Advent Reflection

Carry the Word with you by Mike Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent, Cycle 1 First reading of the day: Isaiah 40:25-31 To whom can you liken me as an equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these things: He leads out their army and numbers them, calling them all by name. By his great might and the strength of his power not one of them is missing! Why, O Jacob, do you say, and declare, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know or have you not heard? The LORD is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint nor grow weary, and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny. He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound. Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, they that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint. Gospel reading of the day: Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Reflection on the gospel of the day: Advent is an invitation to come to Jesus who says that if we will come, he will give us rest. Jesus never promises to remove our pain, but he does promise to never allow us to be alone in it. We may not always feel God's presence, but Isaiah tells us the Lord neither grows faint nor weary, that he knows each of by name, and Jesus tells us that God is never far away from us, particularly when circumstances in our lives trouble us. http://cacina.wordpress.com/2014/12/09/carry-the-word-with-you-10/