Prepare the Way of the Lord

Grace for week 2: Pray for the grace to make straight his paths.
Reading for Sunday: Baruch 5:1-9.

Look to God. For God will show...named by God...the glory of God...remembered by God...God will...God has...God is.

The Mission

Grace for week 1: Pray for the grace to wake from sleep.
Reading for Saturday: Matthew 9:35-10:8 Jesus went to all the towns and villages teaching...and proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom.

Pray for the grace to wake from sleep. Why? Because the Kingdom of God is at hand.

Increasing Our Faith

Grace for week 1: Pray for the grace to wake from sleep.
Reading for Friday: Matt 9:27-31.

"Do you believe...?" Do you believe that God can do what you're asking Him to do? Do you believe? Do you believe that He can bring that relative into relationship with Him, find you another job or a new home? Heal your sick child or friend? Can He make the blind to see?
Faith comes to full stature when it's challenged. When things go well, there is no need. It's in the darkness that light has a purpose. It's in the un-knowing that trust is born.

Listen -- and Obey

Grace for week 1: Pray for the grace to wake from sleep.
Reading for Thursday: Matthew 7:21-27

"All those who listen to Christ's words become rock-solid in their life. Because his Word is life. The Lord himself is an eternal Rock. When we trust him, that is, when we are attentive and obedient to his Word as opposed to our own ideas, feelings, and preoccupations, we are given the "firm purpose" we crave that keeps us in peace." (from Magnificat Magazine, Thursday, Dec 3, introduction to the Mass)

Expectancy

Grace for week 1: Pray for the grace to wake from sleep.
Reading for Wednesday: Matthew 15:29-37

The crowds brought the lame and the sick to Jesus, expecting Him to cure them. And He did. What do we expect for ourselves? What do we expect from this Advent? God is mercy. Meditate on the life of Jesus to learn of his mercy -- and to let his mercy transform you.

Do not be afraid

Grace for week 1: Pray for the grace to wake from sleep.
Tuesday reading: Luke 1:26-38

"There are thus two kinds of peace: that which men can make for themselves alone, and that which is the gift of God.... Insofar as we realize that we are children of God, we will be men and women with lasting peace...Let us try then, in these days of Advent, to foster peace and joy, overcoming every obstacle. Let us learn to find God in everything, even in the most difficult situations. 'Seek his face Who ever dwells in real and bodily presence in his Church. Do at least as much as the disciples did. They had but little faith; they feared; they had no great confidence or peace, but at least they did not keep away from Christ...Do not keep from him, but, when you are in trouble, come to him day by day, asking him earnestly and perseveringly for those favors which he alone can give...So, though he discerns much infirmity in you which ought not to be there, yet he will deign to rebuke the winds and the sea, and say "Peace, be still." And there will be great calm.'"
(from In Conversation with God, 1st week of Advent, Tuesday -- also quoting J.H. Neuman)

You are called.

Grace for week 1: Pray for the grace to wake from sleep.

Reading for Monday: Matthew 4:18-22
"'Come follow me'....immediately he laid down his nets."