10 Dec
Mon
2nd Week of Advent
Is. 35:1-10
Ps. 84(85): 9-10,11-12,13-14
Lk. 5:17-26
(Ps Wk II)
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Many of us have seen pictures of scenes of devastation from war, earthquake, or flood. It is surprising that often after a few years everything looks new and as if nothing had ever happened. The reading from Isaiah uses images of a blossoming and fruitful desert to show us how God gives new life to shattered lives. Even after failures, tragedies, and difficulties of all kinds we should remember that God restores hope and gives us a future. God desires that people be happy and flourish - when that does not happen, it is usually because people have made bad choices or become the victims of others.

So desperate were the friends of the paralytic that they lowered him through the roof to Jesus. The Lord forgave his sins and restored him to health and wholeness. This does not mean that he was being punished for his sins, only that he was a prisoner of a disordered and broken life. The authorities were outraged that he forgave sins - only God can do that - but Jesus insisted that forgiving sins and healing were all part of the compassion and mercy of God. It doesn't matter which words are used - compassion is the essential part. In God there is only light, life, and love - anything else springs from human imagination.



Lord, heal me and fill me with hope.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That migrants throughout the world may be welcomed with generosity and authentic love, especially by Christian communities.
Elaboration

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