Getting closer to God in Jesus

 

Welcome to my blog. Peace be with you.

As we prepare for Christmas during Advent, may we prepare for a new coming of the Lord Jesus into our lives this Christmas. Maybe we have come to know him. May we come to know him more intimately this year through his Word and our prayer.

Thursday 3 December 2020

Get closer to God in Christ Jesus

 

First reading

Isaiah 26:1-6 ·

Open the gates; let the upright nation come in

That day, this song will be sung in the land of Judah:

We have a strong city;

to guard us he has set

wall and rampart about us.

Open the gates! Let the upright nation come in,

she, the faithful one

whose mind is steadfast, who keeps the peace,

because she trusts in you.

Trust in the Lord for ever,

for the Lord is the everlasting Rock;

he has brought low those who lived high up

in the steep citadel;

he brings it down, brings it down to the ground,

flings it down in the dust:

the feet of the lowly, the footsteps of the poor

trample on it.

 

Prayerful reflection

What is the strong city the faithful people will sing about? It is none other than God himself. He gathers his children to himself as a hen gathers her chicks under her wing. Only those who have put their trust in the love and goodness of God can experience the loving care of God. They are the ones who live an upright life. They humbly trust in God and listen to his Word.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 117(118):1,8-9,19-21,25-27

This responsorial psalm is a beautiful prayer of one who ‘has tasted and seen that the Lord is good.’ Through faith, they have experienced the closeness f Gd in their life. it is also an Advent prayer as we look forward to a new coming of Jesus, Son of God, into our lives at Christmas.

Blessed in the name of the Lord is he who comes.

or

Alleluia.

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good,

for his love has no end.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord

than to trust in men;

it is better to take refuge in the Lord

than to trust in princes.

Blessed in the name of the Lord is he who comes.

or

Alleluia.

Open to me the gates of holiness:

I will enter and give thanks.

This is the Lord’s own gate

where the just may enter.

I will thank you for you have answered

and you are my saviour.

Blessed in the name of the Lord is he who comes.

or

Alleluia.

O Lord, grant us salvation;

O Lord, grant success.

Blessed in the name of the Lord

is he who comes.

We bless you from the house of the Lord;

the Lord God is our light.

Blessed in the name of the Lord is he who comes.

or

Alleluia.

 

Gospel

Matthew 7:21,24-27

The wise man built his house on a rock

Jesus said to his disciples:

1.     ‘It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven,

2.     but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven.

3.     Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them

4.     will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and

5.     it did not fall: it was founded on rock.

6.     But everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act on them

7.     will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and struck that house,

8.     and it fell; and what a fall it had!’

Prayerful reflection

Like loving parents God is ever ready to help his children. There is no reason for failure in living. God is with us at every point. We only need to turn to him and he will be there for us in whatever circumstance.

We listen to his Word. We are unable to obey. It is too demanding. Let us humbly and earnestly turn to him for his Spirit. The virtuous life is the fruit of the Spirit, not of our efforts. It is given to those who really want it. This desire for virtue is shown by constant and earnest prayer for it.