Memorial of Saint John of the Cross,
Priest and Doctor of the Church
Intention: That all people will embrace the story of the birth of the Christ Child as a call to increase our attention to the needs of children throughout the world.
Today’s Gospel | Matthew 11:11-15
Jesus said to the crowds: “Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force. All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is to come. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”
A Reflection for the Second Tuesday of Advent
Throughout history, every age has seen its share of progress, of steps toward a fuller knowledge of the intricacies of life. However, we also have learned that while knowledge alone may make us smarter, it does not necessarily make us wiser. With all that we know about the nuts and bolts of life, we can often fail to recognize that the ordinary work of daily living is inevitably connected to the redemptive work of God. In other words, we don’t know grace when we see it. Dallas Willard once wrote, “Sometimes we get caught up in trying to glorify God by praising what He can do and we lose sight of the practical point of what He actually does do.” The time of Advent is a time to abandon all that hardens our hearts and stifles our spirits, and to allow ourselves to be cared for and renewed by a loving God.
Prayer
Eternal Father, as we prepare during this Advent to celebrate the gift of our Lord, we remember how your gift came to us. In the simplicity of an ordinary place and time, you gave us your Son, who taught us how to live lives of compassion, mercy, and justice, with peace in our hearts and with goodwill to all. Because of your grace, we are able to do your will, giving of ourselves to the work of building your Kingdom. Grant that we might always embrace this gift with faith and zeal. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.