Your word tells us that whatever was written previously was written for our instruction. As we reflect on these scriptures, grant us the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, of counsel and strength. Open our hearts to the hope found in Your promises and give us the courage to prepare the way for Your Son. Amen. , The Prophetic Promise: Life from the Stump Our first reading from Isaiah offers a profound image of hope emerging from devastation. The prophet speaks of a "shoot" that shall sprout from the "stump of Jesse". A stump usually signifies something dead or cut down, yet God promises that from this seemingly lifeless place, a "...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Voice Behind You: Healing and the Harvest

Image
Reading 1:  Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 Alleluia: Isaiah 33:22 Gospel: Matthew 9:35–10:1, 5a, 6-8 Saturday of the First Week of Advent Welcome back to our daily Advent journey. Today’s readings offer a profound shift in perspective: we move from being the wounded waiting for a healer to becoming the laborers sent into the field. The texts bridge the gap between receiving God's mercy and sharing it with a world that feels "troubled and abandoned". Opening Prayer Lord of the Harvest, we pause this morning to listen for Your voice. As the Psalmist declares, it is fitting to praise You, for You are gracious and heal the brokenhearted. We ask that our eyes be opened to see our Teacher and our ears tuned to hear the way in which we should walk. Bind up our wounds today, Lord, so that we may be ready to serve the sheep who are lost. Amen. The Compassionate Physician The common thread woven through today's scripture is the tendernes...
Post a Comment
Read more

Opened Eyes and Unashamed Hearts (Friday of the First Week of Advent)

Image
Friday of the First Week of Advent Reading 1:  Isaiah 29:17-24 Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14 Gospel:  Matthew 9:27-31 Opening Prayer Lord of Light and Salvation, whom shall we fear? As we enter into this time of quiet reflection, we ask for the grace to dwell in Your house all the days of our lives. Clear away the gloom and darkness that clouds our vision, so that we may gaze upon Your loveliness and recognize Your work in our midst. Amen. Reflection Today’s readings offer a profound promise of transformation and restoration. As we walk through the early days of Advent, the scriptures invite us to move from darkness into light, and from shame into dignity. In the first reading from Isaiah , we are presented with a vision of a world turned right-side up. It is a world where "Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard," and where the deaf hear and the blind see. But perhaps most touching is the promise regarding the emotional and spiritual state of God's peop...
Post a Comment
Read more