Daily Reflection – Dec 14, 2018
Friday 14 December 2018
First Reading: IS 48:17-19
Responsorial Psalm:
Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
PS 1:1-2, 3, 4 AND 6
Gospel Reading: MT 11:16-19
Today’s Note: Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Gospel Reading:
Jesus said to the crowds:
“To what shall I compare this generation?
It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another,
‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance,
we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said,
‘He is possessed by a demon.’
The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said,
‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard,
a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’
But wisdom is vindicated by her works.”
Reflection:
What description can I find for this generation? MT 11:16
Every generation has an element of disappointment in the new generation, and it seemed to be no different in the time of Christ. It is fair to say that what each new generation lacks, there is always something new to offer. One thing we can take assurance of is the fact that the faith we share in Jesus Christ remains the same.
Today is the memorial of one of the doctors of the Church, St John of the Cross. He said, “What we need most in order to make progress is to be silent before this great God with our appetite and with our tongue, for the language he best hears is silent love.” It is truly a busy and noisy time as we prepare for Christmas – buying presents and preparing for gatherings and holidays. But we need to stop and allow ourselves the time to sincerely focus on the meaning and importance of the solemnity we are about to celebrate.
With the Saviour’s birth, we are reminded that he was born in the silent stable at Bethlehem; he was buried in the silence of the sepulchre and speaks to us in the silence of prayer. Therefore, let us breathe and take in Christ as we prepare the manger of our heart to receive him this Christmas.
Lord Jesus, give me the grace of silence and allow me to worthily celebrate the mystery of the Word made flesh. Amen.
