Welcome to the second week in Advent! I hope that last week you were able to find the hope that we seek as we look for God. This week we turn our gaze to ourselves. Starting with today’s readings, we are asked to make the path straight.
Often when we walk into a 12-step room for the first time, we are shocked to learn that we aren’t there to focus on our loved ones. We come into those rooms to work on ourselves. It is probably a very good thing that we don’t know this ahead of time or many of us probably wouldn’t go.
In Ignatian spirituality, Ignatius understood this concept as well. One of my favorite quotes from Ignatius is this: “He who goes about to change the world must begin with himself or he loses his labor.”
The scripture readings for Advent follow right along with our programs of recovery. Keep the focus on yourself. What do you need to do to find peace this second week of Advent? What obstacles are keeping you from a close relationship with God?
I want you to remember that our programs focus on relationship. The first and most important relationship is our relationship to God. The quality of that relationship will affect all other relationships that you have in your life.
Last week we looked at God. We tried to learn more about Christ. My hope is that you gain an accurate idea of who our Lord really is. The scripture readings reminded us of how much we are loved by God. Is that how you saw God?
This week we are asked to clear out the clutter. If we think back to Adam and Eve in the garden, we know that once they ate of the fruit or disobeyed God, they hid. They were ashamed. Is there something in your life that keeps you at a distance from God?
This week the readings ask us to look deeply at who we are. We are human. Yet we are made in the likeness and image of God. We will fall short. This is the time to search our hearts and minds and work on an examination of conscience and take advantage of the sacrament of reconciliation.
Once we have cleared away the shame and fear of where we have fallen short, we can have a more authentic relationship with God. The readings this week help us to grow in that relationship.
We are given the example of Mary’s fiat. She had to be so afraid and still she trusted God enough to desire his will for her life no matter what.
The holidays can be hard. This disease is serious. The only control that we have is to stay in relationship with God. If we stay close to God in prayer, seeking his will for our lives, we can find peace no matter what is happening at home.
I will be praying for you this week. I hope you will pray for me.
Advent Readings Week 2:
Sunday, December 6, 2020
Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11
Mark 1: 1-8
Monday, December 7, 2020
Isaiah 35:1-10
Luke 5:17-26
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12
Luke 1: 26-38
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Isaiah 40: 25-31
Matthew 11: 28-30
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Isaiah 41: 13-20
Matthew 11: 11-15
Friday, December 11, 2020
Isaiah 48: 17-19
Matthew 11: 16-19
Saturday, December 12, 2020
Luke 1:26-38
Thank you precious girl. Keeping you and the rest of the family in my Christmas Novena!!