Presence

Jesus, prepare me to hear your Word in a new way today.

First Reading

Isaiah 41:13-20 NRSVue

For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Do not fear, I will help you.” Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you maggot Israel! I will help you, says the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. I will make of you a threshing sledge, sharp, new, and having teeth; you shall thresh the mountains and crush them, and you shall make the hills like chaff. You shall winnow them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the tempest shall scatter them. Then you shall rejoice in the Lord; in the Holy One of Israel you shall glory. When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the bare heights and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water and the dry land springs of water. I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive; I will set in the desert the cypress, the plane and the pine together, so that all may see and know, all may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it.

First Reading Reflection

At a time when God’s people needed encouragement, the prophet gave the word that God would help: the poor would find water, with rivers and lakes overflowing, with creation at its best and giving of its best. This is an image often found in Scripture – the Lord who is the giver of living water. For many in the world, this is a literal need – so many millions have little access to fresh water. It’s also a way of expressing our need for encouragement and hope in our Christian life. The living water can be the water of hope and the life of the Spirit, the gift God offers when all else seems dry.

Gospel

Matthew 11:11-15 NRSVue

“Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen 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 has suffered violence, and violent people take it by force. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John came, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. Let anyone with ears listen!

Gospel Reflection

Prophets are people who speak the truth and their message is usually not easily accepted or listened to. Prophets challenge us and the false messages that we can so readily believe. What voices or messages am I really listening to in my life this Advent? John the Baptist calls us to repent. Repentance means responding to God’s love by being transformed in one’s convictions and actions. It means turning towards God. What thoughts or behaviours do I need to turn towards God?

Closing Prayer

Lord, I thank you for this time of prayer. Fill me with your living water, your Holy Spirit, and help me to discern the different voices in my life, and within myself, and to listen only to the voice of Truth and Love. Amen.