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Thursday, December 15

Thursday of the Third Week of Advent

The Human Drama

Flannery O’Connor entitled one of her stories, “A Good Man Is Hard to Find.” In our Gospel reading today we hear that Jesus found not only a good man, but the greatest born of woman, John the Baptist. Jesus interrogates the crowd about his cousin, John, and through his own questioning arrives at the true conclusion.
The drama of this no-nonsense prophet’s life was carried out in the desert, a favorite place to teach the stark realities of life. John did not go to the people, but rather the people came to John. Many, including sinners, were serious truth seekers. They were not seeking the things of this world but listened humbly when John spoke to them, preparing their minds and hearts for the coming of the Messiah
Those who listened, believed, and were baptized with John’s baptism acknowledged the righteousness of God. There were others, the learned and self-righteous, who did not believe and refused John’s baptism. Their drama ended by rejecting the plan of God in their own lives.
The entry of Christ into the world sliced the world and time into two, even as it divided all life in two. Advent is a time of decision. If any man be in Christ he is a new creation (cf.2 Cor 5:17).

Reflection based on Luke 7:24-30
Mother Assumpta Long

Loving Father, guide my decisions so that my every action leads me closer to you.

Friday, December 16

Friday of the Third Week of Advent

How Dark is Darkness?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls John the Baptist, “a burning and shining lamp.” In our electrified age we take light for granted; a flick of the switch and our rooms are filled with light. But there was a time when a single lamp was a luxury. Most of us can’t imagine how dark the world was before electricity. John the Baptist was a single lamp and the people “were content to rejoice in his light.”
Jesus is the light of the world, a light that overcomes all the darkness. Do we appreciate the light which he brought into the world, or do we take it for granted? During this Advent perhaps we can meditate for a moment on how dark the world must have been before the coming of Jesus. To be in the presence of God, the Jews had to go up to the temple in Jerusalem, and even then they were only able to stand outside. Before, the temple priests offered animal sacrifices over and over for the sins of the people.
Today the unbloody sacrifice of the Mass is offered on altars around the world. We have only to join our hearts and our intentions to that offering. Most of us live within an easy drive of a church where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved. We could visit it every day.
Perhaps it is too easy. The sanctuary light burning beside the tabernacle reminds us that the light of the world has come to dwell with us. Do we rejoice in that light?

Reflection based on John 5:33-36
Dale O’Leary

Loving Father, bring your light to every dark corner of my life.