Invitation to prayer: Look forward with joyful hope to the day of Christ’s birth, his Resurrection, and his return.
Reflection: The trials of life — illness, work worries, politics, disaster, age, and more — are real. They can break our hearts and tempt us to despair. But God promises they are not the end for those who love and serve Him. “The branch of the Lord will be luster and glory, and the fruit of the earth will be honor and splendor.” Though we live in a day of many technological and medical wonders that allow us to pretend all is beautiful and clean, we still know the blood of war, the figurative filth of sin, and the literal “filth” of illness. We know the distress of betrayal, the loss of those dearest to us, and the sorrows of seeing others make mistakes we can’t change or lessen. The centurion in Matthew’s story has faith that Jesus will heal his servant, not because the centurion or anyone in his household is worthy, but because Jesus is God. And God has promised us joy in the heavenly Jerusalem. This Advent, ask God to strengthen your faith, like the centurion’s. Remember that the miracle of Christmas is also the promise of salvation, and pray that when your life is done, you will be welcomed with the words, “we will go up to the house of the Lord.” And when you decorate your tree and your home with evergreens, think of those other “branches” — the luster and glory, honor and splendor, of God who is our Father.
Prayer: Jesus, remember me when you come into Your kingdom. Call me to come with you to the house of the Lord, and let me live there with You and those You love forever.
Closing: Make the sign of the cross and pray for the day you may answer, “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.”
Gail Finke is a producer at Sacred Heart Radio
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