1 Dec
Mon
1st Week Of Advent
Is. 2:1-5
Ps: 122(121):1-2,3-4a (4b-5,6-7) 8-9
Mt.8:5-11
(Ps Wk I)
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In today's opening prayer we ask that Christ may find us waiting eager in joyful prayer at his coming. Eagerness is not normally treated as a Christian virtue, yet under different name, such as desire, longing, expectancy, it is certainly a strong element of a fervent Christian hope. Advent is above all a time of expectancy, a time of hope.

At any given moment in our modern world there are dozens of wars and conflicts going on and in some ways it is all not much different from Old Testament times, when the Psalmist was inspired to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and as an impetus for his prayer he mentions two motives for his prayer for peace: because of my relatives and friends, because of the house of the Lord our God. If, one day, a true and lasting peace should be established in Jerusalem and in the surrounding lands of Israel and Palestine and the whole Middle East, that would be a great blessing for the whole of humanity. As Pope Francis prayed at the Wailing Wall of the ruined Temple, so during Advent let us be eager for the promotion of God's peace in the world.




Father, for the sake of suffering humanity, fill all our hearts with an eager longing for Your peace and joy.




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 the birth of the Redeemer may bring peace and hope to all people of good will.
Elaboration

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