[Salvation]

Tuesday, December 19
Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent

Need to Know

What is God doing here? What is the plan? These are the questions that arise as we progress in our life of prayer. We know that he has a plan – but how does it all come together? There is in our human nature a seemingly unquenchable “need to know,” a demand to see the breadth of his providential plan and the way we fit into it. When the angel came to Zechariah to announce that his barren wife, Elizabeth, would soon be with child, Zechariah asked that same question: “How shall I know this?” For this querying, for the expression of his lack of faith, Zechariah was struck dumb. How different is that other annunciation where Mary, too, asks a question of the angel: “ How can this be since I have no relations with a man?” But, unlike Zechariah, Mary does not seek to know. She simply wants to be true to her own virginal purity. Her life is utter abandonment to God, trusting that God’s will is one with his fatherly love. Let us, in these days of Mary’s journey to Bethlehem, join her in her total acceptance. Let us not demand reasons, but seek an ever-deeper trust in our Father’s plan for us.

Reflection based on Luke 1:5-25
Lisa Lickona

Loving Father, deepen my trust in your plan for me.

[Salvation]

	December 20 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,  to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!"  But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.  [Luke 1:27 -31] Reflection What should Christians look like to the world in which we live? How could other people know by our words and actions that we are followers of Christ? What should make us distinctive and stand out from non-Christians? How can we be the light of the world and the salt of the earth as our Lord says we should be? Advent Action If we are to teach by example, make plans to teach someone  during the Holiday season. A child or friend could learn by your actions. Prayer Lord, clarify my vision that I may see You in others and sense You within my own soul.