“SPRINGS OF LIVING WATER”
Daily Spiritual Reflections
15th December 2021
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WEDNESDAY, THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT
Is 45: 6-8,18,21-25; Ps 85: 9-14; Lk 7: 18-23
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TAKE IT TO THE LORD IN PRAYER
John was a prophet; in fact, one of the greatest. Furthermore, he had a very specific mission, a mission more important than those of the other prophets. True; many prophesied about the Messiah – Isaiah being a good example – but John was the only one who had the mission of ‘preparing the way’ for the Messiah. And he fulfilled it with sincerity and determination. Reading some of his proclamations as he preached with a fiery zeal on the banks of the Jordan, one would think he was certain without doubt, that his relative, Jesus of Nazareth, was the one for whom he was preparing the way.
Yet, in the light of the question he asked through his disciples, that we come across in today’s gospel, does it mean that he doubted what he himself preached? Not at all. John was convinced of the message, even though he may not have comprehended it fully. The prophets didn’t speak their own word; they spoke the word of God. One can say that they placed their minds and mouths at the disposal of God, who used them as instruments to dispense his message. Thus, they were convinced of the message. Yet, personal enlightenment regarding the true meaning of what they prophesied wasn’t always given to them. It is only in Jesus Christ, that the fulness of revelation was received.
What is the message for us through this experience of John, and many of the prophets, as well as the disciples of Jesus? God’s word is true, even when we do not understand it. However, every time we read it or hear it proclaimed, we have a responsibility to ‘treasure and ponder it’ like Mary; i.e., meditate on it, taking it before the Lord in prayer, humbly asking him to reveal his message, will and mission for us in that word. Without this humble surrender to the Spirit, we expose ourselves to doubts, misinterpretations, and even ideas contrary to the truths of the Gospel. Third Week of Advent
Response: Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness
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