Saturday of the First Week of Advent – 9 December

“Let us adore the Lord, the King who is to come.“

Daily Meditation:

You shall weep no more.

He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry;   when he hears it, he will answer you. Isaian 30:19

The prophetic promise is so great. What our God has done is so complete a victory over sin and death. In the midst of my day today, can I let myself imagining that salvation touching and transforming me? And can I patiently wait for God’s work to take effect in me – letting him open my heart, day by day? Imagining “true liberty” today, let us walk in His ways.

Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself any more but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:20-21

Today’s Daily Reflection – Intercessions: Let us pray to God our Father, who from of old has called his people to salvation: Lord, protect your people.

You promised to plant the seed of justice among Your people, – protect the holiness of your Church. Lord, teach all men and women to listen to Your word, – and help believers to persevere in holiness. Keep us in the love of Your Spirit, – that we may receive the mercy of Your Son who is to come. Father most merciful, strengthen us to the last, – until the day of the coming of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

You received without payment;  give without payment. Matthew 10:8

Closing Prayer: Lord of Hope, Dare I? Can I really hope? From out of the darkness I sense a dim light ahead, the light of Your coming into the world. I so long for the time when You are no longer hidden from me and my deepest desire is to trust in Your warm voice I hear behind me, guiding me along a hidden path I do not know. Dry my tears, heal my wounds and help me to wait for the dawning of the dim light ahead, with a brighter vision of healing and freedom. May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Tuesday of First Week of Advent 29 November

“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”

Daily Meditation: A shoot shall sprout from the stump. Our God can transform our weakness, our sin, all conflict and all division. From every life-less stump – where any future hope has been cut off – a shoot of new life can sprout. He shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land’s afflicted.

We need to really hear this “good news” so that our hearts can begin to be softened to hear how profoundly our God desires to help us and to make things right with all of creation. Throughout the day today, we can lighten our spirits as we turn to God and pray: Let me rejoice at the coming of Your Son, for me!

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever. Psalm 72

Closing Prayer: God of forgiveness, I turn to You in my great weakness and beg for Your help. Let me feel the joy growing in my heart as I anticipate Your coming.

I hear the message of the prophets of old and know that the Messiah will bring new life and new ways of living.

From the humbleness of my life, help me to grow and bloom and hear the words that will change the world.