Thursday 14 December
Saint John of the Cross, Priest, Doctor Thursday of the 2nd week of Advent First reading - Isaiah 41:13-20 “I, the Lord, your God, I am holding you by the right hand; I tell you, ‘Do not be afraid, I will help you.’” This is the meaning of the presence of the Lord in our life. The Lord is not far away. He is at our side. He is holding our hand. We should not be afraid of anything. The Lord accompanies us in each situation. He is the redeemer. He is the giver for the needy. He will not abandon us. He transforms everything for us even will make rivers well up on barren heights. Let’s reflect: Do I recognize the presence of my redeemer in my life?
Wednesday 13 December
Saint Lucy, Virgin, Martyr Wednesday of the 2nd week of Advent “Lift your eyes and look”. This is the message which always misses us. We fail to lift our eyes and look. When we have difficulties, we don’t lift our eyes to look. It’s very important to do that. Because when we are in the midst our troubles, He comes to rescue us. He created the boundaries of the earth. He does not grow tired or weary, his understanding is beyond fathoming. He gives strength to the wearied, he strengthens the powerless. Young men may grow tired and weary, youths may stumble, but those who hope in the Lord renew their strength, they put out wings like eagles. In this God we have the hope. Let’s reflect: Am I putting my hope in God whose understanding is beyond fathoming?
Tuesday 12 December
Tuesday of the 2nd week of Advent Our Lady of Guadalupe First reading - Isaiah 40:1-11 For the preparation of the coming of the Lord, the prophet is putting forward three changes. The first is to make straight the way of the Lord. The second is to fill the valleys and the third is to make low every hill. We have to make straight our paths by being honest and sincere. And also being transparent. Then we have to fill our valleys of inferiorities with grace and love. We are not down with the limitations but we are rich with the graces we receive in our life. And finally, we have to be humble by lowing all mountains of pride in our life. These changes are fundamental and necessary. Let’s reflect: Am I making straight my ways to prepare a way to the Lord in humility and love?
Monday 11 December
Monday of the 2nd week of Advent Saint Damasus I, Pope First reading - Isaiah 35:1-10 “Let the wilderness and the dry-lands exult, let the wasteland rejoice and bloom, let it bring forth flowers like the jonquil, let it rejoice and sing for joy”. Everything changes with the presence of God. The presence of God brings grace and redemption. We are redeemed and the grace of God will work inside our hearts. Our weary hands will be strengthened. Our trembling knees will become steady. Our fears will be gone. The blind will eye, the deaf will hear and the lame will leap like a deer. The tongues of the dumb will sing for joy. There will be water gushing in the desert and streams in the wasteland. All these transformations happen because of the Lord. Let’s reflect: Am I part of the transformation which the Lord brought into this world?