In one week, we will celebrate the first day of the Christmas season. Have you prepared the way of the Lord? (Lk 3:4) Do you have faith strong enough to move mountains (Mt 17:20) so as to fill in the valleys, make the crooked straight, and the rough smooth? (Lk 3:5) All, including Christmas, "depends on faith" (Rm 4:16). But when Christ comes this Christmas and at the end of the world, "will He find any faith on the earth?" (Lk 18:8)
To grow strong in faith, we must recognize the cloud of witnesses surrounding us (Heb 12:1). They in turn will help us recognize Christ and fix our eyes on Him Who is the Beginning and the End of our faith (Heb 12:2). Realize that right now you are surrounded by Mary, John the Baptizer, and countless other saints in heaven and on earth. Recognize especially Joseph's presence. He made one of the greatest acts of faith in history. He believed the unimaginable – that Mary had conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit (Mt 1:20).
Joseph was the superman of faith. Recognize Joseph, who will direct you to Jesus, Who will gift you with deep faith. St. Joseph, pray for us.
| PRAYER: | Father, work through Your witnesses to help me receive mountain-moving faith and more. |
| PROMISE: | "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up a righteous Shoot to David." –Jer 23:5 |
| PRAISE: | "O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, Who showed Yourself to Moses in the burning bush, Who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out Your mighty hand to set us free." |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College