O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power.
Once again, O LORD of hosts
look down from heaven, and see;
Take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
We are at the halfway point of Advent 2017. As Christmas shopping and holiday preparations consume more of my time, how am I doing as I prepare the way of the Lord? And what exactly does all this preparing mean within our family? With my co-workers and good friends? Amidst the Christmas rush, is there some family reality that I am neglecting? Is there some person or situation that needs more of my time and attention?
Today’s verses from Psalm 80 invite me to “take care of this vine you have planted.” In what personal, practical ways is God inviting me to turn to him? During these Advent days just how is the Lord trying to show me his face? And in what particular Advent ways am I nurturing God’s gift of faith in my heart–this vine that God has planted?
—The Jesuit Prayer team
The Advent mystery is the beginning of the end of all within us that is not yet Christ.
—Thomas Merton
Please share the Good Word with your friends!
