Gospel: December 14, 2023

(Thursday)

2nd Week of Advent

Psalter: Week 2 (White)

St. John of the Cross, priest & doctor

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 145: 1 & 9, 10-11, 12-13ab

The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness.

1st Reading: Isaiah 41: 13-20

Gospel: Matthew 11: 11-15I tell you this: no one greater than John the Baptist has arisen from among the sons of women; and yet, the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven is something to be conquered; and violent men seize it. Up to the time of John, there was only prophecy: all the prophets and the law. And if you believe me, John is indeed that Elijah, whose coming was predicted. Let anyone with ears listen!

Reflection:“We are called to live lives of charity and service.”

When I was a little girl, I desperately wanted to grow up. Looking at the adults around me, I thought that they had everything in life. They could decide how to spend their money, what to eat for dinner, and even what time to go to bed. (That’s a big deal when you are a child.) Of course, when I became an adult, I realized that it wasn’t quite the paradise I thought it would be. Adulthood certainly came with many privileges, but it comes with even greater burdens and responsibilities. From today’s vantage point, the carefree days of childhood look better and better.

Today’s first reading reminds us that we do not bear these burdens and responsibilities on our own. We can rely on God to meet our needs and those of the world. This does not mean that we can sit back, doing nothing while God handles everything, for we are his hands in the world and are called to live lives of charity and service. But we will always be supported by God’s grace and by the efforts of our brothers and sisters in Christ.