At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved. http://www.usccb.org/bible/approved-translations
The first week of Advent brings expectations, anticipation, joy and hope. It is a time of year when charity, kindness and hope abound. Our eyes are open to the many Christian ways to help brighten the Christmas season for others. We give to Toys for Tots, grab a tag off a giving tree, donate a coat, and bring food to the homeless. While works of charity help, the road to justice is less traveled. Let us choose to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit this season and all year long doing justice. While charity fills a need, justice fills a longing that is more than seasonal.
Today’s gospel offers a helpful message: “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.” These words remind us to travel another road and help to bring expectation, anticipation, joy and hope to others during this Advent season.
—Pam Pipas, RN serves as Health Care Coordinator for the Jesuits of the Akron, Cleveland, Detroit, and Toledo region.
Lord, thank you for the special people who have helped us to know you. We pray for the parent, teacher, neighbor, grandparent, friend, relative, or religious that has modeled your love and taught us about you. Please bless them abundantly.
Lord, restore in us a deepened sense of wonder and gratitude so we realize your handprint in those small, magical moments that will touch this very day.
—The Jesuit Prayer Team
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Ignatian spirituality reminds us that God pursues us in the routines of our home and work life, and in the hopes and fears of life's challenges. The founder of the Jesuits, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, created the Spiritual Exercises to deepen our relationship with Christ and to move our contemplation into service. May this prayer site anchor your day and strengthen your resolve to remember what truly matters.
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