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Monday, December 4, 2006

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St. John Damascene


Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122
Matthew 8:5-11

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a light walk

"Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!" —Isaiah 2:5

Happy Advent! As we begin a new Church year, the Church has a special message for us: God lets us start over again.

Have you been so hurting or confused that it seemed you were walking in darkness? Now the light of Jesus shines upon your gloom, and you will see "a great light" (Is 9:1). He has called you "from darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Pt 2:9).

Have you been "suffering painfully," even to the point that it seemed you were "paralyzed" in regard to your circumstances? (Mt 8:6) Jesus, the Light of the world (Jn 9:5), "will come and cure" you of your paralysis (Mt 8:7).

Jesus says: "I am the Light of the world. No follower of Mine shall ever walk in darkness; no, he shall possess the Light of life" (Jn 8:12). He has even promised to make us "worthy to share the lot of the saints in light" (Col 1:12).

Jesus has promised us a new beginning, a season of light. He lets us start over again. He is picking us up, cleaning us off, and giving us the strength to walk. Now it's our move. Will we walk toward the Light of the world or simply walk toward the world? "There was a time when you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Well, then, live as children of light" (Eph 5:8).

"Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!" (Is 2:5)

Prayer:  Jesus, Light of the world, I choose to spend my Advent decorating my soul for You. I love You with my all.

Promise:  "One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again." —Is 2:4

Praise:  St. John Damascene wrote, "You, O Church, are a most excellent assembly, the noble summit of perfect purity, whose assistance comes from God."

Reference:  (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 13, 2006

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