“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
14th December 2017.
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THURSDAY, SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT
Memorial of St. John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Reading 1: Is 41:13-20 God, calls himself “the Holy One of Israel,” and reassures his people in their distress, promising his loving care and spelling out the glories of their ultimate triumph.
Res. Psalm: Ps 144:1,9-13 The Lord is kind and full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love. His’ is an everlasting kingdom and His rule lasts from age to age.
Gospel:Mt 11: 11-15Jesus introduces John the Baptizer, calling him the greatest man born of woman, the Elijah who was to return.
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DO YOU NEED GOD’S HELP?
The season of Advent is about longing and desire, it is a time of man’s longing for God and even more God’s longing for us. In the first reading from Prophet Isaiah, The Lord begs for recognition in all that he has done for his people. The Lord pleads for a relationship: “I am the Lord, your God, who grasp your right hand.” The Lord calls for our attention as well. 11 times God shows that longing: “I will help you”, “I will make…”, “I will answer…”, “I will open up…” With the insistent ‘I,’ God seems to be pleading, Let me help you. I want to do so much for you.”
The Gospel today records Jesus' final comments about his cousin, John the Baptist. John had been jailed for criticizing Herod's royal family, and was soon to be executed in prison. Jesus affirms John's mission and praises him as the greatest person in history prior to that moment. Yet Jesus stated that the least important of his own disciples was superior even to John. The least believer in Jesus and possessor of grace exceeds the Baptist in spiritual effectiveness and participation in the revealed mysteries of the Father's kingdom. This was not to claim that we are holier than John, more pleasing to God, or more significant in salvation history and in the Church than the forerunner of Christ. Jesus simply meant that we are more knowledgeable about salvation and can achieve a deeper intimacy with the Lord because we have received the fullness of the Good News.
How do we react to this? Do we need God’s help, His salvation? God wants to do so much for you and for me. In Jesus, the Messiah, he comes to save us. How will we respond to his offer?
Prayer: Lord, you are near. Lord you are kind and merciful, slow to anger and rich in compassion. May I understand the longing you have for me, and long for you and your will in a similar way. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.