Psalm 118
R.(26a) Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. or: R. Alleluia. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. or: R. Alleluia. Open to me the gates of justice; I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD. This gate is the LORD's; the just shall enter it. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me and have been my savior. R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. or: R. Alleluia. O LORD, grant salvation! O LORD, grant prosperity! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD; we bless you from the house of the LORD. The LORD is God, and he has given us light. R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. or: R. Alleluia.
Reflection: "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever."
Day 5 Advent
Sometimes someone by their actions towards me reminds me how merciful God has been to me. I am not as grateful as I should be for all the good things God has done for me, His forgiveness and His tender mercies which I receive every day. Unfortunately I don't share His mercy as well as I should to others. But maybe this Christmas I will.
In this journey with Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, we prepare, contemplate and perform works of mercy to have an intimate relationship with Jesus whom Mary carries in her womb. With Joseph protecting them, we are invited to stay in the intimacy of their relationshiop. We are exposed to intentional kindness in their journey.
When David defeated King Saul and his son Jonathan, (2 Samuel 9:3-11), it was expected that he would kill the son of Jonathan, Meribbaal. No more threats to the throne. Instead David asked, " Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness for the sake of Jonathan?" Meribbaal, Jonathan's crippled son, was then brought to David who restored his inheritance, invited him to dine with him as one of his sons. And Meribbaal stayed in Jerusalem because he always ate at the king's table.
In preparation for our Lord, who invites us to dine at His banquet table, let us clean our house of any wrongdoing, any gossip, and selfish acts. May we love God in our neighbor.
For those attending the PAPA conference this weekend December 6-8, 2019, please bring your handbooks, and cans of food/ powdered milk/ coats and blankets for our neighbors who are in need of help.
God Bless You
