[Salvation]

Week 3: Wednesday Turn to Me and be safe, all you ends of the earth, for I am God; there is no other! (Isaiah 45:22) Reflection We need to be reminded, just like the Israelite people in the desert who built a golden calf, that it is God who is God, not the idols we create. It seems that times are more subtle now. People melting down their jewelry to fashion an idol in a public place is not a common sight in our day. But we do, as a people, flock to certain places and events as if they were important: television sets, soap operas, celebrities. Do I live my day-to-day life as if a supernatural being is my God? Or do I live as if some earthly pleasure or diversion is? Where is my energy expended? Where is my time spent? Where do I turn? Advent Action Think of some possession you have that you can give away to the poor. Give to the Catholic Relief Fund or to some other charity. Prayer Lord, help me turn to You and let nothing take me from You, for You alone are my God.

[Salvation]

# 37 and 36 are reversed. My mistake.

[Salvation]

	December 21 The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty Savior; He will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in His love, He will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals. (Zephaniah 3:17) Reflection The reading from Zephaniah expresses in poetic language the boundless love God has for each of us. In some translations the words say "God will exult over you!" It is surely God’s desire that someday we will all be with Him in heaven. No matter what happened before, God is ready each moment to show us this love. The words of Zephaniah and our celebration of Christmas should bring us to a deeper awareness of how profound is God’s love for us. Advent Action Send a get-well card to someone in the hospital. Prayer O come, O Dayspring from on high And cheer us by your drawing nigh; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death’s dark shadow put to flight.