REFLECTIONS ON THE WORD – 12/20/21 (Monday)

For the readings, click here: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/daily-readings

Blessed Monday of the 4th Week of Advent! In our gospel reading, St. Gabriel was sent by God to our Mother Mary in order to bring to her the good news, the coming of our Savior and her role in this plan of salvation. Even though she did not know all the details because of the limitations of her understanding as a human being, she asked the angel as to how the plan of God would take place. In her humility, she trusted everything that God willed and desired. The Lord shows us that humility will lead us to have confidence in Him even amidst uncertainties. 

Jesus is inviting us to imitate the example of Mary by praying to God and asking Him for the purpose behind the events in our lives. Whenever we experience something that is not in accordance to our own plan, we may complain about it. We may complain to other people, and worse, some of us may blame God. It may be because we think that our plans are great, and that God ruined it. The truth is when we make decisions in life without seeking guidance from God, we may prefer it because of our vain desires such as fame, honor, money, convenience and many more. But, when we humble ourselves before God and genuinely seek His answers to our questions, He will dispel the darkness in our hearts by the light of His Truth. He will dispel the lies that we may believe such as that we will always fail, we cannot persevere or we do not have purpose in life. When He sees that we are acknowledging our limitations, He will shower us with His mercy and wisdom which will protect us from the temptations of the evil spirits such as the temptations of despair, discouragement, anxieties and confusion. 

May we always pray to Jesus through the intercession of our Mother Mary for guidance and for the grace of perseverance. May we always tell to our Savior that we trust in Him. When we accept everything that God wills, we allow Him to enter into our lives just as how our Mother welcomed Jesus in her life. Our Lord, in His Merciful Love, will reward us by welcoming us in His Heavenly Kingdom where we can behold the face of God. 

Amen +

 

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May God bless us and may He grant us hope in His plan for us. May He dispel our darkness with the light of His presence and may He enkindle our hearts the flame of His love. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic