December 16, 2017

Jn 1:6-8, 19-28

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.

This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’” as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?”

John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

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.

Ps 80: 2AC and 3B, 15-16, 18-19

O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power.

Once again, O LORD of hosts
look down from heaven, and see;
Take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.

May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.

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.

Caring for the vine

We are at the halfway point of Advent 2017. As Christmas shopping and holiday preparations consume more of my time, how am I doing as I prepare the way of the Lord? And what exactly does all this preparing mean within our family? With my co-workers and good friends? Amidst the Christmas rush, is there some family reality that I am neglecting? Is there some person or situation that needs more of my time and attention?

Today’s verses from Psalm 80 invite me to “take care of this vine you have planted.” In what personal, practical ways is God inviting me to turn to him? During these Advent days just how is the Lord trying to show me his face? And in what particular Advent ways am I nurturing God’s gift of faith in my heart--this vine that God has planted?

—The Jesuit Prayer team

Prayer

The Advent mystery is the beginning of the end of all within us that is not yet Christ.

—Thomas Merton