R. (4) Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
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.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
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.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
We are at the halfway point of Advent 2018. 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 for me personally? Amidst the Christmas rush, is there some person or situation that needs more of my time and attention? Is there some real family need that I am neglecting?
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 at St. Camillus
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!
