The Lord rescues His people by creating new people. Samson (Jgs 13:24) and St. John the Baptizer (Lk 1:24) from today's readings are examples of this. However, our secular Western society is a "culture of death." It doesn't want many new people. It is contraceptive, exploitative, and abortifacient rather than fruitful and pro-life.
The Lord rescues His people by calling them to commitment. For example, Samson and John the Baptizer committed themselves to be lifelong Nazirites (Jgs 13:5; Lk 1:15). However, our society believes in avoiding commitment.
The Lord rescues His people by giving us the gift of faith. Those who have faith in Jesus as the Son of God conquer the world (1 Jn 5:5). However, through our secular humanistic culture, we have been programmed to be skeptical and doubtful. We are more like Zechariah (Lk 1:18) than Mary (Lk 1:34ff).
God's ways are as different from ours as the heavens are above the earth (Is 55:8-9). Therefore, we had better change our ways, or we will not let the Lord rescue us. Then we will perish. Do it His way.
| PRAYER: | Father, in this Advent, grace me to change my ways greatly and permanently. |
| PROMISE: | "In these days the Lord is acting on my behalf; He has seen fit to remove my reproach among men." –Lk 1:25 |
| PRAISE: | "O Flower of Jesse's stem, You have been raised up as a Sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in Your presence; the nations bow down in worship before You. Come, let nothing keep You from coming to our aid." |
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