Spending Advent With Mary, The Mother Of Jesus
Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Advent
Mary’s Poverty
Reflection
The first requirement for hearing God’s word in our lives is poverty. By poverty here, we do not mean “destitution.” We’re bound to eradicate such poverty, not spread it. Here we refer to a poverty of the heart, a simple willingness to trust in God and allow God to make us rich. Thus the line in Psalm 34, “The Lord hears the cry of the poor,” takes on new meaning for us.
Like Mary, we look to God in these days of Advent, turning to him with all our hearts. We may be afflicted, in times of difficulty and pain, or living with illness, impending death, and doom. Nonetheless, God hears us if we cry out to him. But our cry must be authentic. Like the second son in today’s reading, we must not give mere lip service to God, but truly give him our whole heart. He is close to us. God is here. Trust in him.
Share with others or ponder alone
What is the greatest obstacle in your life to giving full trust over to God?
Take action
Pray slowly the words of Psalm 34 and note all the verses which you feel yourself resisting. Bring this resistance back to God in your prayer today.
Prayer for today
Help me, O God, to bless you at all times. Let my soul glory
only in you. Answer me when I call to you. Amen.
Used with permission
Author: Bill Huebsch