The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, December 15, 2005
Thursday of the Third Week of Advent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 54:1-10
Psalm 30:2 and 4, 5-6, 11-12a and 13b
Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12
Luke 7:24-30

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In the first reading from Isaiah we hear the very comforting words that "God's love will never leave us" and that "His covenant of peace will not be shaken." (Isaiah 54:1-10) What more could we want? However, we all know in our everyday worlds that we have a life to live, and that sometimes it is difficult to figure out just how we should proceed in both our major career choices and in smaller matters.

The Gospel focuses on Christ speaking about John the Baptist, who was sent to prepare the way in the day of Christ. Now comes the important question: Christ asked of His followers "What did you go out to the desert to see?'' (Luke 7:24-30) It is a question that rings throughout the centuries and to each of us.

What is our preconceived fantasy of what our St John the Baptist should look like? And what messages are we waiting to hear? God sends people into our lives, and events happen as messengers and messages to help us prepare our way.

Sometimes we recognize that reality, and at other times we might miss the entire thing because the messenger did not meet our expectations. Today is a good day to help us clear out our preconceived notions about messengers, if we had any, and just watch and pray more carefully to see who God is sending into our lives.

St. John the Baptist, pray for us!

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2005 The Way, The Truth, The Life