FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH, DECEMBER 6, 2024.

MASS READINGS:

Reading 1

IS 29:17-24

Thus says the Lord GOD:

But a very little while,

and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard,

and the orchard be regarded as a forest!

On that day the deaf shall hear

the words of a book;

And out of gloom and darkness,

the eyes of the blind shall see.

The lowly will ever find joy in the LORD,

and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

For the tyrant will be no more

and the arrogant will have gone;

All who are alert to do evil will be cut off,

those whose mere word condemns a man,

Who ensnare his defender at the gate,

and leave the just man with an empty claim.

Therefore thus says the LORD,

the God of the house of Jacob,

who redeemed Abraham:

Now Jacob shall have nothing to be ashamed of,

nor shall his face grow pale.

When his children see

the work of my hands in his midst,

They shall keep my name holy;

they shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob,

and be in awe of the God of Israel.

Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding,

and those who find fault shall receive instruction.

REFLECTION

For the tyrant will be no more

and the arrogant will have gone;

You can hear the crowd jubilantly clapping and cheering with the promises in Isaiah. The fulfillment of these prohecies are here now. We have a divine protector who took on human nature to protect and save His children from the enemy.

As we travel with Mary and Joseph with the nascent Jesus, we are introduced to the loving letters from God, telling us how much we are loved, inspite of what we think of ourselves and all He does and will do to snatch us from the grasp of the enemy. When self doubt drops in to visit and we question whether we have it right or if have made wrong decisions, our Father and Holy Family are with us, defending us, promising that the arrogant tyrant of our souls will no longer be with us.

As the blind men in the Gospel, allow the Lord to touch us with His presence, believe in His love for us. Share His first coming with others helping the poor, the sick, the hungry and the lost.

God Bless You