Sunday, December 2, 2012

Watch and pray [First Sunday of Advent - December 2, 2012]


The Sunday Gospel [First Sunday of Advent - December 2, 2012]

Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

25“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

34“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise 35like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. 36Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Reflection

[Jesus said,] “Be careful … Be on watch and pray.” ~ v. 34, 36

Farmers hope for lots of rain right after they plant their corn. Once it sprouts and gets a good start, they hope for a “dry period.” The reason is to force the corn’s roots to grow downward in search of water, rather than stay on the surface. Unless the tap root of the corn grows downward to the “water level,” the corn will wither and die when the heat of summer sets in – it will have no way to draw up water.

Our prayer life is like that. God usually gives us a good start. Then God lets a “dry period” set in to force our prayer roots to grow downward to the faith level, rather than stay on the surface at the feeling level.

Why must prayer be primarily an exercise of faith rather than feeling?

Reflection Credits: Fr. Mark Link, SJ, Daily Homilies

Source: The Reflection is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarroabel.blogspot.com/).

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