R. (8a and 9a) Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
I have waited, waited for the LORD,
and he stooped toward me and heard my cry.
And he put a new song into my mouth,
a hymn to our God.
R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, "Behold I come."
R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
"In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
To do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!"
R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
Your justice I kept not hid within my heart;
your faithfulness and your salvation I have spoken of;
I have made no secret of your kindness and your truth
in the vast assembly.
R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
REFLECTION
"Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will."
We have heard many stories and legends about St. Nicholas. Some of them debatable to say the least (like punching Arius during the Council of Nicea).
In any case, we know that he was the Bishop of Myra, modern Turkey during the fourth century. The most told story about him is when he anonymously gave a poor man a dowry for each of his three daughters so they could be married.
We might not have too many facts about St. Nicholas, yet, we know of his charity towards the poor and his devotion to Our Lord. He persevered when he was prosecuted, exiled, and imprisoned under the reign of Diocletian. (1)
Let us pray to St. Nicholas for a generous heart during this Advent Season. May we remember those in need, especially the children that hunger in poor and/or war torn countries around the world, the hungry and poor children in our own countries.
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