Message of 12-3-2024

Published: Tue, 12/03/24

A Daily Spiritual Seed
Tuesday: December 3, 2024

Forum on Christianity and Spirituality
December 5, 2024, 7:30 p.m. CST

Advent Spirituality

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Message of the Day

Paradoxically, we achieve true wholeness only by embracing our fragility and sometimes, our brokenness. Wholeness is a natural radiance of Love, and Love demands that we allow the destruction of our old self for the sake of the new.

- Jalaja Bonheim

(What fragile or broken aspect of yourself do you need to embrace in Love?)

Readings of the Day

Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17

Lk 10:21-24

Filled with joy by the Holy Spirit, Jesus said:
‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’
Then turning to his disciples he spoke to them in private, ‘Happy the eyes that see what you see, for I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see, and never saw it; to hear what you hear, and never heard it.’

USCCB lectionary

Reflection on the Scripture

“There shall be no harm or ruin on all My holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord, as water covers the sea.” —Isaiah 11:9

The Advent readings speak of the restoration of the harmony that originally existed in the Garden of Eden. Before the fall of man, there were no obstacles to intimacy with God. In Eden, there was no predation. The wolf could have the lamb over for a meal of vegetables rather than lamb chops (see Is 11:6ff). Isaiah prophesies that the Messiah will not only restore the original peace and order of Eden, but far surpass it (Is 11:9). This is because the Messiah is now present with us, until the end of time (see Mt 28:20).

This Advent, as we look forward to the Second Coming of Christ, we recall that in Jesus the hopes of Isaiah have been fulfilled (see Mt 5:17). Jesus, the Lamb of God, now becomes Isaiah’s promised Meal in the Holy Eucharist (Is 25:6). There is no further need of predation, for we feed upon the Lamb of God.

Right now, Jesus is revealing God the Father (Lk 10:22). Will you slow down and let Jesus reveal the Father to you? During the hubbub of preparing for the world’s Christmas, resolve to be still and know that He is God (see Ps 46:10, JB). Be filled with the knowledge of the Lord (Is 11:9).

Prayer: Father, may I want to know Jesus far more than I want to revel in the “holiday” celebrations of this world.

Promise: “No one knows the Son except the Father and no one knows the Father except the Son — and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal Him.” —Lk 10:22

Presentation Ministries

Amazon Gift Cards: Good for any occasion.

Spiritual Reading

The Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life, by Brother Lawrence (1611 - 1691). Christian Classics Ethereal Library.
https://ccel.org/ccel/lawrence/practice/practice

Description

Brother Lawrence is one of the most admired and imitated sons of the Catholic church. He worked for a time as a soldier before entering the Discalced Carmelite Prior in Paris. Lawrence was uneducated, and so had to enter the monastery as a layman. He worked in the kitchens and as a cobbler there for the remainder of his life. Lawrence is known for his devotion and ability to bring God into every aspect of his life. His classic Christian work, Practice of the Presence of God, details how to gain that constant and comforting connection to God. Readers have treasured this short and easy book for centuries because of Lawrence's honest advice and his obvious passion for spiritual matters. He rejoiced in everyday tasks, prayed constantly, and was known around the monastery for his kindness and willingness to help others. Practice of the Presence of God is a creative Christian work that is required reading according to many believers. Readers will come away with great peace and joy, and a better understanding of what it means to constantly be in God's presence.

Abby Zwart

CCEL Staff Writer

Paperback and eBook versions

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