Thursday of the Second Week of Advent
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 Short Reflection for the Second Thursday of Advent
Throughout history, every age has seen its share of social progress, those incremental educational, political, economic, and technological steps toward a more satisfying and satisfied world. However, we also have seen that the progress that makes things work better does not always make life better. This may be because, in admiring all that we have learned and accomplished, we often neglect to acknowledge the role played by grace. By forgetting the origin and purposes of our talents, we pursue progress for its own sake, stripping our works of their ability to serve our best intentions and bespeak our shared humanity. Somehow, we must learn how to stop allowing the nuts and bolts of daily living to become disconnected from our sacred identity. Dallas Willard once wrote, “Sometimes we get caught up in trying to glorify God by praising what He can do and lose sight of the practical point of what He actually does do.” God saves by using us as instruments of his healing and transformation. This Advent, may remember what it means to cooperate with him in the salvation of his people.
Prayer
Eternal Father, your grace has been from age to age. In the birth of your Son, you blessed us with the fullness of your presence. As we prepare in this Advent to celebrate his coming, may we continue to hear and receive your good news each day. Help us to learn to know the sound of your voice as you tell us how to build your Kingdom. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.