Friday of the Third Week of Advent
The opening words of the liturgy set the tone for these days of Advent waiting: “Behold, the Lord will come descending with splendor to visit his people with peace, and he will bestow on them eternal life.” In the first reading from the Book of the prophet Isaiah (56:1-3a, 6-8) we hear of the salvation that is about to come, the justice that is about to be revealed. The Lord will draw all his faithful ones to his holy mountain “and make joyful in [his] house of prayer.” And further, the Lord proclaims: “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” Jesus will assert that he is that Temple (to be destroyed and raised up again in three days) where all his scattered children will be gathered together in his Kingdom of peace. It is fitting that we cry out in the responsorial refrain: “O God, let all the nations praise you!” (Ps 67:4)
In today’s Gospel from John (5:33-36) Jesus establishes the source of his authority: “I have a testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish [to heal the blind, lepers, the lame, the deaf and to raise the dead to new life, Lk 7:22] … testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.” As we approach communion today, let us affirm our belief in Jesus as the Son of God, the one who came to redeem us, and welcome him into the temple of our hearts as we pray: “We await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change our mortal bodies, to conform with his glorified body” (Cf. Phil 3:20-21, communion antiphon).
Prayer for today: Lord Jesus, prepare our hearts for your coming. Make them houses of prayer where you may dwell in order to draw others close to yourself. Come, Lord Jesus, come. Amen.
Reflection by Br. Michael Marcotte, OSB
Posted in Articles for Advent, Articles for Advent, Daily Reflections