The Catholic Calendar for Monday, December 24, 2001
The Fourth Week of Advent
The Last Day of Advent
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
2 Samuel 7:1-5,8-11,16
Psalm 89:2-5,27,29
Luke 1:67-79
A Reflection on Today's Scripture:
You will go before the Lord to give His people knowledge of
salvation. (Luke 1:77)
Since the events of September 11, church attendance has grown, a
hopeful sign that God's message has penetrated our minds and hearts
that the salvation of humanity now rests squarely on human shoulders.
God in Christ accomplished His part. He has given human flesh its
true dignity by coming clothed in our very humanity. He has shown us
that sin creates a breach between ourselves and our heavenly Father
but also that Jesus healed that breach by paying for us the penalty
of death our sin against God deserves. He now offers us new life
symbolized in the birth of an Infant who grew to a maturity perfectly
manifesting His Oneness with the Father. We are invited to this
union, becoming one with God in Christ.
This season reminds us through the Infant Jesus of God's Paternity,
that we too are intended to be His children by adoption through our
living faith in His Son. But the most crucial step is ours. We must
freely embrace God's will as our own and banish every vestige of
pride with its autonomous self-seeking. Once more we must become like
children, dependent and obedient to our Father; Christ Himself
admitted that apart from Him He could do nothing.
The price of becoming true children of God, participating in His Holy
life by seeing and setting aside all sin, progressively surrendering
ourselves to the Holy Spirit Who leads us in the ways of truth,
holiness and love.
Most Holy Infant, may your cries awaken us to suffering humanity's
need for your new life. Amen.
- Marie L. Bocko, ocds ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
