9 Dec
Tue
2nd Week of Advent
St John Diego Cuahtlatoatzin
Is. 40:1-11
Ps. 96:1-3,10,11-12,13
Mt. 18:12-14
(Ps Wk II)
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Index of This Month
 

The two figures of Isaiah and John the Baptist dominate the reading throughout much of Advent. Today we read the opening passage of that section of Isaiah which we call the "Book of Consolation". John the Baptist made these words of Isaiah the tenor of his life: "In the desert prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!" The most terrible deserts on earth are not those of nature. They are, rather, those created by war. We looked upon the last century as a century of war, and we hoped that this new century and new millennium would see our longing for peace and justice move a little closer to its fulfilment. The three years that have passed so far seem to teach us that we can only hope against hope. As Christians, we must make the hope of Advent an even stronger theme in our prayer. We must believe that, where there is little human hope, God is still Emmanuel, still "God with us" in Jesus Christ.



God, our Father in Heaven, comfort us in the midst of all our wars and injustices. Listen to the prayer of Your people in the manmade wildernesses of the world. Prepare for us Your pathways of justice and peace.

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 members of all religions, may cooperate to alleviate the human sufferings of our time.
Elaboration

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