Good News Ministries at 1511 Carter Oaks Drive, Valrico, FL 33594 US - Advent

Scriptures for the first Monday of Advent: Isaiah 4, 2-6 Psalm 122, 1-9 Matt 8, 5-11 http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/120301.htm Reflection: We know that Isaiah's prophecy came true in Jesus Christ, but what is it saying about you and me? Remember the analogy that Jesus would later make about the vine and branches: He is the vine, we are the branches. And here Isaiah says that "the branch of the Lord will be luster and glory...." Isaiah is describing us Christians! That is, if we are true Christians. In today's Gospel reading, we see an example of what makes a Christian true -- i.e., what true faith in Christ is really like, exampled by the Roman centurion. True faith means we trust that God is embracing us when we feel lonely or afraid; the proof is that we feel peaceful and content even in the absence of the loving people and the safety that we need. True faith means we believe that God will make every hardship work for our benefit as well as for the good of others; the result is that we live in joy no matter what is going on. True faith means we allow Jesus to be our Lord, our Teacher, our Guide; through His Word and His Holy Spirit, we receive the best possible instructions for our journey on the road of holiness. Each year during Advent, the Daily Reflections include an extra element, a theme, which carries us through the season of preparation so that Christmas is more meaningful, more powerful. This year, we will look at faith. Are we true Christians? Are we new blossoms growing from the old stump of what we used to be? Are we luster and glory shining into a world of darkness? Today's faith-blossom: Jesus showed amazement on hearing what the centurion said. How have you amazed Jesus? (Hint: If you amazed anyone, including yourself, with a good deed you did, an insight you shared, or a temptation you overcame, you amazed Jesus, too. The word "amaze" means to fill with wonder. What is wonderful in you? This is how you've amazed Jesus!) -------------------------- © 2001 by Terry A. Modica This meditation has been provided by Good News Ministries Online http://gnm.org For permission to copy this reflection, go to: http://gnm.org/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm

(Back)